"Poulsbo Crossing" original oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Poulsbo Crossing" 11x14 oil on panel   $800

 

Continuing on with the Poulsbo series this scene looks up the hill on Front Street . Along this stretch are a couple coffee shops I like to fuel up in the morning.  The Poulsbohemian at the top of the hill and Cafe Cocina on the right.  I hope you get a chance to visit Poulsbo some time. It is becoming an international tourist destination these days reflecting a growth spurt of business and folks moving in.  If you do visit us be sure to check out the Front Street Gallery! It is a cooperative of many talented and local artists and you can find my recent work there.

Here's wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

"Poulsbo Evening" original oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Poulsbo Evening" 20x10 oil on panel
SOLD

 

I hope everyone had a peaceful, joyous Christmas!  Ours was quiet this year but filled with beautiful moments among family and friends.  

I have been working in the studio lately with the weather turning cold and wet in the Pacific Northwest.

I have gathered a ton of referance photos over the summer and lots of studies and sketches to work from. I just fineshed a series of paintings from Poulsbo, the little town here on the Kitsap Penisula where we live. Well, "little" Poulsbo is growing fast! Lots of tourists in the summer and new folks moving in. All that has helped the art sales.  

I'm looking forward to the coming year with lots of shows planned and workshops to teach. Check out the Black Barn for their schedule of classes and workshops coming up. I will also be participating in shows at Alki Arts in West Seattle, J G Gallery in Winslow, The Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes and The Cole Gallery in Edmonds in 2025.

I appreciate so much all those of you who have followed along, supported and encouraged me this year!

 Thank you!! Have a Blessed New Year!

"The Space Needle from Gasworks" Seattle plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"The Space Needle from Gasworks"  6x12 oil on panel  $500

 Gasworks Park in Seattle is one of the places we painted during the James Kroner workshop earlier this summer.  There are some great views of Lake Washington and the city beyond!  

I took advantage of the diagonals in the landscape to try and compose a dynamic design. The morning was still hazy which added to some atmospheric effect. This was a very fast painting attempting to get a feel of place.

This painting is on display at the Alibi Room tucked into Post Alley by the famous Gum Wall in Seattle. Stop by if you are in the area. They have great food and it is a cool location to take a break from touring the city.

Also if you are in Kitsap County on the other side of the Puget Sound, our local studio tour is coming up fast.  Lots of recent and past work from the years painting adventures will be displayed at the Knowles Studio in Poulsbo. Five other artists will be in the studio along with me and print masker Leigh Knowles Metteer. Check out the Cultural Arts Foundation Northwest for more info.

"Volunteer Park" Seattle plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Volunteer Park" 11x14 plein air oil    $800

 

Earlier this summer I took a workshop as continuing education from artist and friend James Kroner.  We had a great time going to different locations around Seattle, learning and painting together!  If you get a chance to join a workshop with James you should do it! Especially his European workshops!

I reworked this painting a bit after getting back to the studio. It is now on display at the Alibi Room in Post Alley. If you are in Seattle you should stop in and see the show! Try their pizza! We love it!!  =]

"Chilberg Road" Skagit co. plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Chilberg Road"

 

From the October Skagit trip.  Right off the highway headed into LaConner are these views of the farms and fields with the Islands of Skagit Bay showing in the distance.  Trying to capture the forms and groupings of the cattle was a fun challenge.

This painting will be on display along with many other recent plein air paintings at The Knowles Studio on Noll rd. in Poulsbo during Art in the Woods!  November 8, 9, 10 , the second weekend in Nov., will be the annual North Kitsap Studio Tour. get your maps and more info at the Cultural Arts Foundation Northwest website.

"Ika Island" Skagit County plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Ika Island"  14x11 oil on panel  $800

  
 

Ika Island is one of many islands in Skagit Bay.  This view is from a favorite painting spot at the end of Rawlins Road.  Me and Mark went out one morning during my October painting trip which unknown to us coinsided with the first day of duck hunting season!  We saw an amazing variety of waterfowl coming in to glean the fields left from the corn harvest.... Along with a lot of shotgun blasts! We managed to get a few paintings done and really enjoyed the day.  

"The Pumpkin Truck" Skagit Valley plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"The Pumpkin Truck"  9x12, plein air, oil on panel $700

 

I recently took a break from pressing family matters and lots of work around the place to get away for some art therapy.  The Skagit Valley was beaconing. I hooked up with painting buddy Mark Bistranin for a couple days of painting in the beauty of the valley. Maury came out Sunday afternoon and I had a chance to spend time painting with him.

I always stop at Hedlins Family Farm on my way into LaConner. I have painted this farm from a few perspectives over the years. My timing was just right to catch the fall pumpkin harvest. As you can see here there were a lot of perfect set-ups for painting!

You can see this painting on display at Art in the Woods the North Kitsap Studio Tour, November 8, 9, 10 .  I will be set up at the Knowles Studio in Poulsbo along with Leigh Knowles an other talented artists and crafters.  

Hope to see you there!

"Viewing Rocky Brooke Falls" plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Viewing Rocky Brooke Falls"  6x12 oil on panel   $500

 It's time to play painting pickup.  I have gotten through most of the events this year and now I can go back and post paintings that have fallen through the cracks.  There are paintings that I have not posted this year and some from last year......and maybe the year before!  

Here is one I did on the Dosewalips river trip earlier this summer. Rocky Brooke Falls is a short hike from the river road going to the upper Dose.  I usually stop there when I am in Brennan. It can be a challenge to paint because you don't see much till you are right up to it and it is 200 feet high!!  I tried to capture this couple experiencing the beauty.

"Tree Light" landscape painting by Robin Weiss, AIS National Exhibition 2024

"Tree Light"  12x16 oil on panel   $1200
Accepted into the AIS National Exhibition 2024

 

I painted this earlier in the year from photo reference taken at Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island.  

I was very humbled to have this work accepted into the 25th Annual National Juried Exhibition that will take place from September 27 to October 26 at the Rockport Art Association and Museum in Rockport, Massachusetts.The awards judge is Carolyn Anderson AISM

If you are interested in purchasing this work please call the Rockport Art Association at 978-546-6604

Thanks!  =]

"Main Street Edmonds" Edmonds and Beyond plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Main Street Edmonds" 14x11 oil on panel  SOLD

First off I would like to appologize to my subscribers. Over a year ago I was forced to change my RSS feed to a different venue. I thought I had it all set up to work properly and only recently found out that my posts were not going out unless I manually sent it each time! Sheesh!  Hopefully that has been fixed and if you start getting In Plein Air posts again in your email that is why. Of course you can still unsubscribe if you want, but if you enjoy my posts you may want to go back and look through the blog. I have been consistently posting for the last few years!  Okay, after the five stages of grief I will get over it..=]

The painting above was completed during the Edmonds and Beyond Plein Air Paintout, Quick Paint event in Edmonds, WA.  I set up on Main street under an awning to escape the rain and painted this scene in front of me. 

I was recently surprised to hear from childhood friends Bruce and David Asamoto. Bruce was in the Seattle area and looked me up. It was great to meet with them and their wifes in Poulsbo and catch up on old times.  Then they came to Edmonds for the Quick Paint. Big thanks to Bruce and his wife Kim for buying this painting as a memory of their time here. So good to see these old friends again!

"Hidden Cove" Edmonds and Beyond plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Hidden Cove"  8x16 oil on panel   Sold

 

One more from Bainbridge Island.  This was painted from a hidden little park along Hidden Cove road on BBI. I got there early in the morning and it was so quiet and peaceful! I walked down to a boat dock and set up for this view. 

"Fay Bainbridge" Edmonds and Beyond Plein Air painting by Robin Weiss

"Fay Bainbridge" 11x14 oil on panel $800
available through the Cole Gallery, Edmonds
425-697-2787

 

Sometimes it's hard to title paintings. Sometimes a title can sell a painting. Sometimes in a hurry I give up and take the easy road. I kinda feel that way about the title of this painting and it may change down the road. 

Right now it is in the Edmonds and Beyond exhibition at the Cole Gallery.  I wanted to use the title to place this painting and even though this view is not of Fay Bainbridge state Park it is right next door. To place its location to the most people I called it Fay Bainbridge.... Titles....sheesh

There is a quiet little lagoon here surrounded by a narrow spit that back in the days before everything was so tightly regulated a lot of people built homes. Maybe one of them will see this painting and not buy it because I called it Fay Bainbridge....Ha!  Or maybe someone will love it whatever the title... If that's you, call the Cole Gallery at 425-697-2787    =]

Thanks for visiting In Plein Air!

"Ferry View" Edmonds and Beyond Plein Air painting By Robin Weiss

"Ferry View"  12x16 oil on panel  Sold

 In my last post I showed my painting of a Washington State Ferry at the Kingston dock . After I completed that painting I hopped on the ferry and went over to the Edmonds side. I spent some time looking around for a spot to paint that I haven't done before and settled on this shady spot across from the  fishing pier with a view of the ferry in Edmonds. I love trying to paint dappled sunlight and fiddled around with the figure walking his dogs quite a bit till I felt somewhat satisfied and then quit before I overworked it...

You can see this painting on exhibit at the Cole Gallery in Edmonds through October 14th. I hope you stop by and see the show! If you are interested in purchasing this painting call the Cole Gallery at 425-697-2787

Thanks!!!  =]

"Kingston Commute" Edmonds and Beyond Plein Air painting by Robin Weiss

"Kingston Commute"  16x12 oil   SOLD

 

They have done a lot of work sprucing up the property around the Kingston Ferry. I remember when I first moved to Poulsbo back in the 80's there was a restaurant at this location that overlooked the ferry's coming and going. I loved it!  Was sad when they  demolished it.  

I have been walking past this view for a long time and considering it's potential for a good composition. I had my chance to paint it during the Edmonds and Beyond Plein Air Paintout this year.  It received the Third Place Award. Big congrats to all the award winners and those who participated in this growing plein air competition.

"Marrowstone Island" Edmonds and Beyond plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Marrowstone Island"  8x16 oil on panel  $750

 

This year marks the third annual Edmonds and Beyond Plein Air Paintout. The Cole Gallery in Edmonds, WA has started a new plein air painting competition masterminded by Denise Cole and Scott Jones that is starting to get the attention of artists around the country. 

The competition boundaries always include Edmonds and Kingston on the Kitsap Peninsula but also designate a "Beyond" that this year included "The Islands of Washington"  Good news for me as some of my favorite painting locations are on islands near to where we live.

Fresh back from the Whidbey Island Plein Air Paintout I had to re-group, clean up and organize my gear then hop on the ferry and head over to Edmonds to get my panels stamped.  I stopped at the Edmonds Marsh to get one under the belt but it was a stinker. I decided to start fresh in the morning and drove across the Hood Canal bridge to a favorite spot along Puget Sound. The above painting is actually painted on Indian Island but the view is of Marrowstone Island. 

Feeling like I got a decent painting the game was on..  The competition is now over but you can still see the exhibition and the award winners at the Cole Gallery in Edmonds through October 14th.

"Scenic Coupeville" Whidbey Island Plein Air by Robin Weiss

"Scenic Coupeville"  9x12 oil   $600

 

This was the last quick plein air painting I completed during the Whidbey Island Plein Air Paintout 2024. Coupeville is a quaint little town with a main street you can walk down in 5minuets but it has a lot of character! It is also home to the Pacific Northwest Art School who sponsors the event. To learn more about PNAS check out the link HERE.

Coming up in future posts will be the paintings done during the Edmonds and Beyond Plein Air Paintout hosted by the Cole Gallery.  I'm working hard to catch up to what I'm doing now so stay tuned and thanks for all the encouragement! 

"Scenic Island Barns" Whidbey Island Plein Air painting by Robin Weiss

"Scenic Island Barns"  11x14 oil  $800

 

I saw this scene the first day that I painted at Scenic Isle Farm. When I came back the second day the wheelbarrow was gone!  With the wheelbarrow this composition had all the elements I look for. A lead in,(the dirt road) a triad of subjects to provide story and interest. Some foreground texture to provide variety of brushwork and textures.   I had to use my photos from the day before to add the wheelbarrow.

I painted a lot on Whidbey! I have one more to post before moving on to the Edmonds and Beyond Plein Air competition.  Thanks for all the encouraging feedback I have been getting!  Hope you enjoy these Whidbey Island paintings.  =]

"Sunflower Stroll" Whidbey Island Plein Air painting by Robin Weiss

"Sunflower Stroll"  6x12 oil on panel   Sold

 

There is farm just out of Coupeville on the historic Ebby's Landing preserve called Scenic Island Farm that is protected from development as part of that site. A neat family owns it and this year they planted a field of sunflowers and called it the Sunflower Stroll charging folks a small fee to come in and take pictures surrounded by smiling sunflowers.

 They allowed us artists free access to paint the farm and a lot of us did! Maury and I went back two days to paint there. I was really fascinated by the barns and structures but had to paint the sunflowers first. In the far background is Ebby's Landing and then in the distance are the Olympic Mountains on the Olympic Peninsula across from the Straits of Juan De Fuca.

Maury at Scenic Island Farm

"Whidbey Island Sunrise" plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Whidbey Island Sunrise"  6x8 oil  SOLD

 

This little sunrise painting was done from the front deck of our amazing VRBO house where four of us stayed together during the Whidbey Island Plein Air in August. It even had a hot tub out there where I had my morning coffee before getting started for the day. Since I get up at 5am there was plenty of time to soak before work..  if that's what you want to call it...=]

"Beach Walk" Whidbey Island Plein Air painting by Robin Weiss

Beach Walk  6x8  oil   $350

 A small painting done quickly at Ebeys Landing during the Whidbey Island Plein Air 2024

"Monroe Landing" Whidbey Island Plein Air painting by Robin Weiss

"Monroe Landing"  oil on panel  $750

 

I have been posting a lot about the Whidbey Island Plein Air Paintout in previous posts.  This painting is another done during the competition. A little park not far from where we all stayed in our Air BnB.

I'm a sucker for these bluffs catching the light at various times of day.  It is a combination of two different mornings and the light display I saw each day.

"Whidbey Island Farm" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Whidbey Island Farm"   10x20 oil    $850

 

If you paint around Whidbey Island enough you start to learn the little tucked away spots with good views to set up an easel and get a decent painting. I think this view is a classic island scene and it is right off highway 20 headed to Oak Harbor from Coupeville. You wouldn't think there was room to pull off  but there is a small power transfer box with a pull out for access and if you know it's coming you can slip in between traffic and get turned around. I painted here a few years back with Maury and we both got good paintings.

Painting the farm in 2021 with Maury

"Coupeville Wharf #6 " Whidbey Island plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Coupeville Wharf #6 "   6x12 oil     SOLD

 

Looking through my gallery page on Daily Paintworks I found five other paintings of the Coupeville Wharf!  It is getting to be a tradition of the Whidbey Island Plein Air Paintout every August to spend one afternoon when it gets hot down on the beach in the shade painting the wharf. 

No different this year! Several other PAWA artists joined me for a pleasant afternoon, toes in the sand, painting away....  =]

It is one of the reasons I tell others that "every day is a holiday in this business!'  =]

Coupeville Wharf   2022

"Passing the Channel Marker" Whidbey Island Plein Air by Robin Weiss

"Passing the Channel Marker"  9x12 oil on panel  $600

 

These days I have a hard time getting more than two paintings done in a day. I was so enjoying Ala Spit on Whidbey Island that I stuck around and did a third painting while I was waiting for Maury to show up.

If you study the profile of boats it is pretty easy to stick one in a plein air painting. In this case the boat went by and I was able to do a couple quick eyesight measurements and put it into the scene.

"Ala Spit Trail" Whidbey Island Plein Air painting by Robin Weiss

"Ala Spit Trail"  9x12 oil on panel  $600

 

My second painting at Ala Spit on the first morning of the Whidbey Island Plein Air. 

I love to use trails like this for lead ins to paintings especially if you can continue on into the distant landscape. In this case imagining yourself emersed in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

My son Maury and I entered the competition together. I am an early riser and he is a late sleeper. It works out pretty good that way. I get up at 5am drive to a location, set up and do a few paintings. Maury texts me to see where I am and we paint together. He came out to Ala Spit for my third painting and did a pretty good one of his own. In fact Maury's painting ended up with the Second Place award!  Not bad!

"Ala Spit, Backside" Whidbey Island plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Ala Spit, Backside"  7x12  oil   $550

 

The first couple days of the 2024 Whidbey Island Plein Air were socked in and overcast. That has its pros and cons as far as plein air painting goes. I kinda like it. No pressure to chase the sun shadows or set your easel out of the bright light. Local color can even be richer under certain conditions. You also get the benefit  of dramatic atmosphere.

I spent the first day of the competition at Ala Spit. A local state park near Deception Pass. There are classic Northwest beaches with lots of driftwood and surprisingly few tourists about. Just local fishermen and a few families digging clams. I completed three paintings there!  

"Gold Finch Field" Whidbey Island Plein Air painting by Robin Weiss

"Gold Finch Field" 6x8 oil   SOLD

 

We always look forward to the Whidbey Island Plein Air competition. It happens every year in August and is hosted by the Pacific Northwest Art School in Coupeville. They do a great job of organizing the competition and using the resources to offer grants, scholarships, classes and support for artists in the area. They are funded mostly by members and donations. If you are interested in helping you can support them HERE.

Gold Finch Field was my first warm up painting of the competition after registering and getting my panels stamped. Brooke Borcherding, fellow artist and painting buddy is under the tree in the background working on her first painting. 

"After Eight" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

 

"After Eight"  6x12 plein air     SOLD

My recently purchased Windows Surface laptop had a melt down.....or at least it seemed like I just bought it.  Turns out it was 6 years old...but still, they don't last that long! The guy at Geek Squad said they have a 4or 5 year life span! 

Anyway I have not been posting for awhile waiting for Best Buy to get the new one ready. I bought a new ASUS laptop because it was on sale and they said it was a good one for photo editing. I'm getting used to it and windows 11 by posting on my blog. 

I've been painting a lot and have attended the Whidbey Island Plein Air competition in the interim. I will be posting those paintings soon.

One evening after watching the news I glanced outside and noticed the light was really nice. I packed up the gear and drove to a favorite painting spot across the Hood Canal bridge on the Olympic Peninsula. I had just enough time to capture this scene.

"Earth Embrace" plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Earth Embrace"  12x9 oil on panel   SOLD

 

I made reservations at the Dosewallips campground back in February for the annual PAWA paint out. Of course I came down with covid a week before the campout but figured I may as well recover in the fresh air and sunshine so went anyway. I actually painted quite a bit between naps. This old exposed fir tree was a few yards down the trail from camp.

I enjoyed painting in the shade and quiet of the forest. It was a challenge to capture the feel of ancient growth and renewal.

"Beach Bones" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Beach Bones"  9x12 oil on canvas    $700

 Second one I did at Fort Worden on the Olympic Peninsula.  If you look through my blog posts you will see many paintings from this location. I love it because you can set up in one spot and do two totally different paintings.

For this painting I started out by toning the canvas and then doing a rough sketch of the driftwood leading you into the scene. Something I do a lot around here! There is so much driftwood!..As I progressed into color I started working out the simplification of the sticks and stones.  As often happens with a scene this complicated I got it wrong on site and touched it up in the studio.

By the way,   Happy Fourth of July!!   Let Freedom Ring!!

on site painting

"A Walk to the Lighthouse" plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"A Walk to the Lighthouse"  9x12 plein air ,oil on panel  $700

 

Maury and I couldn't get together on Fathers Day this year so we planned a painting day a week later coinciding with a PAWA paint-out at Fort Worden.  While only seeing one other painter we still had a great time painting down on the beach with stunning views of the Point Wilson Lighthouse and Point Wilson itself.

The day was overcast with bright light filtering through as the clouds thinned out during the day making for perfect light conditions for painting.

This was my first of two paintings done that day before we headed to Doc's Marina Grill for some fish tacos and a couple beers.

"Little Norway" Poulsbo plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Little Norway"  11x14 oil on panel, plein air   SOLD

 I had the pleasure of meeting by chance, a long time collector from Massachusetts at the Front Street Gallery in Poulsbo this week.  It was a surprise for her too!  Always a pleasure and inspiring to meet folks from all over who love and appreciate the work I do. That is one of the benefits of being an artist. To be someone who creates art that others put into their homes because the art has inspired them or evoked a feeling of awe, joy, happiness or peace (most of the comments I get). It is a privilege and also really humbling.  I always want to produce the best work I can for the folks who love my paintings.

Poulsbo is the little town that we live closest to. It was settled and built by immigrants from Norway who saw a bit of their own fjords here in the new world.  The town has always had that small town flavor although that is changing like so many other places with lots of growth and new people moving in.

I am represented in Poulsbo by the Front Street Gallery, a co-op owned and operated by 25 plus artists and crafters.  Stop by if you are in the area for some of the best local art in the area.  =]

Poulsbo

"Willow" Bloedel Reserve, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Willow" 8x16 plein air, oil on panel  $800
Available through the JG Gallery, Winslow
206-842-2063

 My second offering for "Iconic Bainbridge Island", a new group exhibition at the JG Gallery in Winslow. 

This show will open on Friday, July 5th during Winslow's First Friday Artwalk.  Hope to see you there!

I have been painting a lot on the Bloedel Reserve. Located at the end of Agate Pass Rd on BBI. It offers acres of beautiful gardens, rare plants, a marsh and wildflower meadows. As part of the art program you can even sign up for painting days or workshops with the program artists including me! =]

Check out the Bloedel website HERE

"Garden Poppies" original landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Garden Poppies"  20x24 oil on canvas  $2200
Available through the JG Gallery, Bainbridge Is. WA
206-842-2063

 The JG Gallery in Winslow will be displaying paintings by gallery artists depicting the beauty of Bainbridge in a new exhibition called Iconic Bainbridge Island. 

This new work "Garden Poppies" was created for this show. It depicts the wild abandon of colorful flowers in the Community Garden behind Eagle Harbor Community Church in Winslow from Finch Pl. 

The show will open on July 5th during Winslow's First Friday Artwalk. Always an enjoyable night to come out to artwalk, the town is alive with homegrown music, art, food and festivities. Hope to see you there!