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.

Whidbey Island Sketchers Show

Judi put together a terrific Whidbey Island Sketchers show at UUCWI In Freeland. And it is wonderful to leisurely thumb through the many sketchbooks on display. They're personal journals that give a glimpse into the artist's life. All are very unique and special.

One of the many pluses of sketching with the sketchers is there's always models to draw. And they sit pretty still. Here's my sketches of the day. The main congregation room with Judi.

 And a sketch of new member, Marissa. Thanks for sitting fairly still, Marissa. Nice to meet you!

Beautiful East Harbor Home

Meditating on Holmes Harbor was one way to stay cool on a warmer than average day.

With my back to the water I discovered frogs, frogs and more frogs. They know how to stay cool on the shady side of the house.

Smuggler's Cove

It seems no matter where you are on this Island there is an overwhelmingly beautiful view. Thank you Elizabeth and Fletcher for sharing your dreamy overlook. 

Curious Birds

Curious sketchers, curious birds make a colorful afternoon.

Watercolor Class

Kris Wiltse will be offering a watercolor class in February. Here is a description and the particulars...

Watercolor Basics

 Watercolor! There's nothing like watching it explode and intermingle on paper. It's a direct, spontaneous, jewel-like medium with a mind of it's own. With taming any wild paint it boils down to working with and understanding it's assets. And watercolor has many. In this class I'll cover through talks, demos and assignments: tools and materials, loading the brush, brush techniques/mark making, pigment characteristics, color theory and wash techniques such as wet on dry, wet in wet, glazing and mixing color on paper (merging) vs. palette mixing. Come learn the basics of this exciting medium and explore it in a comfortable, supportive and private setting on Whidbey Island.



Class days and times:
Tuesdays, 10am-12ish, February 4, 11, 18 and 25
Cost: $75
Place: Private studio

Email me to secure your spot: kwiltse@whidbey.com

To see more of my work, visit my website

It'll be fun!

An Ivars B-Day!

Many thanks to all my sketch friends for making my birthday a happy one. And for launching my ornament collection! It was a marvelous, fun day! Love you all!
Here's my sketches....

Oops! An exaggerated nose!

Thank You Gayla, for the lovely flowers and ornament frame!

I splurged on Creme Brulee.

Patrons

A man at the bar.

Birds at Bar

It feels as if the sea birds outside of Ivar's would be happy to join us inside for a french fry or two. Watching the sea life and bar life was a cozy way to celebrate Kris's birthday. Again good company and good food.

The top watercolor was inspired by Mike Todoroff. The bottom watercolor was a seagull hanging out on the rail.

Dancing at the Senior Center

Wow! That was a trip! Loved the Friday Fun Band and watching everyone party and have a good time at the Senior Center. They start early at this place! It was difficult sketching moving people, so I just worked at trying to get down the gestures. Here's my Senior Center sketches. I added some color at home:

Later we headed for cynthia's for wine. I tried to capture Faye and Cynthia sitting across the table from me. Unfortunately I did not get Cynthia at all!

We sere talking ornaments and I told the story of mine being stolen, which discouraged me from continuing to collect, so Cynthia gave me a beautiful Santa ornament to get me started again. I did a goofy little sketch of it:

The Roaming Radish

All week I've been anticipating the next Whidbey Island sketch meet at the Roaming Radish's new digs. They moved locations from the old beach cabin building across from Payless to Holmes Harbor in Freeland, near the golf course. Having eaten there before the move, I knew they had fantastic food. And they still do! I really appreciate the numerous vegan selections. First I had the quinoa salad with lemon tahini dressing. Later I had the bng which is basically a black bean burger topped with dill mayo, lightly pickled beets and greens. It also came with a side of delicious cubed home fries and a spicy chutney-like ketchup. Such a wonderful array of flavors in every bite of both dishes. With all this eating I somehow got in some sketches! Here they are in order of creation...

Ebey Bowl

The Coke bottle was just a small part of the nostalgic decor at the alleys. It was inspiring to be part of the enthusiasm the sketchers brought to the day.

I'm still experimenting with the Yupo paper, which allows the watercolor to slip and flow on the page. It's also easy to lift the color off the page to create highlights. Are the small dots from the pigment, dust on the Yupo or fizz from the coke?

Ebey Bowl

Jaemie, the newest addition to our sketchers group, has a wonderful sense of color and design. Her style is apparent in this self portrait.

Ebey Bowl and Greenbank Grille

Ebey Bowl is a great place to sketch. Everyone was so welcoming and there's an abundance of subjects for picture making pleasure. I could spend an entire day there and still not sketch everything I'd like to.
Of course happy hour sketching entailed so we headed for the Greenbank Grille.
Here's some of my sketches from the day...

Greenbank Grille...

Sherryl and Cynthia

Bar Guy

At the Bar and a couple

Camo Guy

Sketching Stuff

As always, no matter where the sketchers meet, it's always fun and a learning experience. Here's my sketch from Senior Thrift...

A House With a View

Another unique location by Possession Point offered fabulous views and wonderful host this week.

Watercolor stays brilliant and loose on Yupo.

BOO!

Had a very nice sketching day with the sketchers at Sharen Heath's yard. Then more fun at Sherryl's for happy hour. Working in this new Stillman and Birn Zeta sketchbook. The jury's out on it. The hot press surface is great for pen but watercolor is very difficult. Colors get sucked in before they can flow across the surface. I say Boo! Hoo! But I'm considering it trash now so maybe some good sketches will come along.

The Schack Art Center

The Schack Art Center in Everett has it all! Student art, classes, glass blowing, spacious display space and gift shop. So when When The Whidbey Island Surface Design group set up a show there the Sketchers took a field trip. Fabulouse show!

Siri and Steve at OM

After sketching at Prima, a few of us headed to Ott and Murphy for live music and a glass of wine. OM has expanded which means more room for sketch supplies! And elbows. For musicians too. This evening we were entertained by Siri Bardarson on electric cello and Steve Trembly on guitar. What a delight! I'm not sure how to describe their music. Eclectic? With comedy mixed in. Feel good music without the musak. Lively and beautiful. Regardless, if you have a chance to catch them, you're in for a treat.

Here's my sketches...

A patron enjoying the show

Gestures from Callahan's

An outstanding day of sketching in Langley!
Though the sketchers met at Callahans Firehouse, I saw sun beating down at the Commons across the street so started there for a warm-up. Mike was my unlucky subject. I nagged him by saying "stop moving your head!" two dozen times. Okay, I exaggerate.

Once I heard Callahan was working glass, I headed over for some quick gestures of glass flowers, Callahan, Robert and Sue.

Christmas Hug