WISkers @ BAYVIEW CORNERS

It was a beautiful day for sketching at Bayview Corners!  The sun was shining, the air was warm and fragrant, there were birds everywhere - it was perfect! 

The "Half Link" bike shop

The entrance (through the vine arbor) to Bayview Nursery

I settled myself in with a view of the fountain in the yard of the Basil Cafe.  Just as I started to sketch the fountain a robin landed on its very top and began to sing.  It was such an iconic scene!

Having some freshly baked ginger cookies from the Star Store after a hard day of sketching.  







 The giant chess pieces are ready and waiting for the kids to come during  Bayview Market Saturdays.

 Sketching and an impromptu back rub among the flowers in the nursery.

One of my favorite things about the yard in the Corners area is the old twig chair under the apple tree.

with WISkrs @ Elliott's house

 We were invited to a wonderful high bank "cabin in the woods" overlooking the water in Clinton.  In fact, it made me very nostalgic because Elliott's view is the same one Mom and Dad had for years out their front windows - straight out over the water to Everett and the Cascade range. 

 The house is full of little nooks and crannies that are in turn full of interesting "stuff", like seashells, feathers and skulls.  It was quite a sketchers paradise.

 

 I sat in a chair with my back to a HUGE tree propped up so I wouldn't tumble down the embankment into the briers and nettles on the way to the swamp at the bottom.  Except for being VERY CHILLY it was lovely to sit and sketch among the twittering birds and the delicate aroma of skunk cabbage.  Ah, spring!

 THIS IS MY SKETCH OF THE HOUSE

At the Bailey's Corner Store Art Studio Paul Petersen blows beautiful glass to take to his shop at Pike Place Market on equipment he built himself.  I am impressed with ALL of that, and with Paul!

WISkrs @ Studio 106 for First Saturday Art Walk

 

Last night was the "First Saturday Art Walk" and the April gallery openings down in Langley.  Museo and Brackenwood both had new shows and Artist's Open Houses for them.  And artist (and Sketcher) Phyllis Ray opened her studio both to the art walkers, and to us to sketch while they come through.  Her son's girlfriend agreed to pose for us, modeling Phyllis's Easter bonnet.  She was a GREAT model - holding her pose for at least 1 1/2 hours, never moving and never taking a break!  She is missing a bet financially.  If she did this professionally, she would be in HIGH demand.

It was a great night of art and fellowship.  Phyllis even sold some art (one of my favorite pieces of hers - the painting of The Braeburn Restaurant in bright blue).  

WISkers @ the SOUTH WHIDBEY COMMONS COFFEEHOUSE

The WISkers met at the South Whidbey Commons for four hours of sketching in the warmth of the glorious spring sunshine . . . . . .

. . . . . .  among the new happy daffodils and the promise of clouds of heather.

South Whidbey Commons

WISkers @ the COMPASS ROSE, Coupeville

In the 1890's Victorian home as invited guests of Captain and Mrs. Marshall Bronson.  They open their home to visitors to Whidbey Island and Coupeville as the Compass Rose Bed and Breakfast.  So much to sketch!  Just the kitchen window alone was a feast for the eyes!  So, "To crop  . . . . . 

" . . . .  or not to crop.  That is the question."

Compass Rose Bed and Breakfast

WISkers @ BAYVIEW NURSERY

Colorful plastic watering cans ready for Spring on the shelf in Bayview Nursery

Plants and their gnomes at BAYVIEW NURSERY waiting to go home to someone's garden.

WISkers @ STUDIO 106, Langley

During Langley's "Mystery Weekend" the Sketchers met at PHYLLIS RAY's wonderful studio, Studio 106, on Main Street in Langley (right next to this little shed) to sketch and chat with the Mystery Weekenders wandering through town.

Sketcher SHERRYL GOLDFINGER. wore her hat for the occasion and sat in repose for sketching.

MYSTERY WEEKEND cast members Benton Payne and Stella Payne also stopped in and sat for their portraits.

A HOSTESS GIFT for LOIS

Lois hosted a lovely dinner for some of the newer members of the UUCWI at her home in Freeland.  As a thank you gift I sketched a little watercolor of the Congregation building in Freeland.

WISkers @ DIANE'S HOUSE in GREENBANK

A basket of apricot toy poodles at Diane's house in Grreenbank. 

WISkers @ the RED ROOSTER ANTIQUE MALL, Freeland

In the Red Rooster Antique Mall in Freeland, a trunk full of colorful quilts and an antique wicker screen.

WISkers @ the GREENBANK STORE

The historic Greenbank Store in Greenbank, Wa.  The store opened in 1904.  It is owned and operated by the Coupe family, descendants of Captain Thomas Coupe, founder of Coupeville.

Wood stove in the center of the store is from Dowagiac, MI

WISkers @ USELESS BAY COFFEE COMPANY

A perky young patron enjoys the friendly ambiance of the Useless Bay Coffee Company on 2nd Street in downtown Langley.

WISkers @ BAYVIEW CORNERS COMMONS

"The Raven on the Landing"

A kacho-e print of a Winter Raven from Bayview's Fine Balance Imaging  hangs in the hallway landing of the Bayview Commons building

WISkers @ Callahan's Firehouse

Glass Garden outside Callahan's Firehouse, Langley, Wa.  Callahan McVey uses the old Langley Fire Station building to house his glass blowing studio and the gallery of fine art glass that he produces there.

WISkers - @ Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island

Nativity Animals at the UUCWI Christmas Pageant

Nativity Family - UU Christmas Pageant