Sketching at the Sonshine Alpaca Farm

It felt so good to be out sketching with the WISkers again.  It's been a long time.  We met today at the Sonshine alpaca farm very near my house in Langley.  Very fun place tucked way back into the woods at the top of a hill.  Lots of alpacas, goats, chickens and BIG guard dogs to protect them all from the coyotes, eagles and owls. 

LOVE this guy snacking away IN his feeder.  I am sure the idea was for him to be on the ground with his head in the box, but whatever works!

 Totally great animals!  The black one is a big boy alpaca kept separate from his girl alpacas and not happy about it.  He never stopped mewing and bleating the whole time I was sitting doing my sketch!

This is a Karakachan, a Bulgarian Sheepdog.  His job is to protect the animals from eagles, coyotes and owls.  He is huge.  And exceedingly PEOPLE friendly.  He nearly knocked me over in his joy to greet and love me.  He was pretty sure that my camera case was his ball. 

This is SUCH a pretty place.  The sun was warm, it smelled like a farm and was filled with all sorts of animal sounds.  Such a completely enjoyable way to spent the day.

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!

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 @ 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

WISkers - @ Timbuktu Coffee Shop and Bakery

Delicious freshly baked sweet treats at Timbuktu Coffeehouse

We all wish WISker Lisbeth Cort a very happy birthday by making "Sketcher Cards" for her!

A NEW START IN ART with the WHIDBEY ISLAND SKETCHERS

A new start in a new place.  Meeting the Whidbey island Sketchers for the first time by finding my way up to Coupeville, north of Bayview, to the "new" old bowling alley, Ebey Bowl.