Warm Day

Gold Hills   acrlyic on canvas 16 by 20

It was very warm  and bright at Cummings Skyway  when this was painted and my umbrella came in very handy. Karen

A Good Painting Spot

Cumming Skyway     watercolor   9 by 12

Sharon Hind- Smith sent this painting she did of Cummings Skyway.

 We have been going to this spot on and off all year.  For me it is a really good spot.  Althoough it is not the most beautiful spot we have been too it has the rolling hills and the scrubby little trees that I often associate with the California landscape and some very wonderful California landscape paintings. The light is always revealing something different and the colors change with the season. Because there is nothing dramatic or remarkable I have to really work to develop a composition that is effective and that makes me look harder.   There is also access right near the road and it is private so we work undisturbed.  Karen

Summer Day at Lake Temescal

 

Karen Painting   photo by Jean Womack

Jean Womack sent these photos she took on our recent trip to the lake.  She put them through a software program called sketchers to give them a watercolor feel.  I thought they captured the nice day we had there.    Karen

Duck Family                       photo by Jean Womack

Lake Temescal

Summer Day, Lake Temescal    acrylic on canvas 16 x 20

This was my first vistit to this lake. We set up on a boat dock across from the beach in the full sun. There were people on the beach and I played with the shapes and movement. Most of it I had to make up because I could see this scene from where our easels were. ( Even though someone said I must have very good eyes to see that far)  Guess I could have done this in the studio but it is so nice to be painting outside.

Berkeley Rose Garden

We will meet at the Berkeley Rose Garden again on Monday, July 16.  There are many painting choices including the blooming roses of the garden itself and the view of the bay through the trees. There are trees of all shapes, sizes and shades of green.  And also the opportunity to add figures to the landscape. Here is the link to directions and a map;        Rose Garden

Berkeley Rose Garden

We will meet at the Berkeley Rose Garden on Monday, July 9.  There are many painting choices including the blooming roses of the garden itself and the view of the bay through the trees. There are trees of all shapes, sizes and shades of green.  And also the opportunity to add figures to the landscape. Here is the link to directions and a map;

http://www.yelp.com/map/the-berkeley-rose-garden-berkeley

China Camp

Yes, we'll venture off the East Bay this Saturday, to China Camp. This jewel of the peninsula is slated for closure soon, so we will try to go at least two weeks in a row. Bring an umbrella for the sun, there are few shady spots where the views are. Bring drinking water and a cell phone. 


Directions to China Camp:

Take highway 580 or 80 over San Rafael Bridge, then 101 North toward San Rafael. Exit right on N. San Pedro Exit (east) toward China Camp State Park (follow "China Camp State Park" signs). This exit is just before the Civic Center so if you've gotten to the Civic Center you've gone to far. You'll see a 7/11 at a stop sign on the right. Keep going straight. Sunny Oaks Rd is the beginning of the Park. Keep going. Continue on winding road through park. You will pass three paid parking lots on the left hand side...Buckeye Pt, Weber Pt. and Bullhead. 

Continue to China Camp Beach parking lot where we will meet (the one that has the fishing village in it). We may want to paint in the fishing village, or at some point before. There are some beautiful marshes with orange stuff along the way. It is important that if you are going to arrive late, you let us know. Also, don't forget to RSVP.  Click here for more information on China Camp.

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