Returning to Rosario

The day started out drizzly and cloudy, but the skies cleared for our afternoon at Rosario.  We enjoyed the quiet and beautiful scenes of water reflection, islands and sky.  How lucky we are to live here!

September 2014

9.15.14--

It was a serene day: end of summer in the quiet countryside, warm sun, warm memories.

I met with ASk at the home of a recently departed friend, colleague and student. Marsha was known for her beautiful garden, warm smile and generous personality. The sketchers cherish every opportunity they have had to enjoy the grounds at Happy Valley Farms and record it in their sketchbooks.

I was charmed by the vibrant colors in the sunlight

The sunny side with the fuchsia door and roses

We wandered through the shade in the orchard or by the pond. Apples are beginning to fall from the old trees. Every once in a while, one of us would pick one up and place it on the bench.

 

Happy Valley

 Sketch of the pond   9-15-14

Glorious Afternoon at Happy Valley

One last sketching day at Happy Valley Farms, and it was a glorious afternoon indeed as we enjoyed Marsha's garden and our memories of her.

 

Happy Valley Farm

The front door

The door of hospitality was always open at Happy Valley Farm when Bill and Marsha lived there. Once more, the Anacortes Sketchers were allowed to experience the place that gave so many happy memories.

Everything makes you feel at home in the most beautiful way: the house and its sun porch, the barn, the shed (with the fuchsia colored doors); the sweet peas, the roses, little birdhouses and statuary tucked away, the pond, the whole garden with chairs, tables and umbrellas placed to enjoy the view of the results of such loving care.

Thanks again, Marsha and Bill for sharing your beautiful garden.

Our sketches from today

Cheers

Diann, painting the sunflowers.

Apples are beginning to fall to the ground.

Aleli, painting by the pond.

Another one from Rosario Beach

by Anne Elkins

Rosario

Once more the Anacortes Sketchers enjoyed an unbelievably beautiful day surrounded by nature's most fantastic marine landscape. Washington is called the Evergreen State for a reason. Who else can say that this is what one has as the choice of subject on a Monday in early September?

 

Some sketchers stayed at this vantage point, some went down to the beach, or the lower picnic area, or way up on the top of the bluff.

Maiden of Deception Pass overlooks the same views as ASk.

If you look into the left background of the photo above, you will see The Maiden of Deception Pass story pole. It is located on Rosario Beach in the north section of the park. It depicts a story of the Samish Indian Nation. Read the tale as told by Charlie Edwards to Martin Sampson, 1938.

---This is not a totem pole. Totem poles were created by people of the more northerly Pacific coast, such as the Haida and Tligit of British Columbia and Alaska. A totem pole is a record of lineage and family history.

-----Here, in the Puget Sound and Georgia Strait region, Coast Salish people carved or painted doorways and large cedar posts of their houses, and sometimes to mark graves. The designs tell a story, often how the builder became wealthy.

-----This pole, under the guidance of Fidalgo artist Tracy Powell, was raised by the Samish people in 1983. It's purpose is to honor their people and maintain a tradition important to the families.

A seagull circled our display two or three times, but decided to confer with his wife back at the nest before selecting something to add to his collection.

Here are a few of the sketches shared at the end of the afternoon.

Marsha's Sloggers

                              

What a wonderful experience it was for ASk to come together to create a book of sketches to honor our friend, Marsha.  Whether sketches, words, photos, or hugs, it was a group effort of love.  We know her family will enjoy seeing Marsha's creativity for years and years.  It was especially meaningful for us, as well.  We will miss our sketching buddy!

Marsha's sloggers have a special memory for us at Happy Valley.   Thanks to you, Kalena:)

Sketch by Missy

Seafarers Memorial Park

A large group came to sketch with Anacortes Sketchers today. 

Michele's sketch of the refinery "skyline"