Saturday, October 1

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. 

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Somewhere in El Cerrito

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.