"Fall Leaves with Persimmon and Silver" still life painting by Robin Weiss

"Fall Leaves with Persimmon and Silver  10x10 oil on panel
SOLD

Next in the Persimmon Series. This one is available at the Cole Gallery in Edmonds, WA. I never get enough of trying to render the reflections in silver objects and especially this teapot!
Metal objects are great subjects to practice drawing and painting. They sort of force you to do close observation of value, color and edge work. When I am teaching in the studio I always make my students practice on an old camp coffee pot.....Pull yours out and give it a try....=]

"Persimmon Kiss" still life painting by Robin Weiss

"Persimmon Kiss" 8x8 oil on panel   Sold

Leigh came over and set a Hersheys Kiss down while I was painting this persimmon....Okeedokee =]

"Persimmon with Sugar Bowl" Still life painting by Robin Weiss

"Persimmon with Sugar Bowl"  8x8 oil on panel   Sold

My friend Ruth gave me a handful of persimmons. I love persimmons!...to paint that is.  The rich red/orange color makes great reflections and sings against the cool greys of silver objects. I pulled out my vintage silver set to do a series of still life paintings. I added the red dish to enhance the color intensity.
It's winter now outside the studio window....cold rain and wind..Perfect time to stay in and create! Hope your doing the same!

"Goose Trio" plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Goose Trio"  8x8 oil on panel     Sold

I took a drive earlier this fall to the Finnriver Farm and Cidery after reading about it in the newspaper. It's a very cool combination farm,cidery,pizza restaurant,community gathering place and more!!  The gardens even this late in the season had beautiful sunflowers blooming but what caught my attention were these honkers! They are fenced in between the rows of orchard trees to pick bugs and slugs and leave fertilizer. Great idea!

This little goose painting sold at Arts in the Woods Studio Tour this year. If you didn't get a chance to make it you can always come next year!!  Always the second weekend in November! Check out the Cultural Arts Website to find out more about AITW! 

Have fun out there!

"Field Apples" plein air, apple painting by Robin Weiss

"Field Apples" 16x8 oil on panel    Sold

After I enjoyed a pleasant afternoon painting these apples in the field on the Knowles Studio grounds I picked a bagful and made some pies. The apples are small but they pack a punch in a pie! Ha!

       What's Coming Up

There are several venues where you can view my recent work in the next several months.

The American Art Co shows Plein Air Washington Artists end of the year group show "The Journey"

The Roby King Gallery on Bainbridge Island will be hosting a group show of their represented artists  this December 2018, opening on the First Friday Artwalk , Dec 7th

I will be having a featured artist show at the Michael Birawer Gallery in Seattle in March 2019, opening on the second Thursday, March 14th

The Scott Milo Gallery in Anacordas will host a group show in March

The Poulsbohemian Coffee Shop in my hometown of Poulsbo will be showing an assortment of local paintings and prints in January.

"Apple Trio" plein air apple painting by Robin Weiss

"Apple Trio"  9x12 oil on panel     $600

They say the bee population is suffering these days but the apple crop this year was epic!  As soon as the sun comes out I grab the go bag and head to the field to try and capture the apples that seem to glow like Christmas lights against the greys of fall.
It can be a bit complicated to pick out a pleasing arrangement amid the cornucopia of abundance but you just have to make a stand and get to work.  After studying this group of apples I realized the cast shadow on the one apple was drawing my attention. I very loosely rendered the surrounding branches to keep the apples as the main attraction.

 My next post will include the painting I did from this tree which is another one loaded down with fruit this year.


If you happen to be in the Pacific Northwest in December consider coming to the Plein Air Washington Artists end of the year show at the American Art Company.
The Show is called The Journey and will be made up of a studio painting inspired by a plein air painting.
For more info on dates and times go to the PAWA page HERE

"The Old Red Barn" plein air landscape by Robin Weiss

"The Old Red Barn"  9x12 oil on panel    $500

This is the last work from the 2017 Fall Paintings folder that were not posted in 2017!  The Red Barn sits right next door to the Knowles Studio where I work. It's fun to watch it change through the seasons but I like it best in the fall with the changing color of the trees.

Someday like most of the old barns in our area  it will succumb to time and weather. It's nice to preserve their character on canvas.

"Fall Poplars" plein air, landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Fall Poplars"  12x6 oil  $400

It is still fall and I have been painting fall scenes. Mostly the apples since the trees are loaded with winter apples this season, but these poplars all aglow in the late afternoon light were painted last year in 2017. Like I said in the last post, I came across a folder of paintings that were never posted so I am trying to catch up.
 These poplars are in the field next door to the studio. I didn't have to go far to capture their color. They were just as spectacular this year ....but I had to paint the apples!! Stay tuned to see all my fall paintings and more news from In Plein Air.  =]

"Port Gamble Fall" plein air, landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Port Gamble Fall"  12x10 oil on panel      Sold

I always find out how many paintings that were never posted to my blog after Arts in the Woods, when I go into my gallery page on Daily Paintworks to mark them sold.  This one was in a folder of fall paintings done in 2017 and I never posted most of them!

I love Port Gamble and especially in the fall. Many of the trees planted in this town are eastern species common to the builders who arrived from back east to establish a mill and logging community. This scene had a little girl playing with her dog, throwing leaves in the air while I was painting. I may try another studio painting with them in it..  =]

"Runaway Rose" Paint the Peninsula 2018, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Runaway Rose"  6x12 oil on panel  Sold

I went back to Angel Crest Gardens in Port Angeles to capture this scene . I think it was the last painting I did during Paint the Peninsula 2018.  I'm looking forward to going back again next year!
A great event with a great team of organizers who make it fun and successful every year!

"Maple Grove" Paint the Peninsula, plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Maple Grove"  9x14 oil on panel   Sold

Not a bad place to set up and paint on a hot summer day....and it was hot!  The shady, old growth, big leaf maples at the Elwha River park entrance has nice picnic tables, a bathroom and even a waterfall within a short walk....Whats not to love about this spot! I end up here to paint every year during PTP and even taught a workshop here last year. If your trying to find it using google maps type in Madison Falls..   =]

Me and Ann at Madison Falls 2018

"Friends" Paint the Peninsula, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Friends"  6x8 oil on panel    SOLD

Almost every plein air painting event has some form of "quick draw" . During Paint the Peninsula 2018 the quick paint was scheduled for 3 hours so I had time to do 2 paintings. "Friends was the second one. These two girls were talking on a park bench near "Hollywood Beach" in Port Angeles. I pulled out a 6x8 panel to capture them quick before they walked off...

Our designated area was near City Park.  I did this one under cover of the bandstand. There was still a haze in the air from all the wildfires occurring in Olympic National Park and as far away as Canada.

"Sharing the View"  7x11    oil on panel      $500

"Azaleas" Plein air, still life , oil painting by Robin Weiss and Arts in the Woods 2018

"Azaleas"   16x12 oil on linen panel   $900

Hey all, Taking a break from posting Paint the Peninsula stuff to get the word out again about our upcoming studio tour, "Arts in the Woods"  Artists around North Kitsap will have their studios spiffed up and ready for visitors like you to come and and see all the new local artwork! This painting along with many others will be on display.

AITW 2018

   

The Knowles Studio is included  and will be a great one to start off your tour of all the great creative spaces in the Kitsap area.

Owned by Jim and Leigh Metteer This gorgeous studio is a  space for artists to immerse themselves in the positive therapy of making art.

The studio will be open to the public during Arts in the Woods , Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 9th, 10th and 11th 2018 from 10am -5pm  

Stop by and see what we have been up to and get the AITW brochure of  all the other studios 

Get more info on the Cultural Arts website 

HERE

Port Townsend Afternoon" Paint the Peninsula 2018, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Port Townsend Afternoon"  9x12 oil on panel  $600

I was glad when PTP organizers decided to expand the boundaries that artists are allowed to paint during the event.  It now includes another favorite place, the historic seaside community of Port Townsend, WA.  I picked a sunny day to do some urban painting which is always fun in PT.




I often donate images of my paintings of Port Townsend to be included in the Gathering Place yearly calendar project which raises funds for this great cause.

This year I have two paintings of PT in the calendar.

Check out the Gathering Place website to find out all the great things they do for the developmentally disabled youth and adults in our community.

"Ship Wreck Rock" Paint the Peninsula 2018 plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Ship Wreck Rock"  6x8 oil   Sold

Another scene from Second Beach on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State painted during Paint the Peninsula 2018. This year was a mixed bag as far as weather was concerned. The fog kept moving in and out making it difficult to decide on what atmosphere to base the mood of your design. That is one reason I pulled out a 6x8 panel for this painting. I was able to capture the scene quickly before everything changed again. The fog simplifies the shapes, removes detail and reduces values so that you can have fun just designing.  After this one I clambered over the driftwood and headed back up the trail to do a few paintings at the Quilute Marina in LaPush.

"Sand and Surf" Paint the Peninsula 2018, plein air landscape by Robin Weiss

"Sand and Surf"  11x14 oil on panel    $900

 Every year during Paint the Peninsula artists take the mile long trail down to one of the most beautiful scenic beaches in Washington State. Second Beach in LaPush is a constant inspiration for me!  I have learned that I can go to the same spot each year on SB and enjoy a different composition of driftwood and atmospheric drama.  It is a challenge to compose and simplify piles of driftwood but once you get good at it the design potential is endless..

You can use those skills and apply them to other complex scenes where the details can overwhelm you, such as this marina with hundreds of boats diminishing in the distance.

If you look closely you see all that confusion reduced to pieces of paint with just a few boats in any real detail.

One boat should become the "star of the show" or the focal point.

Here are a few of the paintings I have done on Second Beach from past PTP competitions;

Paint the Peninsula 2017  Sold
Spirit of the Peninsula Award

Paint the Peninsula 2016  available

Paint the Peninsula 2015  Sold

"Last Chance for Romance" Paint the Peninsula 2018 , plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Last Chance for Romance"  10x12 oil on panel  Sold

If all else fails you can always find a good painting subject at the boatyards in Port Angeles . I walked around this old relic a few times before deciding to compose my painting from the back where the name of the boat was prominent in the design. I learned later this steel fishing boat was cobbled together from several different boats which gave it dramatic character and probably its name...

It also won the Best Wheels , Motors and Sails award!  Thanks juror Eric Jacobsen!

A few reminders;   Arts in the Woods Studio Tour is coming up November 9,10,11 . Always the second week in November!  Stop by and see a lot of the work I have been creating over the past year and visit with all the artists at the Knowles Studio on Noll rd. in Poulsbo, WA.  The coffee will be on!

=]

Get more info on the Cultural Arts Foundation website  HERE

"Salt Creek Explorer" Paint the Peninsula 2018, plein air landscape by Robin Weiss

"Salt Creek Explorer"  6x8 oil on panel  Sold

After finishing up at the Elwah river bridge I kept going to another favorite spot on the Olympic Peninsula, Salt Creek!  I have painted here many times before as have many artists.

Sure enough I ran into another artist! My friend, Yong Hong Zhong.  

He was also participating in Paint the Peninsula 2018. It is always more fun to paint with other artists so we set up together and spent the afternoon capturing the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Most artists on their first visit to Salt Creek want to paint the iconic off shore island. I have painted it so many times that I was looking for other subjects that inspired me. This young boy exploring the beach did it!


All of the artists and their paintings completed during Paint the Peninsula 2018 can be viewed and purchased until November 2018 on the Port Angeles Fine Art Center website. Click HERE to view

Watercolor by Yong Hong Zhong PTP 2018

"Angels Rest" Paint the Peninsula, plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Angels Rest"  9x12 oil on panel     Sold

Angel Crest Gardens was another new discovery for me this year at Paint the Peninsula. I saw a splash of color as I passed by on highway 112 headed north and had to turn around to check it out. Turns out this quaint farm had been closed for a season while the owners cared for a ailing parent
who passed in the spring.

 The gate was open so I walked in immediately seeing that this was a place I wanted to paint!  The owner, Linda, graciously allowed me the run of the place and even picked a beautiful bouquet of flowers for my host family.  Her dogs Lily and Cara kept me company while I painted.

I picked a spot that had a driveway bordered by glorious dahlias and fall flowers to paint. The home in the background was where Lindas mom lived.

I named the painting Angeles Rest. It seemed that peaceful and joyful a spot to me.

"Elwah River Bridge" Paint the Peninsula 2018, plein air landscape by Robin Weiss

"Elwah River Bridge"  6x8 oil       SOLD

It has been a month since I wrote a blog post and a lot has happened! I'm way behind again!  During that time I participated in Paint the Peninsula, The Winslow Plein Air Festival and taught a workshop in Sekiu Washington. 

Paint the Peninsula 2018 was my sixth year participating in this great event. As always, the best thing about these competitions is reconnecting with old painting buddies and meeting new ones. The  shared camaraderie in plein air painting makes it so much more fulfilling than just painting pictures.





I started off on Saturday looking for a spot to warm up that I haven't painted before.  Heading towards Salt Creek I noticed Elwah River Road and turned off to see where it ended up. Not too far down the road it went across a newly constructed bridge with a pedestrian deck below the main road and amazing views of the river and mountains behind. Perfect!  I did my first two paintings. One from the bridge deck and one from the river looking towards the bridge.

"From the Elwah River Bridge" 8x10 oil  $400

"Sultan Farmhouse" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Sultan Farmhouse"  9x12 oil    Sold

I have traveled through the towns of Sultan and Gold Bar many times on my way over Stevens Pass in Western Washington State. Every trip over I wish there was time to stop.  Earlier in the spring, Maury and I made a special trip just to paint in the area.  We started off at Wallace Falls and then stopped at a farm along the road.
 Every landscape painting is an exercise in atmospheric depth. As objects recede in the distance they lose yellow and become bluer. It's tricky to get that transition.You have to use color and edge to get it right.....I gave this scene my best shot at it...

"Widows Walk" plein air landscape by Robin Weiss

"Widows Walk"   12x9 oil on panel      Sold

My last post talked a little about one of my favorite painting spots, Port Townsend. I painted this on the same day as the painting in my last post. There were problems with the plein air painting and I fixed it up in the studio. That is often the case....and hey! that's okay!  ...whatever makes a great painting....IF, however, you are in a competition, make sure you know the rules on what constitutes a plein air painting in that particular competition....They vary!

The only tip I can give you today is.....try and find a spot in the shade to paint!!    =]

"Port Townsend Marina" plein air , marinescape by Robin Weiss

"Port Townsend Marina"  9x12 oil on panel    $600

When I head out to paint without a plan of where to go I often find myself at the Port Townsend boatyard. Not only do they have the best working shipyard, there are also marinas stretched along the waterfront . These days mixed among the warehouses and boat-building workshops are a bunch of eclectic coffee houses and restaurants. A perfect place to find a scene to paint! 

Rendering a bunch of boats in a marina is tricky!  The more I do it, the more I understand the dichotomy of realistically depicting detail in complex scenes.....It is both the hardest and the easiest thing to do....I know, that's not much help ...but really, you have to simplify the detail going back in the distance to broken bits of color. Once you get the hang of it....you will find it's not as hard as you think to suggest  all of that detail with bits of broken color......Spend some extra time on just a few objects closer in to draw the viewer in....and remember to ,

Have fun out there!

"Pink Rhodies" Seattle Arboretum, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Pink Rhodies" Seattle Arboretum  6x8 oil on panel   $250

I always keep a few 6x8 panels handy and tucked away in my backpack.  As often happens when I  am at the end of my painting day, hot, tired and cross-eyed from staring into the sun and pretty much burned out...headed back to the van.....I will see some spectacular scene where a shaft of light illuminates an object, (in this case a beautiful clump of blooming rhodies at the Seattle Arboretum in spring)  ...or a stunning sunset.......and be re-invigorated by the beauty....but only have enough time and juice to cough up a 6x8.  Some of these little gems are my best work.....It would be a shame not to be ready for them...

My son Maury has been coming along on many outings to paint with me....He is getting really good and I love spending time with him doing what we both enjoy.  He works for a game design company in Kirkland WA and mostly does digital artwork but also loves to get out and paint from life.  You can check out his website here....don't forget to leave an encouraging comment! 

The Mind of Maury

Maury at the Arboretum

"Arboretum Sanctuary" Seattle Arboretum, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Arboretum Sanctuary"  Seattle Arboretum 20x10  oil on panel
SOLD

I brought two of these 10x20 panels with me to paint at the Seattle Arboretum. The tall trees and shadowed paths were perfect for a tall skinny format.  I added the strollers using my phone which I kept handy while painting the main composition in case anyone walked down this path. I took a lot of photos but these two romantics seemed perfect for the scene.  See my previous post for how I composed the other 10x20.

I plan on saving these two paintings done at the Seattle Arboretum to inform larger studio paintings which I will enter in PAWA's end of the year exhibition at the American Art Co. in Tacoma, Wa .

Update: This painting is now available at the Michael Birawer Gallery in Seattle WA . If you are interested in purchasing call Summer at  206-624-7773  

"The Rhodie Walk" Seattle Arboretum, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"The Rhodie Walk"   Seattle Arboretum,  10x20 oil on panel    SOLD
Available at the Michael Birawer Gallery, Seattle WA  206-624-7773

Earlier this year when the rhododendrons were in full, spectacular bloom The Plein Air Washington Artists met at the Seattle Arboretum.  Maury picked me up at the ferry and we went over to join the gang.  We were glad we went! Wow! What a show!  I set up along the Rhodie path and pulled out this long skinny panel which worked great for composing the scene before me. 

I have been making these long format panels for awhile now. They are the best option for a lot of compositional choices.  I buy a panel at home depot that is used for cheap bathrooms. It is 1/8 inch thick, has melamine on one side and unfinished masonite on the other, 4x8 ft sheet.  I cut it up into the sizes I want and then gesso the unfinished side. I am currently using a Utrecht Gesso which only needs two coats to cover. You may even need to thin it a bit. 

TIP:   Sometimes you can find these masonite sheets in the 70% off pile at Home Depot or find a sheet that has a defect or broken corner and ask them for a discount. Home Depot is really good about giving discounts to clear defective inventory.  If you get lucky that way you can make these panels for next to nothing and have no concerns about "wasting"resources on what may not be the best painting.....seriously, you need to get over that if you worry about it!..  You need to put enough paint on your palette to actually paint with...and stock pile enough panels to get your brush miles in!! ...and never forget to:

Have fun out there!

"Bayview Barber Shop" Paintout Poulsbo, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Bayview Barber Shop"  12x9 oil on panel    Sold

This is the second painting I completed during Paintout Poulsbo.  The interesting patterns and lines created by the power pole caught my attention.  The day was blustery with the sun coming in and out of the clouds and changing the light pretty dramatically on short notice. I find that it can be helpful to find a back lit subject in those conditions.
 This painting was smeared pretty badly by someone who leaned up against it during the exhibition...one of the drawbacks to participating in a wet painting show...

Just to let you know about several up-coming events and some good news:

First up is a one day plein air painting workshop through the Cole Gallery in Edmonds WA. coming up Saturday, July 28th , 10:30am- 4:30pm.  For more info on this workshop click HERE

My painting " Camillias with Sugar Bowl" has been accepted into the 19th Annual AIS National Juried Exhibition. Somehow I hope to make it to this show which will be held at the Peninsula School of Art in Door County Wisconsin , September 27th.



I will be participating in Paint the Peninsula again this year which takes place August 19-26th in Port Angeles, WA. Afterwards I will be conducting a 3 day workshop in Sekiu , WA



I have been accepted into the First Annual Central City Plein Air Festival, which takes place in Central City , Colorado, September 28-30, 2018 .......So I guess I wont be attending the AIS show!!

There is probably some other stuff too! It can be hard organizing multiple events and shows!  It helps to write it down here on my blog as a reminder...A lot of time goes into all of the other related business in being an artist!  So don't forget to

Have fun out there!

Painting the Guardian Stone" Paint Out Poulsbo, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Painting the Guardian Stone"  12x9 oil on panel    NFS

I recently joined the Peninsula Music and Arts Society of Poulsbo. They mostly raise funds for scholarships to help aspiring young artists in our area. Part of the fundraising the last few years has been a plein air painting event in Poulsbo. It started off small but is growing each year.  This year I entered my grandson Chase who, at eight years old, is also an aspiring young artist. He decided to paint the Guardian Stone, a cool sculpture in Poulsbo's waterfront park that has three swords planted in a big rock.

Me and Chase painting in Poulsbo

Chase's parents are both educators in the public schools and their philosophy of  going to new places and trying new things is paying off. Chase had no hesitation entering this competition and following through. He completed three paintings in two days.

As you can see in this picture Chase is taking this competition very seriously! While I am in the background looking at something on my phone he is concentrating on producing a masterpiece of artwork.

Chase with his painting "The Guardian Stone"

Others thought it was good too! Many people stopped to encourage him. 

 

 When we finally turned our paintings in at the end of the day, the Judge of Awards, Max Hazlette, awarded Chase's painting First Place in his age category!...and then handed him a check for $150!

The look on his face was priceless as he received the award.  Another plein air artist is born!  

 

If you are interested in learning more about the Peninsula Music and Arts Society of Poulsbo click

HERE