Those who knew Charlie Glassie, a Tacoma resident but Port Townsend frequenter who died last November, through his words and works will have a chance to remember his legacy of watercolor throughout September.

The watercolorist died last November but his impression is still apparent in the local art scene. For the past five years, The Bishop Victorian Hotel would display his work during the summer months, but it was always Glassie's ambition to show in September, as it would coordinate with the Wooden Boat Festival.

“He wanted so badly to show for September's Wooden Boat Festival,” said The Bishop Victorian Hotel's Manager AJ Baker. “He just thought that would be the pinnacle of his success.”

Focused on the maritime industry, Glassie's work celebrated what Port Townsend makes thrive. Originally from Tacoma, as well as an Arizona snowbird, he and his wife, Sandy, would make Point Hudson Marina their home for at least a couple months out of the year.

Calling him “well-read and well-versed,” Baker recalled how Glassie could talk to any stranger about any topic. “He wasn't a fancy man, he would wear a T-shirt and jeans and bring apple juice and some cookies. But he would talk to people,” said Baker. “When he would come into town to put up his artwork, he would come down randomly in the day, plop down on a chair and have conversations with people about various things.”

Baker recalled how Glassie set up his easel in front of his RV next to the water and display his paintings for passers-by. Any who were pulled in by Glassie's artwork would then get caught up in conversation. Baker vouched for his ability to hold a conversation with anyone he met.

“Charlie was such a communicative person who loved to talk and interact,” Baker said.

Baker recalled when her daughter visited from the Midwest during a school break, she pitched to her mother they should create art together. Without money to use toward any art supplies, Baker asked Glassie for a piece of watercolor paper. After making her way to his camper, Glassie responded in spades, offering Baker and her daughter his entire palette of watercolor.

“He said, 'I know you'll be back. Go make art with your girl,’” Baker recalled.

Glassie was trained as an architect, which was apparent in his works, though the the Victorian buildings he depicted were less precise than what a blueprint would instill.

“He would create each painting in his mind,” Baker said, adding the waterfront and its residents would only act as inspiration.

Baker said Glassie was a self-taught artist, making countless pieces throughout his life. Many were sold at The Bishop Victorian Hotel. Kevin Prime, technical assistance manager, and Baker agreed Glassie holds the title of best-selling artist at the hotel. Though he also showed at Hudson Point Cafe, Baker said the the hotel’s selling point for artists is the brick walls emphasizing his work.

Prime said Glassie's art would draw people in, with its take on his not-so-precise architecture.

“It was different enough in colors that other painters would be drawn in,” he said.

He produced such a great quantity and, to make sure the majority could be seen by all who came through the lobby, he would line them up on several surfaces, knowing many of his works to fall between the brick wall and furniture. Baker remembered how he would line any surface that could hold his smaller pieces for visitors to parse through, but some had a habit of falling into the void.

“When someone comes in here one day to refurbish, they'll find a whole bunch of Charlie Glassie,” Baker laughed. “His prices were always fair. He said, 'If I can make a little extra money, great. But I'm doing it because my heart is calling me to do it.'”

Baker said The Bishop Victorian Hotel runs its art exhibits by allowing artists who have shown during a specific month to continue until they would either drop or change months. The artist who had claimed September recently moved, leaving a space for Glassie's art to be displayed. She added September is a sought after month because of the foot traffic Wooden Boat Festival brings with it and the nautical theme that is inherent during the event.

Before his death, Baker had the chance to tell him the spot opened and he “was so thrilled,” she said.

“From a personal perspective, there was something about Charlie. He was easy to talk to, easygoing and always had advice,” she said.

When Baker received the call about Glassie's death, the family told her they would understand if the hotel would not show his work for September, but they would love to continue it for at least this year. Baker had no reservations about fulfilling one of his last ambitions.

Though from Tacoma, he could be considered as an adopted local who gained a reputation from residents. Glassie's work will be replaced at the end of the month for another art walk exhibitor, though a pair of his paintings will still hang. Before his death, Glassie painted pictures of the Swan and the Bishop hotels, which were gifted to the owners.