Capt'n Whidbey Inn

An early beautiful spring afternoon with the Whidbey Sketchers.  One can't count on it, but sometimes April surprises us with sunlight and warmth.  We gathered on the deck overlooking the Penn Cove mussel beds at the Captian Whidbey Inn and the sun came out and warmed us in its rays. Oh!  Sheer delight!  I couldn't figure out my sketch until I settled in the warmest spot I could find and hunkered down to sketch these two madronas dancing at water's edge with Penn Cove in the background.  Ahh... sweet island life!

What a day! Sailin', sailin' away, is where I wanna be . . . on a tall ship in Penn Cove!

It was FANTASTIC, and, like my other two tall ship experiences, quite magical!! The story and photos are on my Blog http://www.judinyerges.com. Here is the sketch I did from the top of the walkway down to the wharf, while I was waiting for the ship to start loading us passengers. This was my first view of it of the day. 

And this is the second sketch I did, after we got underway, and while the Captain and the crew were singing their sea songs. 

Snow Berries on Penn Cove

This sketch is a composite of images from my walk along Penn Cove near our house in Coupeville. I've tried to capture the brilliant whites of distant Mt. Baker and the snow berries in the hedgerow.

Penn Cove Hedgerow Gifts

There is no limit to the number of inspiring subjects for painting along Penn Cove. This fall, the rose hips and blackberries in the hedgerow across from our house enticed me to bring them indoors as sketching subjects.

Cozy Inside the Captain Whidbey Inn

First big storm of the season was promised, but the afternoon turned out to be cold but calm.  The fabulous Captain Whidbey Inn was the perfect place to tuck in for an afternoon of sketching inside its cozy confines.

pictures on the wall of the madrona log-lined lobby

looking out on Penn Cove

Penn Cove from Captain Whidbey Inn

Julie's first sketch with Whidbey Island Sketchers - looking out the Captain Whidbey Inn's dining room window onto the sun deck and Penn Cove.

Around Penn Cove

3 Sisters Cattle Company on north side of the cove.  Went to paint the cows but fell in love with the chickens. 

Coupeville Farmers Market.

So much is in bloom all around the cove.

Celebrating Penn Cove Mussels

You can't live in Coupeville - home of Penn Cove Mussels - without loving our annual Musselfest.

Yesterday was a crystal clear Spring day and visitors were everywhere, enjoying our mussels, chowder-tasting, boat trips to the mussel farm, and of course the beer tent & bands.  Beautiful boats were coming and going from our historic wharf. 

What a grand day in our little piece of paradise on Penn Cove.