Happy pigs

We Sketchers went to Pigs Peace Sanctuary last week and had fun feeding and sketching pigs.  We discovered how smart pigs are; how they cool off when its hot; {in mud} and how they make friends with each other.
Most of the pigs were rescued from terrible conditions.  But thanks to Judy, they will live their life span of about 15 years on this huge farm.
The Sanctuary feeds the pigs about 2 tons of food a week.  Did you know that most pigs are bred for bacon, and don't live beyond 4 or 5 months?
Depressing, because I really like bacon!

Pigs Peace Sanctuary is located in Stanwood and you can also visit and learn how endearing pigs can be, how much food they eat and the tricks they play.  Children of all ages will love visiting here, but be sure to make and appointment, its a very busy place.
Their are many more sketches of the pigs and other farm animals at Bayview Cash Store for the upcoming Farm tour.  The show will be open for the month of September.
Pat

Icicle Creek, Leavenworth WA

We just spent three days exploring in the Leavenworth, WA area and my favorite walk was Waterside Park and to be more specific the trail over the bridge to Blackbird Island.  On Tuesday, I spent a couple of hours sketching near the bridge as families floated down the creek in colorful tubes and inflatable kayaks.  The guide hung out near the Big Rock and gave everyone instructions where to go next as they rounded the corner into the wider part of the creek.  It looked like something I would like to do in the hot weather.

The big rock!  (Erratic?)  I first saw this at night and knew I had to come back and sketch it!

Tubing down the icy creek.  Refreshing!

Monterey, what can I say!

We have been visiting Monterey, Ca for the past week and all I can say is, I love you Whidbey Island, I truly do. My home town of Langley is the best, most interesting, for me, place to enjoy retirement with lots of art, outdoor hikes, beaches, good friends.  In a nutshell, it's a perfect home, but, it's been a long time since I've visited Monterey, Carmel and environs.  When we leave, I will not miss the tourist crowds near the Aquarium or in Carmel.  After all I was one of them, but the beaches, eucalyptus trees and Monterey Cyprus trees make me want to be a California plein air painter. Like Arnold said, I will be back!

VivatheBean

These sketches are from Fayetteville, n.c.  A new coffee shop has opened in the neighborhood that makes me feel quite at home!  I can't wait to go back and sketch some more of those comfy chairs and couches.  I love the colors of the walls the art and the French roast is terrific.   The music was even amenable.

That night we went to a Super Bowl party and I sketched a couple of the guests to the amazement of the youngsters (preteens?). They were so enthusiastic I would have even spent some time looking at their art and talking to them.

Can you tell they're Military?