Madrone grove behind the Depot

by Anne Elkins

Studies of textures and shapes of these lovely trees

Annette taking a picture of our paintings at Sue's studio on Guemes

And Another Chandelier-Inspired Sketch

Here is my sketch from Sue's Studio.  What a great afternoon it was!!

Sketch by Missy

Aug. 2015

The Sketchable Chandlier

 Bonnie's sketch of the chandelier at Sue's Tower Arts Studio.

Visiting Tower Arts Studio

I have an artist crush on Guemes Island artist Sue Roberts so it was great fun to get to spend an afternoon sketching her colorful, whimsical art at her Tower Arts Studio.
 

 

Sketching at Schuh's

A bit of fresh farm produce!

Sketch by Missy

Aug. 2015

Take Three at Lovric's

Well, it took me three tries to sketch this scene at Lovric's.  La Merced was brought to the shipyard in 1966.  The four-masted schooner was built in WW1 .  The 232 foot ship is now full of sand and trees and is used for breakwater on the west side to protect the marina from currents.


Sketch by Missy
July 2015

Guemes Island at Sue Roberts' Studio

Approaching Guemes Island landing.

I am so glad that I decided to drive up early for our August 10th Anacortes Sketchers' outing! Missy kindly sent me a message about the rain, in case I wanted to wait until after lunch.

Our plan had been to walk on the 11:30am Guemes Island ferry (a 5 minute ride, sailing every half hour) and sketch on the beach while enjoying our own packed lunch. We had an appointment to visit artist Sue Roberts' studio after 1:00pm. I checked the weather and it looked like the rain would stop after 11:30, so I went early, as planned.

As you can see, it was still a bit overcast when I arrived at 11:15 am, but the rain had already stopped. Then I pulled over immediately after disembarking the ferry! Because here was a sweet little red "Gem" just waiting to be painted!

I thought this was the cutest, most colorful thing I would find on the island and set about sketching it immediately! (See my blog for more details, photos and early sketches)

Michele's sketch of the little red "Gem" at the ferry line shelter on Guemes.

Janice and Bonnie were outside on the patio at the General Store. After sharing our lunch, we took off to visit Sue in her studio. I was wrong about the colorfulness factor! This being my first time at Sue Roberts' Tower Arts Studio, I had no idea what wonders awaited me!

We got a tour of the studio from top to bottom and all around the grounds. Then we set to work.

So many choices of subject matter, both inside and out!

We tucked a couple of Sue's ceramic pieces in with all our afternoon sketches. Thanks to Annette for climbing to new heights for a great shot!

I stayed as late as I could to finish my sketches inspired by the afternoon at Sue's Tower Arts Studio. Color added at home.

Then, Sue gave us hot crab dip, chips, cool beverages and a homemade chocolate apple cake made just for us by Janice. Yum! Thank you, Sue, for an inspirational, fun and colorful summer retreat!

Summer Sketches by Joyce

 The cute goats at Schuh Farms in Mt. Vernon

 Lovric's Sea-Craft

The wheelhouse from a halibut schooner at Lovric's

Sketches by Joyce

July and Aug. 2015

Summer Afternoon at Schuh Farms

Gravel crunched underfoot as I opened my car door, a cow mooed and giant sunflowers peeked over the top of a ripe cornfield across the street. I had arrived to meet Anacortes sketchers at Schuh Farms this afternoon. Now THIS is summertime in Skagit Valley!

Sunflowers and corn grow across the street as they make fresh peach milkshakes at the coffee stand.

Animal, Vegetable or mineral? Take your pick

And here we are with our sketches!

We had our pick of subject matter:

 1) Fresh fruit and flowers, farm tools, antiques, 2) outdoor subjects like the Radio Flyer made into a planter, 3) One of my classroom models showed up with a "Welcome" sign, 4) "The Kid" and his dog drift around the back corner with a fresh load of dill as Janice simply sketches on.

I was standing in the shade across the parking lot, sketching, taking photos and occasionally dodging cars as they backed out.

  Fresh Peach milkshakes, anyone?

Sketcher chics admiring the hens.

My two page spread for the afternoon

La Conner Pavilions

And, here's Janice's sketch of the pavilions across the channel in La Conner.

Sketch by Janice

July 2015

La Conner Waterfront

Sitting on the new La Conner boardwalk was the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon!  This was the view of across the channel from where I was sitting with Janice and MaryAm.

Sketch by Missy
July 2015