Throughout the past month, painters from across Washington have been spotted on the trails and in the fields of Orcas. These members of PAWA, Plein Air Washington Artists, a group who favors painting outdoors, has been capturing the rare beauty of the island by working in the open air. Their paintings will be shown as “The Week Between” at Crow Valley Pottery in downtown Eastsound beginning Aug. 14.

Many of “The Week Between” artists have been on Orcas painting since early July. Their open air technique typically involves no studio work on the piece. Each work has been painted solely at the site which requires the artist to make quick and sure decisions about color, brush strokes and to be tuned in to light and shadow changes.

According to Michael Rivkin of Crow Valley Pottery, the popularity of plein air painting has resurged lately and is becoming known as “the definitive American art form.”

Artists from all over will be featured in “The Week Between” alongside local favorites David Ridgway, Steve Hill, Jaqueline Kempfer, and Mark Bistranin.

Rivkin said, “This is our second dedicated plein air art show, and we are astounded at how much interest there is! It really shows how much of a destination Orcas has become for both painters and art lovers.”

A reception for “The Week Between” artists will Friday, Aug. 14 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Crow Valley Pottery’s gallery in downtown Eastsound. The show will run through Labor Day. For more information contact Crow Valley Pottery at (360) 376-4260.