Prehistoric Pterodactyl in Sequim!?

 

I was in Sequim during Lavender festival this weekend and attempted sketching this metal pterodactyl sculpture at Lost Mountain Lavender farm.  Proportions were challenging!  Felt like drawing some sort of alien anatomy. The sculptor is Ray Hammar, Blue Collar Artwork, who welds recycled materials into art.  Also onsite was Ray's apocalyptic 'steampunk zombie killer tank' but I could not attempt to sketch it.

Race Week and Captain Whidbey

Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay.......It couldn't have been more pleasant. I arrived a little late so did these sketches very fast. Also I'm learning new tools.....the water pen and the brush pen. New to me anyway. I  can see it will take some practice to use the brush pen with any finesse. Coupeville dock and then Cap'n Whidbey Inn on a sunny afternoon in the summer. A combo that can't be beat. 

Race Week and Capn Whidbey

The deck of the Captain Whidbey Inn in high summer is perhaps our very favorite place to have happy hour and sketch. When the sun is out, there's no place better. There was a surprising amount of orange in my view yesterday afternoon.

 I liked this very quick sketch of a man leaning over the railing at the end of the Coupeville pier better than my overworked and belabored boat sketch.

A brush pen can be a dangerous tool in the wrong hands. It's destroyed many a sketch. After all these years, values are still kicking my butt, so I try to "punch it up" with the brush pen.

Open Mike at Bloom's Winery

Once again that perfect pairing of Sketchers and wine. This time add music and it was a Wow of an evening! To put the cherry on top....our own Codie Pitcher was one of the stars. 

Whidbey Island Winery

Sketchers and wineries go together like peas and carrots. What better place to indulge in our favorite pastimes? Comfort is when the sun is shining, there are sketchers scattered about the landscape, and wine is near. Thanks to our hosts at Whidbey Island Winery. Another A+ day for WISk. 

Kang's Lavender Farm

I guess if there's an umbrella anywhere near it's going to get into my sketch. The Kang's gardens and lavender fields are a joy to visit. 

Horton's Country Garden

Chairs! I love to draw chairs. There was a guard goose and chickens and other moving subjects, but I couldn't move myself away from this sweet scene. Not only that but a princess granted my wish. I'm still waiting....but feel the manifestation is near. 

"Haly Rune"

We Sketchers get to go to the most wonderful places! Haly Rune was advertised as a rose garden, and the rose garden was spectacular. And there was so much more. I am always drawn to umbrellas for some reason, so could not resist this inviting scene. 

Fort Casey

The day was sunny and chilly. I found protection in one of the bunkers and sketched what I could see from there.....which turned out to be the charming lighthouse at Fort Casey. 

Kang's Lavender Farm

Kangs' Lavender Farm

We love to go to the Kangs' lavender fields, but somehow I never draw the lavender. The fields of lavender are overwhelmingly beautiful and seem impossible to capture. This year I found a lovely vignette with a birch tree riddled with woodpecker holes, in the center of a bed of frothy pink flowers with the lavender fields and tree line in the background.  It's one of those sketches that I hated when I finished it because it was so overworked and busy and I despaired that I still don't know how to simplify.  But I like it better today. I feel this vignette tells the story of Kay Kang's artistic vision and beautiful soul. It's full of life, light, color, movement and whimsy. It's growing on me.

Hortons' Country Garden

So much to draw in Annie Horton's garden, but most of it was on the move! Here's a chicken scratching in the dirt.

Oliver the Guard Goose took his job very seriously. He lowered his head and threatened anyone who got too close to his ducks. A tough guy.

Big Mike and Roses

We came to the Sandris' to sketch roses but found so much more. It's always a good sketching day when I find an animal holding still long enough for a sketch. Big Mike was artfully arranged against a background of beautifully patterned pillows on the sofa.

I was sketching roses in the Tuscan Rose Garden when it started to rain, so I called the sketch done, gathered up my things and ran for cover. I could have tried to finish it later but probably would have just ruined it. Best to keep it spontaneous.

Beautiful home, beautiful gardens, great art, gracious and welcoming hosts. And Big Mike. Thanks, Sandris!

Sky Root Farm Kids

We sketch on Fridays and these kids were born on Monday, so they were only four days old. Unfortunately the nanny was refusing to feed one of them and he was getting pretty skinny. We were all worried about the rejected kid. They were going to start bottle feeding soon if things didn't turn around.

Cluttered desktop

My postings have not been very regular, but today is the day for me to clear the desktop!  Here are a number of sketches that have been hanging out from all the way back to the lighthouse and Bob Bowling sheds.

Lighthouse going topless ;-)

Ferry Coffee 

Gordon the goose that looks like a duck here.

Gordon - his neck is getting longer

Annies Holly hocks 

Bowling shed

Shovel Vane and gardens

Nicest hosts  Susan, Mikey and Kevin