Painting Paradise in the Pacific Northwest, Fidalgo Island, Washington
Sierra Club Outings Trip | Lodge
Highlights
- Explore and hike along Salish Sea coastal regions
- Take painting classes with nationally acclaimed artist
- Enjoy ferry trip among the San Juan Islands
Includes
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All painting classes with three canvasses provided
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Ferry, van and all transportation to trail sites
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Lodging in a lovely inn with meals we prepare
Overview
The Trip
This trip is designed for participants who want to combine their interests in painting with their love of the outdoors in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. We will explore the rich coastal islands of Washington state’s northwest. We will hike through state parks that are on two islands looking for “our” place to paint. We will cross the famous Deception State Park Bridge that has breathtaking views toward Canada and onto the vast expanse of the ocean channels below. We will set up our easels overlooking Cap Sante Marina that captures views of Mount Baker and the North Cascade Mountains. We will take the Washington Marine Ferry through the channels of the San Juan Islands to spend time at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island
The Trip
This trip is designed for participants who want to combine their interests in painting with their love of the outdoors in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. We will explore the rich coastal islands of Washington state’s northwest. We will hike through state parks that are on two islands looking for “our” place to paint. We will cross the famous Deception State Park Bridge that has breathtaking views toward Canada and onto the vast expanse of the ocean channels below. We will set up our easels overlooking Cap Sante Marina that captures views of Mount Baker and the North Cascade Mountains. We will take the Washington Marine Ferry through the channels of the San Juan Islands to spend time at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.
We will be joined by the nationally renowned Pacific Northwest artist, Jennifer Bowman, for four days of discussions, demonstrations, and guided painting time. We will have at least three unique settings in which to paint during the week. Weather permitting we have planned two to three days of plein-air painting with participants choosing their favorite medium, acrylics, watercolors, or oils. Jennifer’s classes are about learning the process and techniques to paint anything! Don't worry about your skill level as beginners through advanced painters are welcomed! It is Jennifer’s and the leader’s desire to create a positive and joyful atmosphere that nourishes the development of each artist's special talents and perceptions.
Jennifer Bowman is an award-winning Puget Sound artist who has exhibited professionally for 25 years. Her works appears in private, public, and corporate collections, nationally and internationally, and in various publications: Washington’s Heirloom Birth Certificate, North-light and Quarto Art books, and 48 Degrees North. She has been festival poster artist for Edmonds, Anacortes, Skagit Tulip Festival, Whidbey Island Races, and Anacortes Windermere Regatta. See www.JenniferBowman.com for paintings, profile and complete gallery list.
Itinerary
Day 1: Each painting day starts with a demonstration, where techniques are used in multiple ways to help the student grasp concepts. You will explore color, value, composition, and light. Jennifer, our professional instructor, paints in acrylics, but all her techniques can be translated into oil or water color. Today we will drive to Rosario and Bowman Bays, which are part of Deception Pass State Park. Our plan is to find our favorite place to paint that will compliment our learning goals for the day. We will hike and discuss the advantages of various settings, color, lighting, composition, and Jennifer will teach us how to look at nature in new ways for painting in the natural world. As spring will be in full blossom at this time of year, we will enjoy the flora and the beautiful coastal views
Day 1: Each painting day starts with a demonstration, where techniques are used in multiple ways to help the student grasp concepts. You will explore color, value, composition, and light. Jennifer, our professional instructor, paints in acrylics, but all her techniques can be translated into oil or water color. Today we will drive to Rosario and Bowman Bays, which are part of Deception Pass State Park. Our plan is to find our favorite place to paint that will compliment our learning goals for the day. We will hike and discuss the advantages of various settings, color, lighting, composition, and Jennifer will teach us how to look at nature in new ways for painting in the natural world. As spring will be in full blossom at this time of year, we will enjoy the flora and the beautiful coastal views. Bring your sketchbook and camera for a day of sketching research and planning for our second day of actual painting time. We will be hiking for about three to four hours from one island to the second over the Bridge and stopping for our picnic lunch at Deception Pass Park. If you are a fast painter, consider bringing additional canvases to paint on.
This evening you will have an orientation to Anacortes. At sunset we will take a loop-hike on a peninsula of Fidalgo Island to enjoy stunning views of the San Juan Islands, if weather permits. And if the clouds have parted you will see the Olympic Peninsula from afar. You will also learn how this town has succeeded in its Climate Change policies and community-based projects implemented by an everyday citizens’ group. This is city is among more than 350 cities nationwide that have proclaimed their support of the Paris Accord to curb global climate change.
Day 2: We return to the place we chose on day one to begin our plein-air painting. You will be working in color-layering glazes, ‘wet into wet,' dry brush strokes, and palette knife. The importance of strong light source, composition, rhythm, shapes, and color will be emphasized as you do the first of two days of plein-air painting. A 12 x16 canvas/board will be provided for each of your three days of painting. In the evening we will have a speaker to give us a conservation talk about the local issues that this unique part of the country is struggling with and solutions that have been initiated.
Day 3: Today we will go to the marina overlooking Padilla Bay to paint in a new unique setting at the harbor. This is an ideal location for combining painting instructions in a maritime setting. The views from this site include the snow-capped Mount Baker and the North Cascade Mountains. It also overlooks a small beach, docks, and a huge variety of boats (think composition, shapes, colors) including sailboats and commercial fishing boats. There many choices to focus on when choosing what to paint today. This gives us the opportunity to explore new compositions, shapes, colors and more.
This evening we will go downtown for the First Friday Gallery Walk. We will go to five or more places that display Northwest art work and the artists will be there to share their thoughts and knowledge about their work.
Day 4: We are going to enjoy an instructional-free day to explore Anacortes, the local farmers’ market and to hike. There are a number of hiking options in the area and we will discuss and choose our best path. Each location has views of the San Juan Islands, the northwest forestlands and spring flora. There are beaches on Fidalgo Island where, at this time of the year, migrating birds are stopping for feeding. The chance for good bird viewing is great! Where we go will be determined by the best activity, scenery and hike for that day.
Tonight is an opportunity to focus on what the Sierra Club has been actively involved in and what the current missions are for the club. We will update you on its national focus.
Day 5: We will have our last day painting with Jennifer which gives you the chance to ask questions, clarify concepts and gather your thoughts about what you have learned this week. As an alternative to landscapes Jennifer will demonstrate techniques compatible with any subject while working on a still life/floral arrangement. If weather and opportunities allow, we may attempt painting in a garden setting. This evening is free for exploring the area.
Day 6: Today is a great day for catching the ferry out to the San Juan Islands! You can bring your sketchpad for impromptu drawing or just kick back and enjoy the ride and explorations. We make Friday Harbor, on the island known as San Juan, our destination. There we have a Native art store that is more like a museum than a shop. You will see Northwest Indian art in the form of sculpture, painting, jewelry, and fabric items. You will hear about the history between England and the United States both claiming the island and the war that followed. We will visit one of those camps where soldiers were stationed in the 19th century and that camp is now a National Historical Park. When we return we will dine at one of the local restaurants as a farewell meal.
Day 7: Breakfast will be our last meal for the trip. Check out is usually 10:00 a.m., which will be the end of the trip.
Logistics
Getting There
From Seattle and/or SeaTac Airport: Take I-5 North to Burlington. Take Hwy 20 West to Anacortes. From the airport it takes about 1.75-2 hours to drive to Anacortes, always dependent on traffic and what time of day one leaves Seattle! More details will be given prior to the trip. There is a shuttle from the airport to Anacortes and back to SeaTac Airport.
From Bellingham, WA: Take I-5 South to Burlington. Take Hwy 20 West to Anacortes. You can expect this to be an hour drive
Getting There
From Seattle and/or SeaTac Airport: Take I-5 North to Burlington. Take Hwy 20 West to Anacortes. From the airport it takes about 1.75-2 hours to drive to Anacortes, always dependent on traffic and what time of day one leaves Seattle! More details will be given prior to the trip. There is a shuttle from the airport to Anacortes and back to SeaTac Airport.
From Bellingham, WA: Take I-5 South to Burlington. Take Hwy 20 West to Anacortes. You can expect this to be an hour drive.
It is recommended that participants plan an overnight stay in Anacortes, WA for the night before the trip begins. A variety of price-point accommodations in Anacortes will be provided to participants.
Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.
Accommodations and Food
We will be staying at an Inn in the town of Anacortes. It was considered a mansion (three-stories) when it was built in 1925 on a half-acre of well-landscaped land. It has views of Mt Baker and Fidalgo Bay. It is a lovely, fully furnished “home” with a large living room and confortable dining room. Each room has its own private bath. The inn has a fully equipped with a full-size kitchen, where participants and leaders share cooking meals, using a pre-planned menu, for the week.
Our first meal will be breakfast on Wednesday morning, May 30th, (the first day of the trip) at a local restaurant. For the rest of the trip participants and leaders will prepare breakfasts and dinners using a pre-planned menu. Each day participants will make their own lunch with food provided. We will have a farewell dinner at a restaurant in town which is included in the price of the trip.
Trip Difficulty
The trip hikes are can be described is easy to moderate. Hiking terrains include sandy and rocky beaches, and elevated climbs through forests. The highest climb will be approximately 1,200 feet. Hikes will last three to five hours, with breaks for lunch and snacks. Proper shoes and socks are needed for these conditions. Closed-toed shoes or hiking boots are required for all walking/hiking conditions. Everyone should be be prepared with appropriate clothing for potentially cool and rainy weather for any day of the trip. All participants must plan on a pre-trip walking and hiking to meet the daily demands of the trip.
Equipment and Clothing
Plan on a variety of weather conditions that likely will include rain, wind, sunshine, and temperatures ranging from 50-65 degrees, give or take a few degrees! Participants are encouraged to be prepared for the range of possible conditions with layered clothing. Closed-toed shoes or hiking boots are required for all walking/hiking conditions. They should be well-broken-in hiking shoes. All personal medication and special needs for individual participants need to be included in packing for the trip.
You will be responsible for bringing your own paint, brushes & portable easel for plein air painting. A 12 x16 canvas/board will be provided for each of your three days of painting (total three of 12x16 canvas/boards). Bring your sketchbook and camera to optimize opportunities. If you wish to paint more, be sure to bring your own canvas or painting supplies.
References
Books:
- Doyle, Brian, Mink River. This fictional story set in a Northwest village that has been settled by a American Indian tribe (for centuries) and Irish families who settled there for over one hundred years. Characteristics of both cultures reflect their lives and stories that share common myths and cultural ways of life.
- Guterson, David, Snow Falling on Cedar. A murder mystery set in a fictional town in northwest Washington in 1954.
- Egan, Timothy, Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher. This is the true story of the brilliant work and life of Edward Curtis who preserved the history (1890-1920) of the Native American Indians through his 40,000 photographs taken between 1890-1920. He also recorded 10,000 songs and for 75 tribes wrote down vocabularies and pronunciation guides for those languages. He lived in Seattle at the turn of the 19th century as he tried to capture as many images of the native people before their cultural destruction.
Websites:
- Official Travel Guide San Juan Islands: http://www.visitsanjuans.com/
- National Park Service History and Culture: http://www.nps.gov/sajh/historyculture/the-first-ones.htm
Jennifer Bowman’s YouTube instructional videos:
- Sunflowers Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCm9fbWpHPo&feature=youtu.be
Landscape:
- 1 of 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mya3haq6gnY&feature=youtu.be
- 2 of 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PQh4qagi2M&feature=youtu.be
- 3 of 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIyskCwxt54&feature=youtu.be
- bonus clouds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm5snm80NUs&feature=youtu.be
Conservation
Multiple threats to the orca whale populations. The current orca whales are threatened by high levels of industrial toxic contaminants, overfishing (reduction of salmon) and the destruction of their habitat. Industrial pollution takes a toll on the whales' immune systems and creates other health problems. Several man-made disturbances that threaten these animals include: 1) The type of noise created by ships, and industrial, and military activity leads to disturbances of the animals' echolocation. Echolocation is used by whales for navigation and finding food. 2) Fishing line and gear entanglements endangering them and killing their prey.
Coal train, and Bakken oil train through the state of Washington and shipping through the Salish Sea and San Juan Islands. With a railroad passing right through Skagit Valley (where Anacortes is located) there is pressure to increase the number of trains carrying oil and coal through Washington State. Peabody Energy plans to mine enough new coal to ship to China and other parts of Asia at an estimated rate of 144 million tons per year. To do this, mines in Wyoming and Montana will export coal in open rail cars through a corridor of Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. Negative outcomes are expected to affect fisheries, marine ecosystems, and human health and quality of life.
There will be:
- an addition of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide gasses into the environment from coal burning, along with multitude of other particulates released from open-bin train cars carrying the coal,
- increased traffic through the San Juan Islands, also increasing shipping and noise pollution for marine mammals,
- the release of pollution into the atmosphere and waters, causing toxic conditions and increasing acidification of the oceans.
Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.
Staff
Important Notes
- Carbon Offsets
- Carpooling
- Electronic Billing and Forms
- Electronic Devices
- Equipment
- Essential Eligibility Criteria
- How to Apply for a Trip
- Leader Gratuities
- Medical Issues
- Non-discrimination Statement
- Participant Agreement
- Seller of Travel Disclosure
- Single Supplements
- Terms and Conditions
- Travel Insurance
- Trip Feedback
- Trip Price
- Wilderness Manners