Welcome to Contra Costa Plein Air

                    

Contra Costa Plein Air is a friendly group of artists who get together to paint at scenic locations all around the Bay Area and beyond. Our paint-out schedule is random, usually weekdays, with dates and locations inspired by the weather and members' suggestions. New artists are always welcome! There is no fee to participate.

Upcoming paint-outs will be posted here on this blog. You can also visit Contra Costa Plein Air on Facebook to see upcoming paint-out events as well as photos of past paint-outs and helpful posts from members about plein air opportunities and topics of interest.

If you'd like to receive paint-out announcements by email contact Nancy Roberts, nancyrobertsstudio@gmail.com, to join the group. We look forward to painting with you sometime soon!

Now you can order all kinds of fun and functional products sporting the Contra Costa Plein Air logo.  Click here to browse the collection.

Martinez Shoreline, April 18, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, April 18, 10 am - 2 pm

Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park

Ferry Point area, North end of North Court St., Martinez CA 94553

Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline

Let's go back to the beautiful Martinez shoreline! We'll be painting around Ferry Point in Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park. I'm attaching a map to help you find our location. Park at the Ferry Point Picnic Area at the North end of North Court, then fan out to find your spot. It's a short walk out the trail to find panoramic views of the Carquinez Strait, marshlands, boats and bridges.

Admission is free, park restrooms are nearby, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

aRt Cottage Garden, April 11, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursdays, April 11, 10 am - 2 pm

aRt Cottage

2238 Mt. Diablo St., Concord CA 94520

aRt Cottage (artscottage.blogspot.com)

It's Super Bloom at the aRt Cottage! Gallery owner and fellow artist Frogard Schmidt has invited us to come paint in the charming gardens, patios, pathways, nooks and crannies surrounding the cottage, all in glorious, technicolor bloom right now. Fro says we're welcome to eat our lunch in the garden and there are also restaurants nearby with good take-out food for a picnic.

Park on the street then come on in through the front gate. Admission is free, the bathroom will be open, rain cancels. Always delightful!

Town of Locke, April 6, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, April 6, 10 am - 2 pm

Town of Locke

Our host: Lockeport Grill and Fountain, 13959 Main St., Locke (Walnut Grove) CA 95690

Website: https://www.facebook.com/LockeportGrillAndFountain/

Let's go back to the historic Delta town of Locke! There's plenty of great stuff to paint along Main Street, or you may prefer the adjacent residential area with houses, gardens and farm buildings. It's all a short walk from the Public Parking Lot on Locke Road. Martha Esch, artist and owner of the Lockeport Grill and Fountain will be our host and will be allowing us to use her restroom. There are public restrooms at the parking lot, but they're usually locked.

The Public Parking Lot is on Locke Road, a side street off River Road at the north end of Locke, just up the road from the town of Walnut Grove. For your GPS you can use the address of the Lockeport Grill and Fountain, 13959 Main St., Locke (Walnut Grove) CA 95690 to find us.

Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Reminder, CCPA show entry deadline April 26

Just a reminder that our Contra Costa Plein Air group show at the aRt Cottage in Concord is coming right up! The show will run May 1 - June 27, and the deadline to submit your entries online is April 26. You'll find all of the details in this Call for Artists flyer. 

I hope you'll participate! Feel free to email me if you have any questions, Nancy Roberts, nancyrobertsstudio@gmail.com. Cheers!

Diablo Foothills, March 28 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, March 28, 10 am - 2 pm

Diablo Foothills Regional Park Orchard Staging Area

1027 Castle Rock Rd., Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Let's go back to one of our favorite spots, the Diablo Foothills Regional Park Orchard Staging Area! It will be spring break so we'll avoid the usual high school traffic on Castle Rock Road and rain is not in the forecast, so we should have a nice day.

The best views are from the large staging area parking lot. If the large lot's driveway gate is open, drive on in and park. If the gate is closed you can park across the street in the overflow lot. There are great views from the parking lot and several trails that connect with it. I'm attaching a map to help you find us.

IMPORTANT DIRECTIONS: For your GPS you can use the address 1027 Castle Rock Rd., Walnut Creek. (Please note that our location IS NOT at 1700 Castle Rock Rd., the address that EBRP's website lists for Diablo Foothills Regional Park.) Our spot is a big parking lot on the right side of Castle Rock Rd. just after you pass Castle Rock Arabians. The entrance has a big East Bay Regional Park sign and a driveway gate.

The new restroom is probably open, but if not there's a port-a-potty that's always open. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Forest Home Farms again, March 23, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, March 23, 10 am - 2 pm

Forest Home Farms Historic Park

19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon CA 94583

Website: About the Farm - City of San Ramon (ca.gov)

Forest Home Farms was so fun, let's go back! We're into warm, sunny weather now so be sure to wear a hat and bring an umbrella if you have one.

The park driveway gate opens at 10:00 am. Enter the driveway at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., then go left and park in the bark/dirt parking area. Parking or driving is not allowed in any of the paved areas. If the dirt lot happens to be full there is more parking available just down the road at 20503 San Ramon Valley Blvd. in a paved lot across from the Glass House Museum.

Restrooms are located next to the gift shop near the parking lot. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Forest Home Farms Historic Park, March 16, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, March 16, 10 am - 2 pm

Forest Home Farms Historic Park

19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon CA 94583

Website: About the Farm - City of San Ramon (ca.gov)

Let's go back to beautiful Forest Home Farms! This is always a great place to paint with vintage ranch buildings, farm animals, gardens, tractors, a restored Victorian house and more, all nestled into a wooded hillside setting.

The park driveway gate opens at 10:00 am. Enter the driveway at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., then go left and park in the bark/dirt parking area. Parking or driving is not allowed in any of the paved areas. If the dirt lot happens to be full there is more parking available just down the road at 20503 San Ramon Valley Blvd., across from the Glass House Museum.

Restrooms are located next to the gift shop near the parking lot. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

New date: Heather Farm, March 9, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, March 9, 10 am - 2 pm

Heather Farm Park near the Equestrian Center

390 North San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Heather Farm Park | Parks | Walnut Creek Arts + Rec

We were rained out today (March 2nd), so let's try again! This coming Saturday, March 9th, we'll be painting at Heather Farm Park in the area near the Equestrian Center. The Equestrian Center is located at 390 North San Carlos Drive at the north end of Heather Farm Park. Park in the dirt and gravel lot, then explore to find your spot. There are some nice views of Diablo and a lake.

Please note that there is no public restroom at this location, but park restrooms are nearby. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Oakley orchards in bloom, March 7, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, March 7, 10 am - 2 pm

Oakley orchards along the Marsh Creek Trail

750 Delta Rd., Oakley CA 94561

My favorite Oakley orchards are in bloom and looking lovely! Let's paint there this Thursday, March 7th to catch the action before the blossoms fly away. Clear weather is forecast so it should be nice. It can get windy out there, though, so be prepared to tie down your gear if needed.

We'll be painting along the Marsh Creek Regional Trail just south of where it crosses Delta Road in Oakley. There are orchards on both sides of Marsh Creek -- a large plum orchard across the creek and a smaller, very picturesque grove of older trees on the left side of the trail. We can set up along the side of the wide, paved trail for great views in all directions. On a clear day you can see Diablo (cue music!)

The address you can use to find our spot is 750 Delta Rd., Oakley CA 94561. Parking is along the shoulder of Delta Road. Please note, there are no restrooms at this location, but shopping centers are a short drive away. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Call for plein air artists, entry deadline April 26, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Group Show
May 1 - June 27, 2024
at the aRt Cottage in Concord

2024 marks our third year at the aRt Cottage! This is always a beautiful show and a fun experience. It's unjuried and open to all members of Contra Costa Plein Air. New members are welcome to join so they can be part of this show (click here for membership info.) Tell your friends!

The deadline for submitting your entries online is Friday, April 26. Then plan to bring your work to the gallery on Saturday, April 27 between 9:00 and 11:00 am. You'll find all of the details in the Call for Artists flyer below.

I hope you'll participate! Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Cheers!
Nancy Roberts

nancyrobertsstudio@gmail.com

Here are links for entering online:

Start at gallery website: www.artcottage.info

From menu click on Artist Submission Form

From that page click on Click Here to Register for a Call

Find more details about how to enter in this flyer.

Heather Farm Park Equestrian Center, March 2, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, March 2, 10 am - 2 pm

Heather Farm Park near the Equestrian Center

390 North San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Heather Farm Park | Parks | Walnut Creek Arts + Rec

This Saturday we'll be painting at Heather Farm Park in the area near the Equestrian Center. The Equestrian Center is located at 390 North San Carlos Drive at the north end of Heather Farm Park. Park in the dirt and gravel lot, then explore to find your spot. There are some nice views of Diablo and a lake.

Please note that there is no public restroom at this location, but park restrooms are nearby. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Nortonville Road, February 24, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, February 24, 10 am - 2 pm

Nortonville Road, Pittsburg

For GPS you can use 5780 Nortonville Rd., Pittsburg CA 94565

Nortonville Road is looking beautiful right now! Let's paint there this Saturday, February 24th, 10 am to 2 pm. Enter Nortonville Road from Kirker Pass Road on the outskirts of Pittsburg. You can use 5780 Nortonville Rd., Pittsburg CA 94565 in your GPS to help you find the street (that address is one of the private residences, not our actual spot.)

The almond blossoms were out when I scouted today (Feb 18), but there's a chance they'll get knocked off by high winds this week. If that happens, no worries -- the area is still beautiful anyway! Rustic barns and ranch buildings, rolling green hills, cattle, gnarly old almond trees and magnificent oaks. 

Park and set up your easel along the gravel shoulder of the road. The big, scenic barn is near the beginning of the road, or drive to the end of the road for views of almonds and oaks and the little green farmhouse.

Heads up -- when you leave, if you need to go in the direction of Concord turning left onto Kirker Pass can be scary (high speed traffic). It's easier to turn right and then find a safe way to circle back.

And please note, there are no restrooms in the area so plan ahead. Rain cancels. I hope to see you there!