RED HAT BUBBLE BEARS AND A BUDDHA

At the beautiful log home in the deep woods of our hostess, artist and collector of eccentrics, Janet Ross, a kitchen window full of delightful etceteras - including a row of brightly colored bottles, empty now of their soap bubble solutions, but still possessed of jaunty red hats. And a Buddha with a red glass ball. And an orange glass pumpkin. And a flying red heart. JOY on a windowsill.

"End of the Season", Seif's Crab Pots and Floats at Cary's House

With the Sketchers today in Langley at Cary Jurian's WHIDBEY FINE ARTS STUDIO for an opportunity to draw and paint her magnificent dahlia garden, studio building and flowers. The minute I stepped out of the car, though, THIS jumped out at me - Seif's boat, his crab cages and boiling pot, his floats, yellow noodles and ropes, and the lobelia and geraniums in the flower boxes on the deck. Too much stuff, once again, and I only got it narrowed down this much, but I still had a great day focusing on "drawing what I saw"!

Fun on Jamie's Cowboy Deck/Patio

The Artists of South Whidbey held their annual summer party and "paint-out" at Jamie Huden's house tucked in the woods in Clinton. The most fun (other than great food, fun and conversation) was checking out all the great collectibles in and around the house. Their Party Patio is especially cool, with lots of fun cowboy "stuff" including saddle and milk can/tractor seat seating. And a squirrel who was determined to make himself at home inside Jamie's studio!

Sunflowers and Pole Beans at Bob Bowling's Rustics

I had two great opportunities for making some art this week. Both of them were great. Friday was Sketchers, and we met just down the road in Bayview at Bob Bowling's Rustics, the shop complex were Bob produces his terrific Garden and Out Building structures for shipment all over the near Northwest. They are made in house by Bob and his crew, and still feature as much old, "found" and recycled material as he can round up. And he sells them as fast as he can produce them. It would warm the cockles of my heart if I could afford to have one, I know that!!!