Pioneer Park in La Conner - under the beautiful Rainbow Bridge - was the perfect spot to sketch today. But more importantly, it was the perfect spot to mark our beloved Frank's 94th birthday! Not only a splendid sketcher, Frank is also known to have a bit of a sweet tooth, so we just had to add birthday cupcakes to the occasion today. Happy Birthday Frank and on to 95!
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It's always such a treat to sketch at Azusa Garden Centre and especially in mid-Summer when everything is in bloom. We parked ourselves throughout the nursery among the flowers and soaked up all the colors and scents while we sketched.
Today we scattered and sketched along Bisquet Ridge Lane in Bow off Farm to Market Road. It was a lovely afternoon sketching the greens and blues across the Samish Flats to Samish Bay.
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It was all about the trees and water views when we gathered today at Washington Park. We are so lucky to have amazing sketching spots, but Washington Park is really special as you can see!
Today we sat in a wildflower field next to the Anchor Cove Marina and sketched. Some of us chose water views, others boats, and others flowers. What an interesting spot to sketch on this overcast Summer day.
Today we gathered in the shade of the "Swinomish hats" and painted the view of La Conner across the channel.
In the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, cedar hats are deeply significant cultural symbols, woven from traditional red cedar. They serve as both functional regalia and in this case, architectural landmarks. Located just across from La Conner, the Swinomish Channel waterfront park features three massive and striking pavilions designed to resemble traditional woven Coast Salish cedar hats.
It's always a pleasure to enjoy the pavilions and park while sketching in the Summer.
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One of our all-time favorite places to sketch is in the glorious, expansive, and whimsical garden at Happy Valley. We've been going there for years and it's special every time. Today was no different!
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It takes more than some drizzle to keep our intrepid group of Pacific Northwest sketchers from our Monday gathering. Today we headed to the top of Cap Sante which on a clear day provides stunning views of all of Anacortes one direction, neighboring San Juan Islands in another, and Mt. Baker beyond Fidalgo Bay in another.
Today, well not so much for the views but we still had fun. As you can see, we set up in our "mobile studios" - aka our cars - and managed to do some pretty darn good sketches.
Also, we welcomed a new sketcher friend, Keith. Hoping for sun next Monday but if not, well as you can see, it won't slow us down much.
Wow! We could not have picked a better day to sketch at the WSU Extension Master Gardeners Discovery Garden! It seemed like everything was in bloom as 16 of us spread out throughout the garden - from the koi pond to the Japanese Garden to the pollinator garden and beyond. Special thanks to the Skagit County Master Gardener volunteers who maintain this garden for all to enjoy.
What an interesting place to sketch! Thanks to Gregg and Linda who welcomed us to their amazing bonsai garden at their Anacortes home.
We were amazed to learn that the garden contains only 25% of the plants they had when they lived in Eastern Washington. Plus, each plant had to be unpotted for the move and then repotted once they arrived in their new home here! Definitely a labor of love.
Once we gathered, most of us sketched at the gazebo in Rotary Park. What a splendid May day for sketching water views. We also welcomed Dawn and Jamie. Thanks for joining us!
What a gorgeous afternoon of sketching and friendship! Carolyn's beautiful garden with lilacs, camellias, and iris, along with lovely, quiet spots was quite a treat. Plus, a big welcome to Peggy! Thanks for joining us.
