Glen Cove Waterfront August 3

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, August 3, 10 am - 2 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 sweeping panoramas across the Carquinez Strait. The park is at the end of Whitesides Drive in Vallejo. Park in the small lot or on the street. From there you can walk straight ahead out to the lookout area or turn left to take the trail down to the pretty little beach. That's where I'll probably be this time. I love the wild agaves!

Please note that there are no restrooms at this park, but there are public restrooms a short drive up the hill at Glen Cove School Park next to the tennis courts, 605 Glen Cove Parkway, Vallejo CA 94591.

Windy weather is always possible at this shoreline location, so be prepared. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Lafayette Reservoir July 29

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, July 29, 10 am - 2 pm

Lafayette Reservoir

3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette CA

Lafayette Reservoir :: East Bay Municipal Utility District (ebmud.com)

Here's another "escape the heat" paint-out! Let's go back to the cool, shady banks of the Lafayette Reservoir, always a favorite destination.

Enter the park at the main entrance at 3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd. and drive up to the main parking lot. In the middle of the parking lot there’s a ticket machine where you’ll need to purchase a One Day Parking Permit for $7. The machine takes cash or cards. From there turn right and drive uphill toward the Visitor Center. Parking at the Visitor Center is a loading zone only, but there’s an all-day parking lot just up the hill that’s convenient. I suggest popping into the loading zone to drop off your gear, then driving up the hill to park. From there you can walk down a series of steps to the Visitor Center area. Do the same in reverse when you’re ready to leave. We can all help each other keep an eye on our stuff. (It's a very safe area.)

There are also great views from the other side of the reservoir. If you’d rather paint there you can just park in the main lot and head to the left. I'm attaching a map to help you find our paint-out spot at the Visitor Center.

Alvarez 9th St Park, Benicia, July 22

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, July 22, 10 am - 2 pm

Alvarez Ninth Street Park

Foot of West 9th St., Benicia CA 94510

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

Let's paint at Alvarez Ninth Street Park in Benicia this Saturday, July 22nd. This pretty shoreline area is usually cool with a refreshing breeze when temps are soaring inland. In fact, sometimes it's quite windy, so be prepared. You're welcome to come earlier than 10 am if you'd like to get a jump on the day.

There's a big parking lot and a public restroom at the foot of West 9th Street. From there it's a short walk out to great views in all directions.

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

Martinez Shoreline again, July 15

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, July 15, 10 am - 2 pm

Martinez Shoreline (again) 

Ferry Point, north end of N. Court St., Martinez CA 94553

Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline

The Martinez Shoreline was so cool and refreshing last week -- let's go back! This will be a joint paint-out with the Jade Fon Painters.

Park at the Ferry Point Picnic Area at the north end of North Court Street on the left, then fan out to find your spot. It's a short walk out the trail to find views of the Carquinez Strait, wooded hillsides, marshlands, boats and bridges. Park restrooms are nearby. This area is part of Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park. I'm attaching a map to help you find us.

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

Martinez Shoreline July 8

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, July 8, 10 am - 2 pm

Martinez Shoreline 

Ferry Point, north end of N. Court St., Martinez CA 94553

Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline

The Martinez Shoreline is usually cool and refreshing when inland temps are soaring. I know we've been there a lot lately, but there's always something new to see with panoramic views in all directions. This will be a joint paint-out with the Jade Fon Painters.

Park at the Ferry Point Picnic Area at the north end of North Court Street on the left, then fan out to find your spot. It's a short walk out the trail to find views of the Carquinez Strait, wooded hillsides, marshlands, boats and bridges. Park restrooms are nearby, and I'm told there's also a restroom in the Harbor Master's building. This is part of Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park. I'm attaching a map to help you find us.

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

Lake Del Valle, July 6

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, July 6, 10 am - 2 pm

Lake Del Valle

Del Valle Regional Park

7000 Del Valle Road, Livermore, CA 94550

Del Valle Regional Park

Pop-up paint-out!  Tomorrow should be cool and pleasant at Lake Del Valle. Let's take advantage of this window of opportunity before the summer heat kicks in again.

Please make a PRINTED NOTE in advance of these directions and map because there is NO CELL RECEPTION at Del Valle and you won't be able to refer to your phone or GPS once you're in the area. (Sorry for all the caps, but I wanted to get your attention.)

We'll be painting on the EAST side of the lake. After paying your $6 entry fee at the park's entry kiosk make an IMMEDIATE RIGHT, then turn left at the driveway with signs for ARROYO MOCHO and FIESTA GRANDE and park in the large parking lot. There are really nice overlook views and trees at the south end of that lot and that's where I'll be, but you can also explore the whole shoreline for more great views. I'm attaching a map to help you find us.

Please note, there is no cell reception anywhere in the park (really!) They do have pay phones for emergencies. It's sometimes windy around the lake so be prepared.

Entry fee is $6 per vehicle. Restrooms are open, bring your own water, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out June 15, Martinez Shoreline again

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, June 15, 10 am - 2 pm

Martinez Shoreline 

Ferry Point, north end of N. Court St., Martinez CA 94553

Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline

The Martinez Shoreline was so beautiful last week -- let's go back!

Park at the Ferry Point Picnic Area at the north end of North Court Street on the left, then 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. Park restrooms are nearby, and I'm told there's also a restroom in the Harbor Master's building. This is part of Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park. I'm attaching a map to help you find us.

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

Paint-Out June 9, Martinez Shoreline

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Friday, June 9, 10 am - 2 pm

Martinez Shoreline

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

Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline

Let's go back to the beautiful Martinez Shoreline! Park at the Ferry Point Picnic Area at the end of North Court Street on the left, then 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. Park restrooms are nearby, and I'm told there's also a restroom in the Harbormaster's building.

This is part of Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park. I'm attaching a map to help you find us.

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

Paint-Out May 27, Diablo Foothills Orchard Staging Area

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, May 27, 10 am - 2 pm

Diablo Foothills Orchard Staging Area

Large parking lot just beyond Castle Rock Arabians, 1350 Castle Rock Rd., Walnut Creek CA 

(NOT at 1700 Castle Rock Rd., the address listed on the website)

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

Let's go back to one of our favorite spots, the Diablo Foothills Regional Park Orchard Staging Area. This will be a joint paint-out with the Jade Fon Painters. We were there last week and it's looking beautiful, still green with hints of summer gold on the way.

The best views are from the large parking lot. There's a good chance the driveway gate will be open, so drive on in to park, then set up your easel in the clear area around the perimeter. If the gate to the large lot is closed you can park across the street in the overflow lot. I'm attaching a map to help you find us.

Important directions: Please note that this location IS NOT at 1700 Castle Rock Rd., the address listed 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 at 1350 Castle Rock Rd. The entrance has a big East Bay Regional Park sign and a driveway gate.

Heads-up, it's tick and rattlesnake season, so be prepared and aware. Best to stay out of the tall grass. There's a port-a-potty that's always open. New restrooms are under construction but not open yet. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out May 16, Brentwood City Park again!

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Tuesday, May 16, 10 am - 2 pm

Brentwood City Park

Corner of Oak St. and 2nd St., Brentwood

Brentwood City Park was so beautiful today -- let's go back tomorrow! 

City Park is in downtown Brentwood at the corner of Oak St. and 2nd St., in front of City Hall and the Community Center. You can use the Community Center's address to find it, 35 Oak St., Brentwood CA 94513. There's plenty of parking along Oak Street and more spaces on the cross streets, 2nd and 3rd. The park has an old-fashioned gazebo, an arched entry trellis and a big rose garden in full bloom right now.

Restrooms are available in the Community Center and in the Brentwood Library across the street. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out May 15, Brentwood City Park

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Monday, May 15, 10 am - 2 pm

Brentwood City Park

Corner of Oak St. and 2nd St., Brentwood

The roses are blooming like crazy at Brentwood City Park! Let's paint there this coming Monday, May 15th, to catch them in all their splendor. City Park is in downtown Brentwood at the corner of Oak St. and 2nd St., in front of City Hall and the Community Center. You can use the Community Center's address to find it, 35 Oak St., Brentwood CA 94513. There's plenty of parking along Oak Street and more spaces on the cross streets, 2nd and 3rd. There's an old-fashioned gazebo, an arched entry trellis and a big garden full of roses, with lots of little paths where you can set up inside the garden.

Restrooms are available in the Community Center and in the Brentwood Library right across the street. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

You're invited! CCPA show at aRt Cottage

You are cordially invited!

Our Contra Costa Plein Air group show is up at the aRt Cottage and it looks fantastic! Please join us to celebrate at the reception on Saturday, May 13, 2 - 4 pm. Tour the collection, chat with the artists and enjoy refreshments and live music in this charming cottage setting.

And if you can't make the reception please feel welcome to come another day to enjoy the show at your own pace. Shops and restaurants nearby make for a nice day out with friends. The gallery is open Wednesday - Saturday, 11 am - 5 pm, and the CCPA show runs through June 23rd. Hope to see you there!

Congratulations to the participating artists!

Irene Bee Kain, Andrea Bishop, MaryLou Correia, Becky Davies, Warren Dreher, Mary Frazier

Kathleen Gadway, Linda Geniesse, Renaye Johnson, Roswitha Kress, Lori Larks, Hamil Ma

Heather Martin, Debbie Mattison, Samantha McNally, Peter McNeill, Patrice Newell, Kristen Ockert

Nancy Roberts, Iris Sabre, John Tullis, Lorraine Wells, Mary Young

Paint-Out May 11, Lafayette Reservoir

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, May 11, 10 am - 2 pm

Lafayette Reservoir

3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette CA 94549

Lafayette Reservoir :: East Bay Municipal Utility District (ebmud.com)

Let's go back to the beautiful Lafayette Reservoir! The forecast is mostly sunny so it should be a nice day.

Enter the park at the main entrance at 3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd. and drive up to the main parking lot. In the middle of the parking lot there’s a ticket machine where you’ll need to purchase a One Day Parking Permit for $7. The machine takes cash or cards. From there turn right and drive uphill toward the Visitor Center. Parking at the Visitor Center is a loading zone only, but there’s an all-day parking lot just up the hill that’s convenient. I suggest popping into the loading zone to drop off your gear, then driving up the hill to park. From there you can walk down a series of steps to the Visitor Center area. Do the same in reverse when you’re ready to leave. We can all help each other keep an eye on our stuff. (It's a very safe area.)

There are also great views from the other side of the reservoir. If you’d rather paint there you can just park in the main lot and head to the left. I'm attaching a map to help you find our paint-out spot at the Visitor Center.

Day use fee is $7, restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!