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.

Plein Air exhibit opening reception, May 4, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Group Show

Opening Reception Saturday, May 4, 2 - 4 pm

aRt Cottage, 2238 Mt. Diablo St., Concord CA 94520

artcottage.info

The Contra Costa Plein Air Group Show is up and it looks fantastic! Please join us to celebrate at the opening reception this Saturday, May 4th, 2 to 4 pm. Meet the artists, tour the show and enjoy refreshments and live ukelele music in the garden. Should be a delightful afternoon!

Howe Homestead Park, May 1, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Wednesday, May 1st, 10 am - 2 pm

Howe Homestead Park

2950 Walnut Blvd., Walnut Creek CA 95696

Park website: Howe Homestead Park | Open Space | City of Walnut Creek (walnutcreekca.gov)

Howe Homestead Park should be looking pretty with lots of spring color in the community gardens! The group will be painting there this coming Wednesday, May 1st and Kathy Palmer Brokaw will be the paint-out host. Admission is free, the restroom is open, rain cancels. Enjoy!

Please note, it's 2950 Walnut Boulevard, not Walnut Avenue -- a common source of confusion when navigating Walnut Creek! 

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!