"Let the Earth Rejoice" Eleanor's Apple Tree original painting by Robin Weiss

"Let the Earth Rejoice" 11x14 oil on panel  $500

 

Lots of exciting things happening these days keeping me from posting for awhile.  First up and already on display at the Front Street Gallery in Poulsbo is the annual Ars Poetica exhibition. Ars Poetica has it's roots going way back to a Roman poet named Horace when he said "The making of a poem is like that of a painting" This exhibition will pair visual artists with poets. The art along with the poems will be dsiplayed on the featured art wall at Front Street Gallery through April with an artist and poet reading on April 21st at 2pm.

"Let the Earth Rejoice" is the painting that I created to go along with a poem that was posted online by the daughter of a friend that attends our church. I was impressed with her poem which expressed her love of what she sees and obviously really spends time thinking about in nature, then integrated that with a grateful love of the God who created the beauty we see coming up with this sweet poem. 

Eleanor E Graham 

The little apple tree

There is a little apple tree,

That grows in our yard all day and night.

she has but just a few little leaves

But she holds them up to try and touch the sky

And praises with all of her might.

She praises in the summer,

When the children play in her branches

And pick the apples in her leaves,

And all the world is laughing

She praises in the fall

When her leaves turn crimson and gold

And swirl and spin through the air

And all the world is dancing

She praises in the winter,

When a blanket in laid upon the land

Her branches are bare,

and all the world is sleeping.

She praises in the spring,

When green things are growing

And rabbits that slept in her roots

Are hopping and jumping and leaping

And someday when she’s old and wise,

And she’ll lift up her branches to praise 

And touch the sky.

"Riverbend Park" plein air oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Riverbend Park" 16x16 oil on panel_ Sold

 

"Riverbend Park", the final painting of three, closed the first day for me at Riverbend Park in Jupiter Florida during the 11th Annual Plein Air Festival hosted by the Lighthouse Art Center in Tequesta, Florida. I walked by this scene, took a second look and set up my easel. I knew this one may be my best effort of the competition and used my largest panel to paint it. The competition at this event is always very steep and while I didn't win any awards, four of my paintings sold including this one.

"Old Time Jam at Riverbend Park" plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Old Time Jam at Riverbend Park"
12x9 plein air oil   Sold

 

I came across a great plein air opportunity while painting in Riverbend Park during the 11th Annual Plein Air Festival hosted by the Lighthouse Art Center in Tequesta Florida.  I love painting these cabanas that provide shade and rain cover for the picnic areas at this park. I painted them last time I participated in this festival 5 years ago. 

This year I ran across a group of musicians filling the park with joyful tunes.  They were all part of a nation wide Old Time Jams music organization that send out locations and meeting times on a special app and you can just show up and play along. I was looking forward to a pleasant painting session while listening to some great live music. Perfect! 

"Morning Walk at Riverbend Park" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Morning Walk at Riverbend Park"
12x9 oil on panel   sold

After the opening festivities consisting of the "Quick Draw , panel stamping and the artists awards and greeting we all dispersed around Martin and Palm Beach counties to start creating artwork to adorn the beautiful gallery space at the Lighthouse Art Center in Tequesta Florida.

My first stop was a favorite location from years past, Riverbend Park. I decided to spend the whole day there to avoid wasting too much time driving and looking instead of painting. It's a strategy I have discussed in other blog posts about competition painting and works good for me. Plan ahead for the next days location, go there early and spend the whole day making paintings in that spot. Once you have a few good paintings under your belt then you can take more risks driving around and looking for opportune scenes.

Going to Riverbend was a good move. I completed my favorite work there and while I won no awards I did sell three of them with the above painting given as a thank you gift to our wonderful host family.

 

"Market Day" Florida plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Market Day" 14x11 oil on panel   Sold

 

 Recently Ann and I attended the 11th Annual Plein Air Festival hosted by the Lighthouse Art Center in Tequesta Florida. It's been 5 years since I participated in "Lighthouse" and it was really cool to see how much bigger and better the organizers have made this event! Also a lot of fun to run into artist friends that you really don't get a chance to see much outside of these shows.  I can see why many artists travel the circuit spending all summer at various plein air events around the country.

Usually at these competitions the "Quick Draw" as they call it, is near the end of the weeks programs. This time the first Sunday of the festival was the "Quick Draw" it actually worked pretty good as a way to get the artists submersed in the mindset of competition painting at one of the larger plein air festivals in the country. We all met at Harbourside Place in Tequesta, a large complex of shops and restaurants hosting a Market on Sundays for local vendors. The artists all got reacquainted with their "tribe" and set up wherever they thought would make the best composition for a painting. 

I scoped out a scene the day before where I could locate my easel on a street corner with some attractive umbrellas surrounding an outdoor restaurant. I got there early to grab my spot as other artists with the same idea set up around me. The comradery of the artists made it a lot of fun as we laughed and told stories of all our travels.

We had two hours to complete a painting and the artists got serious when the horn sounded and the painting began. All was going pretty well until the sky started to turn dark and it looked like a squall was moving in....and boy did it! Artists started running for cover as the skies opened up!  All part of the plein air experience!  I was under a partial cover and was able to get my painting mostly done and over to a covered are for judging and sales. Whew!  You never know what you will run into during these events!!

"Blue Heron on Liberty Bay" original oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Blue Heron on Liberty Bay"
16x8 oil on panel   $800

 I watched one of these Herons catch an ell under a rock. He stabbed it a few times till it stopped squirming, washed it off flipped it up and swallowed it whole. They are pretty impressive hunters with a lot of patience!  Also beautiful birds that are ubiquitous around here. I have been wanting to paint one for awhile.  

You can view this original painting at the Front Street Gallery in Poulsbo through March!

"Kimball's Cow" original landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Kimball's Cow"  11x14 oil on panel   $900

 

In an earlier post I wrote about the workshop we took with Kimball Geisler. I learned a lot!  This is one of the paintings I did in that workshop. The original design needed something to break up the layered look of the line of cows. Kimball referred to it as the "birthday cake effect"  so I added the cow in the foreground looking right at you.....thus, "Kimball's Cow"  

The reference was taken in Crested Butte CO and I will be shipping this painting along with some others to the Oh Be Joyful Gallery in CB in the spring. 

"Washington Wetland" original landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Washington Wetland"  14x18 oil on canvas panel   $1100

 

Every artist has been there before. We are constantly observing light, color and nature and how they can merge at certain times of day into stunning patterns and compositions. It's kind of mysterious and sometimes concerning to our friends or spouses when all of a sudden you yank the wheel and pull off the road to take a picture or do a sketch or set up your easel if you have the time.  Especially when to the non-artist it seems as if there is nothing there interesting enough to take a picture of.  

That's what happened with this painting. I was trucking along my favorite back highway to Port Townsend when I glanced over and saw the light and reflection in this marshy area along the road. Had to pull over and take a few photos.  

"Salt Creek Tide Pools" original oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Salt Creek Tide Pools"  12x24 oil on canvas panel    $1200

 

I have been taking my son Maury to Salt Creek Campground since he was very small. I think he acquired his love for sea creatures from many of those trips. We would spend hours skipping from tide pool to tide pool finding like treasure, the many interesting and colorful creatures that would reveal themselves after close observation. Kids can learn a lot from this kind of play!  We always thought Maury would be a biologist of some sort but he followed me in the arts and went to The Seattle Institute of Art for game design. If you have been following my blog you know he is also an accomplished plein air painter and now we spend a lot of our time together painting in beautiful locations. 

In this painting of Salt Creek you can see Maury all grown up standing by a tide pool still as interested in nature as always.  

"The Road to Paradise" Mount Rainier oil painting by Robin Weiss

"The Road to Paradise" 14x18 oil on canvas panel   $1100

 

This is a view familiar to northwest Washington residents who drive the road to Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park.  This park is so popular in the summer now that there are long waits at the gate.  I suggest you get to the park entrance early!  It is so worth the wait especially if you can stay a night or two at the Paradise Inn or the many camp grounds.

"Sailing with the Brothers" original oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Sailing with the Brothers"  36x36 oil on canvas framed  $3500
Available through Alki Arts   206-295-5115

So if you have been following my blog this painting may seem familiar. As far back as 2014 I painted a small version of it that generated a lot of comments and likes then sold quickly. A few years later I did another small version which also sold, so when a long time collector asked if I would do a larger version on a 36x36 format to fit a particular location in a new home in Seattle I figured it was win win. I made the painting to their requested specifications and it did not meet their expectations. My policy has always been that if clients do not like the finished painting they are not obligated to buy it as long as the painting is not a portrait or personal object or house ect. In other words if it is a subject that anyone would appreciate then I would offer it to my other galleries.  That is what happened to this painting. In the process I have painted over this painting about three times now. Altering it a bit in value, saturation and paint application trying to give it that spark of life. You can judge for yourself whether I achieved that .  You can see this painting in person at Alki Arts in West Seattle where it has gone full circle back to it's roots. The image taken that was reference for this work was on the beach at Alki with the Olympic mountains in the distance.  

Call Diane at Alki Arts for more info at 206-295-5115

"Mountain Pass #2" original oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Mountain Pass #2"  20x20 oil on canvas 

 

Every year I try and take at least one workshop from an artist I respect and whose art I admire. In 2023 I had the opportunity to join a class with Kimbal Geisler at the Art Center in Edmonds, WA.. It was one of the best workshops I have attended! If you get the chance to learn from Kimbal, Take it!  I wrote a more in depth blog post about it on the Plein Air Washington Artists website HERE

The above painting was done from a reference photo taken on site during a road trip to Colorado a few years ago. I have painted it before and it is interesting to see the differences. They are both the same size 20x20 but this one was painted a lot faster during the workshop.

"Walking the Spit" original landscape painting by Robin Weiss

 

"Walking the Spit" 12x24 oil on canvas  SOLD

Studio painting number two!  

I pretty much manufactured the wave breaking in this series of paintings I have done of the Dungeness Wildlife Refuge in Sequim, WA.  There were waves breaking at the time.  Mostly they were made of foam. As I was trying to capture them on location observing the way the waves were breaking my mind took over and painted the wave like I have seen them in other paintings or like I have observed them in California. I liked the way it worked with the plein air painting (see earlier post) so I elaborated that concept onto the following studio paintings.

Note to those who are entering painting competitions:  Make sure you take the time to carefully read the rules  of each competition as there are often size restrictions depending on the gallery hosting them. The reason I made two larger studio paintings of this scene was because I realized after the fact that I had painted the first one too big and then had to scramble to get another one done that would fit the regs. Interesting,  after all that, the one I entered did not make it into the competition!!  

"Dungeness Wildlife Refuge Studio Painting" original oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Dungeness Wildlife Refuge Studio Painting"  18x36 oil  $2500
Available through Alki Arts, West Seattle  206-295-5115

 

This studio painting was done using the plein air painting done on location and photo reference done on site that I talked about in my last post.  Sometimes transferring a 6x12 sketch to a 18x36 studio painting can be tricky but made easier by having a solid design to work from and the color harmonies worked out ahead. 

This painting is available and on display at Alki Arts in West Seattle. Call Diane for more info 

206-295-5115

"Dungeness Tideline" painting done in 2017 

Not much more can be said about the Dungeness Spit than I have talked about in other posts. (See Here) It just continues to be a favorite painting location particularly because the driftwood on the beach changes with tide and time making it a favorite design element. I can go to the same spot every year and get a completely unique take on the scene.

 

"Dungeness Wildlife Refuge, Plein Air" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Dungeness Wildlife Refuge plein air"  6x12 oil   $500
Available through the Cole Gallery  425-697-2787

 This is another plein air painting done in 2023 that generated a few larger studio paintings that I will be posting soon.  This painting is currently being shown at the Cole Gallery in Edmonds WA as part of the Plein Air Washington Winter Show. The show ends this month but you can still purchase this painting through the Cole Gallery. 

I spent a very pleasant day hiking down to the beach with my painting gear and enjoying the sun, the beach and the sound of pounding waves. 

"The Old Sycamore Tree" original oil painting by Robin Weiss/ Scott Milo Featured Artist

"The Old Sycamore Tree"  18x36  oil on canvas framed    Sold

 Earlier in the fall I went to Port Gamble to paint the fall color. I ended up doing three versions of this scene! One was done on location plein air (see my earlier post), another was a commission for a couple who first met under this tree and the last was a larger studio painting. 

Love Under the Chestnut Tree

"Madrona Shadows" Plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Madrona Shadows"  6x12 oil on panel    Sold

 

November 30th was my last blog post!  A lot has happened over the last couple months including great family get-togethers over the Holidays. Hope you had an inspirational Holiday season!  

The above painting won the First Place Award at the Plein Air Washington Artists big Winter Show in February!  Big thanks to the good folks at the Cole Gallery in Edmonds WA and to the judge of awards, Kimball Geisler for this honor! The competition was stiff and the gallery packed at the opening reception. Kimball did a good job explaining his choice for awards and made everyone who participated feel pretty good about the work presented. Many paintings were sold and Edmonds continues to be a destination for art lovers.

I am in the process of writing a more thorough blog post about the show and the workshop that followed with Kimball Geisler as instructor. You can link to it HERE

Also if you are interested in seeing all the award winners in the show go to the PAWA facebook page HERE

WHAT'S COMING UP!

The opening for a much anticipated  Featured Artist Exhibition at the Scott Milo Gallery is coming up on February 2nd. I will be exhibiting with other gallery artists for a one month show. If you are in Anacortes stop by and say Hi!   6-9pm. More info HERE

If you are interested in taking a workshop with me, two are scheduled through the Black Barn in Kingston WA.  Find more info on those HERE

I will be participating in the 11th Annual Plein Air Festival hosted by the Lighthouse Art Center in Tequesta Florida, March 3rd \-9th.  It's been 5 years since I have attended this event and we are looking forward to sunny Florida in March!  =

Lots of other stuff coming as well!  I'll try to keep you updated as summer rapidly approaches!  Cheers!!

Group photo from Kimball Geisler's workshop at Art Works in Edmonds WA

Port Townsend Beach Combers" plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Port Townsend Beach Combers"  11x14 plein air  SOLD

 I've been combing my files for paintings that never made it to the blog. Found this one from 2022. I painted it on location in Port Townsend, posted it to Facebook and it sold pretty quickly. I like to get all my paintings recorded on the blog because sometimes collectors inquire about commissions to repaint a scene and my blog is like a journal of my painting adventures so I can go back and see where I was when a view was painted. Who knows how long these digital records will remain in cyberspace. I used to have my blog posts published in books by year but I stopped doing that a few years ago. Now I'm just content to enjoy living more in the moment while I am painting, put the beauty I see on canvas and send it out into the world.  What happens then I put in God's hands. I feel He has blessed the work and I feel pretty blessed and thankful to be able to do what I do.  Giving thanks for all of you who have followed me over the years and supported my work.  Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.

"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

"The Marrsh at Magnuson Park" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"The Marsh at Magnuson Park"  11x14 plein air   $800

 

I spent some time touching up this painting from earlier this summer during the Plein Air Views of Washington event at the Magnuson Park Gallery. PAWA members gathered at the park to paint and exhibit at the gallery. It was a day of fun and fellowship with artist friends and family.

"Amy's Cow" plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Amy's Cow" 8x10 oil on panel   SOLD

This painting sold at Arts in the Woods 2023.  I painted it on Whidbey Island during a Plein Air Washington Artists pop-up paint out.  I got to meet Amy and see her cool farm.....and paint her cow!! What a fun day! One of the things I love about PAWA is all the great artists you get to meet!!

"Angel Farm" original landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Angel Farm"  14x18 oil on panel  Sold

 

Sometimes I go back through old reference photos and sketches to find new inspiration from past experiences.  This painting is derived from reference gathered in 2018 during Paint the Peninsula. A favorite local plein air painting event based out of Port Angeles and hosted by the  Port Angeles Fine Art Center. I spent several days painting at the Angel Farm. you can see one of my posts from that event HERE.  Sadly Paint the Peninsula is no longer an annual event. It had a good stretch of about five years and provided many fun times painting with artist friends from around the country. There are still many events to participate in and new ones popping up.  Locally, here in North Kitsap I will be showing my work at the Knowles Studio for Arts in the Woods Studio Tour. It's this weekend!  Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Hope you can come out, say hi and see some of the best local art North Kitsap has to offer.

"The Copper Beech at Bloedel" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"The Copper Beech at Bloedel"  9x12 plein air oil   $600

 Fall is definitely in the air!  I painted this magnificent European Copper Beech during my Master Class Workshop day at Bloedel Reserve last week. Sadly not enough signed up for my workshop and it was canceled so they didn't get to see me struggle through this composition. I think the combination of very wet weather, lateness of the season and folks feeling the pinch of the bad economy all contributed to lack of students in late October. If you have been hoping to attend one of my workshops the good news is I have several scheduled for next year in my neck of the woods through the Black Barn Fine Art Studio and a few yet to be scheduled through the Cole Gallery in Edmonds. Click on the highlighted text to link to registration info. 

Lets paint together in 2024!!

"Yellow House" Port Gamble oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Yellow House"  12x16 oil on panel  Sold

 

"Yellow House" is a studio painting I did from photo ref. taken in Port Gamble last week when I was out painting. I know the fall color will not last long in the PNW so I took as many photos as I could to work from. I added a figure and a sailboat at the end for a bit of story and life in the painting. This one will be up at Arts in the Woods Studio Tour!  Hope to see you at the Knowles Studio in Poulsbo!  =]

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

"Port Gamble Fall"  6x8 oil on panel  Sold

 

Port Gamble is right around the corned from us and a favorite place to paint especially in the fall! They planted a lot of eastern deciduous trees back when the town was founded in 1853. Before that it was a native village called Teekalet.  It is a protected historical site now and still has some of the original Victorian architecture. 

The light moves pretty quickly this time of year. My strategy is to do small studies like this one  in 30-40 mins and then go larger in the studio.  Come see what I am working on at Arts in the Woods Studio Tour!

ARTS IN THE WOODS