Saturday, November 27

Cancelled due to rain. We´ll try again next week.
We will meet at the city parking lot across the street from the Richmond Art Center. Please note this is not the parking lot adjacent to the RAC building, but the much bigger lot flanked by Barrett Ave and 25th Street. We do not want to use the RAC lot, as there are classes going on on Saturday and they need those spaces. There are bathrooms at the RAC, and water too. From the parking lot, we will branch out into either Nicholls Park, or adjacent streets which have a Richmond feel.

Directions: from 80, take the San Pablo exit if coming from Berkeley. Make a right on San Pablo Ave, and another right on Barrett Ave. Turn left on 25th. The big brick building is the RAC. As you enter 25th be sure to park in the bigger lot to your right, outside of the smaller RAC parking lot adjacent to the brick building. If coming from El Sobrante, take the San Pablo Barrett exit and turn right at Barrett. Follow tge same instructions to get to the RAC.

Please consult our listserv for the time if you are new to the group. For safety reasons, we do not publish meeting times on this blog. Rain cancellations are always published on this space at least an hour prior to the outing, so please check this space.

Monday, November 29

URBAN ORE, BERKELEY, Come paint recycled treasures!

Description: Urban Landscape - There is lots of stuff to paint. If you don't want to paint people or junk you can paint the redwood bears across the street or down the street. Restrooms and Parking.





Directions: We try our best, but we recommend you check the Google Maps before you come. From 80 in either direction, Exit on Ashby Ave. Travel east about 1 block to 7th. You will see the Urban Ore Sign to the right. Turn right on 7th then a very quick left onto Murray (this is a little tricky). We will meet in the parking lot. (If you miss Murray go to next street and make a left around the block.)

Dress warmly and bring your cell phone.

Monday, Nov 22

The sky is looking pretty dark. But I am going to chance it and see if it holds off for a few hours. If you decide to come put on warm clothes.

Monday, November 22

Last year we went to Meeker Slough in late October and early November.  If we see some sun on Monday we will return there.


Meeker Slough is where Meeker Creek meets the bay. There is a marsh, a beach, benches and a bridge crossing the creek. The place is actually quite peaceful. We will meet at the parking lot of Shimada Friendship Park, which has plenty of spaces, bathrooms and water, and walk about ten minutes along the Bay Trail to the Meeker Slough. Those of you who don't want to paint a marsh will find the nearby marina tempting.

Directions from North of Berkeley: From 80, take the Cutting exit and go west towards the water and through Richmond. On Cutting, make a left on Marina Way and a right on Regatta Dr. Make a right on Marina Bay Parkway and at the very end you will see Shimada Friendship Park and the bay.

Directions from South of Berkeley: Get on highway 580 and take the Erlandson St/Syndicate Ave Exit (10B), Make a right off the ramp, and the Erlandson/Syndicate will take you over 580 and will turn into Regatta Blvd. Continue on Regatta/Syndicate. This avenue will turn left. You'll soon see a fork that hits Marina Bay Parkway. Make a left on Marina Bay Parkway. You will see a park in front of you, but that's not Shimada. Go all the way to the end of Marina Bay Parkway and at the very end you will see Shimada Friendship Park and the bay.

On the Top of McBryde

I have done a painting of the bottom of McBryde where it reaches San Pablo and when we went to Alvarado Park I decidedto do a painting from the park entrance of the top of McBryde even though it was in the full sun.  It is an 18 by 24 canvas.  Karen

Trailer Park

This one was done outside St. Joseph Cemetary in San Pablo of the trailer park across the street.  I put in the man with his dog from memory later.   I am still not happy with the composition and I am thinking of cropping it and restretching where I think it works best. But I like the impact of the painting,

It is acrylic on 24 by 30 canvas.

Karen

Saturday, November 20

This is another way to get to the same trailhead: From 80, take the San Pablo Dam Exit. At the light, continue forward to San Pablo Dam Rd, and DO NOT TURN RIGHT or you will end up on Amador St.

San Pablo Dam Rd takes you through the El Sobrante main drag. Pass Morrow Dr and Barranca St to your right on your way to Hillcrest Rd. Make a right on Hillcrest Rd. and go up. Pass Bridgeway Circle and Quail Hill Ct. to your left. When you think you can't go any higher, you will find Bonita Rd to your left. Make a left on Bonita and go past several streets in a development. Make a left on Monte Cresta Ave and park at the end of the street. No bathrooms and no water. Bring your cell phone.

Monday Nov 15

We will be meeting at the the entrance to Alvarado Park in Richmond on Monday. Alvarado Park was built in 1907 and much of the stonework in the park was created by WPA Italian Americans between the 30's and 40's. There is a wonderful stone bridge over running Wildcat creek. Directions:

 From Berkeley
80 North to Solano Exit, turn left on Amador (frontage road to 80), go a few blocks to McBryde, turn right. Go East up McBryde. Where McBryde splits (Park left, McBryde right) you will see 2 stone piers indicating the entrance to the Park. You can park on Park street and walk back to the entrance where we will meet (at the piers). You can also come along the Arlington to the end and it washes into McBryde.

 From Martinez
80 South to McBryde Exit, go left across freeway, East up McBryde. Where McBryde splits (Park left, McBryde right) you will see 2 stone piers indicating the entrance to the Park. You can park on Park streetand walk back to the entrance where we will meet (at the piers).

Please RSVP if  you are coming. Thanks

Saturday, Nov 13

We will meet at the top of Alvarado Park. From 80, take the San Pablo Dam Rd exit. Turn right on Amador, left on Alpine Rd. At the t intersection, STAY LEFT and do not take North Arlington Rd. Turn right on Bonita and left on Crest Ave (or something similarly named). At the end of "Crest Ave" there is a trailhead. We will meet at the trailhead and walk along the gravel fire road for twenty minutes, to a hill with sweeping views of Richmond and 360 degree pastoral views. Bring a backpack or a cart with big wheels, lightweight gear, water, and a cell phone.

Alvarado Park, Richmond


This bridge came out a little dark. But I still like it, and the shadows were very dark so this is about as accurate to color as I ever get. I'd like to give it another go and make this more of a color piece. I think I will also put this piece in the Marin Arts Show.

Marilyn Hill
Watercolor
15 X 11

marilynhill.com

Indian Rock, Berkeley


I was inspired by a Japanese Print Collection in Bodega Bay and this Indian Rock scene was a perfect opportunity to try an idea of splitting the canvas and adding some abstract texture to one part of the canvas. I liked it so well I think I will enter it in the Marin Arts exhibit.

Marilyn Hill
Watercolor
15 X 11

marilynhill.com

Monday, November 8

Alvarado Park, Richmond

We will be meeting at the the entrance to Alvarado Park in Richmond on Monday at 10am (don't forget time change). Alvarado Park was built in 1907, and much of the stonework in the park was created by WPA Italian American stone masons during the 30's and 40's. There is a wonderful stone bridge over a running Wildcat creek.

Directions:
FROM BERKELEY
80 North to Solano Exit, turn left on Amador (frontage road to 80), go a few blocks to McBryde, turn right. Go East up McBryde. Where McBryde splits (Park left, McBryde right) you will see 2 stone piers indicating the entrance to the Park. You can park on Park street and walk back to the entrance where we will meet (at the piers). You can also come along the Arlington to the end and it washes into McBryde.

FROM MARTINEZ
80 South to McBryde Exit, go left across freeway, East up McBryde. Where McBryde splits (Park left, McBryde right) you will see 2 stone piers indicating the entrance to the Park. You can park on Park street and walk back to the entrance where we will meet (at the piers)

Rain Cancels
Please RSVP if you are coming. Thanks

Saturday, November 6

This session has been cancelled. Please refer to the listserv message for details. We will meet again next Saturday.

Warning on the Tracks


Saturday we returned to one of my favorite places to paint – the railroad tracks by Page and 2nd in Berkeley. The abstraction, yet not abstraction fascinates me. I love the combination of the very common public warning sign with the very personal grafitti. The painting is roughly rendered to capture the spirit of place.

Marilyn Hill
Watercolor
15 X 11
marilynhill.com

Indian Rock Park

I found a little shade and liked the view of the
rocks. There were a lot of shadows to start with from some trees to the left. I tried to get the glowing edge of the rock from the sun light and some bounced light into shadows.

Larry Hatfield
10.5 x 14.5" Watercolor