Joyce's Sketch

Schuh Farm
Sketch by Joyce
Sept. 2016

Sketches From Lovric's

 Sketch of houseboat by Joyce

 Sketch by Jerlyn

Sketch by Annie

June 29, 2016

Pot-Hauler by Carolyn

Joyce's Sketches

 Kalena's View

Sketching in action at Shabby French Market

Sketches by Joyce

June 2016

Joyce's Sketch from the Museum

Joyce P.
April 2016
Anacortes Museum

Joyce's Study in Green

Christenson's Nursery
March 2016
Sketch by Joyce

Sketching at Carolyn's

Sketches by Joyce
Dec. 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

LaConner and the New Boardwalk

There was a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 23rd at the Washington Street-end to celebrate the completion of the La Conner Boardwalk. Today, the Anacortes Sketchers went there to sketch and explore.

LaConner has always been an inspiring place to paint: quaint shops, the "rainbow bridge", fishing vessels and the boardwalk. I have been going there for decades to shop, sketch and browse. Previously, the boardwalk consisted of the extended decks from some of the shops and a small wooden landing or two with public access. But now, a major facelift has taken place all along a substantial part of the waterfront.

 

I have to go back! Because, instead of sketching the boardwalk itself, I blithely used it to provide greater access to views across the channel!

Fish processing shed across the channel. Sketch by Michele Cooper

Joyce's Sketch and Photo

 Sketch by Joyce
June 2015

Joyce's Sketch of Marsha's Pond

Joyce sketched the pond at Happy Valley!

Sketch by Joyce

May 2015

ASk at Skagit Valley Tulip Fields today

Two more days until the "official" opening of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival and the fields are at peak already. Anacortes sketchers met across from Christianson's Nursery in Mt. Vernon today at what may be the ultimate field this year.

ASk sketching in the tulip fields today. Sketch in progress by Michele Cooper

A bystander asked if we all wanted our photo together, I gave her my camera, she took two photos and I have no idea what happened to them. I should have checked to see if she pushed the right button, I guess.

I did get some photos of Anne and Joyce sitting on their portable camp stools very close to the mud! and our group photo of sketches, a distant view of the group putting their work at the end of a row and a trophy shot of my sketch in progress.

Get 'em while you can! This time next week, the fields may be topped. They do this so that the bulbs, the main crop, will develop. You can find tulips and bulbs from the Skagit Valley in Holland, where they also have a festival this time of year.

Joyce's Sketches

Sketches by Joyce
Jan. 2015

Joyce's Santa

Joyce sketched this woodsy Santa.

Sketch by Joyce
Dec. 2014

Joyce's Bottle and Olive Jar

Joyce's sketch from Carolyn's house!
Nov. 2014

Deception Distillery

The barrels, the Arnold Holstein still and Paul pouring a sample after the tour. 

The first day of December was freezing cold with crusted snow and ice still lingering on trees, ponds and in the shady spots of the landscape. However, the Anacortes sketchers were warm and cozy indoors at the elegant tasting room of the Deception Distillery. Thanks, DD, for your warm welcome and hospitality!

We got a tour of the distillery and adjoining barrel room as well as the warehouse full of beautiful marble slabs. The hammered copper kettle with its pear shaped helmet and two steam columns looked like a beautiful polished musical instrument. 

Sketchers and their sketches. 

Sharing our sketches of the day. 

Thanks to Missy, we all got a new pen to try. It has water soluble ink and she wielded it beautifully in her sketch of the lamp at Carolyn's last week. We all admired it. So she brought each of us one today! Thanks again, Missy!

Footnote: Apologies for the blurry photos. I forgot my SD card for the camera, so used my very cold iPhone.

ASk at Carolyn's

Joy

Art and life

Michele's Sketch Journal Spread

There were so many great sketches today. Check back as the artists post them. 

Smugglers' Cove

A welcome place to sketch on a cold November day. 

There were lots of choices to be made: coats on or off, shop or sketch? Why choose when you can do it all?

Anacortes has unlimited choice of subject matter, no matter what the season. Indoors or out, there is bound to be the challenge of choosing from more than what one could sketch in a lifetime.

This is especially true of our location at Smugglers' Cove on Commercial Street this afternoon. Thanks to Kristen, the owner, we were invited to come in from the cold on this chilly autumn afternoon. Smiles, happy greetings, hugs and lively conversation ensued! We tried on vintage hats, recognized toys from our childhood and marveled at the eclectic bounty from which to draw. Everyone eventually found a little spot, or two, of their own. Gradually, with concentrated focus on our sketchbooks, the shop became quiet and I overheard Kristen on the phone in the other room; "......I've got sketchers here....."

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.