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!

Round Valley Regional Preserve, February 17, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, February 17, 10 am - 2 pm

Round Valley Regional Preserve

19450 Marsh Creek Rd.

Brentwood CA 94513

Round Valley Regional Preserve

Let's go back to beautiful Round Valley! There's a chance of rain, so you'll want to check on conditions that morning before leaving home. We'll skip it if it's raining, but if it's just cloudy and cool it may be worth trying. Some artists like overcast lighting conditions and dramatic, cloudy skies. Just bundle up! You can find nice views of the valley, hills and trees within steps of the parking lot, or venture a little further for views of Marsh Creek.

Admission is free, restrooms are open, rain cancels. This is a joint paint-out with the Jade Fon plein air group. I hope to see you there!

Diablo view across from Northgate HS, February 11, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, February 11, 10 am - 2 pm

Diablo view across the street from Northgate High School

425 Castle Rock Rd., Walnut Creek CA 94598

It's SuperPaint Sunday! (OK, I made that up...) Let's go back to one of our favorite locations, the Diablo view across the street from Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. With all of the recent rain the pond should be full and looking pretty. A clear day is forecast, although it may be a bit grey and cool.

Head to Northgate High School, 425 Castle Rock Rd., Walnut Creek CA 94598. Park in the wide shoulder area across the street from the school, then walk out onto the trail to find your spot. The gravel edge of the trail is an active bridle path so let’s not block it with our set-ups. There's plenty of room along the other side of the trail.

Please note -- there are no restrooms at this location, so plan ahead. There are shopping centers within a short drive.

Admission is free. Rain cancels, but if it's just cloudy we'll go ahead and paint. I hope to see you there!

Black Diamond Mines again, February 3, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Saturday, February 3, 10am - 2 pm

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

5175 Somersville Rd., Antioch, CA 94509

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

On Saturday, February 3rd we'll be going back to Black Diamond Mines for a joint paint-out with the Jade Fon group. There's a chance of rain, though, so you'll want to check on conditions that morning before driving to Antioch.

We'll be painting at the lower level of the park where you'll find views of the hills and valley as well as a picturesque old ranch. Park in the first parking lot on the left after you drive through the entry gate, then fan out to find your spot. One favorite area is the trail that runs along next to the old ranch and has great views up the valley. This trail starts at a hikers' gate marked "Lougher Loop Trail" across the street from the parking lot. It's a nice level, dirt trail (fire road). You can also find some good views right in the area of the parking lot.

Admission is $5 per vehicle at the entry gate unless there's a sign saying "No Fee Today." The restroom is open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Howe Homestead Park, January 25, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Howe Homestead Park

2950 Walnut Blvd., Walnut Creek CA 94596

Howe Homestead Park | Parks | Walnut Creek Arts + Rec

Let's go back to Howe Homestead Park in Walnut Creek. It's a small historic ranch with vintage buildings, farm equipment and a charming community garden.

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

Black Diamond Mines, January 18, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, January 18, 10 am - 2 pm

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

5175 Somersville Rd., Antioch, CA 94509

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve | East Bay Parks (ebparks.org)

Let's go back to beautiful Black Diamond Mines! This time we'll be painting at the lower level of the park where you'll find beautiful views of the hills and valley as well as a picturesque old ranch.

Park in the first parking lot on the left after you drive through the entry gate, then fan out to find your spot. One favorite area is the trail that runs along next to the old ranch and has great views up the valley. This trail starts at a hikers' gate across the street from the parking lot. It's a nice level, dirt trail (fire road). You can also find some good views right from the parking lot. 

Please note, my photos are from last Spring when it was so green -- it's not as green as this right now, but it's still very pretty!

Admission is usually free this time of year but be prepared to pay a $5 fee if the entry gate kiosk happens to be staffed. Restrooms are open, rain cancels.

Dillon Point, Benicia State Recreation Area, January 11, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, January 11, 2024, 10 am - 2 pm

Dillon Point, Benicia State Recreation Area

1 Rose Drive, Benicia CA 94510

Park website: Benicia SRA (ca.gov)

Let's go back to scenic Dillon Point in the Benicia State Recreation Area. This spot has great views in all directions, including Mt. Diablo to the south. You can see good stuff from the parking lot level, or if you pack light you may like to take the trail down to the dramatic, rocky shoreline. There's a restroom, picnic tables, and a little bit of shade at the parking lot.

Directions: From northbound Hwy 780 take the Columbus Parkway exit, turn left at Rose Drive to loop back over the freeway, then turn right at the signs for the State Park. For your GPS use the address 1 Rose Drive. (The park brochure says 1 State Park Rd., but some GPS's don't recognize that address.)

There's a kiosk at the park entry where you pay your fee of $6 per vehicle. Sometimes the kiosk is staffed, but if not, just beyond it you'll see a supply of envelopes for your money and a slot. Be sure to bring small bills or a check because with the envelope system there's no way to get change.

After you pass the entry you're on Dillon Point Road. Drive all the way to the end of the road to the Dillon Point picnic area parking lot. If the lot is full there's another lot a short distance back down the road.

Admission is $6 per vehicle, restrooms are open, rain cancels. Hope to see you there!

Round Valley Regional Preserve, January 4, 2024

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, January 4, 2024, 10 am - 2 pm

Round Valley Regional Preserve

19450 Marsh Creek Rd.

Brentwood CA 94513

Round Valley Regional Preserve

Let's ring in the new year with a paint-out at beautiful Round Valley! The weather forecast is partly cloudy, high of 60, only 8% chance of rain, so we should be OK. You can find nice views of the surrounding valley, hills and trees within steps of the parking lot, or venture a little further for views of Marsh Creek.

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

Lafayette Reservoir Visitor Center, December 14, 2023

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, December 14, 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 Lafayette Reservoir and paint at our favorite area around the Visitor Center. While you're there, I'd like to invite you to come inside the Visitor Center to see a little exhibit of my paintings and enjoy some refreshments with me!

Enter the park at 3849 Mt. Diablo Blvd. and drive up to the main parking lot. In the middle of the parking lot there are ticket machines where you can purchase a One Day Parking Permit for $7. From there turn right and drive down to the Visitor Center. It's next to the docks with all the colorful boats.

Parking at the Visitor Center is a loading zone only, but there’s a large 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.

I'm attaching a map to help you find our paint-out spot at the Visitor Center and clarify the parking.

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

Nancy Roberts

Nancy Roberts Fine Art (nancyrobertsstudio.com)