Orcas Island Pottery

Yikes, I started this and realized I was on the sketchers blog instead of my own.  What the heck, maybe you'll like it anyway. Pat
A few of my favorite paintings in watercolor are gracing the walls of our Co-op.  I don't always paint larger than a quarter sheet, but the Orcas Island pottery displays were worth the challenge.
I loved the brown and blue mugs, they looked like they would be a pleasure to hold in your hand.  The giant plates on the side of the log building also attracted me.  The sun was shining making very defined shadows and the blue and transparent pinky pearl glaze on one of the plates made me want to paint.





Both of these paintings are professionally framed with conservation clear glass.  I took these photos while they were hanging on the wall at Whidbey Art Gallery so there is a slight glare because of so many lights.

Pitcher and Pear is a large 16x20 or 1/4 sheet with conservation clear glass.  All three of these paintings are available through me walarts@gmail.com or at Whidbey Art Gallery in Langley, WA.  www.whidbeyartists.com.

Sketching in the Sun on Orcas

                     
We sat on the deck at the Orcas Hotel eating and sketching.

                                         
Views of the water from Orcas.

I love this handmade paper in the sketchbook Sherryl gave me!  I had been eyeing hers for months.  Thanks, Sherryl!!  And, thanks to WISk for joining the Anacortes Sketchers for this Orcas fieldtrip.  What a perfect day!!

Things I Saw on Orcas Island

We went to Orcas Island with the Anacortes Sketchers on Monday. The sun was out. The weather was balmy. They sky was blue. The views were spectacular. And I drew bunnies and crows in the yard at the Orcas Hotel. Go figure.

Grazing . . .

grazing . . .

grazing . . .

Takin' a load off

Gettiin' a drink

Waitin' for the ferry

Lookin' fabulous in black and white!

Catchin' a few Z's on the ferry.

Orcas Island and Glass Flower

Last week snow and sleet, this week Sunshine and flowers.  This particular flower is from our last expedition to The Schack Center in Everett where we watched Eight men throw huge pieces of hot glass to rocking music played loudly.  The whole scene was lots of fun and it was good practice to sketch quick motions of the ever moving men.
This week we traveled with the Anacortes Sketchers to Orcas Island where we settled in around the Orcas Hotel and watched the ferry come and go while we recorded our environment with paper, pen and paint.  It was a long, but fun day traveling on my favorite Ferry route, eating and drinking with friends and even the crazy last minute visit to the new Yogurt shop in Oak Harbor.

Graceful Madrona and Orcas Hotel

Glass Flower from the Schack Center

Ferry Landing from the Big Rock near the Hotel.

Orcas Island Focus on Sketching

Creating texture with Sue's black brush pen kept me entertained the 1st day on Orcas Island.

View from the Pottery Garden

Rosario Resort hanging basket

Sue and I collaborated on this piece of "buddy art" in the condo's guest book. We're onto something...it's freeing to pass one piece back and forth...so much more than my vision alone.

Three Sketching Days on Orcas Island

Spent 3 glorious days on Orcas Island sketching with Sherryl and Missy. And by the by, Sherryl did her best work ever. Stay tuned!

Cascade Bay Grill at Rosario Resort

Cascade Bay Grill at Rosario Resort

View from Cascade Bay Grill, Rosario Resort

Rosario Resort Lamp Post

Ferry People - Anacortes to Orcas Island

Bronze Mermaid on the Beach at Lieber Haven Resort, Orcas Island

Watercolor Sketching on Orcas Island

Just back from Orcas Island where I took a Plein Air Watercolor Sketching class taught by Caroline Buchanon.  Went with several Anacortes Sketchers.  We sure enjoyed our 4 days at "Paint Camp".  Here are some results of the techniques we studied.

practicing perspective on a barn downhill

negative painting of East Sound

shadow painting at Lieber Haven

contour painting of a hanging basket at Orcas Hotel

and just a good ol' sketch of a classmate

A gathering of friends on Orcas Island

I just spent five magical days with a group of longtime friends at Denise's most beautiful "cabin" on Orcas Island. Each night was a spectacular sunset looking toward San Juan and Vancouver Islands. Think I could sketch this? Ha.

Just got a little color....then it was over! Each night was so different!

So I tried again in the quiet early morning light.

A little sketch....

And more spots of color in East Sound while enjoying a cup of spiced tea! Then on to the chocolate sampler shop........