Sketching at PICKLES DELI in Clinton

Not only did we get to sketch inside the newly revamped and remodeled Pickle's Deli in Clinton, but we got to have a terrific lunch, at the same time. My favorite - The Reuben. And a HUGE cup of cream of broccoli soup. All while enjoying the company of the Flying Pickle Girl!

Friday Fun Band - Christmas Edition

We sketched at one of my favorite venues this Friday, the Friday Fun Band at South Whidbey Senior Services. I was pleased to capture the entire band in one double-page sketch. One gal even appears twice in my sketch - once when she was standing up singing a solo ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - she was awesome!) and again when she was back in her seat playing a horn with the rest of the band.

And THEN, a member of the audience entertained us sketchers with a couple of his seasonal snowman jokes. He assured us he was well known for his jokes.

Q: Do you know where snowmen keep their money?
A: In a snow bank!

Q: What happens when a snowman meets Dracula?
A: Frost bite! 

And then I got a couple of sketches of the Time Together crowd dancing with volunteers to Christmas tunes. Loved it! Added a little stardust splatter for a festive touch.

The Winter view

Cynthia had the chairs turned around into the room;
the red quilts and pillows added just the right touch for Christmas!

Holiday Merriment & Fun

What a wonderful time!! Thank you all for making me feel so welcome!

Christmas Still Life with Liesel

First time sketching the newest Whidbey Island Sketcher. Liesel fits right in with our fun loving group and we adore her already!

Thanks a bunch, Cynthia, for sharing your joyous and outrageously bedecked home with us once again. A great time was had by all.

Christmas Sketching at Cynthia's "House of Polkadots and Mushrooms"

2015

2014

Sketching at Island Herb

Island Herb was such a welcoming environment - a cozy seating area filled with artwork, plus friendly and helpful staff. They filled us in on all of the gadgets and forms of cannabis.  Lots of products to help you sleep, take away the aches and pains of life or just feel mellow. A fun way to spend a cold December day!

Whidbey Island Winery vines

 

Here's a reminder of summer... a small oil painting of the Whidbey Island Winery vines. 

Making fresh Christmas wreaths

In a break from our usual sketching style, we created wreaths at Paula's again this year. She ordered supplies, pulled out her magic wreath clamping device and set it all up in in a covered garage space (where we can be messy but sort of warm). Everybody gathered odds and ends of greenery - such an nice variety and the smell was amazing. Mary C. even brought sticks, shells and copper wire. Somebody brought Rosemary this year, thank you.....my whole house smells great. It's become one of my favorite traditions. Thank you Paula!

With the Sketchers at Bayview Nursery, Christmas right around the corner!

Our Lady of the Cascadian Woods

She's wild and green and larger than life. With a skirt of of greens and a crown of ferns, she is bedecked in garlands of vines, succulents, berries and a bird's nest. Utterly regal and magnificent. Come see her in all her glory in the greenhouse at Bayview Farm and Garden. Our Lady of the Cascadian Woods was created by Maureen Murphy, the talented proprietress of our local nursery.

Treasures on the Island

On a chilly fall day I set up to sketch at Treasure Island...but there were eyes on me already. From the rooftop, Henry the guard cat was watching. I didn't see him at first - who looks for a cat on a hot tin roof? But then movement from above and here he comes - DOWN the ladder to check me out. 

Inside, another great curiosity....who was this ancient tribe from long ago? Or, possibly, are they still here deep in the forest or under the sea? 

 

THE TREASURE ISLAND CATS

After what seems like a months and months, instead of just weeks, I joined a very small, but dedicated, group of Whidbey Island Sketchers yesterday to visit Treasure Island Antiques and Collectibles in Greenbank. Many delightful "treasures" to see and sketch - furniture, china, dolls, lamps, etc. I was (of course) immediately drawn to this reproduction sabre tooth tiger skull (which was right next to the reproduction "Predator" skull. Ew). I was also drawn immediately to Henry the Wonder Cat, a very sleek and handsome striped fellow, who gave us all a head-bump "hello" greetings, jumped right into my car to explore it, and happily did his "trick" for us - climbing up an 8 foot ladder to the roof of the building so he could survey everyone down in his domain. Treasure Island has many lovely things for sale, but I think I want Henry.

Naval Museum in Oak Harbor

Such a fascinating place -  great docents and such an intriguing collection!

Langley Marina on a cloudy day.

Sketching Alpacas!

Waiting For The Storm.

Sundance Bakery

Fresh baked cinnamon rolls, pumpkin bars with gooey cream cheese frosting..... and an equally warm happy hour.

Sketchers retreat in Long Beach

2016 Djangofest

This year's Djangofest was for sure my most favorite so far. Somehow it felt I found the sweet spots, the magical music several times. The first time was indoors at The Commons. Being the comfort seeker that I am....I was looking for a warm and sheltered place to sketch. I guess the musicians did too, because there they were. The bass player, Libor Michalak, a biologist from Richmond BC liked my sketch so much he took pictures of it. The next day he was asking people if they knew how to contact me as he wanted to buy it. Emily Feffer texted me so I was able to find him and give it to him. It felt good to pay back for the wonderful music. Some of my favorite music was at Kalakala, where I just listened and schmoozed and didn't sketch. Outside at the Commons and UBCC drew me in with bouncy tunes and I was a happy sketcher. I was there all 3 days and simply had a wonderful time.I guess Happy Hour was just all over the place all of the time. And always a seat with a table. Lucky me.

The Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend

What a perfect day we had for the Wooden Boat Show!! For the first sketch I, once again, found a picnic bench with an empty seat and a terrific view. The scene was complicated as all get out, but I persevered and captured the feeling of the dock to some degree. The sun was shining, it was not too hot, sketchers and strangers stopped by from time to time for a look and a comment. All in all a very pleasant location. When I got tired of sun in my face I walked to the other side of the marina where I could look out at the open waters facing toward our sweet Whidbey and the sun on my neck. Again I found a handy bench with a place to sit and a place to put my gear. These two boats were coming and going taking folks for rides. If you look closely toward the middle of the deck of Lady Washington you will see Judi Nyerges getting sunburned. 

Comforts Winery

Okay, I'm home with a cold so it's catch up time for the WISk blog. This sketch depicts the view from the gracious big wrap around porch at Comforts Winery. Being a comfort seeker by nature, I found a place on the porch out of the wind with a chair and a table beside it. Then I looked around to see what to sketch.....and it was a no brainer. I love this grand view from the winery porch! And it was convenient to the tasting bar. Can't beat that!

Sketching at the Wooden Boat Festival

I actually managed two sketches Friday morning, between a late start and lots of conversation with passersby while I sat on the dock next to the Lady Washington. When I first arrive the sun was in my eyes, so I turned around and sketched the Adventuress (sails down, flags out). Later I over-sketched her sails in, because she is so majestic under sail. 
When the sun rose higher and I was able to see the Lady Washington out of the glare, I sketched what was closest to me - the figurehead. Only the very best sailors will be able to spot the mistake I started to make on the Adventuress, but caught myself before I got too far.

Andersen Farm, Langley

Lovely place to sketch.  Thanks Dorothy for providing delicious fresh cider to go with sounds of squawking chickens and mooing cattle and beautiful things to capture our brushes and pens.

Dahlia House at Al Anderson Farm in Langley

Sat alongside the road in the sunshine in my comfy chair for 2 1/2 hours today, while the clouds tried to decide whether to dump rain. Happily, they did not, so I got this watercolor sketch all done. Later, at Happy Hour, I started to add ink to it. They took away my pens to prevent this. Nice, ladies. So here is a sketch, all watercolor, of Dorothy's beautiful dahlia garden and sweet little roadside stand.

Olympic Mist Farm

I was a bit undone when I discovered that everybody was actually sketching INSIDE the pen with the male alpacas.   However, we found that they were mostly very shy and placid--except when they saw that the females were being let out from one pen to another.   Then they suddenly became very interested and competitive.   They have sweet faces!

Comfort Winery

So many delicious choices--couldn't decide.   And I just tasted the whites!  We are so fortunate to have many fine wineries on Whidbey Island.