Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Artist Getaway in Occidental, CA. - Reserve your spot Now! May 1st-6th, 20015





Artist Getaway in Occidental California is a painting vacation in the coastal redwood forest. Occidental is a small town nestled in Northern California beauty.

​​In Occidental we paint en plein air, the Sonoma Coast and Russian River painting locations are no further than 10 miles from the hotel. We will go to a location each day as a group to paint and then meet at 5 pm at the hotel pool to for painting sharing and discussion.

Artist Getaway's purpose is to enhance the social, cultural and emotional well being of artists and the community by supporting artists in their work and providing opportunities to promote art to the public. An Artist Getaway is a vacation for Plein Air painting for any level of experience and in any medium, oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, etc. and was founded in 2012. Plein Air (painting in the open air) became famous in France in the 19th century. Some of the hotels we stay in have meeting rooms where we can paint indoors as well in the open air. Artists can paint on their own or paint as a group in the scenic locations where we stay.

​​Samantha McNally, Artist Getaway founder, is a member of the California Watercolor Association, the East Bay Pleinair Painters, the East Bay Artist Guild, the North Bay Pleinair Painters and the Benicia Pleinair Painters.Samantha has paintings in the Valley Art Gallery in Walnut Creek,CA and in the Benicia Plein Air Gallery in Benicia, CA. Samantha served on the CWA (California Watercolor Association) Board of Directors for 4 years from 2007 through 2010 and is currently the co-chair of the CWA pleinair group and on the CWA National E
xhibition Committee. Samantha has lots of experience planning and chairing and participating in art events and looks forward to planning your Artist Getaway. If you have any questions please send an email to info@artistgetaway.com

Monday, November 16, 2015

65th NBPA Paintout @ Bartholomew Park, Sonoma, Ca. (12pm-4pm)

Let's squeeze in another paintout before the Thanksgiving Holiday!
Join us this Sunday, Nov. 22nd for a paintout at Bartholomew Park in Sonoma, Ca.
Lots of Vineyards and rolling hills with Fall colors surrounding us :)

After entering main gate, veer LEFT to main parking lot. (if you veer right, you will head up to winery, additional parking in gravel parking lot if needed, but you will have to walk down the hill - or feel free to hike trails along the side).
Address:
1000 Vineyard Lane, Sonoma, Ca.
Please be sure to add this address to your GPS ahead of time and check out the link above for park rules and info (Direct Link Above).


Open Trails: Yes
Bathroom: Yes. 
Parking: Free
Agenda: 
12:00pm - 4:00pm - Let's Paint!

4:00pm - 4:15pm - Let's meet back at benches under trees, to share our findings, techniques or just to chat (not a critique).

Map: http://www.bartholomewpark.org/maps/
Directions:
From San Francisco
Take highway 101 north to highway 37 east. Take 121 north toward SONOMA/NAPA and turn left onto highway 12 into SONOMA. At the SONOMA PLAZA, turn right onto E NAPA STREET. Turn left on 7th STREET EAST. At the next stop sign, turn right (veer to the left-most road) onto VINEYARD LANE and follow it to the gates of our winery.
From Sacramento
Take highway 50 west to interstate 80 west. Take the CA-12 exit towards NAPA/SONOMA. On highway 12, make a right onto highway 29 north. Follow highway 29 for 5 miles and turn left onto highway 12/121 towards SONOMA. Turn right on NAPA RD. Make a right onto 8TH STREET EAST.  Continue for approx. 1.5 miles and make a left onto E NAPA STREET.  Take the first right onto 7th STREET EAST and at the next stop sign, turn right (veer to the left-most road) onto VINEYARD LANE and follow it to the gates of our winery.

Friday, October 23, 2015

64th NBPA Paintout - Helen Putnam Regional Park (Petaluma, Ca) Sunday October 25 (12pm-4pm)

64th NBPA Paintout - Helen Putnam Regional Park (Petaluma, Ca

  •  to 
  • Helen Putnam Park

    411 Chileno Valley Road, PetalumaCA (map)



  • Please note there are 2 entrances. 
    The first is the main parking lot at address below.
    ($7.00 /per vehicle)
    Address: Please take time to research and enter address in your GPS ahead of time.
    Helen Putnam Regional Park 
    411 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma
    The second parking (FREE) is at back part of the Park (SEE DIRECTIONS AT THE BOTTOM)
    Details on Park: Helen Putnam Regional Park lies just outside of Petaluma and offers a variety of terrain across 5.87 miles of trail. Excellent views of Petaluma to the east and rural Sonoma County to the west can be enjoyed from the Panorama Trail. The viewpoints may be accessed via a steep climb up the trail from the parking lot, or a gentler approach via the paved Ridge Trail past the Fish Pond. Fillaree, Pomo, and South Loop trails wind through forested areas offering shade on hot summer days. Equestrians, hikers, and bikers are welcome on all trails. 

    Bathroom: Yes. 

    Parking Fees: $7.00 (Recommended to bring cash just in case the kiosk is not working). 

    Agenda

    12:00pm - 4:00pm - Let's Paint! 

    4:00pm - 4:15pm - Let's meet back at Main Paid parking lot to share our findings, techniques or just to chat (not a critique). 

    Directions to Back side of Park (FREE Parking - on first come basis) 
    (From San Rafael): 
    Take the US-101 NORTH (17.6 mi) 
    Exit onto Petaluma Blvd S (1.1 mi)  

    At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on Petaluma Blvd S (1.4 mi)  

    Turn left onto Western Ave (1.9 mi)  

    Turn left onto Chileno Valley Rd (0.8 mi) 
    Take the 1st left onto Armstrong

Friday, October 2, 2015

Thank you Point Reyes Field Institute for continued Sponsorship 2015 - 2016

Greetings Painters,

We are thrilled to announce the continued support and sponsorship from PRFI for 2015 - 2016!

The Point Reyes Field Institute (PRFI) is proud to be sponsoring our North Bay Plein Air Meetup Group. Art in the Park has a long and rich history with the National Park Service and hope to offer our local Plein Air painters access to remote areas of the park and in return to be inspired by the art.

Founded in 1964 the Point Reyes Field Institute offers educational activities for the general public inside the park. Registration Fees go towards their programs which raise funds to support critical resource preservation projects and offer year-round environmental education programs that engage the public in accessing, enjoying and understanding Point Reyes. Since their founding, PRNSA has raised millions of dollars to support park projects and environmental education programs that enhance the visitor experience, protect the park’s resources, improve wildlife habitat and make a profound difference in the lives of children and adults. Thank you for your support and enjoy your time in the park!

Be sure to check out our Meetup calendars for upcoming Classes and workshops taking place at the Point Reyes Field Institute.

***If interested in registering any of the workshops Please let them know you are a current member of the North Bay Plein Air Meetup Group***

You can view current class offerings here: http://www.ptreyes.org/camps-classes-programs/field-institute/class-topics/arts¬

More information on the Point Reyes Field Institute can be found at: www.ptreyes.org/about


Many Thanks and looking forward to our upcoming Paintouts!

Thursday, September 24, 2015

63rd NBPA Paintout at Ring Mountain, Corte Madera CA (12pm-4pm)

Let's visit RING MOUNTAIN!

There's 2 entrances. 

MAIN ENTRANCE Once on Paradise Drive, the road will bend right .... entrance on RIGHT SIDE. Park along dirt shoulder. BE CAREFUL IF CROSSING THE STREET! It's much longer hike to get up on the hill. Use this address for your GPS: 5300 Paradise Drive, Corte Madera, CA.

ALTERNATE ENTRANCE
Once you get on Paradise Drive,
Make a RIGHT TURN on Westward Drive
Continue all the way up the hill. Road will end (This is entrance).

Find Parking along sidewalk. 

PARKING (along Westward Drive)
There's parking along the sidewalks. But if that fills up, there's a dirt shoulders
at the bottom of the hill (off main road of Paradise Drive - but you'll have to walk a little bit to get to the entrance of trail) So walk up this hill towards the Blue trash can under the trees.

NOTE: There's quite a few mountain bikers zipping down the trails. So make sure to set up off to the side.

Agenda
12:00pm - Since there's 2 entrances, No meetup at beginning. Let's start painting!!!

12:00pm - 4:00pm - Let's Paint! - Meet back at MAIN ENTRANCE of trail (dirt shoulder parkin). We will share our findings, techniques or just to chat (not a critique).

Friday, August 21, 2015

San Rafael, Ca - Plein Air Competition - Saturday August 29, 2015 (8am - 4pm)

REGISTER HERE:

For more information, visit http://downtownsanrafael.org/Artists-in-Action-A-Plein-Air-Paint-Out or call the SRBID at 415-720-5591.



Plein air artists are invited to participate in the  Downtown Artists in Action a Plein Air Competition in Downtown San Rafael on Saturday, August 29, from 8 am – 4 pm. Participating artists will create an original plein air painting or drawing of any location within Downtown San Rafael.  Presented by The Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District (SRBID) and Marin Open Studios (MOS),  Downtown Artists in Action Celebrates the arts community in Marin and invites Bay Area artists to discover Downtown San Rafael. Completed works will be judged at the end of the day and prizes awarded as follows:  
Best in Show $300 (RileyStreet Art Supply), 
First Place, $200 (The Folk Art Gallery) 
Second Place, $150 (Stephan Hill Jewelers), 
Third Place, $100 (Aroma Café). 

Completed works will also be exhibited at Art Works Downtown (AWD) in conjunction with Second Friday’s Art Walk and throughout the month of September. This event is open to all plein air artists of all skill levels. Pre-registration is $35.  Download the Call for Artists and registration form at www.downtownsanrafel.org

“We are thrilled to host the first Plein Air paint out in Downtown San Rafael, said Carol Thompson,  SRBID Executive director.  “There is much beauty to discover in our downtown, from historic buildings and architecture such as the iconic Mission San Rafael and the gorgeous art deco Rafael Theater. But we also know there are other gems to be captured by the fresh take of an artist’s eye.”  

The San Rafael Downtown Artists in Action Day:
·       Celebrates Downtown San Rafael’s character and culture by inviting artists to capture iconic scenes and smaller snippets of beauty discovered with fresh eyes.
·       Invites the community to enjoy an afternoon strolling through downtown, discovering artists in action while exploring the unique businesses and cafes that enliven our community.
·       Engages families with demonstrations and a youth “paint-out” area.
·       Presents live music, plus store and dining specials throughout downtown.

What: Plein Air painting or drawing in any medium i.e., outdoors, from direct observation of the subject matter.  

Where: On-site at any location in Downtown San Rafael  (map to be provided) When: Saturday, August 29,  8 am – 4 pm 

Exhibition: All completed work will be displayed at Art Works Downtown (AWD) in September. Sale:  Artists may make their work available for sale at the show and throughout the month of September. No commission will be taken.


Thursday, April 23, 2015

61st NBPA Paintout - Rodeo Beach/ Lagoon (Marin Headlands)

Revisiting the same location our very first paintout that took place back in 2009! Rain expected on Saturday and looking forward to clearing up on Sunday. Wonderful views in all directions. Parking lot near Headlands Institute with additional parking along dirt shoulder facing lagoon.
Located in the Marin Headlands, Fort Cronkhite is a former World War II military post that stands at the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Fort Cronkhite today is one of the few preserved examples of these World War II "mobilization posts" remaining in the country. The fort's barracks, mess halls, supply buildings, and other structures are preserved to tell the story of the soldiers who waited here for an enemy that never came.
Agenda
12:00pm - 12:15pm - Briefly meet at Beach Area or feel free to set up to paint!
12:15pm - 4:00pm - Let's PAINT! 
4:00pm - 4:15pm - Let's meet up between beach and parking lot. We can share our paintings and lean our paintings along the log stumps. Not a Critique.... just time to share our findings, techniques or just to chat.
Directions:
• On Bunker Road, pass through one way Baker-BarryTunnel.
• Follow Bunker Road 3-miles and continue pass Rodeo Lagoon. Head toward the ocean and Fort Cronkhite will be on your right-hand side
Parking
Parking lot and additional parking along dirt shoulder facing lagoon.
Bathroom:
Yes, public bathroom by main parking lot.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

60th NBPA Paintout - Old Lakeville Road # 3, Sunday March 29th (12pm-4pm)

Painting Times
12:00pm - 4:00pm

Between 12:00pm and 12:30pm, we will all meet at the white fence near the miniature horses.

Location
Old Lakeville #3 Rd. (north side)

How to find us:
Call or Text GERALD (415) 342-6764 or follow us @NBPleinair on Twitter.

Directions Click Here For Google Maps
***Please leave yourself enough time prior to paintout to review address on Google Maps. There are several Old Lakeville Roads. Make sure to meet up on ROAD #3 (North Side) Near Shetland Ponies.***

From the south: If you're on the 101, turn east on to the 37 towards Vallejo. Head about 4 miles and turn north onto Lakeville Road. Drive up another 2 miles and ignore the first "Old Lakeville #3" sign. Go up another mile and a half and turn east onto the second "Old Lakeville #3" to find us.

From the north: Head south until you get to the intersection of Highway 116 East and 101 South in Petaluma. Head east on 116 and keep on the same road after the fork, follow the route that sends you toward "Vallejo." Head south for about 2.5 miles and turn left onto Old Lakeville #3 Road.

Parking
There is no real parking but you can park on the dirt next to the row of eucalyptus, or wherever else you can find near the meetup point.