SELF PORTRAIT

Last night, while I was searching through entries in the new groups I have just joined on Flickr last, I came across several artists who do Mandala and "Zen-Doodle" art. I had forgotten how much fun I used to have doing things like this.  In looking at what many artists do and present in my Flickr groups, I find that I can "give myself permission" to work in some of the old graphic styles that I left behind years ago while began pursuing the (so called) "purer" forms of art, like watercolor painting. I guess, what it comes down to is, at heart, I am still a graphic design person. 

That may never change . . . . 

MOM"S ORCHID

Today I went quite crazy and joined a WHOLE BUNCH of "groups" on Flickr, most of them "One-A-Day" groups for sketching and sketch journals. I really feel the need to make myself do at least one GOOD sketch in a journal -- if not every day, then every couple of days. I spent some time looking at work posted on the various groups, and felt pretty encouraged and got some good ideas. My stuff is not so bad, I guess. Probably good solid B+ material compared to others. That's respectable. 

So this is the first one I did specifically as a journal entry, just to try out the styling and "get my feet wet".  I think, after looking at a LOT of really good sketchbook entries, that I am heading in the right direction. Since there are a LOT of people in the groups I joined, hopefully I will get some useful critiques and feedback. We'll see. 

QUICK SKETCHING IN THE COLD

I got a bug yesterday to sketch two flower scenes I had been seeing the last couple of days that I knew weren't going to last, so I ran out at noon to at least get starter sketches going before I froze to death. 

 This "Flower Bed" has captured my heart ever since the gardener in town put it in. I have seen them before and loved them, so I knew I would love this one, as well. The daffodils are starting to droop a little, but it still looks like "spring".

My mom has had this old cement fountain for years, stuck in various locations around her yards. I love it here in its front-drive location. I am especially fond of the way the rhododendron has taken it over. The whole effect is very lush. It looked very sort of "tropical" but the fact that my fingers nearly froze off before I finished attested that I was not in anyplace warm!

SKETCHING AT AMY'S FARM

Today fellow WISker Amy invited us to her lovely and cozy home in Coupeville to sketch. We were welcomed by Ellie Mae the dog, Missy the horse, three cows, four cats and an amazing assortment of singing and flitting birds. The view from her yard is magnificent - down across rolling farmland and out across Fort Casey and Ebey's Landing, across Admiralty inlet to the Olympic Mountains, shiny with with spring snow in the bright warm sunlight. What a day, what a view. Thanks Amy!!!!

It's hard to see the Olympics, but they ARE out there, white capped in the sun. The view through the base of the trees is over the water to the mountains. Spectacular view!

 I took Mormont along to see what he could see. What he saw today was Missy the horse. 

I think Missy was largely unimpressed. I was impressed with Amy's garden landscaping. I LOVE it when other people garden and I can enjoy the fruits of their labors.

Another great day of sketching. 

A COUPLE OF PAINTINGS ABOUT "BLOOMING"

Well, I did a set of paintings to donate to the fundraising effort for the new artCenter @ WICEC, the Whidbey Island Community Art Center. They did an open call for artists' work, using the theme "Blooming" for the dedication (Blooming) of their new center in the old Bayview School. I did two, and true to form, am not happy with either. But, once again, I learned a lot. I hate it when  I am not happy but learn a lot. That is usually very painful. 

 "Bloom of Youth - Lilacs" 

2013

Here a young girl is surrounded by Whidbey Island's lush lilac blossoms

 "Bloom of Youth - Tulips"

2013

Skagit Valley tulips (or Holland, Michigan tulips, or Lansing Botanical Garden tulips - take your pick!)

The format for this exhibit was 12"x12" square, but as soon as I get them back I am going to crop them to this -- 

VANCOUVER! - RELIEF @ THE SAND BAR

VANCOUVER! - GRANVILLE ISLAND

ON THE AMTRAK TO VANCOUVER, BC!

The Whidbey Island Sketchers take a field trip. Sue had 6 Two-for-One tickets on the train so six of us decided to  head out to Canada to do some sketching. We had a 6:00 AM meetup in Langley in order to catch the 6:30 ferry Sunday Morning, then a short drive to Everett to wait for our 8:35 departure from the Amtrak station.

Train travel is head and shoulders above air travel - big, comfy seats with lots of leg room that tilt out til they are almost beds, power outlets for charging electronics, gorgeous scenery out the window, gentle click clack of the rails and the sound of the horn, and a comfy lounge with snacks. 

Here we are ready to take off, and on our way!