At MUSIC FOR THE EYES

I haven't finished my self portrait from 2/17 yet, but last week the Whidbey Island Sketchers met in the amazing, eclectic swirl of color and texture that is the "Music for the Eyes" shop in Langley. Headwear, rugs, jewelry, scarves, beads, musical instruments - from Russia, Morocco, Nepal, Turkey, Asia and other exotic locales. A true treasure of a shop right in beautiful downtown Langley.

Hearts, Flowers and a Kitten on the Keys at Faye's house for Valentine's Day

Sketching at PICKLES DELI in Clinton

Not only did we get to sketch inside the newly revamped and remodeled Pickle's Deli in Clinton, but we got to have a terrific lunch, at the same time. My favorite - The Reuben. And a HUGE cup of cream of broccoli soup. All while enjoying the company of the Flying Pickle Girl!

Christmas Sketching at Cynthia's "House of Polkadots and Mushrooms"

THE TREASURE ISLAND CATS

After what seems like months and months away from sketching, instead of just weeks

, I joined a very small, but dedicated, group of Whidbey Island Sketchers yesterday to visit Treasure Island Antiques and Collectibles in Greenbank. Many delightful "treasures" to see and sketch - furniture, china, dolls, lamps, etc. I was (of course) immediately drawn to this reproduction sabre tooth tiger skull (which was right next to the reproduction "Predator" skull. Ew). I was also drawn immediately to Henry the Wonder Cat, a very sleek and handsome striped fellow, who gave us all a head-bump "hello" greetings, jumped right into my car to explore it, and happily did his "trick" for us - climbing up an 8 foot ladder to the roof of the building so he could survey everyone down in his domain. Treasure Island has many lovely things for sale, but I think I want Henry.

Sketching in DC #2 - at the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Luce Foundation Center for American Art

Met up with NYC Sketcher and Facebook friend Julie Kessler for an afternoon workshop in the fourth floor gallery of the Luce Center at the SAAM. The assignment was to pick from the collections, examples of noses and mouths to draw. I was, as usual, more interested in the architecture and embellishments, so I sort of went with that, and added my study of a nose and mouth after. It worked.

SKETCHING IN DC #1 - With the DC Sketchers

I met up with the Christian Tribastone and other members of the DC Sketchers for the District portion of the World SketchCrawl #53, on October 22. We met up at the US Capitol Visitor Center, then shotgunned off to find our subjects for the day. I knew exactly what I wanted to sketch - the Olmsted Summer House, tucked into the Capitol's west grounds. But, as with all the best laid plans of mice and men, access to it was closed, because of preparations for the inaugural. The only way I could sketch was standing up, leaning against a tree for support, with my gear sort of propped on the top of some fencing. Not good. I put up with it, in the 30 mph winds that were blowing, for about an hour. Then I took photos, and quit. 
I moved on down the walk to a spot with a great wall upon which to sit, and bushes to act as desk and easel. Here I spent the rest of the day working on this view of the Capitol Building. 
All in all, it was a great way to spend a sketching day, with far away friends I enjoy. 

At home, in the evening, working from my photos, I finished the sketch of the Summer house I started on site. Much more comfortable a finish to the day!