"Beacon Rock" State Parks , plein air , oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Beacon Rock" 8x8 oil on panel

 After my featured artist show closed at The Harbor Steps Gallery in Seattle, I headed out for the scheduled PAWA paint-out in the Columbia River Gorge. Since it was already about 9:00 pm the plan was to get as far as I could and then crash in the van. I made it as far as Battlground by about midnight and pulled into a rest stop for the night. Next morning , a very pleasent and beautiful drive got me to Beacon Rock State park an hour before anyone else arrived!  Of course I set up to do a painting , amazed at the morning light streaming across the river through the trees.

"Morning on the Columbia" 8x12 oil on panel

At Bacon Rock the river sort of splits off the main current and makes a bend around the "Rock" and then re-enters the main river. Beacon Rock is the old core of an ancient volcano. The river has washed away all but the upthrusting lava core. Facing away from the Rock affords this view of the peaceful river winding back into the Gorge bluffs.

Beacon Rock reflection

Susan painting the "Rock"

in progress

 Not to long after I set up folks started arriving and amazed by the beautiful scenery, quickly got started painting!

Paulette's stunning pastel of Beacon rock

Jane Wallis happily painting

Paula Ensigns painting of Beacon Rock

There was plenty of room to set up under the shade of trees to paint when it started getting warmer....and it was warm! We had sunny skies the whole three days.

At the end of the day I was able to take a shower at the state park facility. Refreshed and satisfied with the days work I headed off in search of a place to park the van for the night.  The rest of the party headed for their digs at the White Salmon Inn.

"Crossing Yesler" Seattle city oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Crossing Yesler" 18x24 oil on panel  $1100

"Crossing Yesler is another painting that is available now at The Harbor Steps Gallery in Seattle. If you are interested in this work,  give Summer a call at 206-681-9321 during business hours and she can give you purchasing information.

I used a number of photos taken on location to design this composition. Again, more than paint some "thing" I wanted to paint the "feeling" of the city.
Looking up the history of the locations I paint is fun for me....so I'll share it with you too!

Henry Yesler arrived in Seattle in 1852 and built a steam-powered sawmill, which provided numerous jobs for those early settlers and Duwamish tribe members. The mill was located right on the Elliott Bay waterfront, at the foot of what is now known as Yesler Way and was then known as Mill Road or the "Skid Road," for the way the logs "skidded" down the steep grade from the ever-receding timber line to the mill. In addition to running the mill, Yesler built the city's first water system, in 1854. The system was made up of a series of open-air, V-shaped flumes perched on stilts that started atop First Hill and ran down past Yesler's home and to the mill. Later on, after complaints of dirty water, Yesler developed a system made up of log pipes buried beneath the ground.

Yesler also built the Pioneer Building on the site of his first home, which burned in The Great Seattle Fire of 1889. You can see my painting of the Pioneer Building here, now the center of Seattles Pioneer Square.

"Big City" Seattle City oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Big City" 50x38   $2800

This is the large studio version of a smaller study I did awhile back. It is available through the Harbor Steps gallery , downtown Seattle..... In fact, if you walk into this painting , past the girl and through the portal....you will be on the harbor Steps.....Have a fun night in the city!

"The Early Bird" Seattle city oil painting by Robin Weiss

"The Early Bird" 8x6 oil on panel     Sold

Just another late night glimpse of city life. I'll let you, the viewer, compose your own story.

This painting sold at Alki Arts The Harbor Steps , a fairly recently opened gallery downtown Seattle, at the corner of University and Western Ave. If you cross the street from the Seattle Art Museum and walk down to the bottom of the Harbor Steps you will find it on the southwest corner.
  I just recently had a featured artist show there. Among my city scenes were also quite a few recent plein air paintings from around our amazingly beautiful state! If you get the chance, stop in and check it out. This is probably my biggest exhibition of paintings to date.

Harbor Steps opening show 2013

A few paintings have already sold so the sooner you go the better chance to see the most work..=]

"The Last Act" Seattle city, oil painting by Robin Weiss

"The Last Act" 9x12 oil on panel    Sold

Painted from a photo taken late evening as I was walking through Pike Place Market on my way to see Maury...That was a third Tuesday night....the night I play guitar at Bread of Life Mission. People who carry guitars around always get a nod from other musicians or guitar carriers.....sort of like bikers..anyhow, this glimpse of play on the stage of life resonated with me.

Getting behind again and lots going on so I'll try and get posting!.....=]  you're so patient...

"Tecumseh Road" landscape oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Tecumseh Road" 18x18 oil on canvas  Sold

I went to visit my friends at Sacred Road Ministries back in March. They are working on refurbishing a large house into a new church on the Yakima Indian Reservation.There is a lot of work to get the site up to code for a commercial building. I stayed for three days and helped out my friend Roger and a team from Covenant College. We were able to accomplish quite a bit. In this painting you can just see the church building way at the end of the road. It's a mile off the paved road and pretty muddy after a hard rain!
  Using a limited palette I painted this from a photo taken while driving to the work site.

If you would like to learn more about Sacred Road Ministries visit their website HERE

If you would like to view the 17 minute video of the Covenant College team week, click HERE

"Market Lights" Seattle Cityscape by Robin Weiss

"Market Lights"  50x60 oil on canvas   SOLD

This has been happening to me a lot lately. When A painting sells I will go to the blog and the daily gallery sites and mark it sold so folks will be updated as to the status of the work.  Then when I go to the blog I find the painting was never posted!  So here is another one from awhile back that was never posted.

This painting evolved over time. I originally painted a scene viewed driving down Admiralty Way towards Alki Beach at sunset...I liked the painting and it got good response from viewers...It even almost sold once...the work was costly and large, almost too large, unable to fit in most homes comfortably so it needed that extra spark that would convince a collector to pull the lever.......which it didn't....so what to do? To big to store.....didn't fit in my own house.. I finally decided to re-prepare the canvas and paint another scene over it....which did the trick! Bits of the old painting show through in spots and add to the character of the piece.
 When painting over another painting you should carefully sand the canvas, one site recommends using a "cuttle-stone" and carefully roughing the paint in a circular motion. Here's Mark Dalessio's one minute video on how to do it..(.I just used sandpaper....very carefully).

Oh, and most buyers are mostly considering size, cost and color when purchasing artwork......=]

"Leadbetter Wildlife Refuge" Cape Disapointment, landscape painting by Robin Weiss

Leadbetter Wildlife Refuge 12x16 oil on linen  SOLD

Going back to our Cape Disappointment trip, I noticed this painting was never posted. Located on the Southwest Washington coast, . Leadbetter Point State Park sits on some of the wildest, underdeveloped coastal lands outside of the Olympic National Park. For birders and wildlife enthusiasts, this park is a must-see in the winter — the area is the winter home for dozens of migratory birds.
 

Diane Venti at Harbor Steps

This painting was done from photos taken on location and was exhibited in my featured artist show at Alki Arts in March where it sold. 

Speaking of exhibitions I have another coming up at the Harbor Steps Gallery in Seattle, May 2nd. It opens on the First Thursday in May coinciding with Seattle's first Thursday Art Walk. Come down around 6:00pm and stop in the gallery to enjoy a glass of wine , music and some great art! Then go on up to the SAM to catch the Early Masters Show before it is over. 

Hope to see you at The Harbor Steps, located at the bottom of the Harbor Steps and Western Ave in Seattle , a short walk from the ferry landing!

"Snoqualmie Ski Run" Snoqualmie Pass, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Snoqualmie Ski Run" 8x8 oil on panel sold

What you don't see is the painting I did before this one. I was looking in the other direction and trying to get too much information into my composition. I was very frustrated and almost gave up for the day in a hissey fit....but, refusing to give in to the temptation, I cut my loss and clipped in one more panel and just turned around and painted what was in front of me....fast!...  Later, after Jim looked over my paintings, he said this was my strongest piece! I really didn't agree because I thought my work done earlier in the day was better. After I got the paintings home and posted them on Facebook this painting got twice the likes as any of the others at 172!  I'm happy with the days painting but a bit concerned that I don't even know what my best work is!.....Guess I'll just trust my instincts and ....NEVER GIVE UP!   You do the same!

"Gold Creek Snowfields" Snoqualmie Pass, plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Gold Creek Snowfields" 8x12 oil on panel

Before the snow began to melt, I walked down to the riverbank through the snow and did a quick study of the snowbanks reflecting in the water. My feet sunk down on the way back as the snow softened under the warm sunshine.

"Gold Creek in Snow" Snoqualmie Summit, plein air , landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Gold Creek in Snow" 8x8 oil on panel

Funny, earlier this year I was whining and complaining because I didn't get to paint in the snow! Then the snow hit the fan, so to speak...a freak blizzard on Whidbey Island and then my friend Jim Lamb invited me up to Gold Creek to do some plein air painting. What an awesome day it was!
 Snoqualmie Pass got dumped on the week before so there was still a lot of snow on the bright sunny day we picked to go up.



We both set up on the bridge that spans Gold Creek just off the Hyak exit at the summit.







Again, I worked mine over a bit when I got back to the studio using photos I took on location. Jim gave me some advice too...

"Two House Farm" Whidby Island, plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Two House Farm" 8x10 oil on panel

I passed this farm on my way back from a trip to Oak Harbor on Friday. The sun was at about 6:00pm and lighting up the scene. When I left Ebeys Landing on Saturday afternoon about 5:00pm I decided for one last painting in this spot. After that I headed for the ferry and home.

I was not very happy with this one when I was done with it on Saturday. It was pretty awful, but I kept it knowing that I can often salvage a PA painting in the studio when I get back after studying  the photos. Now I think it may be one of my stronger pieces from the trip .....so, never give up!!

"White clouds over Ebeys Landing" Whidby Island, plein air , landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"White Clouds over Ebeys Landing" 8x8 oil on panel

Walked up to the top of the bluff for this one. The sun was directly behind me and the view across the fields was irresistible. I learned the trick that it is better to paint a back lit scene at high noon from my friend Jim Lamb. That's usually your best bet but I got side tracked by the spectacular marching rows of clouds over the fields.

Whidby Island Paint Out 2013

Here's the view looking the opposite direction. Pretty spectacular as well!! Hard to believe there was snow six inches deep the day before!


There was a continual trickle of hikers climbing up the bluff and hiking along the ridge to descend back to the beach and then along the beach back to the parking lot. A hike I will go back with Ann later in the summer to enjoy!

"Parked at Ebeys Landing" Whidby Island, plein air, landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Parked at Ebeys Landing 8x12 oil on panel

Saturday, after a cold but cozy night in the van we met at Ebeys landing. The day began cold and windy but turned to bright , warm sun by 11:00 am . Most of the group scattered out along the road to paint the bluff and hillside and I joined them. More and more painters and hikers started showing up and parking their cars in front of me so I finally gave up and painted the cars into the scene!

 History of Ebeys Landing is very interesting. Here is a portion of the story from the State Park Guide;

 Colonel Isaac Neff Ebey was among the first of the permanent settlers to the island. Upon the advice of his friend Samuel Crockett, Ebey came west from his home in Missouri in search of land. Both men had filed donation claims on Central Whidbey by the spring of 1851. Ebey wrote home, enthusiastically urging his family to join him.

"My dear brother— I scarcely know how I shall write or what I shall write . . . the great desire of heart is to get my own and father's family to this country. I think it would be a great move. I have always thought so . . . To the north down along Admiralty Inlet . . . the cultivating land is generally found confined to the valleys of streams with the exception of Whidbey's Island . . . which is almost a paradise of nature. Good land for cultivation is abundant on this island. I have taken a claim on it and am now living on the same in order to avail myself of the provisions of the Donation Law. If Rebecca, the children, and you all were here, I think I could live and die here content."

Colonel Isaac Ebey
letter to his brother, W.S. Ebey
Olympia, Oregon
April 25, 1851

Ebey's family soon emigrated to the island. The simple home of Isaac's father Jacob, and a blockhouse he erected to defend his claim against Indians, still stand today overlooking the prairie that bears the family name. As for Isaac, he became a leading figure in public affairs, but his life was cut short in 1857, when he was slain by northern coastal Indians seeking revenge for the killing of one of their own chieftains.

Apparently,  The Haida Indians were raiding the Suquamish in Port Gamble and a US Navy ship intervened, killing a chief .  In retribution they killed Ebey.
 Read more of the story  HERE

"Footprints in the Snow" Whidby Island,landscape, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Footprints in the Snow" 6x10 oil on panel

This is the fourth study I did on Friday. That's not a bad day of painting!  Loved the color of the grass bursting through the bright snow...

Admiralty Head Lighthouse, Fort Casey, Whidby Island , plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Admiralty Head Lighthouse" 8x12 oil on panel

I have painted this view of the lighthouse before in watercolor back in 05 I think...But never had the chance with snow on the ground! By the end of the day my face was sunburned from the intense sun reflecting off the snow.

Sometimes it is a challenge to paint complicated architecture on location. For this painting I used a plexiglass sheet to draw the outline of the structure in a grid to give me an idea how the shape would fit within the format of an 8x 12 panel. I didn't trace the outline but just used it like a preliminary drawing. This helps to speed up the layout in fast changing light situations.

It also helps to have friends along to paint with!! Sylvia Carlton set up next to me and it was like having a stand up comedy act right next to you while your working!...=] ..It was also pretty cool to see how our different styles of painting progressed.

Friendly deer kept walking by too....adding to the fun!

Lots of folks turned out for Friday afternoon at the lighthouse. Susan  McManamen found a good side view. 

She also graciously allowed me to camp out in the driveway of her familys cabin near Coopville for the night, so I would be able to start early at Ebeys Landing in the morning! And this is a cool little cabin! only 300 sq. feet, nestled in a wooded landscape reminiscent of something out of The Hobbit...All in all a very interesting weekend and this is only Friday!

"Keystone State Park " Whidby Island, plein air painting by Robin Weiss

"Keystone State Park" 6x8 oil on panel

After I finished the Snowfield painting, It was still cold but the sky was beginning to clear. I found this spot looking towards Fort Casey across the little inlet where the Keystone Ferry comes in. I believe that is plumes of smoke coming from the paper mill in Port Townsend across the bay. After I was done with this painting it had warmed up enough for me to get the van unstuck and we all headed for the Lighthouse at Fort Casey.

Here is the same view on a clear sunny day. I took this photo from a parks website..You can clearly see the lighthouse but I never saw it on Friday!

"Whidby Island Snowfield" plein air landscape painting by Robin Weiss

"Whidby Island Snowfield" 8x12 oil on panel

After getting my van stuck in the snow upon departing the Keystone ferry on Whidby Island there was not much else to do but paint! A freak snow storm that drew a pencil line around the island and parts of Everett dropped about six inches of snow.

Jane Wallis and Sylvia Carlton painting in the snow

Fortunately there were some other hardy painters who showed up for the first outdoor paint out organized by the Plein Air Washington Painters.


Jane Wallis and Sylvia Carlton decided to use the car as a wind break and happily painted away.

Add caption

I wasn't so smart....But loved the view and managed to push the stiff paint into an acceptable painting.

Sure was nice to hit the Keystone Cafe' for a hot cup of coffee!

By the time we finished our paintings the sun came out and melted the snow enough for me to get the van out of the parking lot and head up to the Light House....which had been closed due to the weather!

"Faux Flowers" plein air still life painting by Robin Weiss

"Faux Flowers" 8x8 oil on panel

We have officially started the new year of PA painting with The Plein Air Washington Painters this weekend on Whidby Island...and what a time it was with snow blizzards and sun stroke!  But of course, still trying to catch up here on the blog,  I'm posting a still life from the indoor paint out in Feb! 

Sylvia Carlton, founder of PAWA was crowned lifetime member at the meeting.

My friend and painting buddy Darrell Anderson gave the still life a try .

Coming up in my next posts are the paintings I did on Whidby this weekend....After I got the van stuck in the parking lot of the Keystone Cafe , there wasn't much else to do but paint!

"At Rest" marine oil painting by Robin Weiss

"At Rest" marine 10x8 oil on panel   SOLD

This is a companion piece painted at the same time as my last post and bought by the same collector!.(Thanks Brian!!..=] )...I also missed posting this one....go figure.....I must have been way over-caffeinated!

Wa. State ferry routes

My wife and I love travelling around our beautiful state! I painted this from a photo, taken on a loop ferry trip to Alki Arts. We went over on the Bainbridge Island ferry and came back via the Fauntleroy / Vashon ferry..This scene is Vashon Harbor.
 There are also lots of other fun ferry loop trips you can make that feature some of the most stunning views in Western Washington. So get out there this summer and soak up the beauty!! 

"Vashon Sailboat" marine oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Vashon Sailboat"  10x8 oil on panel  SOLD

A kind collector bought this painting at Alki Arts gallery show last night (Thanks Brian!)  and when I went to my blog to mark it sold, realized that it was never posted....So here it is!!   We had a great time at the Second Thursday Artwalk on Alki Beach...Thanks so much to all who were able to make it out!  It's always nice to visit with friends.... and to mark paintings sold!

"Point Wilson" Fort Worden State Park oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Point Wilson" 26x32 oil on canvas

I'm saving this painting to enter into Plein Air Washington Painters , State Parks Centennial Show in September.  A juried group exhibition will be hosted by The American Art Company in Tacoma for the PAWA members. Each entry will consist of a plein air painting done on location at one of the Washington Sate Parks (of which there are 117) and the accompanying studio painting done from the plein air study.

Point Wilson plein air study

 I'm really looking forward to seeing the work that will be generated for this major show. It is an honor to be able to join the talented and fun loving Plein Air Washington Painters!





I'll be posting more on this show as the date gets closer....in the mean time I have two featured artist shows coming up associated with Alki Arts who represent my work in Seattle. The first is Thursday March 14th at Alki Arts on Alki Beach in West Seattle for their Second Thursday Artwalk.  I'll be there from 6:00pm till.9:00pm..If you are in the area , stop by and say hi!

The second opportunity to see some of my recent work will be First Thursday in May at the Harbor Steps gallery across from the Seattle Art Museum at the bottom of The Harbor Steps. Come by , have a glass of wine, check out the art and then walk up to the SAM for a reduced rate on the new "Early Masters" exhibit.

"Space Race" Seattle city oil painting by Robin Weiss

"Space Race" 24x48 oil on canvas by Robin Weiss

While I'm on the topic of doing value studies for larger studio paintings I want to post the progression of images and ideas that lead to this larger work entitled "Space Race"

 I started out with this obscure photo taken while driving to my sons apartment in Bell Town. I've talked in other posts about taking pictures while driving...I do not recommend you do this! I have a lot of practice and can take these pictures without looking at my camera or being distracted from driving....seriously!

I liked the break up of the big shapes in the photo so I worked out some simple compositions placing the Space Needle in different positions and using different formats. This is a crucial stage....I am learning!... As you can see they don't have to be great works of art....just simple thumbnail sketches working out big shape placement.

Space Race value study 6x10 B/W oil on panel  sold

The next step was fun!  After I picked the shape placement that looked the best to my eye, I put some black, white and portland grey medium, paint on the palette and did a fast value painting in oil . As you can see here,  this established some of the drama and atmosphere of the painting.

The next step I didn't plan but it helped with the final painting. My wife and I attended the Nicolai Fechin exhibit at the Fry Art Museum in Seattle.I was struck by the rich impasto application of the paint. When I came home to work on this painting I scraped all the paint off my palette into piles of greys, loosely mixed. I then added a lot more paint than usual for me to lay in thick layers with the dryed clumps of paint mixed in. This enhanced the feel of the sort of "gritty city" piece I was hoping to achieve.   Hope this helps you in making some of your compositional decisions!  Happy painting!