Paint-Out Sept 11, Walnut Creek

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, September 11, 10 am - 2 pm

Diablo view across the street from Northgate High School

425 Castle Rock Rd., Walnut Creek CA 94598

Let's paint the spectacular Diablo view from the open space across from Northgate High School! Park on the street, then head out on the trail to find your spot. Please note that the gravel edge of the trail is an active bridle path so let’s not block it with our set-ups. Horses are afraid of umbrellas! It’s also a popular walking path for humans. The trail is pretty wide, though, so there’s enough room for all of us.

There are no restrooms at this location, so plan ahead. Bring your own water and sun protection, and as always in these backcountry grasslands be sure to wear insect repellant (ticks) and keep an eye out for snakes. I think you’ll find that the view is worth a few minor discomforts!

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

Paint-Out Sept 3, Big Break Regional Shoreline

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, September 3, 10 am - 2 pm

Big Break Regional Shoreline

69 Big Break Rd., Oakley CA 94561

https://www.ebparks.org/parks/big-break

Let's go back to the beautiful Big Break Regional Shoreline!  Park in the lot, then walk out the paved trail to find nice views of the San Joaquin River, the observation pier, shoreline foliage, waterbirds and a pretty little kayak launching cove. I'm attaching a map here to help you find the best area to set up.

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

Paint-Out Sept 1 in Crockett (again)

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, September 1, 10 am - 2 pm

Town of Crockett

Host: Milano Gallery, 706 2nd Ave., Crockett CA 94525

Crockett was so awesome yesterday -- let's go back! Plan to park on the street and maybe do a bit of uphill/downhill walking to find your ideal spot. Instead of meeting at one particular place I'm attaching a map with a suggested area for you to explore, and stars marking some of my favorite spots. Yesterday several of us found a perfect, shady spot across the street from Toot's bar, corner of Ceres Street and 2nd Avenue.

Once again our fellow artist Alastair Bolton has generously offered to let us use the restroom in his gallery, the Milano Gallery at 706 2nd Avenue. He'll be painting across the street if you want to check in with him.

Please note that I won't get there until around 11 am, but you'll see other artists around town earlier. So many great spots!

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

Paint-Out Aug 25 in Crockett

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, August 25, 10 am - 2 pm

Town of Crockett

Host: Milano Gallery, 706 2nd Ave., Crockett CA 94525

Let's paint in beautiful old town Crockett! Great urban streetscapes, classic houses and dramatic views up toward the Carquinez Bridge. Plan to park on the street and maybe do a bit of uphill/downhill walking to find your ideal spot. Instead of meeting at one particular place I'm attaching a map with a suggested area for you to explore, and stars marking some of my favorite spots.

Our fellow artist Alastair Bolton has generously offered to let us use the restroom in his gallery, the Milano Gallery at 706 2nd Avenue. And if you're looking for a good place for lunch Alastair recommends Lucia's Craft Sandwiches at 611 2nd Ave., right across the street from the gallery. There's also a great bakery next door to Lucia's.

I haven't decided where I'll set up yet, so if you'd like to find me just give me a call when you get to Crockett.

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

Paint-Out Aug 19, Benicia Clock Tower

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Friday, August 19, 10 am - 2 pm

Benicia Clock Tower

1189 Washington St., Benicia CA 94510

Let's paint at the area around the Benicia Clock Tower. From this hilltop vantage point you can see historic buildings, port industry and views of the Carquinez Strait, Martinez and Mt. Diablo. This is also the location of the beautiful Commanding Officers' Quarters which is now the home of Arts Benicia's gallery.

There's a large parking lot with great views within steps of your car. There are no public restrooms, but Arts Benicia opens at 1:00 pm and they will probably allow our artists to use their restroom. This is a good chance to see their current exhibit, too. Arts Benicia's website is https://artsbenicia.org/

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

Paint-Out August 11, Blake Garden

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, August 11, 10 am - 2 pm

Blake Garden

70 Rincon Rd., Kensington CA 94707

http://blakegarden.ced.berkeley.edu/

Let's paint at beautiful Blake Garden in the Berkeley hills! This is always a cool, refreshing destination when it’s hot inland. The address is 70 Rincon Rd. in Kensington. Enter the parking lot through a stone gate, park in the lot, then walk into the garden through the pedestrian gate and start exploring. It’s a gently sloping hillside terrain with gravel pathways.

There’s beauty everywhere, with colorful formal and informal gardens, the historic house, a tree-lined reflecting pool, fountains, ponds, redwoods, quiet nooks and a spectacular bay view. I’m posting a garden map below to give you some ideas.

Admission is free, restrooms are open. The park is open 8 am to 4:30 pm. Rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out August 4, Turnbull Park, Benicia

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, August 4, 10 am - 2 pm

Turnbull Park

Foot of East 5th Street, Benicia CA 94510

Turnbull Park - Benicia, California

Let's paint at Turnbull Park at the foot of East 5th Street in Benicia. This shoreline spot has a great view of Diablo with a vintage pier and ferry building in the foreground, along with good views of the hills across the strait. There's also a marina if you'd like to try your hand at some boats.

This is a public park and has a restroom, but I can't guarantee it will be open. It's a short drive to other public restrooms in town. Ask me if you want help finding them.

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

Paint-Out July 28, Glen Cove Waterfront Park (again)

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, July 28, 10 am - 2 pm

Glen Cove Waterfront Park

End of Whitesides Drive, Vallejo CA 94591

Glen Cove Waterfront Park

Glen Cove Waterfront Park was so awesome this week -- let's go back! It's always a little windy out there, so just be prepared. There are some big trees that provide a little wind shelter, and also some concrete picnic tables that make a good "base camp."

The park is at the end of Whitesides Drive in Vallejo. Park in the small lot or on the street. Be aware that there are no restrooms at this park, but there are restrooms a short drive away at Glen Cove School Park on Glen Cove Parkway next to the tennis courts.

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

Paint-Out July 20, Glen Cove Waterfront Park

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Wednesday, July 20, 10 am - 3 pm

Glen Cove Waterfront Park

End of Whitesides Dr., Vallejo CA 94591

Glen Cove Waterfront Park (solanoopenspace.org)

Let's go back to scenic and refreshing Glen Cove Waterfront Park! This spot has great views of the Glen Cove shoreline and a sweeping panorama across the Carquinez Strait. Windy weather is always possible in this shoreline area so be prepared.

The park is at the end of Whitesides Drive in Vallejo. Park in the small lot or on the street. Restrooms are a short drive away at Glen Cove School Park on Glen Cove Parkway next to the tennis courts.

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

Paint-Out in Benicia, July 13

 

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Wednesday, July 13, 10 am - 2 pm

Alvarez Ninth Street Park

Foot of West Ninth Street, Benicia CA 94510

https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/parks

Let's paint at beautiful Alvarez Ninth Street Park in Benicia! There's a big parking lot and a restroom at the foot of West 9th Street. From there it's a short walk to great views in all directions. Or you may choose to park on West 10th Street for closer access to the northwest end of the shoreline path.

It's often windy here, though, so be prepared! I found a little wind shelter behind the big fennel plants along the bluffs.

Admission is free, restrooms are open, rain cancels. Hope to see you there!

Paint-Out July 6, Martinez Shoreline

 

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Wednesday, July 6, 10 am - 3 pm

Martinez Shoreline at Ferry Point

End of North Court Street, Martinez CA 94553

https://www.ebparks.org/parks/martinez/ 

Let's paint at the Martinez Shoreline near the Ferry Point Picnic Area. Park in the lot at the end of North Court Street on the left, and fan out to find your spot. It's a short walk out the trail to find views of the Carquinez Strait, marshlands, boats and bridges. This area is part of Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park.

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

CCPA Group Show Reception July 9th

The Contra Costa Plein Air Group Show at the aRt Cottage in Concord, CA is a beautiful showcase of members' plein air talents in a charming gallery setting. You are cordially invited to join us at the opening reception on Saturday, July 9th, 2 to 4 pm. with refreshments, live music and great company -- free and open to the public. We hope to see you there! 

Congratulations to the Artists!

Dan Kennedy

Dwight Shackelford

Gail Jones

Hamil Ma

Janet Mardirosian

Kathleen Gadway

Kathy Brokaw

Linda Geniesse

Lorraine Wells

Mary Frazier

Mary Young

Meghana Mitragotri

MJ Lazarski

Nancy Roberts

Nathaniel J. Bice

Patrice Newell

Peter McNeill

Rebecca Davies

Renaye Johnson

Roswitha Kress

Sharon Cohune

Warren Dreher

Paint-Out June 22, Blake Garden

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Wednesday, June 22, 10 am - 3 pm

Blake Garden

70 Rincon Rd., Kensington CA 94707

http://blakegarden.ced.berkeley.edu/

Let's go back to beautiful Blake Garden! Park in the parking lot, then walk into the garden through the pedestrian gate and find your spot. Lots of beauty everywhere! I'll probably set up in the Succulent Ridge area with its spectacular Bay view, but there's also the historic house, reflecting pool and an abundance of trees, flowers and quiet pathways to explore. I'm posting a map below to give you some ideas.

Admission is free, restrooms are open. Park open 8 am to 4:30 pm. Rain cancels. The address is 70 Rincon Rd., Kensington CA 94707. Enter the parking lot through a stone gate on Rincon where the road curves. Details at http://blakegarden.ced.berkeley.edu/