East Bay Landscape Painters

Cummings Skyway session cancelled because of weather

2012-02-12T00:42:00.000-08:00

We will try again on Monday, Feb 2- we will try to go back to Cummings Skyway. But this time we are going to a site overlooking the strait. Rain is in the forecast so check the blog to see if it has been cancelled.

We will meet at the exit from 80 at Cummings Skyway. There is a turnout just after the exit where you can wait for the others.

Near Rydin and Central Ave

2012-02-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

Hoffmann Marsh, Near Central Ave, Oil on canvas 18 x 24"

I warn that this is not a good photograph of the painting. I used the paint knife the whole time. The palette was cadmium red, cadmium yellow, lemon yellow, pthalo blue, titanium white and ultramarine blue.

Potrero Ave, El Cerrito

2012-02-08T18:55:00.000-08:00

We'll continue our exploration of the El Cerrito hills. The area offers a combination of urban and green views. Turn right on San Pablo Ave and go up Potrero, or get on North Arlington and turn right on Potrero to go downhill. Park near 7740 Potrero Ave, El Cerrito. That location is the point nearest to the trailhead leading into the northernmost portion of the Hillside Natural Area. We have not painted there yet.

Park on the street and wait for the others. We will walk to the trailhead ten minutes after the time we meet. Dress warmly, bring water and your cell phone, and either a backpack or a cart that can handle a dirt trail. We will not walk very much.Here's a map:
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Albany Hill From Hoffmann Marsh

2012-02-06T18:51:00.000-08:00

Albany Hill from Hoffmann Marsh, 18 x 24" Oil on masonite

I went to the marsh twice, then revised in the studio. I opted to change the canal's shape slightly because of composition. Masonite is my favorite painting surface.

Cancelled: Cummings Skyway

2012-02-05T11:09:00.000-08:00

Session cancelled on Monday, Feb 6 because of wind. We will try again next week.

We will meet at the Cummings Skyway exit off 80. There is a turnout right after the exit where we gather. We will paint at the first large turnout that gives a view of the strait. Hopefully it will not rain but check the blog in the morning for any updates.

Lake Anza

2012-01-29T14:42:00.000-08:00

We will meet at Lake Anza on Monday, Jan 30. There are directions on the locations page of the blog.

Rydin and Central

2012-01-25T13:27:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, January 28, we will meet at a slightly different spot on Rydin Rd. There will be parking, because we will be meeting at the corner of Rydin and Central, by the trailhead. Those who like the marsh will still get close-up views of Hoffman marsh if they stay on that side, and those interested in Albany will cross Central with me and set up shop on the green hill across the street. We will have views of the freeway, Albany hill, and the bay from that side.Please reply if you're interested, and don't forget to dress warmly with a hat, a scarf, and gloves if you tend to get cold. We may not need them, but just in case. Here's a map:
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Cancelled: Hoffman Marsh

2012-01-21T08:13:00.000-08:00

There is too much chance of rain to go out today. Because of the storm we had last night, most paths are too wet and muddy, even if it dos not rain. We will try again on Saturday, January 27.

Cummings Skyway

2012-01-15T11:37:00.000-08:00

Carol Sutton will be the coordinator this Monday, Jan 16. Meet her at the turnout after exiting 80 at Cummings Skyway. Our painting spot is 2.8 miles from the exit.

New Places: Four Painters' California

2012-01-09T14:41:00.000-08:00

Cummings Skyway

2012-01-08T10:10:00.000-08:00

We will return to Cummings Skyway on Monday, Jan 9 if the weather cooperates.

From 80 east take the Cummings Skyway exit and go right and stop at the turnout to meet the other painters. We will caravan to the spot. Carol Sutton checked her odometer and found our spot is 2.8 miles from the Cummings Skyway exit from 80. Please rsvp so we how many people to wait for. And check your email or the blog in the morning to see if we have to cancel because of weather conditions.

Point Isabel

2012-01-05T20:27:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, January 7 we'll meet on the bike path behind the Point Isabel bathrooms. We'll walk a few yards on a paved path and paint Hoffman marsh, the strip of marsh in between Rydin Ave and the 580 freeway. There are several spots with a close-up view of the marsh canals. Those willing to walk a bit farther on the paved path might want to paint the bay from the northern end of Point Izzie, which a habitat area and off limits to off leash dogs. There are bathrooms at Point Izzie, and running water. A cart with small wheels will do just fine here so no need for a backpack or hiking boots, but bring your cell phone and warm clothes. If the Point Izzie lot is full, park along Rydin. Here is a map:
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Cancelled: Cummings Skyway

2012-01-01T10:05:00.000-08:00

We are cancelling todays session and will try again next week

Happy New Year. We will return to Cummings Skyway if the weather cooperates. Last week we were fogged out and had to leave early.

From 80 east take the Cummings Skyway exit and go right and stop at the turnout to wait for the other painters. We will caravan to the spot. The spot is 2.8 miles from the Cummings Skyway freeway exit.

Happy Anniversary and Happy New Year!

2011-12-28T19:09:00.000-08:00

The Artists from Giant Creative on Vimeo.
On January 8, our group turns four years old! For new readers and group members, here's a bit of history:

Susan Brand, Susan Newman, Karen Zullo Sherr, Barbara Maricle, Mike Warner and Rebeca Garcia-Gonzalez met at the figure drawing class that the Richmond Art Center then offered. Their first session was inspired by an invitation from Mike Warner to continue drawing and painting during the Richmond Art Center's winter break. He offered his shop in El Sobrante as our first location. Rebeca created the listserv, a Google group then called West Contra Costa Figure Drawing, on November 15, 2007. It was meant to keep everyone in the loop as they figured out how to keep the sessions going.Back then, the group was primarily interested in painting the figure, so on November 28, 2007, they met to draw each other - they had no model! The second session took place at Rebeca's studio, and the third, at Karen's. The group hired amateurs until it was able to secure an account with the Bay Area Models' Guild. But the guild booking person at the time thought that sending models to rotating locations would be confusing, so Rebeca offered her studio as the primary location until the start of RAC classes. Soon after, Karen and Rebeca decided a three hour pose was not such a bad idea, so they began scheduling models with this in mind (as opposed to the 20 min poses at the RAC).

After a few weeks of this, they began discussing ways to make the volunteer-run environment welcoming and supportive, and settled for a few principles that are still part of both groups: Membership involved neither fees nor a portfolio review, just a commitment to painting, because they wanted members to have diverse approaches and levels of experience. Through a non-teaching environment, they wanted to encourage and support the development of members’ individual styles, believing this diversity contributes to a developing critical dialogue. And they encouraged members to share their knowledge of online communication, digital image processing, and the art market through free member workshops and joint projects.

At the same time, Karen and Rebeca began painting outdoors together. Their first session took place in 2007 on a very cold Tuesday. On January 8, 2008 they went to Inspiration Point in Berkeley, and they almost froze! They returned there the following week, but did not develop a steady routine until later. For a few months, it was mostly just them and a schedule that moved between Tuesdays and Mondays. From the beginning, they thought about painting on weekends but a busy family schedule made this difficult.

Ever so slowly, they began meeting painters who had these days available, and who were very committed to painting outdoors. Mike found Larry Hatfield painting near his house in El Sobrante, and Karen brought Vicki Salzman. They were added to the proto-listserv, which was then open to anyone who wanted to join and held the names of those interested in figure or outdoor painting.

On February 2009 (fourteen months after its start) the listserv was vandalized for the second time and Rebeca was forced to close it, delete it, and start a new one with a new name: East Bay Plein Air. This list continued to include people from both groups until August 2009. The first blog was devoted to plein air painting, and made its debut in May 4, 2009. Rebeca wanted to have a public space in which to announce locations, since the listserv was no longer open to the public. She also envisioned it as a collaborative space where members could post work done during the group's painting sessions. It quickly gained a big readership. The group also began advertising on Craigslist and on Facebook. Because of this its listserv has also grown. It now sends updates to 100 local artists, and sessions now take place twice a week, with anywhere from six to nine painters attending at any one time. Later that year, the group changed its name from East Bay Plein Air to East Bay Landscape Painters, once it realized that another, much older group was also named East Bay Plein Air but did not have a web presence. Rebeca and Karen organized the first EBLP group exhibit for a few long-time members during the summer of 2010 at the San Pablo Gallery.

For more than a year since its beginning, the figure drawing group continued meeting in Rebeca's small studio, which held a maximum of five painters. Karen and Rebeca shared the booking and coordination, and quickly discovered that a small group of drop-ins cannot always afford the model's fees, so they decided to seek a more spacious location in the spring of 2009. This was the Richmond Art Center at first, but because the center was undergoing a renovation, it was very difficult to stay. This prompted Karen to broker an arrangement with the members of Berkeley's Firehouse Collective during that summer, and to think up a new name. By August, Rebeca introduced a blog and a separate listserv for this group, and Karen took over the booking and coordination. The group, now named East Bay Figure Painting, began advertising almost immediately on Craiglist and other venues, to ensure they could cover the model's fees in the new location. The Berkeley location has attracted a steady group of painters, and they have maintained a supportive environment respectful of diversity in artistic approaches.

Karen and Rebeca held discussions on the direction in which these two groups should go, and they decided to keep the two groups together as a collaborative network, Re-Emerging Artists. Because its mission is to facilitate the re-entry of mature artists into the art world, the groups' interactions are centered on supporting re-emerging artists.

Carol and Lisa on Clark Trail

2011-12-26T19:21:00.000-08:00

Not sure exactly how big is this canvas, perhaps 24 x 30." What I do know is that this is my first oil outdoors after several months. Without the figures, this would have been a terrible composition. So I finished Carol and Lisa first, because I knew they would leave or move. I completed the hills and sky on a second visit, and did not revise it at all once it got to my studio. However, now that I see it here, I might work on the sky, which looks quite anemic.

Anderson Park

2011-12-26T18:42:00.000-08:00

There were just a few of us that day in early December and I had a tiny 20 x 16" canvas. I worked with acrylic pretty close to the sidewalk. Just like in Richmond, passersby stopped to chat, wondering what we saw in the busy intersection. I was interested in the sycamores against the cathedral and the other downtown Oakland buildings. I did not finish there, but continued at the studio mainly from memory. It was a great location that I would like to return to.

Hoffman Marsh Canal

2011-12-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

We will go out on Wednesday, December 28. This date is not part of our regular sessions, which take place on Monday and Saturday. This is an extra session we've scheduled taking advantage that there is a coordinator available, the weather is good, and that we will not be painting on Saturday December 31.

We will meet at the Point Isabel parking lot. On 80, take the central exit west toward Costco, and cross the 580 overpass, don't turn right on the exit. Once you've crossed the overpass, turn right on Ridyn Rd. If the Point Izzie lot is full, park along Rydin. You won't get a ticket. Once there, we will be walking a few yards outside of the dog park to the point where the canal turns into the Hoffman Marsh. This particular spot of the marsh looks quite lovely at high tide, with herons, grebes and assorted migratory birds witnessing your painting efforts. As luck would have it, 1:30 pm is when the tide will be highest on Dec 28. Please consult your e-mail for the time. There are bathrooms and running water at the dog park, but you must bring something in which to take your dirty water back home as it is forbidden to dump toxic water into the marsh.

Cummings Skyway

2011-12-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

Sharon's Set-up for Watercolor

Betsy Painting

On Monday, December 26, we will be returning to Cummings Skyway. Take 80 east and exit at Cummings Skyway. Go right and stop at the turnout. We will caravan to the spot past the traffic light, that has a pathway where we can walk away from the road to set up our easels.

Clark Road

2011-12-19T12:32:00.000-08:00

This Friday, December 23, we will return to Clark Rd in El Sobrante, but because it is not Saturday, we will meet an hour earlier (please check your e-mail for the time). Please take into account that we will not meet on December 24, Christmas Eve. Remember that the Monday group will be going out on Monday, December 26.

The landscape includes a mix of pastoral views (there might be cows or horses) with a bit of suburban sprawl and the remains of El Sobrante's rural era. You are welcome to search this blog with the Clark search term to find examples of work done in that area. Take the San Pablo Dam Rd exit and go east. After passing Walgreen's and a couple of thrift stores, pass Hillcrest Dr, La Colina and Milton to your right. Clark Rd will be next, to your right. Go all the way to the end of the road where the trailhead is. There is limited parking, so arrive early for best selection. We will leave the parking lot and start walking up the fireroad promptly. It is likely to be cold. There are no bathrooms or running water.

Cummings Skyway

2011-12-17T21:18:00.000-08:00

We will meet on Monday, Dec 19 at the turnout just off Cummings Skyway. From 80 east take the Cummings Skyway exit and go right and stop at the turnout to wait for the others. We will caravan to the spot. See the last post to view work done at the location.

Cummings Skyway

2011-12-15T17:04:00.000-08:00

Open Land off Cummings Skyway 30" x 36" 2011

We have been trying to get to this location for the last several Monday sessions. I started this painting a couple years ago, during the hottest time of summer, when there had been an electrical fire under one of the power towers. (You can see it toward the right hand side of the painting.) This summer I went back and finally was able to finish it!
When I last drove past, little bits of green were starting to poke through the golden turf, and there was little wind.

Betsy Kendall

Meeker Slough

2011-12-15T16:57:00.000-08:00

Here is one of the ones I did at Meeker Slough, this one at low tide. I had planned to work on a smaller piece, canvas all ready, but was surprised by low tide. I had an old dud painting in the car, so I slathered paint over what was there, and finally it worked out! Betsy K

Clark Road

2011-12-15T13:10:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, December 17 we will meet at the end of historic Clark Rd, El Sobrante. The landscape includes a mix of pastoral views (there might be cows or horses) with a bit of suburban sprawl and the remains of El Sobrante's rural era. You are welcome to search this blog with the Clark search term to find examples of work done in that area. Take the San Pablo Dam Rd exit and go east. After passing Walgreen's and a couple of thrift stores, pass Hillcrest Dr and La Colina to your right. Clark Rd will be next, to your right. Go all the way to the end of the road where the trailhead is. There is limited parking, so arrive early for best selection. We will leave the parking lot and start walking on the fireroad at 1:10 pm. It is likely to be cold. There are no bathrooms or running water. Here is a map:
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Cancelled: Cummings Skyway

2011-12-11T10:59:00.001-08:00

We are cancelling this session and we will try again next week.

If the weather holds we will go to Ccummings Skyway. If it is too windy Cummings Skyway will not be a good place and we will go to Lake Anza. Check the blog in the morning to see the status.

Directions to Cummings Skyway.

Take 80 east and exit at Cummings Skyway. Go right and stop at the first turnout and wait for the others. We will caravan to the location.

Painting Occupy Berkeley

2011-12-06T15:23:00.001-08:00

Occupy Berkeley chalk pastel on paper 16.5 by 22.5

not every day is a master piece:
Occupy Berkeley at Martin Luther King between Allston and Center is quiet and the occupiers were friendly even offering to share their limited breakfast. All around a good day - chilly early and then comfortable, painted from 10 am to 2 pm. Will go back again. Kelly Hammargren

Cancelled: Cummings Skyway

2011-12-04T10:08:00.001-08:00

Monday, December 5 will be cancelled because we do not have a coordinator available Our next session will be Monday, December 12 and we will go to a locations just off Cummings Skyway where there are rolling hills that are usually golden yellow in the summer. Betsy says the green of winter is starting to show giving the hills unusual color. To get there you take 80 east and get off at the Cummings Skyway exit. Go right onto Cumming Skyway and stop almost right away at the turnout and wait for the others. We will caravan to the location. I will repost these directions next week.

Karen

Cancelled: Saturday Dec 3

2011-12-03T09:07:00.001-08:00

This session has been cancelled because of the winds gusts we've been experiencing. Adams Park is a busy, small park wedged between Harrison and West Grand Ave. We had a lovely time there last Sunday. Passersby were curious but respectful and courteous. It is still possible to park less than a block away. There are wonderful views of the very modern cathedral and surrounding skyscrapers coupled with the lovely Lake Merrit. All of it punctuated by fluorescent green lawns, black evergreens, leafless sycamores and other trees in various states of yellow decay. We will meet there again next Saturday. There are no bathrooms. Bring warm clothes, water, and a cell phone.
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Painting at Lake Anza

2011-11-28T15:34:00.001-08:00

Lake Anza #2 acrylic on 22 by 28

I almost cancelled todays session because of the heavy fog but decided to go after all. It was foggy all the way to the park but once inside the fog was gone and there was even sun. The lake was glistening. I did this painting last week at the lake and have been working on it in the studio. Karen

Sunday, November 27

2011-11-27T10:10:00.001-08:00

We will meet on Sunday at Adams Park in downtown Oakland, by Lake Merrit. We will not meet on Saturday, November 27. Please see the mailing list message for an explanation. There are no bathrooms and there is no water available. We will meet at Adams Park and walk towards the lake together. Here is a map:
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Monday Nov 28

2011-11-22T16:23:00.001-08:00

We will return to Lake Anza in Tilden Park. On our trip there this week we all were impressed with how romantic it looked with the painters all around the lake. It was a very quiet day without the barking dogs of the previous week and few walkers. Carol Sutton took these beautiful pictures.

Fall Day at Meeker Slough

2011-11-19T17:24:00.001-08:00

Meeker Slough #2 watercolor

Sharon Hind-Smith did this one on our second visit to Meeker Slough this fall. It was a beautiful crisp day, warm in the sun.

Monday, November 21

2011-11-19T09:15:00.001-08:00

We return to Lake Anza. The only change to the directions is that the parking lot closest to the lake is closed and we had to park in the lower lot. There is a set of stairs up to the other lot and then a paved flat path to the lake. There is also a short cut from the parking lot to the paved path to the lake

It is hard to give really good directions because there are many entrances to Tilden park. I usually go in at Spruce street. So I am giving you the Google map link to get directions to Lake Anza Just type in Lake Anza, Tilden Park and then you can get directions from you house. Once you are in the park there are a lot of signs that will help you find the lake.

You can also get a map from Google to Tilden Regional Park.

Godzilla Shows Up In EL Sobrante

2011-11-14T09:16:00.001-08:00

Godzilla Shows Up In El Sobrante, Acrylic on Canvas, 20 x 24"

As a child I watched the Japanese series Ultraman on TV. There was no Godzilla in it, but there was a character, Dada, which struck fear in my six year old self. I decided I would include one of these characters in a painting after watching another painter, Julie, do something similar during a figure painting session. While researching these characters, I saw a picture of the old Godzilla and thought he would be perfect for this El Sobrante landscape, painted with our landscape group while on the hill at the end of Hidden Springs Court. After a few studies, I ended up placing him behind the hill that shows some of the homes on Painted Pony Rd.

Monday, November 14

2011-11-12T11:41:00.001-08:00

We will take the Lake Anza challenge again. I say that because it is wonderful to paint at the lake but it is difficult painting, at least for me ,with all the shades of green and the reflection of the trees in the water.

It is also hard to give really good directions because there are many entrances to Tilden park. I usually go in at Spruce street. So I am giving you the Google map link to get directions to Lake Anza Just type in Lake Anza, Tilden Park and then you can get directions from you house. Once you are in the park there are a lot of signs that will help you find the lake.

You can also get a map from Google to Tilden Regional Park.

Meeker Slough

2011-11-11T18:19:00.001-08:00

Meeker Slough #2 acrylic on canvas 20 by 30

We have been back to Meeker Slough a few times. I did this on one of our recent visits. The weather was wonderful. I hope we have a few more days like that one.

Karen

Cancelled: Saturday, November 11

2011-11-10T19:45:00.001-08:00

No one was able to make it today, so we will not meet in Adams Park, which is at the corner of Harrison and Grand Lake, in Oakland. We'll try again on November 26 if enough people are interested. If you can come, please reply to the message we sent out today. Leave your home early as traffic may delay your arrival. If coming from 580, take the Broadway exit and turn left on 27th and right on Harrison. You can also take 980 and get off on 27th, then turn right on Harrison. Bring a cell phone. No bathrooms and possibly no water. Here's a map:
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Monday, November 7

2011-11-04T21:22:00.000-07:00

If the weather is good and it is not too windy we will meet at Meekers Slough in Richmond. If necessary as the weather changes I might change the location to get away from the bay where it might be less windy. So check the blog on the weekend.

Directions:

From Berkeley, take hwy 80, then hwy 580 toward the Richmond Bridge.

Take the South 23^rd St/Marina Bay Pkwy exit off hwy 580.

Turn left (over hwy) on Marina Bay (1^st traffic light).

Continue on Marina Bay across Regatta (4^th traffic light).

Turn left on Bayside Drive off Marina Bay (about 0.4 miles from Marina Bay/Regatta intersection).

From the parking area, it’s approximately 1 block to the Meeker Slough.

Continue to end of Bayside Drive. There is a small area to park (10 spaces or so + sign for public access).

If the parking lot is full, you can park on nearby Shimada Park and walk approximately two block to the same slough.

Cancelled: Saturday, November 5

2011-11-03T10:13:00.001-07:00

The Saturday coordinator is not well enough to go out on Saturday, so the Saturday session has been cancelled. Please see your e-mail for more details, if you are subscribed to our list. We will try again next week!

Western Stege Marsh

2011-11-02T21:29:00.000-07:00

This big acrylic (30 x 40") was the result of three visits. I tried a different approach, with an underpainting that was very desaturated. The buildings caught my attention, they looked so boxy and bright against this marsh environment. Then I went home and found out they were part of a turn-of-the-century explosive manufacturing plant. Unfortunately this is also what made Western Stege Marsh one of the ten most toxic places in the Bay Area. The land has been owned by UC Berkeley since the 1950's and the cleanup has been going on for the last few years. It is almost complete, yet there are signs warning passersby to stay on the bay trail because of "hazardous substances."

Painting at Meeker Slough

2011-10-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

Meeker Slough with Duck acrylic 20 by 30

A few weeks ago I did this one at Meeker Slough on a linen canvas. It was a warm day and the paint dried quickly on my pallete so I was working faster and faster towards the end with pretty thick paint. Karen

Monday, Oct 31

2011-10-29T18:25:00.000-07:00

We will meet at Meekers Slough in Richmond.

Directions:

From Berkeley, take hwy 80, then hwy 580 toward the Richmond Bridge.

Take the South 23^rd St/Marina Bay Pkwy exit off hwy 580.

Turn left (over hwy) on Marina Bay (1^st traffic light).

Continue on Marina Bay across Regatta (4^th traffic light).

Turn left on Bayside Drive off Marina Bay (about 0.4 miles from Marina Bay/Regatta intersection).

From the parking area, it’s approximately 1 block to the Meeker Slough.

Continue to end of Bayside Drive. There is a small area to park (10 spaces or so + sign for public access).

If the parking lot is full, you can park on nearby Shimada Park and walk approximately two block to the same slough.

Saturday, October 29

2011-10-27T13:00:00.000-07:00

Pinole Park can be very pleasant once the hot summer days are over. This park is next to a suburban development, but there is a nice combination of hills, trees and open grassy areas. We will meet at the Morningside trail gate. Directions: From 80, take Appian way to the east. Continue on Valley View Rd. Make a left on Morningside Dr. Make a right on Rocky Rd. and a left on Hidden Springs. Park near the cul-de-sac and wait for the others. Some of you might want to hike up the hill, but if you don't want to go up where the trees are, bring something for the sun. There are no bathrooms or water. Please bring a cell phone.

Monday, Oct 24

2011-10-23T09:27:00.001-07:00

We will meet at the Vista Point just before Crockett. There are wonderful views of the strait and hills beyond. And there is beautiful color and in the ground cover all around.

From 80 take the Cummings Skyway exit and go left onto Commings Skyway then right on San Pablo. The parking lot for the Vista Point will be on your left.

Saturday, October 22

2011-10-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

We'll return to the Meeker Slough. Kendall recommends it because "There are wonderful views of marshland and hills in the background, or in another direction you can find some industrial, or you can zero in on a small marsh creek with herons, geese, and ducks. You might want to do a bit of exploring first before deciding where you want to paint. There are amazing views of the shoreline a bit further along, the trail." These are her directions:

From Berkeley, take hwy 80, then hwy 580 toward the Richmond Bridge.

Take the South 23^rd St/Marina Bay Pkwy exit off hwy 580.

Turn left (over hwy) on Marina Bay (1^st traffic light).

Continue on Marina Bay across Regatta (4^th traffic light).

Turn left on Bayside Drive off Marina Bay (about 0.4 miles from Marina Bay/Regatta intersection).

From the parking area, it’s approximately 1 block to the Meeker Slough.

Continue to end of Bayside Drive. There is a small area to park (10 spaces or so + sign for public access).

If the parking lot is full, you can park on nearby Shimada Park and walk approximately two block to the same slough.

Cows at Carquinez Regional Park

2011-10-17T16:41:00.000-07:00

Cows Overlooking the Strait acrylic and oil stick 16 by 20

I have been working over some of my old paintings that had not come together yet. This one I worked on with oil sticks over the original acrylic. When the painting was done there were cows grazing in the park. I haven't seen them on our recent visits.

Karen

Saturday, October 15

2011-10-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, Kendall proposed a location we visited last October, Meeker Slough. It's on the Bayside Trail, and you can type the marsh's name in the search box and find all the wonderful paintings that have come out of such a spot. She says "There are wonderful views of marshland and hills in the background, or in another direction you can find some industrial, or you can zero in on a small marsh creek with herons, geese, and ducks. You might want to do a bit of exploring first before deciding where you want to paint. There are amazing views of the shoreline a bit further along, the trail." These are her directions:

From Berkeley, take hwy 80, then hwy 580 toward the Richmond Bridge.

Take the South 23^rd St/Marina Bay Pkwy exit off hwy 580.

Turn left (over hwy) on Marina Bay (1^st traffic light).

Continue on Marina Bay across Regatta (4^th traffic light).

Turn left on Bayside Drive off Marina Bay (about 0.4 miles from Marina Bay/Regatta intersection).

From the parking area, it’s approximately 1 block to the Meeker Slough.

Continue to end of Bayside Drive. There is a small area to park (10 spaces or so + sign for public access).

If the parking lot is full, you can park on nearby Shimada Park and walk approximately two block to the same slough.

See you there!

Monday, October 17

2011-10-11T16:51:00.000-07:00

We will meet at the Vista Point just before Crockett. There are wonderful views of the strait and hills beyond. And there is beautiful color and in the ground cover all around.

From 80 take the Cummings Skyway exit and go left onto Commings Skyway then right on San Pablo. The parking lot for the Vista Point will be on your left.

Hillside Natural Area From End of Portola Dr.

2011-10-09T21:16:00.000-07:00

You learn the most interesting things by doing a Google search with the names of a city's streets. The historical societies websites pop up, and also, the minutes from city council meetings past. And that's how I learned that I painted a former quarry by the name of Hutchinson. The story is fascinating, given that the entire street still shows traces of its past.

In any case...this was a difficult acrylic to finish. I devoted a total of seven hours to it. Somehow, it demanded a more thorough treatment than others I do in half the time. I also used a much larger canvas than I normally use, 24 x 36". I had fun painting in the company of Milada, Ling and Kendall.

Monday, October 10

2011-10-09T10:14:00.000-07:00

We will return to Tormey. From 80 East take the Cummings Skyway extit (26). Go left on Cummings Skyway and left on San Pablo and you will see a row of houses on the left on Old County Road. Take a left on Old County Road. We will meet at the end of the block.

Saturday, October 8

2011-10-06T18:51:00.000-07:00

We will return to the open area on Navallier and Portola streets, in El Cerrito. No bathrooms. Bring a cell phone, your own water. Please park along Navellier and wait for the others. There is a variety of views, among them, of the Nature Area hills, of streets that stretch across the hills, and of a lonely white house up Moeser. It may be foggy, but it could also be warm and dry. Dress accordingly. Please reply to the listserv message if you are coming.
View Larger Map

Tormey in October

2011-10-05T10:57:00.000-07:00

Tormey October acrylic, 20 by 30

We went back to Tormey. It was a wonderful fall day with wild turkeys, goats, sheep and horses. We made it until 12:30 when the rain started. I did this looking looking west. Karen

Tormey, Skyline & Corral

2011-10-04T13:55:00.000-07:00

This was the first painting I did at Tormey, a town at the west end of the Cummings Skyway. I finished it from photos this spring. It's kind of austere, but I felt pretty good about being able to convey the sense of all those bars to the pasture. It's oil on canvas and 30" x 40." I feel the reddish toned canvas added to the depth of color, at least in the original.

A second piece I started soon after, facing the other way. Karen was set up right at the base of the telephone pole.
Betsy

Dusk, King Ranch

2011-10-03T16:38:00.000-07:00

This is one of two paintings I made for a show at the Vallejo Maritime Museum, called Seeing Solano: Solano Land Trust through the eyes of artists, running through December. It's of a low, rocky tree-covered ridge in one of the windiest places I've ever painted. Started pleinaire, finished in the studio, it's 30" x 40" oil on canvas.

Monday, October 3

2011-10-01T16:44:00.001-07:00

We will return to Tormey. From 80 East take the Cummings Skyway extit (26). Go left on Cummings Skyway and left on San Pablo and you will see a row of houses on the left on Old County Road. We will meet at the end of the block.

I found some interesting material about Tormey

The Rise and Fall of Tormey, California

by Michael Tormey, May 7, 2006

(Note: Readers may find it helpful to first read the narrative, A History of Rodeo, California and the Role Patrick Tormey Played in its Early Development.)

Lost to the annals of history is the small town of Tormey that once existed in the upper northwest corner of Contra Costa County, California, near both San Pablo Bay and the Carquinez Strait, barely two miles from the town of Rodeo and 28 miles from downtown San Francisco. While the name Tormey still appears on maps of the San Francisco Bay Area, today it is for the most part long abandoned, vacant land. It was at one time, however, a cozy company town that was home to hundreds of families over the course of nearly a century. Read More

Karen

Today's session is cancelled

2011-10-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

We have to cancel the session today. We will post our upcoming Saturday locations soon.

Saturday, October 1

2011-09-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

I know I said we wouldn't be going this Saturday, but we will be going after all. Check the listserv for an extended version of this message that explains the reasons.

We will return to Navellier St. and Portola Drive in El Cerrito. Please park along Navellier and wait for the others. There are no bathrooms,no shade, and no water, but there is a variety of views, among them, of the Nature Area hills, of streets that stretch across the hills, and of a lonely white house up Moeser. It may be foggy, but it could also be warm and dry. Dress accordingly. Please reply to the listserv message if you are coming.

View Larger Map

Somewhere in El Cerrito

2011-09-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

View from El Cerrito Hillside acrylic on canvas 24 by 36

This was done in El Cerrito sometime this summer. I think it was near the Nature Area. We went back there today and I did another one that looks similar. Karen

Monday, Sept 26

2011-09-24T13:14:00.000-07:00

We are going back to Schmidt Lane in El Cerrito. There are a variety of views from the streets surrounding the Nature Area. We'll meet at the corner of Navellier Street and Schmidt Lane in El Cerrito. A number of us have paintings we want to finish that were started here. But if you would like something new we can direct you to our nearby new El Cerrito location with panoramic views. As long as there are at least 2 painters in each location this will work.

Directions: From 80 take the Central exit, make a left on San Pablo Ave, and a right on Moeser. Make a left on Navellier and a right on Schmidt Lane. On Schmidt Lane, there is a dirt road entering the Hillside Natural Area. This hill affords natural and urban views. Bring your own water and a cell phone. Please park on Schmidt Lane and wait for the others.

Karen

Saturday, September 24

2011-09-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

We'll return to the Hillside Nature Area. The views are gorgeous, but it will be hot if it is a sunny day. There is a good number of trees for shade the farther you walk, so you'll need a cart or a backpack, plenty of drinking water, a cell phone, sunscreen, and a hat.

From Oakland El Sobrante, Richmond and San Pablo: Take 80, get off on Carlson, make a left on Plumas Ave. Go left on San Pablo Ave and a right on Moeser Lane, which goes up. Almost at the top, you'll find Shevlin Dr to your left. Go on Shevlin and stay to your left.

Pass Earl Court to your left and stay left of the fork. Do not go on Shevlin PL. Stay on Shevlin Dr. At the end if it, you will see King Ct to your left. Park at the end, which is where we'll meet.

Those of you who live in Berkeley can take North Arlington Rd and make a left on Moeser Lane, then almost immediately make a right on Shevlin Dr. then follow the above instructions.

Please reply to let us know you are coming. We'll start walking towards the painting spot promptly ten minutes after the meeting time. See you there!

Miller Knox From Crest Avenue

2011-09-19T20:18:00.000-07:00

We stopped under a tree at the begining of the paved road leading all the way to the top. I had a big aluminum easel and wasn't going to make it anyway. This was the view and I had a big canvas, 24 x 36". I did not even come close to finishing during the first three hours. I placed it in my living room and stared at it every day during dinnertime. Eventually I realized what was wrong. The water was flat and there was not enough to interest the eye land-wise. So I returned the next Saturday and worked on those two things. I missed Karen to tell me when I was done, so I may have worked on it more than was needed. Also, the wind kicked us around. The acrylics dried on contact, and the wind was so strong that when I squeezed the bottles of Golden liquid acrylic, flecks of paint decorated the palette. My studio easel was weighted down with a two gallon water bottle and a backpack, and it still got overturned!

Monday, Sept 19

2011-09-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

We will meet at the end of Crest Ave. The top of Crest Ave has gorgeous 360 degree views of the bay, Pojnt Richmond, and the Miller Knox Regional Park. We will start walking to the top of this hill fifteen minutes after the meeting time.

Directions: From 80, take the Cutting exit all the way to Point Richmond if you are coming from El Sobrante or Pinole. If you are coming from Berkeley, take 580 to Cutting Ave, go left on Cutting toward the bay then follow signs to Point Richmond. Go left on Dornan and right on E Richmond.Go left on Washington Ave up the hill, then left on Crest Avenue all the way to the trailhead near the top of this hill. There are no bathrooms, and no water. Bring a cart or a backpack with your supplies, as well as a cell phone. Please RSVP if you are coming.

Saturday, September 17

2011-09-15T11:33:00.001-07:00

Dear painters,

We will meet at the top of the El Cerrito Hillside Area.

From Oakland El Sobrante, Richmond and San Pablo: Take 80, get off on Carlson, make a left on Plumas Ave. Go left on San Pablo Ave and a right on Moeser Lane, which goes up. Almost at the top, you'll find Shevlin Dr to your left. Go on Shevlin and stay to your left.

Pass Earl Court to your left and stay left of the fork. Do not go on Shevlin PL. Stay on Shevlin Dr. At the end if it, you will see King Ct to your left. Park at the end, which is where we'll meet.

Those of you who live in Berkeley can take North Arlington Rd and make a left on Moeser Lane, then almost immediately make a right on Shevlin Dr. then follow the above instructions.

Please reply to let us know you are coming. We'll start walking towards the painting spot promptly ten minutes after the meeting time. Bring a cell phone, your own drinking and painting water, and a backpack of sturdy cart. See you there!

Monday, Sept 12

2011-09-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

We will meet at the end of Crest Ave. The top of Crest Ave has gorgeous 360 degree views of the bay, Pojnt Richmond, and the Miller Knox Regional Park. We will start walking to the top of this hill fifteen minutes after the meeting time.

Directions: From 80, take the Cutting exit all the way to Point Richmond if you are coming from El Sobrante or Pinole. If you are coming from Berkeley, take 580 to Cutting Ave, go left on Cutting toward the bay then follow signs to Point Richmond. Go up Washington Ave, then left on Crest Avenue all the way to the trailhead near the top of this hill. There are no bathrooms, and no water. Bring a cart or a backpack with your supplies, as well as a cell phone. Please RSVP if you are coming.

Karen

Saturday, September 10

2011-09-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

We will return to the end of Crest Avenue, Point Richmond. This trailhead leads to a comfortable paved road that goes up to the flat top of this hill, for those who prefer carting their gear. A hiking path going straight up also ends at the top. This short path can be a shortcut for someone fit with their gear in a backpack. People who don't want to walk all the way to the top will be happy at the trailhead. There are views of Point Richmond, the bay, and the Knox-Miller Regional Park right by the ten-car parking lot. There are no bathrooms. Bring your own drinking and painting water, as well as a cell phone. Please reply to the listserv message if you're attending. If you're coming but think you will be late, please let us know.

Monday, Aug 29

2011-08-28T11:05:00.001-07:00

We will meet at Carquinez Strait Regional Park.

From 80 take the Pomona Street exit to Crockett and bear left to
Pomona street. Stay on Pomona as it passes the residential area. The
curvy road continues ascending but be patient. The park will be on the
left. You will be able to see its parking lot from your car. Wait for
us there.

Karen

Saturday, August 27

2011-08-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

The top of Crest Ave has gorgeous 360 degree views of the bay, Pojnt Richmond, and the Miller Knox Regional Park. We will start walking to the top of this hill fifteen minutes after the meeting time.

Directions: From 80, take the Cutting exit all the way to Point Richmond if you are coming from El Sobrante or Pinole. If you are coming from Berkeley, take 580 to Cutting Ave, then follow signs to Point Richmond. Go up Washington Ave, then left on Crest Avenue all the way to the trailhead near the top of this hill. There are no bathrooms, and no water. Bring a cart or a backpack with your supplies, as well as a cell phone. Please RSVP if you are coming.

Monday, Aug 22

2011-08-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

We will meet at Carquinez Strait Regional Park.
From 80 take the Pomona Street exit to Crockett and bear left to Pomona street. Stay on Pomona as it passes the residential area. The curvy road continues ascending but be patient. The park will be on the left. You will be able to see its parking lot from your car. Wait for us there.

El Cerrito Bay View

2011-08-15T16:23:00.000-07:00

This painting was done from the el cerritio hill location we have been going to this summer. I was looking toward the bay with all the electrical wires and towers in the way. Karen

Tormey in August

2011-08-15T16:15:00.000-07:00

We have been painting in Tormey again. This one was done looking back at the town on a 20 by30 canvas. I was not sure about the dimensions of the canvas when I got it but I liked working on this size. Karen

El Cerrito Hillside

2011-08-14T20:54:00.000-07:00

Sharon Hind-Smith sent us this watercolor to post. She started painting with us a few weeks ago. This painting depicts the view of the bay through the rooftops on the hillside location we are returning to tomorrow.

End of Fairview Dr., El Cerrito

2011-08-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

Loads of gel were employed in this 16 x 20" acrylic. The incoming fog made it easy to manipulate the thick layers, as it took a long time for the them to dry, and this allowed me to try out things such as the right value for the sky.

I finished it in my studio from memory, and almost two weeks later, I believe it really gives a feeling for El Cerrito. I think of a dark poem by Melissa Hansen, The Suburbia of our Discontent :

..the view of houses
lonely and forgotten
for she is alone
in a group of
the same...

Tormey

2011-08-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

This was one of those times when I was in a rush, as I had to be at a child's birthday party afterwards. I was attracted by the towering Chevron tanks looming over the one-street town. I had brought a small canvas (11 x 14"), and sat down to work with acrylics on a very hot, dry day. The biting horse nearby kicked up clouds of dust and the sheep were curious. I tried to get the right values on canvas, but my chief difficulty was the speed with which acrylics dry up on breezy summer days. I finished at home from memory. Not one of my best, but hey, at least I showed up!

Monday, August 15

2011-08-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

We are going back to Schmidt Lane in El Cerrtito. There are a variety of views from the streets surrounding the Nature Area.
We'll meet at the corner of Navellier Street and Schmidt Lane in El Cerrito.

Monday, Aug 8

2011-08-07T11:25:00.001-07:00

We will meet at Tamalpais and Fairview in El Cerrito . We found this place while painting on Friday evening. There are views toward the Bay of El Cerrito and Albany and some closer views of the hills. From San Pablo Ave go up Cutting Blvd toward the hills and just one block before the Arlington turn right on Tamalpais and go until Fairview, where you will see an empty field where we will meet. If you are comming from Berkeley on the Arlingtong turn left at
Cutting and then a quick left on Tamalpais and continue as above.

Saturday, August 6

2011-08-02T21:48:00.000-07:00

We will paint in Tormey.

Directions: From 80 East take the Cummings Skyway extit (26). Go left on Cummings Skyway and left on San Pablo and you will see a row of houses on the left on Old County Road. We will meet at the end of the block.

Karen had found this very interesting website some time ago, which explains the origins of this town. Rebeca works with one of the family's descendants.

Here's a map of Tormey:
View Larger Map

Friday, August 5

2011-08-01T22:02:00.000-07:00

We will be painting late afternoon on Friday. We have been wanting to paint in the changing afternoon light, so we are going to try it for the first time at the end of this week. It is possible that it might be windy, so bring a hat and a scarf, your own water, and a cell phone.

Directions: Take the Potrero Ave exit off 80. Turn east in the direction of the hills (not to Richmond). Go up Potrero until you get to North Arlington Blvd and turn right. Park on North Arlington, along the golf course. We will meet on the side of North Arlington adjacent to the Mira Vista Club.

Please reply to the e-mail message if interested.

Monday, Aug 1

2011-07-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

Monday,July 25

2011-07-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

Some of us have painting we have started at our El Cerrittio location so on Monday we will return. We'll meet at the corner of Navellier Street and Schmidt Lane in El Cerrito.

From 80 take the Central exit, make a left on San Pablo Ave, and a right on Moeser. Make a left on Navellier and a right on Schmidt Lane. On Schmidt Lane, there is a dirt road entering the Hillside Natural Area. This hill affords natural and urban views. Bring your own water and a cell phone. Please park on Schmidt Lane and wait for the others.

Monday, July 18

2011-07-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

We'll meet at the corner of Navellier Street and Schmidt Lane in El Cerrito. Betsy will be the coordinator for this session. Take the Central exit, make a left on San Pablo Ave, and a right on Moeser. Make a left on Navellier and a right on Schmidt Lane. On Schmidt Lane, there is a dirt road entering the Hillside Natural Area. This hill affords natural and urban views. Bring your own water and a cell phone. Please park on Schmidt Lane and wait for the others.

Monday, July 11

2011-07-09T19:03:00.000-07:00

We will be visiting Inspiration Point at Tilden Park in Berkeley. There are restrooms. We will meet in the parking lot's middle area, under the shade of the Monterrey pines. Please RSVP if you're coming. Be prepared to go for a 5 minute walk on a gentle sloping hill. Getting back up the hill can be harder so pack accordingly.

Directions: The park is located in the Berkeley hills just north of Highway 24--take the Fish Ranch Road exit east of the Caldecott Tunnel, drive uphill, and turn right at Grizzly Peak Blvd. From Grizzly Peak, you will pass the Lomas Cantadas Steam Trains entrance, the South Park Drive entrance, the Golf Course Road entrance, and the the Shasta Road entrance. Or, enter the park from its west side in Berkeley from Canon Drive where Wildcat Canyon Road and Grizzly Peak Boulevard intersect. Or, you can also enter the park on its east side from Wildcat Canyon Road off San Pablo Dam Road just north of Orinda Village (take the Orinda exit off Highway 24 east of the Caldecott Tunnel).

Saturday, July 2 and Monday, July 4

2011-07-01T09:52:00.000-07:00

This holiday weekend most of us are either out of town, or busy entertaining at home. For that reason, we are canceling these two sessions. Stay tuned for next week's painting sessions. Happy Fourth of July!

Monday, June 27

2011-06-25T17:35:00.000-07:00

We had a good day at Pt. Pinole last week and will return on Monday.

From 80 take the Richmond Parkway exit and make a left at the light, stay on center lane so you can continue without turning on Richmond Parkway past San Pablo Ave. Take the Giant Rd exit ramp. Make a right at the light and go downhill. Make another right at the light and cross the railroad tracks. Continue on Giant Rd past the development on your left. The park will be on your left.

Saturday, June 25

2011-06-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

This session has been cancelled because there are no coordinators to lead it. One of us is out of town and the other one is busy that afternoon. Please watch this space in case we can find someone to lead it, or if you would like to lead it, please e-mail us.

Viewing the Albany City

2011-06-23T21:25:00.000-07:00

We met at the small parking lot on the top of the hill. In the park, the view of the bay was blocked by trees. I did not want to explore too far away from the trail because of the poison oak. After having walked for 10 to 15 min along the trail, Rebeca and I found an open view of the Albany City. This is an oil painting done on a 12" X 16" Gesso board. Philip Ng

Monday June 20

2011-06-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

We havent been to Point Pinole Regional Park as a group for over a year, so we will return on Monday.

On 80 take the Richmond Parkway exit and make a left at the light, stay on center lane so you can continue without turning on Richmond Parkway past San Pablo Ave. Take the Giant Rd exit ramp. Make a right at the light and go downhill. Make another right at the light and cross the railroad tracks. Continue on Giant Rd past the development on your left. The park will be on your left.

Saturday, June 18

2011-06-16T22:13:00.000-07:00

We will meet on Albany Hill Park. Yes it is on a hill, but think of the views. A Yelp writer says, "at the very top is a tree-enclosed park, but if you make a left at the last intersection before getting there you'll be amazed to find patches of open views of the entire bay, including San Francisco and the Golden Gate bridge." There is a small parking area at the top and some benches. Here's a very short video of the area.

Come prepared to do some walking with your gear, with a backpack or rolling cart. For the same reason, bring your cell phone, drinking water, hiking boots. Avoid shorts or short sleeved shirts because of the poison oak in some trails. We strongly recommend that you print a map of the way the access streets are laid out before you go, if you've never been there before.

Directions: From San Pablo, take Washington in the direction of Albany Hill, then continue on El Cerrito, left on Hillside and right on Taft. From 80, take Central Ave and make an immediate right on Pierce St, which is the frontage road along 80, then make a left on Washington. Veer left to El Cerrito St, make a left on Hillside Ave, and a right on Taft Ave. Drive all the way up until you get to Albany Hill Park, which has a circular turning area. Par outside of the red zone and wait by your car. We will be painting in the more open, southern parts of Albany Hill which are accessible from east of Taft Ave.

9th and Camelia

2011-06-12T22:13:00.000-07:00

Two months ago I was going to finish my painting of the church on 8th and Camelia, but when we got there, there was a memorial service going on. We realized it would be terrible to stand across the street, finishing our paintings while people cried in front of the church. So we went a block away to 9th and Camelia. I loved the extra-wide sidewalk and the car lineup. Phillip and Kendall were there and I was able to include them in the otherwise barren landscape. But when I got home I had to admit the figures were too small. After 24 hours of deliberation, I gave in and scraped them, but not without first taking a cell phone photo (you can find it here) to use as reference for the second attempt. The finished painting shows the correction I made to the figures, as well as the revised sidewalk, which I lightened.

Saturday, May 14

2011-06-12T22:01:00.000-07:00

Some of us have some half finished paintings done at the cemetery. This Saturday there might be some clouds and that would be like the last time, so we are going back. There are some great views from different places on the grounds.
We will meet at Sunset View Cemetery at Colusa and Fairmont Streets in Kennsington. Betsy will be the lead for the day. Meet her at the parking lot and she will show you a good place to paint at the cemetery. Bring a hat and water to drink.
Here is a link to the directions http://www.sunsetviewcemetery.com/Site/Hours_and_Directions.html

Monday, June 13

2011-06-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

We will meet again in front of Sophia Cafe, at 1247 Solano Ave in Albany (at Masonic). This section of Solano Ave in Albany has some colorful stores, an old movie theater with beutiful mosaic sidewalk, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and cafes. We can set up on the sidewalk near the stores or on the paths below BART.

Monday, June 6

2011-06-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

This session is cancelled. We will try again next week
We will meet again in front of Sophia Cafe, at 1247 Solano Ave in Albany ( at Masonic). This section of Solano Ave in Albany has some colorful stores, an old movie theater with beutiful mosaic sidewalk, an old fashioned ice cream parlor and cafes. We can set up on the sidewalk near the stores or on the paths below BART.

End of May to early June

2011-05-27T11:56:00.000-07:00

The following painting sessions are cancelled;

Saturday, May 28

Monday, May 30.

Saturday, June 4

Saturday, June 11

Most of the regular coordinators are busy getting ready for Open Studios and then will be busy the first two weekends in June. We are looking for others who may like to lead the group on those dates and will post locations if we find someone so check the blog for details.

Hope to see you at the Open Studios and good luck with the event if you are participating. You can check the Pro Arts Open Studio online directory to see what studios are open and where they are located.

http://db.proartsgallery.org/ebosGallery_11.php

Monday, May 23

2011-05-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

We will meet in front of Berkeley Bagels at 1281 Gilman Street in Berkeley. This is part of the Westbrae district of Berkeley and there are small cottages and lot of flowers, cafes, flower shops, nurseries. It feels like we are in the south of France. If you are coming from Richmond or Oakland you can take the Gilman exit from 80 and follow Gilman across San Pablo to the address. It is between Santa Fe and Curtis Streets.

Saturday, May 21

2011-05-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

We'll meet at the corner of Navellier Street and Schmidt Lane in El Cerrito. Take the Central exit, make a left on San Pablo Ave, and a right on Moeser. Make a left on Navellier and a right on Schmidt Lane. On Schmidt Lane, there is a dirt road entering the Hillside Natural Area. This hill affords natural and urban views. Bring your water to drink, a hat for the sun, and a cell phone. Please park on Schmidt Lane and wait for the others.

El Cerrito

2011-05-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

We have been painting a few time in the hills in El Cerrito near the recyling site. There is a path in the Nature Area but I had too much stuff with me to go too high. Karen

Monday, May 16

2011-05-15T12:14:00.001-07:00

We will meet again in front of Sophia Cafe, at 1247 Solano Ave in Albany
( at Masonic). This section of Solano Ave in Albany has some colorful
stores, an old movie theater with beutiful mosaic sidewalk, an old
fashion ice cream parlor and cafes. We can set up on the sidewalk
near the stores or on the paths below the bart train.

Karen

Ninth Street Corner

2011-05-09T17:53:00.000-07:00

This is the painting I was doing in the photo (see the post titled "Painting in Berkeley"). It was a windy day, but we were in the shelter of a tall warm wall. Hooray! I used a photo to record the windblown clouds for later work in the studio.
30" x 40" oil on canvas. Betsy Kendall

House at 8th and Page, Berkeley

2011-05-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

I sat on the back of my car and painted this one week when there was a break in the rain. oil on canvas 18" x 24"

Betsy Kendall

Monday, May 9

2011-05-08T10:19:00.001-07:00

We will meet in front of Sophia Cafe, at 1247 Solano Ave in Albany ( at Masonic). This section of Solano Ave in Albany has some colorful stores, an old movie theater with beautiful mosaic sidewalk, an old fashion ice cream parlor and cafes. We can set up on the sidewalk near the stores or on the paths below the bart train.

Saturday, May 7

2011-05-06T22:04:00.000-07:00

Painting in Berkeley

2011-05-04T16:42:00.000-07:00

Members of the East Bay Landscape Painters hugged the wall on a recent early spring day at 8th and Cameilia to get out of the wind. Wind is difficult to deal with when you go outside painting. My easel blew over just at the end of the 3 hour session. Karen