Monday, February 14

This session has been canceled because of rain. We will not be meeting at the parking lot of the San Pablo City Hall this Monday, but we may try again next week. Happy Valentine's Day!

Alvarado Adobe Museum

Fran and I were painting in the same courtyard next to the Alvarado Adobe Museum — one of the museums we visited during our research on the history of immigration to San Pablo & Richmond over time. The mayor came up to visit with Fran. It was a beautiful peaceful spring day with the sound of all the fountains in the background. The garden courtyard took me back to what it might have been like in an earlier more rural time. It was the last painting in my series for the Immigrant Neighborhoods up-coming show and a perfect painting for the end.

Marilyn Hill
Watercolor
15 X 11"

marilynhill.com

Nolan Andress Memorial Fountain

This fountain is in the Alvarado Square near some city offices in San Pablo, CA. I started to draw this and was rushing before the shadows covered it. I didn't succeed. After the shadows covered it, all the life and sparkle of the fountain disappeared. I took some photos, however, and was able to work from them to complete the painting. The fountain is in a walkway between the building and another wall at the foot of some stairs. So, it is not in full light for very long.

Larry Hatfield
10.5 x 14.5" Watercolor

Monday 7th February

We will meet in the parking lot of the San Pablo City Gallery at 13831 San Pablo Avenue. The Blume House, the Bunk House, the Alvarado Adobe and the gardens of the city are all at this location and will offer a variety of subjects and some shade too. Bathrooms are located in the city hall complex.

Directions:

From 80, take the San Pablo Dam Road exit, turn right onto San Pablo Avenue (the casino will be in front of you). Continue along San Pablo Avenue and pass Church Lane. The entrance to the parking lot is the next left turn.

RFD No. 1

It was a warm and lonely day painting by myself. I spent at least an hour walking around in Point Richmond. I kept looking at the fire house but it was difficult to find a place not blocked by cars and vans and not in the sun. I decided to do only part of the building.

Larry Hatfield
10.5 x 14.5" Watercolor

Sakai Nurseries, Richmond

The site of the former Sakai nurseries is going to be demolished soon. Since most of its toxic grounds will be replaced with brand-new, low cost housing, Marilyn arranged for a visit led by her friend Ellen. Visitors have to register and show ID, so it was drizzly by the time we started setting up. The fine mist did not allow the paint to dry or even become tacky in this large canvas (30 x 40") and I ended up doing the same as Fran, I took cover inside one of the warehouses. I had to wipe everything and start all over again. The sky got darker and darker,  and by the time we had to leave, I had painted 80%. I finished it the next day in my studio. I used a cell phone picture, and a photo that Marilyn took and sent me later. This painting shows the Sakai family house (which will not be demolished), two greenhouses, and in the middle, one of the workers' quarters.

Saturday, February 5

We will meet at the only Starbucks in Point Richmond, on Washington Ave. Try to arrive on time to this Starbucks, if you've never been to the end of Crest Ave, where we'll paint. From 80, take the Cutting exit or the Richmond Parkway to Castro. Once on Garrard Blvd, turn right almost immediately on West Richmond Ave, and right on Park Place. No water, no bathrooms at the end of Crest Ave. Bring your cell phone and clothes appropriate for painting in a moderate breeze at the top of a hill.