Hedlins Sunflowers

Complete heresy!  I showed up at the sketching location, Hedlins Family Farm at the circle in La Conner, and I  ... took pictures!  I didn't stay to sketch, but certainly enjoyed seeing everyone, and taking photos to use in my studio and my classes for winter painting.

The images I chose to show here were chosen especially so *I* [or anyone else] could see the tilt of the blossoms and how the ellipses would change when painting them.  Also, the values are interesting as well as the strong afternoon light on the sunflowers.  Loved the size of the leaves as well! 

So, for those that didn't bring their cameras, here are a few images to use when you can't go outside to sketch!  Sorry  I couldn't stay, but it looked as those who were there were really capturing the moment!

ASk Goes Island Hopping

On Monday, a dozen intrepid sketchers boarded the six-minute ferry to Guemes Island to sketch!  Well, actually ten of us took the ferry to meet two island residents to sketch and paint.  After a time at Anderson's Grocery, sketching and painting a friend of some of the women and her horse, Mac, who was not the best of models, but a terrific steed, indeed.

The group migrated to Chris' magnificent home up the road from the ferry, tucked in a sweet nook of paradise.  Chris' gardens [plural] were breathtaking, and a great example of how one can really grow their own produce.  Beautiful plants all!

Once we toured the property inside and out, we perched on the deck for some sketching, wine and nibblies.  And of course, lot of chatter!  Am sure everyone there could tell their own stories of the day, but I am here to load  the sketches onto the blog!  Here they are!

Wheelbarrow and Tree ~ Melissa Van Ness

Hostess Chris ~ Dee Doyle

Clematis ~ Jude Middleton

 

 Nosegay on table ~ Missy Walsh-Smith

Deck Pansies ~ Kalena Wolf 

Max ~ Tricia Culina

Clematis ~ Joyce Paradine

Hostess Chris ~ Tricia Culina

Hanging basket ~ Nancy Vogel

Mac at Anderson's and some clematis ~ Kalena Wolf

Table nosegay ~ Janice Veal

Max and Barbara [?] ~ Missy Walsh-Smith

All the horses ... 

Max and Barbara [?] ~ Nancy Vogel

Fun was had by all ... a good day!  Thanks to Chris and Jan for chauffering all of us back to the ferry!

  

Monday Mini Meet at Left Bank Antiques

Where have all the ASk Sketchers gone?  Three stalwart sketchers, Jude Middleton, Judy C and Jane, met and sketched with Left Bank properietor, Donna Radtke, doing some great pieces as always, and I joined them around four pm for a couple of quick sketches of my own.  Missy is in Hawaii, filling her sketchbook, Aleli had been painting with me in class earlier in the day, Nancy was home cleaning [!] [showing appointment], and who knows where everyone else was?  There is still so much more to sketch at Left Bank Antiques, we intend to go back next Monday for more special gems to to paint and draw.  Another sweet incentive to go to Left Bank Antiques is the generosity and gracious hosting provided by Donna.  She greeted us with cups of tea and "biscuits," a nice touch for a late afternoon!(Dee Doyle)

Group shot

 

Jude Middleton~  a vignette from upstairs

Donna' Radtkes fruit basket done as she tended the front desk

A baby christening dress by Jane Brodie

Chocolate pot from France by Judy Cole

The "wrong" side of a pot of tulips from where I was sitting in order to chat! by Dee Doyle

Quick sketch of Jude Middleton while we were visiting by Dee Doyle

The following are a few sketches that didin't make the blog last week ...

by Donna Radtke

Another by Donna Radtke

by Jude Middleton

By Jane Brodie

Another by Jane Brodie

by Jude Middleton

by Judy Cole

All in all, a rather prolific group and some good times.  Thanks again, Donna!  We'll be back!

Left Bank Antiques on Monday Afternoon

I arrived late again, and all the sketchers were engrossed in sweet spaces in the Wonder Emporium of Left Banks.  Because I teach until 3:15 - 3:30, the Anacortes Sketchers are halfway through their sketch time.   So much to sketch and so little time! 

The Anacortes Sketchers are really doing some wonderful work.  Don't you agree? (Dee Doyle)

Another in Jude Middleton's boot and shoe series!

Jude Middleton

Roses Are Red by Missy Walsh-Smith

An elegant table with fruit basket and bowl by Missy Walsh-Smith

Chinese slipppers by Judy Cole

Another one of the Chinese children's slippers by Judy Cole

A beehive basket from France by Judy Cole

Jane Brodie's cane seated chair

Sketch by Left Bank Antiques proprietor, Donna Radtke, and wonderful pastel and oil painter in her own right.  Donna's paintings are shown all over Anacortes

My "late" entry of a shutter topped by a straw garden hat by Dee Doyle

An enameled coffee pot and a tureen with a basket full of wine bottles by Dee Doyle

ASk Sketchers at Left Bank Antiques

If you haven't been to Left Bank Antiques in Anacortes, make a point to stop in. What a treasure! In fact, what a treasure trove. Every nook and cranny chock full of good stuff, to buy and to sketch. The gracious proprietor, Donna Radke, hosted the Anacortes Sketchers today, and we enjoyed ourselves so much, it was hard to leave at closing time!

Left Bank Antiques Children's Boots by Jude Middleton

Aleli  Howell~ Left Bank Antiques

Judy Cole ~ Left Bank Antiques

Missy Walsh-Smith~ Left Bank Antiques

NancyVogel ~ Left Bank Antiques

Aleli  Howell~ Left Bank Antiques

Left Bank Antique Suitcases by Jude Middleton

Can you guess where the "party" started? There were chairs close by to sit on, some sunlight and this stack of leather luggage was in a "sweet spot."

I, on the other hand, had been working, and arrived late, so got just under an hour in to sketch. Had to hurry to join the party, and found a little watering can on the edge of the luggage setting. It was great fun, and we loved Left Bank Antiques. Donna served tea, and, as an artist of merit herself, she enjoyed seeing our sketches, which pleased us, because we would love to go back to Left Bank Antiques! See you there? (Dee Doyle)

Dee Doyle~ Left Bank Antiques

Dee Doyle~ Left Bank Antiques