Paint-Out April 27, Los Vaqueros Watershed

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, April 27, 10 am - 2 pm

Los Vaqueros Watershed

North Entrance at 121 Walnut Blvd., Brentwood CA 94513

Visit Los Vaqueros | Contra Costa Water District, CA (ccwater.com)

Los Vaqueros is looking beautiful and green right now! We'll be painting at the north side of the park (Brentwood area) where you'll find nice views of Diablo with oaks, buckeyes and grassland in the foreground.

Enter through the North Entrance Gate at 121 Walnut Blvd., Brentwood, and pay your parking fee ($6 standard, $5 seniors, $4 Diablo Water District customers). Turn right into the first parking lot and park at the north end of the lot for the best Diablo views. The signs say Equestrian Parking, but the ranger has allowed us to park and paint there in the past as long as we're courteous to the equestrians. I'm attaching a little map to help you find our spot.

BTW, don't be put off by the alert on the website about trail closures. Our location is fine. Restroom is open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out April 23, Sycamore Grove Park

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, April 23, 10 am - 2 pm

Sycamore Grove Park

1051 Wetmore Road, Livermore CA 94550

Sycamore Grove Park

Let's go back to beautiful Sycamore Grove Park! We'll be parking at the Wetmore Road entrance at 1051 Wetmore Road. There is a $5 parking fee, payable at the kiosk. The machine accepts credit cards or cash (small bills only.)

Park in the lot, then fan out to find your spot along either of the two main trails. The Sycamore Trail runs alongside a vineyard and has views of sycamores, hill country and vineyards. The Arroyo Del Valle Regional Trail passes through large groves of sycamores and out into open grassland with more views of hills, vineyards and winery buildings. I love both areas, so I won't know until I get there which way I'll go. I may have to flip a coin!

Restrooms are open. Rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out April 20, aRt Cottage Gardens

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, April 20, 10 am - 2 pm

aRt Cottage

2238 Mt. Diablo St., Concord CA 94520

www.artcottage.info

It's Super Bloom at 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 restaurants nearby with good take-out food for a picnic. She'll even have some lemonade for us. Park on the street then come on in through the front gate. Admission is free, bathrooms will be available. Should be fun -- I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out April 13, Markham Nature Park

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, April 13, 10 am - 2 pm

Markham Nature Park and Arboretum

1202 La Vista Ave., Concord CA 94521

Website: http://markhamarboretum.org/visit/

Let's go back to beautiful Markham Nature Park in Concord! The creek should be full and the trees and gardens coming to life with fresh spring growth.

Park in the lot at the end of La Vista Avenue, then head out on the paved trail along the creek. I'm posting a map below to help you find us. Please note, there are NO RESTROOMS in this park, 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 21

Contra Costa Plein Air Group Show

at the aRt Cottage in Concord

May 3 - June 24, 2023

Hey everyone, our show at the aRt Cottage is coming right up! The deadline for submitting your entries online is Friday, April 21st, and bring your work to the gallery on Saturday, April 22nd between 9:00 and 11:00 am. You'll find all of the details in the attached flyer. 

If you plan to enter will you do me a favor and email me to let me know? Nancy Roberts, nancyrobertsstudio@gmail.com. I'd like to give gallery owner Frogard Schmidt an idea of how many artists and paintings she can expect.

This was an awesome show last year -- let's do it again!

Here are links for entering online:

Start at gallery website: artcottage.info

From menu click on Artist Submission Form

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

CCPA Show at aRt Cottage May-June