Family Picnic Sketching

I really enjoyed sketching at the Pedersen family picnic this weekend. 11-year-old Michelle coined a new phrase,"grin cramps".

Michelle did a lovely watercolor sketch in my sketchbook of Grandma and Grandpa's backyard. Now I wish I'd given her a clean page to work on,.

And of course I did a sketch of Michelle sketching! Glad I had an extra sketchbook with me. That's my blue Lamy fountain pen she's using. This is my favorite sketch of the day because it captured the moment and the spirit of the gathering.

LaRae in the colorful lawn chair and Dan in the daisies. I was actually sketching the daisies, but then Dan came along and sat right in the middle of my sketch. I adapted.

Grandpa Roby and his son Robert. I think I see a family resemblance. It's the right hand. Robert, I shaved 20 years off your age and I gave you an extra arm. You're welcome.

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.

Bo in the Backyard

Bo

The Inn at Langley from Mary & John's backyard

San Juans

Pete and I camped last week under the tall trees. It has been such a cold summer the foxglove are still in bloom and the moss is still green.

South Whidbey Commons

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

Drive in the Rain

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just a rainy day drive in the mountains.



XoxoxX

Mother and Daughter

I thoroughly enjoyed sketching these two beauties, Stephanie and Alyscia. They were patient and held their poses like professionals. We knew Stephanie was a pro at Mo's. She's our favorite wait person.

This sketch was done in my Moleskine pocket accordion, a small sketchbook that expands. It's limited to 5" high but the width is left up to the imagination. The paper has a waxy surface that's resistant to watercolor giving drawings a look I've come to appreciate.













The first pose was quite long allowing me to experiment with different papers, watercolor and line-brushwork. I think this is Punjab paper. It's a nicely bound watercolor sketchbook I've had for many years. The paper is very rough with deckled edges and takes watercolor beautifully. I used a large squirrel hair mop, loading it with a couple colors then applied the paint broadside.

Stephanie taking a sleep-break during this warm afternoon.

Thank you for sitting, Stepanie and Alyscia!

Kitten VS Donkey

JuJu the donkey made a new friend. Sort of. He seemed to be just chasin' tail!

XoxoXOx

Sketching Stephanie and Alyscia

Stephanie & Alyscia

We've been wanting to sketch Stephanie, our favorite server at Mo's Pub,  for a while. It finally came together yesterday. We had the opportunity to sketch both Stephanie and her beautiful daughter Alyscia at Studio 106. They both have the most beautiful eyes and mouths. I wish I could have done them justice.

Alyscia, of the almond-shaped eyes and bee-stung lips

Stephanie sleeps beautifully

SW Commons

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

Bookmark

TINY grasshopper (grey, tan, camo colored)

Soooo tiny, like the size of my pinky finger nail. anddd, it looks like little tiny wings on its back, but it's just two tan dots that are part of the pattern.
I like to think of them as evolving dragon wings.

Loooooook at his amazing old man, stone henge, pouty, big nosed face!!!! it's like something you see in a nursing home.
A face i love!
xoxoxoxox

Coupeville Races

I managed to make it to Coupeville, but it was Monday.  The boats were sailing up and down the center of Penn Cove, kids were playing in the muck on the beach and the tide was what I call a super minus.

Racing up and down

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

But Where Were the Boats?

Last year the Whidbey Island Sketchers gathered at the end of the Coupeville Wharf to sketch the sailboat races during Whidbey Island Race Week.  Hundreds of boats raced right by the wharf all afternoon.

So yesterday, again we gathered.  After watching the races from my office window on Monday and Tuesday, I couldn't believe my eyes when I arrived at the wharf.  Yesterday they raced the Saratoga Passage course waaay over by Camano Island.  From the wharf, they were just specks on the horizon.

So here is a rare view of Race Week from the Coupeville wharf - without any boats!  Alas.

Hanging Laundry To Dry (with JuJu the donkey and Bruiser the dog)

The Flagyl antibiotics are wearing off.... and just in time for the sunshine to come back out... and i can be in it's bright heat again! I call um' hot hugs.
So, now i have to wash all the new underwear i bought because I burned all the ones i was wearing while having the Giardia parasites. Fuck that parasite, it stole my whole summer... i show no mercy. I play no games, and i take no chances. Out with the old farted panties, in with the new!

Time to wash down all my clothes and really scrub the cabin (to shine like the top of the chrysler building?) too... just in time cause my mom who has cleaning OCD arrived in town yesterday and due to come over this week.... HELP mom, you must use your special talent on my sinks and toilet! Make it safe again! ;) ha ha

Oh yeah, and here is my life in video.... exciting yes? Just me and the animals hanging laundry together.



XOOXoxox

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.

Magical Carrots::: ft. bruiser, juju and jen

My friend jen came to visit me and the animal crew today... and she brought JuJu her own bag of carrots. They really helped JuJu with not wanting to stomp on Bruiser the Dog...
Here is a video of how the carrots work like magic...



Thanks Jen for coming for a visit! You are such an awesome friend !!!
XOxoOX

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!

Bug and Dog and Gang

When things shift, for me it always seems to be a violent shift.... but an invisible one. It's like a horrible fart that makes no sound, but the smell wakes you in the night, and you think WTF has that dog been eating in the woods?
My life... silent but deadly... smelt it but didn't delt it?

I have a dog now. My neighbors dog who is known as the neighborhood "whore dog" (AKA, Bruiser) - because he can't seem to stay at home. He doesn't say why and it doesn't matter how he ended up back at my house... he is here now. A big bag a gluten free dog food, and I made him his own pillow bed from some wool and fabric. He seems content, and has not yet run away.
I was feeling a bit more then disappointed this week, because the local primitive & outdoors living skills classes (called Firefly) was happening and i missed it due to having to take the Flagyl anti-biotics to kill the mean, evil, worthless giardia (parasite) that was plaguing my intestines.
And kill it, it seems to have done. Kill many things. No more diarrhea! YAY... but oh the fuckin' side effects that linger and my body is eager to throw off toxins, which means now the waves of nausea are again my pal. A friend I have to tell to go away.
I chant over and over "but no more diarrhea!"

I have noticed with the weird weather we are having this summer (it never gets hot here, and now it is downright chilly!)... the variety of bugs has shifted a bit from last year. I have seen maybe 3 live mosquitoes all summer. Had only one night of No-See-Ums.... and the moths are slightly different too. And remember the giant bug that got in bed with me? The Palo Root Borer Beetle....
here is a video of one outside, looking for a place to lay eggs and then actually laying them in a dead log outside the Luck Cabin!......


My animal gang is my joy, entertainment, my drama, and my laughter.
If you replace "my animal gang" with "my future man" ... that totally sounds like a terrible 'walk on the beach' personals ad. ha ha. I bet these guys would love to walk on the beach too... maybe i can book that whole animal crew and myself a plane ride to the Caribbean, the donkey would love it.
XOxOXoxOX