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.

Sketching the Commons in the sun

It was a lovely sunny day to be out sketching and meeting up with friends.

A Sketch and a little Watercolor of The Commons

Did this sketch while sitting with everybody in front of the Commons building in the warm sunshine.  Funny, each time I have sketched here it has been beautiful.  Guess the only way to bring on good weather is to come here with my paints!

The landscaping in front of the Commons is so lush and beautiful right now that I wanted to try to somehow get it and the building all in the same view.  Hard. This little composite view watercolor was the result.

Joy & Craig Johnson Talk About Birds at SW Commons

Joy & Craig Johnson talk about hummingbirds at South Whidbey Commons

Technical Difficulties: Ed looks on while Gena troubleshoots.

I attended (and sketched) Craig & Joy Johnson's talk about birds at South Whidbey Commons last Friday. They put on a lively and informative program which included slides of Craig's wonderful bird photography from their new book, Our Pacific Northwest Birds & Habitat, as well as lots of insights about our local birds, bird watching, bird photography and even book publishing.  They are both passionate about protecting birds through education and community outreach. With that in mind, they recently published their first children's book The Amazing Hummingbird Story of Red Rufous, illustrated with Craig's watercolor paintings and inspired by a Rufous Hummingbird they watched and photographed daily from the time he was an egg in a nest at Earth Sanctuary! Check out this amazing slide show of those photos. Also check out all the fun and free stuff about hummingbirds on their website.

South Whidbey Commons

Sunday was a Summer Fun Fest 2011 at the South Whidbey Commons.  Hot Dog on A Stick prepared corn dogs and fresh lemonade,  The Tree top Bakery prepared the most delicious cake, entertainment was Trio Neuvo, a poet and another small group that I didn't catch the name.  Kids played with bubbles and dress up, china painting on the back patio.  All in all it was a Fun Fest and a good sketching opportunity, not to mention that my daughter and granddaughter were involved in providing the food from HDS, so I got to enjoy their company.

Cute Lahsa Apsos?

Jo watching the band

Trio Neuvo