Paint-Out April 1, Locke

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. She'll also have lunch combos available for purchase (place your order with her in the morning and she'll have your food ready around noon). And as an added treat Martha is offering us artists a 20% discount to stay at her charming Locke B & B upstairs from the diner. Call her at (916) 776-1000 for info and reservations or email her at aeroplane88@hotmail.com.

The Public Parking Lot is on Locke Road, a side street off River Road at the north end of Locke (Walnut Grove). The address of the Lockeport Grill and Fountain is 13959 Main St., Locke (Walnut Grove) CA 95690.

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

 

Paint-Out March 31, Black Diamond Mines

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Friday, March 31, 10 am - 2 pm

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

5175 Somersville Rd., Antioch CA 94509

Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve

Pop-up paint-out! Black Diamond is looking gloriously green and beautiful right now. Let's paint the spectacular views around the upper parking lot. After you go through the entry gate drive past the first parking lot and continue all the way to the top of the hill to park in the upper lot. Then fan out to find your spot. There's a paved trail with lots of beautiful views in all directions.

Admission is usually free ($5 if the entry kiosk happens to be staffed), rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out March 26, Martinez Shoreline

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, March 26, 10 am - 2 pm

Martinez Shoreline

North end of Court Street, Martinez

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

Let's paint at 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 posting a map below to help you find us.

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

Paint-Outs March 15 & 16, Oakley Orchard

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

• Wednesday, March 15, 10 am - 2 pm
• Thursday, March 16, 10 am - 2 pm

Blooming Orchard in Oakley

Marsh Creek Regional Trail at Delta Rd.

750 Delta Rd., Oakley CA 94561

Double header! The pretty little trail-side orchard in Oakley is blooming like crazy right now so I'm setting up paint-outs there both Wednesday and Thursday this week, March 15 and 16. Clear weather is forecast, finally a break in the rain.

We'll be painting along the Marsh Creek Regional Trail just south of where it crosses Delta Road. Our blooming orchard is on the left, a short walk along the paved trail. We can set up along the side of the trail for lovely close-up views of the trees. There's a fence, but it's very transparent.

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!

Paint-Out March 2, Lafayette Reservoir

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Thursday, March 2, 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. Be sure to dress in layers, though -- last time we were surprised at how cold it was, even in the sun!

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!

Call for artists, May-June plein air show at aRt Cottage

Exciting news! We've been invited back to the aRt Cottage for a Contra Costa Plein Air group show in May and June. Our show last year at this charming gallery in Concord was beautiful, with many members participating and even a few sales.

We don't have all of the dates and times pinned down yet, but the May - June timeframe is definite. I've created this flyer with all of the guidelines to help you start planning, and as soon as I know the finalized dates/times I'll update the flyer and post it here.

So here you go! What do you think? Anyone interested? Feel free to contact me with questions. It's going to be awesome!  Nancy, nancyrobertsstudio@gmail.com

Click on the image to enlarge your view of the flyer:

CANCELLED Feb 26, Oakley Orchards

CANCELLED

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, February 26

Oakley orchards, Marsh Creek Regional Trail at Delta Road

Just letting you know, I've decided to cancel our Sunday, February 26 paint-out at the Oakley orchards. It's probably going to rain that day. Darn! We'll go back to this area soon, though, because the smaller orchard along the Marsh Creek Regional Trail is coming into bloom. I'll keep an eye on the weather report and will post a new paint-out event when the time is right.

P.S. This photo is from our paint-out at this location yesterday, February 22nd. It was off-and-on sunny and cloudy and a bit nippy, but beautiful!

Paint-Out Feb 22, Oakley Orchards

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Outs

Blooming orchards in Oakley

Wednesday, February 22, 10 am - 2 pm

Marsh Creek Regional Trail at Delta Road

750 Delta Rd., Oakley CA 94561

The Oakley orchards were so beautiful yesterday -- let's go back while they're still in bloom! (Please note, I've cancelled the additional Feb 26 paint-out I originally scheduled at this location due to rain.)

We'll be painting along the Marsh Creek Regional Trail just south of where it crosses Delta Road. There's a big orchard with Marsh Creek in the foreground and Mt. Diablo beyond, and a smaller orchard right next to the trail for great close-up views. The small orchard has a mix of trees, some in bloom and some not yet.

The address you can use to find our spot is 750 Delta Rd., Oakley CA 94561. Parking is along the shoulder of Delta Road (be sure to leave the bike lane clear). Marsh Creek Regional Trail is a wide, paved trail with plenty of room to set up our easels along the sides.

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!

Paint-Out Feb 19, Oakley Orchards

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, February 19, 10 am - 2 pm

Blooming orchards in Oakley

Marsh Creek Regional Trail

750 Delta Rd., Oakley CA 94561 

The orchards are blooming in Oakley! Let's go paint them before the blossoms disappear. We'll be painting along the Marsh Creek Regional Trail just south of where it crosses Delta Road. There's a big orchard (cherries?) with Marsh Creek in the foreground, (the creek is full and looking especially pretty right now), and a smaller orchard right next to the trail for great close-up views. The small orchard has a mix of trees, some in bloom and some not yet.

The address you can use to find our spot is 750 Delta Rd., Oakley CA 94561. Parking is along the shoulder of Delta Road. Marsh Creek Regional Trail is a wide, paved trail with plenty of room to set up our easels along the sides.

Please note, there are no restrooms at this location, but there are shopping centers within a short drive.  Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Feb 15, Contra Loma

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Wednesday, February 15, 10 am - 2 pm

Contra Loma Regional Park

1200 Frederickson Lane, Antioch, CA 94509

Contra Loma Regional Park

Contra Loma is looking beautiful right now! The reservoir is full and everything is lush and green. This time we'll gather at the Loma Island picnic area to enjoy great views in all directions.

After you pay your fee at the entry kiosk, turn left, then park in the first parking lot on the right. From the parking lot turn left at the port-a-potty, then cross the footbridge with the sign for Loma Island. Don't be put off by the "Reserved" sign, this area is open to all park visitors. Circle the small island to find your spot. I'll probably be on the south shore near the footbridge. I'm attaching a map to help you find us.

Admission is $5 per vehicle, restrooms are open, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Feb 12, Eckley Pier

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Sunday, February 12, 10 am - 2 pm

Eckley Pier at Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline Park

Enter at the Bull Valley Staging Area

166 Carquinez Scenic Dr., Crockett CA 94525

Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline

It's SuperPaint Sunday! (OK, I just made that up.) Let's go back to Eckley Pier, part of the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline Park in Crockett. This location has a beautiful mix of natural shoreline, water vistas and manmade structures old and new.

Enter the park at the Bull Valley Staging area, then drive down to the parking lot on the lower level where you’ll find Eckley Pier and shoreline views. Or you may prefer to park in the first parking lot at the top of the hill and paint the panoramic views of the Carquinez Strait. There’s also a good view of a classic old barn from the top level. I'm attaching a map to help you find us (click to enlarge the image).

BTW, don't be put off by the trail closures mentioned on the EBRPD website, they're not in the area where we'll be painting.

There’s a restroom at the top level and a port-a-potty at the pier. Bring your own water. Admission is free, rain cancels. I hope to see you there!

Paint-Out Feb 7, Round Valley again

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Tuesday, February 7, 10 am - 2 pm

Round Valley Regional Preserve

19450 Marsh Creek Rd., Brentwood CA 94513

Round Valley Regional Preserve

Round Valley was so awesome yesterday -- let's go back! This is a great chance to see the creek full of water before the rainy season ends. The grasslands are green and the trees are still winter-bare, showing their striking structure.

You'll find good views of the creek from both sides of the pedestrian bridge. Note that some parts of the trail are a little steep and bumpy, but there are also some fairly level creek-side banks to the right of the bridge, not far from the parking lot. All quite beautiful!

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

Paint-Out Jan 31, Round Valley Regional Preserve

Contra Costa Plein Air Paint-Out

Tuesday, January 31, 10 am - 2 pm

Round Valley Regional Preserve

19450 Marsh Creek Rd., Brentwood CA 94513

Round Valley Regional Preserve

Let's go back to Round Valley to enjoy Marsh Creek full of rushing water and surrounded by lush greenery. Water in the creek is so rare that I don't have a photo, but believe me, it's beautiful!

You can find nice views of the hills within steps of the parking lot, but for the best views of the creek you'll want to walk down to creek level. Just before the bridge you can veer left on a trail with a gentle slope toward the creek, or you can cross the bridge and turn left to get down to the creek. Just be aware that the slope there is steep and bumpy before it levels out, not good for heavy gear and rolling carts (this is the voice of experience!)

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