"Monroe Street" Port Townsend plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Monroe Street"  9x12 oil on panel   $600

 

I was riding around Port Townsend on my scooter a few weeks ago looking for a spot I have not painted from before and this corner was where I ended up. There was a shady place under a tree and that clinched it for me. I have talked about this before. If you don't stop and paint you will drive around endlessly looking for the "perfect" location and no painting will happen...It's just the way we are..

Oh ya,  I bought an electric scooter. It's a Highboy and you can email me if you want the specifics. I got it at Best Buy for about $400. I should be walking for the exercise but this thing is not only fun it helps me cover more ground and not get worn out before I start painting.  I originally got it so I could park out of the newly voted in paid parking in Poulsbo and scooter into work at the Front Street Gallery when I have a shift. I am finding out that it can also be a great help in certain urban painting adventure settings. The one I have doesn't work well off road....but you can get one that does!  Depends how much you want to spend. 

"The Mansion at Bloedel" plein air by Robin Weiss

"The Mansion at Bloedel"  6x8 plein air   $350

 

I have posted about the amazing Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island in WA state before. It is a beautiful estate property bequeathed to the public to enjoy the gardens, rare plantings and facilities. The property has an endowment that keeps it well maintained with a professional staff and programs to keep visitors and sponsors coming back, including me!  Bloedel is a favorite local painting location and I am now a part on the program as one of the artist/facilitators who offer workshops on plein air painting at the reserve.

Check out their website here for more info on The Bloedel Reserve

"Carmel Beach" original plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

Carmel Beach  6x8 oil on panel   SOLD

 

I found a shady place to park along the beach one beautiful morning in Carmel. I didn't even have to walk ten steps from my van to paint this little study which quickly sold at the festival.

In other news "A Good Spot" was accepted into The Little Gems show at the Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes. See more info on that HERE.  Little Gems is an exhibition, curated every year of small works painted by Plein Air Washington Artists . 

"October on the Dosewallips" plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"October on the Dosewallips" 9x18 oil on panel   Sold

 

Took a couple trips to the Dosewallips State Park in 2022 to paint. One was a fun trip with some members of Plein Air Washington Artists and another with painting buddy Jim Lamb. Paintings from both trips were recently accepted into the PAWA, Plein air to Studio, Winter Show hosted by the Cole Gallery this year in Edmonds WA. 

"Morning Mist at the Point" plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Morning Mist at the Point" 7x12 oil on linen panel  $400

 

Early morning with a heavy fog at Point no Point. I almost gave up and went home but it was so quiet and peaceful I hiked out to the sand. Nothing but the call of the gulls and the splash of the waves on the beach.

"You Are My Sunshine" Plein air painting by Robin Weiss

You Are My Sunshine  11x14 oil on linen panel
SOLD

 

I'm posting this plein air painting done on Bainbridge Island at Suyamatsu Farm to announce a group exhibition coming up at the Roby King Gallery in Winslow.  I will be joining Cheri Christensen , Pam Ingalls, William F Reese (1938-2010) and Pamela Wachtler presenting original work celebrating impressionism and plein air painting.

"Shuksan Through the Haze" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Shuksan through the Haze" 8x6 oil  SOLD

 Another view I have painted many times!  I just can't help myself when I am standing at this spot in person! You would too!!  Come to Washington and see for yourself!

I have to say at this point, I am so proud of my son Maury. He has overcome some real struggles in his life but has the best attitude through it all.  He attended the Art institute of Seattle for game design when it was a fairly new program. It was a very intense instruction which he accomplished in three years by attending without the breaks. This was after working with me for a year after high school. He quickly realized that he wanted do something that he enjoyed for a living and really worked hard to achieve that. After gaining his degree he landed a great job and by consistent effort has been promoted to leadership positions in his workplace.

Maury still loves to draw and paint like he did growing up and we have traveled to many locations around the country to paint together.  Check out his website HERE

Maury painting Mount Shuksan

"The Pumpkin Patch" paintings from the pumpkin patch by Robin Weiss

The Pumpkin Patch"  Suyematsu Farm , 8x16 oil
Available through the Cole Gallery, Edmonds WA
425-697-2787

 

This is the plein air painting I did at Suyematsu Farm on Bainbridge Island that started the whole Pumpkin Princess series of paintings.  You can see them all if you follow along on my blog. To get my blog posts in your email, simply enter your email in the "follow by email" tile in the right hand sidebar on my blog home page. I really appreciate your support!  I'm always amazed by folks who show up at my shows or demos that tell me they have been following along on the blog for years!  So encouraging!  Thank you!

The Suyematsu Farm on Bainbridge Island was originally owned by Akio Suyematsu. The book by David Guterson, Snow Falling on Cedars is loosely based on the story of the farm and the internment of the Suyematsu family during World War 11. You can read more about the families that manage the farm and surrounding wineries and vinyards in this post by Perennial Vineyards HERE

This painting and other Pumpkin Patch works are available through the Cole Gallery in Edmonds WA. You can contact Denise at 425-697-2787 for more purchasing information.

Green Umbrellas urban plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Green Umbrellas" 9x12 oil on panel   SOLD

Recently in anticipation of an upcoming group show at the Roby King Gallery I drove to Winslow on a sunny day to paint outside.  I set up right in the middle of town to try and capture the light hitting the green umbrellas outside the Black Bird Bakery.  I was hoping to get a good painting but more importantly to promote the exhibition. All in all it was a good day! Painting was not my worst and got to talk with a lot of folks on the street. 

I hope you can come to the show!   If you would like to find out more information or to see the work online check out my website HERE or the Roby King Gallery  HERE

I saw a good article about disciplines to consider if you are designing a plein air painting on location or in the studio . check it out HERE

Thanks for stopping by!  Stay safe and stay creative!  =]

"Francesca with Lilies" Workshops in France travelogue by Robin Weiss

"Francesca with Lilies" 12x9, oil  $600

When planning our trip to Europe I knew I wanted to paint. I remembered looking at the literature for Workshops in France at one of the Plein Air Conventions. Ann contacted Julie Snyder and we found out there was a Daniel Gerhartz portrait workshop and artists retreat at a chateau in Provence being hosted by Workshops in France, around the time we wanted to go, almost a year ahead. ..Perfect!  So glad we decided on going with Julie and her great support crew, Shirley, Celeste,Kirsteen and Janice! !  All artists and up for anything!  They would take us to different, amazing  locations to paint after the workshop which I will cover in future posts.

Daniel Gerhartz Demo

The first three days of the retreat we attended the Daniel Gerhartz, masterclass portrait workshop. I have been using more figures in the landscape and appreciated his insight on including that aspect into the teaching.

I didn't know it before this but Daniel is a much sought after instructor. His workshops are mostly sold out before you can sign up. He is a kind and thoughtful educator who tries to spend time with each student. He studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. To learn more about Daniel, his work and philosophy of painting view his website  HERE.

Each day Daniel would do a demo using a model from the community hired for the workshop. The first day we had Frank, a great model who could really hold a pose!

Packing Tip:  I considered several options for transporting painting surfaces and decided on using sheets of pre-primed linen for this trip. I knew that I would be at one location for 10 days with time for the paintings to dry.

Value Study of Frank

First I cut two pieces of 1/8 inch birch plywood 12x16 , sanded and finished them with varnish.These plywood panels would slide into my Raymar wet panel carrier and be used to tape my linen sheets on.
I then cut 20 sheets of linen 11x14 and used a pencil and a 9x12 panel to mark 9x12 rectangles in the center of the sheets with a margin to tape the sheet to the plywood panel. I also cut another ten sheets 9x12 and used a 8x10 panel to mark those sheets. So I ended up with 30 sheets of pre-primed linen that would yield 20 9x12s and 10 8x10s.
I used packing plastic, the kind on rolls. to wrap the linen to the plywood panels making a sandwich of plywood panel, linen sheets and 11x14 paint panel. Then slid the package into the Raymar panel carrier for transport to France.
The carrier fit into my carry on backpack with my other oil painting supplies. That worked pretty slick but I was not sure how it would work out on location....Now I know.. and it all worked great except that I brought more linen than I needed. I had time to make 11 oil paintings in Provence. The last one I did had about two days to dry before we had to pack up. It was still just a bit tacky even using the Fast Dry White.
No problem! I borrowed some "kitchen paper" (parchment paper) from the kitchen and put the paintings back to back with the parchment paper in between then taped the sheets back on the plywood panels and slid them back into the carrier for transport back to the states....whew!  When we got back the paintings were in perfect condition and did not stick to the parchment paper! This system worked because I had time to paint in one location and a place to lay the paintings to dry in our room. For the rest of our trip when we were on the road and changing location frequently I used my sketchbook.
BTW, if any of this is confusing, just send me an email at robinweiss@earthlink.net and I will try to answer any questions you may have.

There is so much I want to include in these blog posts and soooo many pictures!! I am trying hard to edit the writing to include highlights and also helpful tips on traveling with oil paint. I also want to include what I learned from Daniels workshop so stay tuned for more posts. Promise I will try and keep them short and readable....hopefully!! I sure appreciate any feed back or comments on how I am doing or what you would like to hear more about. You can get these posts direct to your inbox by taking a minuet to subscribe using the widget in the right hand toolbar.... Thanks!!

Another word about Workshops in France. Julie and her crew take the stress out of painting in France! Especially if you are thinking of doing it for the first time..We loved the locally sourced food and wine!   You really only have to concentrate on making great artwork. They do all the rest!

A Court Yard at Chateau Gadagne near Avignon. A favorite spot to paint and enjoy a glass of wine with friends..=]

"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!

"Blue Mountain" Skagit Valley, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Blue Mountain"  9x14 oil on panel     Sold  

At least once a year I try and visit my friend Mark Bistranin in Skagit County to paint for a few days. He co-owns and operates the Seaside Gallery in LaConnor.
 The Skagit valley once inhabited by the Salish Indians was a valley of small prairies that were burned in controlled fires to harvest bracken ferns and camas . After the development of the dike system the unmanageable wetland area became a fertile area for agriculture. These days it is still a vibrant farming community and a great place for us painters to find  stunning views of fields and farms surrounded by mountains whose mood and atmosphere are constantly changing.

"The life I love is making paintings with my friends"
Me and Mark painting in one of our favorite spots

This is an area on Fir Island that Mark and I go to paint a lot.  It is a wetland, salt marsh at the end of......well, I can't remember the name right now...it will come to me...But, it is the first road to the left as you pass Snow Goose Produce. Follow it past farms to the very end and there you are. It can be tricky to turn your car around down there but I have turned my van many times....just be careful you don't back into a irrigation ditch!!




I entered this painting in the "Little Gems", small works Show at the Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes and it garnered a Best of Show Award!! How cool is that!  Thanks much to the good folks at Scott Milo Gallery and Judge of awards, Michele Usibeli!
You still have time to go see the show!  The closing reception is this Saturday the 30th at 3pm.

Best of Show Award at the Little Gems Show,
Scott Milo Gallery, Anacortes, WA

'Soledad Mission" California, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Soledad Mission" 10x10 oil on panel   $350

It's really nice when you take a road trip to allow enough time each day to see some sights if you can. We planned on five days traveling to Tucson which gave us plenty of leeway to stop and paint if I saw a good spot.

 When we dropped down to highway 101 near Salinas on our way to Santa Barbara We stopped for coffee in Soledad where there was an old California Mission that was still in use. We decided to have a look , then stayed in this peaceful spot while I did the painting above.

By that time it was getting late. We got back on the road hoping to make it to our next airbnb in Santa Barabara and having time to enjoy that city. Little did we know that there would be plenty of time to walk around and see the sights there.

The Rose Garden at the Soledad Mission

"Catch of the Day" plein air, marinescape by Robin Weiss

"Catch of the Day"  10x12 oil on panel    Quick Draw PTP 2015     Sold

A feature of most plein air painting events is the Quick Draw competition. Participating artists have a set time, in this case two hours to complete a painting from start to finish. The paintings are then brought back to the gallery and judged. I didn't win an award for my quick draw  painting but a lovely couple who watched me paint it, just as they promised,came to the exhibition and purchased it.

Quick draw, Paint the Peninsula 2015

For some reason I was fooling around back at the Fine Art Center trying to frame a painting when I looked up and saw that everyone was gone. ...Then I realized that they all left for the quick draw!  I had a plan to go back to City Pier where I painted two years ago at PTP2013 so hopped in the van and raced down...Several artists were already set up and so I grabbed a spot and tossed my gear together late as usual! God was merciful and the painting just flowed on like someone else was painting and not me! Love when that happens!  
I was done in an hour and a half.............=]


Two years ago when I painted at City Pier in Port Angeles it was raining!  For fun, here's a video I took that day.

 It's the new year but I'm still posting last years paintings...oh well....my resolution, again,..is to try and keep up this year!...we'll see.........Happy New Year Friends!

"Beach Combers" oil, marinescape painting by Robin Weiss

"Beach Combers"    10x12 oil on panel , framed    $600

We waited for a sunny day to hike the trail down to Second Beach near LaPush, WA on the Olympic Peninsula. I painted here last year during PTP 2014 and even did a different view of this same sea stack.

"Incoming Tide" 10x12 oil on linen
PTP 2014     $600

The beach was pretty crowded with hikers and campers. I picked a spot out of the way, in the shade, then quickly sketched my composition with a drawing brush and thin, Quin Sienna paint from Daniel Smith. I like the transparency and the more saturated, red/orange color of the pigment for under-painting in the Northwest where we have so much blue and green to deal with.

The sun was moving very fast so I quickly washed in the shaded areas and then STUCK to my light/dark plan as everything started to change dramatically.  I finished this painting in about an hour and a half then packed my gear and headed down the beach to meet other artist friends.

Rhonda McKay painting on 2nd Beach

I was looking for something different from the last couple years of painting on Second Beach. The storm twisted firs marching up the bluffs caught my eye. Artist Rhonda Thatcher McKay was in my field of view so I painted her in.

Ned Mueller's  painting on 2nd Beach

Many fine paintings were done down on the beach that day by artists including Jim Lamb, Bob Stem, Eric Jacobson and one of my favorites of the day by Ned Mueller.

During the month of January and February 2016 you can view many of these paintings during a solo exhibition at the Tree House Cafe. Click
                                                      HERE 
for info on this great restaurant and event destination located in Lynwood Center on Bainbridge  Island.

"The Lime Kiln Lighthouse" and plein air painting in the San Juan Islands

I have just returned from four days of whale watching and plein air painting in the San Juan Islands. I did six paintings in four days and lots of sketches......also I had many adventures and met up with friend and fellow painter J Matt Miller.

When I came home I received a phone call congratulating me on winning First Place and Best of Show at the North Kitsap Arts and Crafts juried show for my painting "Kingston Ferry Dock". A nice confirmation of my decision to quit the job and paint full time.....=]....PTL!

Lots to do so I will be posting my paintings and pictures from the trip every day for awhile ....Stay tuned!...=].........and thanks for following "In Plein Air"! sold