Djammin' 2017

Django Fest is the very BEST of all Whidbey festivals, of which there are many. It's the only one I never miss. Sitting outside in the sunshine, listening to music, and drawing is my passion. It was a bonus that so many musicians this year had great hair for sketching.  BTW, the Double Bluff Brewery turned out to be the best venue in town for drawing musicians. And the warm pretzel with 3 dipping sauces is not to be missed.

words

Django Fest sketching

Jam session at the Commons

This colorful character walked by Firehouse Glass.  I asked him to pose for us & he kindly agreed, standing patiently for several songs.  He's not a musician, but a "musician of life"?

FIFTY FOUR DEGREES AND SUNNYYYY!

Many of the Sketchers braved the chill, at first, to sit outside on the patio in front of the South Whidbey Commons today to sketch the incredible ballet of dozers and graders and backhoes as they were either tearing up or putting back together (I couldn't tell which), the whole street and sidewalks in front of us. This will all be lovely when it is done, but it is a hot mess now. BUT, the sun came out BRILLIANTLY and I have a pink forehead and nose to show for my time!

Bonus Sketch Day

We weren't scheduled to sketch on Friday because we are sketching Sunday at Tilth. But some of the sketchers were getting twitchy at the thought of a Friday afternoon without sketching.  So a few of us got together for an impromptu afternoon of sketching at the Commons that transitioned into a lovely evening of sketching and partying in Mary's back yard. Fun, as always!

South Whidbey Commons with Friday Market tents in the background

Mary's delightful backyard.

Mike!

Django Fest in Langley

We had a ball sketching all the impromptu jam sessions we could find around Langley. I had so much fun, I might have to go back again tomorrow for a second helping.

At Useless Bay Wines

At Useless Bay Coffee

In the Backroom at South Whidbey Commons

Second Street Sketching

A stellar day of sketching in the sunshine with friends on Second Street.

Finnegan at  Rest: South Whidbey Commons

Pink Skirt: South Whidbey Commons

Father and Daughter: Useless Bay Coffee Company

South Whidbey Commons

South Whidbey Commons

Barbara looking fierce

South Whidbey Commons

What an enjoyable afternoon at South Whidbey Commons. Can you see what is wrong with this picture? I was so engrossed in the conversations, I gave Sue 2 left arms. Ah well, she is so talented she could probably manage.

South Whidbey Commons People

Quintessential Jay

I have very little to show for myself from last week's sketch meet at the Commons. Too much talking. Just got down a few people studies.

Pretty in pink (and purple).

South Whidbey Commons

Sketching on Second Street

You can't beat a sunny September afternoon strolling around Langley sketching with friends. This time of year, every warm, sunny day in the Northwest is precious and not to be squandered. We made the most of it.

P.S. Suisse Bakery in Langley Village

South Whidbey Commons Garden

Mo's

South Whidbey Commons

The South Whidbey Commons, one of our favorite sketching locations, asked us for a sketch "portrait" of the building. Many of the sketchers are submitting sketches for them to choose from. I took some photos and did these three versions. All are overworked, as usual, but I think the top one is the best. Sure wished I had one of the white marker pens for this one!

And I sketched these sunflowers inside the Commons when we met for sketching a couple of weeks ago.

South Whidbey Commons

I enjoyed a warm bowl of soup and a couple of hours of sketching at South Whidbey Commons.

SW Commons

This is for Lois.  Her scanner is not cooperating, so I have scanned her sketches and am posting for her.

Bookmark

SW Commons

Hi Petra,
I couldn't be there on Wednesday at the proper time, so ended up taking photos and working from them.  The light was nice, but I think you were closed.  Somehow these sketches seem static to me and I would like to do better, but lately time..... Pat

Little bookstore,-Big heart  South Whidbey Commons - Coffee too!

This looks so barren without people

Annette Hanna's South Whidbey Commons Sketches

Sue & Kris sketching

In front of the Commons

Artist, Annette Hanna, spends her summers on Whidbey and occasionally joins us for weekly sketching. These are her delightful sketches at South Whidbey Commons.

Splattering at the South Whidbey Commons

Good coffee and food, music, readings, local characters, comfortable seating and host to community groups has made the South Whidbey Commons one of Langley's crown jewels. It's friendly and friendly to we sketchers. Here's to the success of the Commons, ting!
I'm feeling quite rusty these days since sketching has taken a backseat to other endeavors. That's my excuse for this funky sloppy sketch. When all else fails throw paint at it. But I do like the splatters. Takes a little practice to get the brush load, aim and number of splats just right.

No splats here! A sketch of the warm and hospitable Mary, a Whidbey Island Sketcher. Thanks for having us to your beautiful yard garden!

Serendipity Strikes Again

Eddie McGehee: "The Songs, Stories and Images of the Great Depression"

So there I was, 8:30 Friday night, on my way to the car to head home when I heard music and laughter coming from South Whidbey Commons. Eddie McGehee was playing songs and telling stories about the Great Depression. The place was packed and everyone was singing along. Eddie is a sketcher's dream - the hat, beard, overalls, guitar, flowing white hair. I just happened to have my art bag with me, so I had to try to get a sketch.  I didn't see much of the show, but enough to see that Eddie is a real crowd-pleaser. It looked like a really fun and educational show.

The lovely and talented Simone, a fellow artist

I had to work fast and sketch standing up to see over the crowd and I noticed a cute little girl standing on a chair next to me looking over my shoulder. She told me, "You draw good!"  She had been making her own pictures and showed me her fabulous crayon drawings. Recognizing a kindred spirit and connoisseur of fine art, I offered to draw her picture after the show ended. No time for color -- they were closing up, so I did added watercolor later at home. What a fun way to end the evening!

2nd Street Market & Commons Garden

A sunny, breezy friday afternoon in Langley.  Enjoyed sketching in the garden at the Commons...

... and had a great view to sketch the 2nd Street Market.