2nd Annual California Art Club Painting Retreat at Limantour Beach

Once again, our annual artists outing was a big success. This year's 2nd Annual CAC Northern California Chapter Painting Retreat at Limantour Beach was held Oct. 8-10 on the Point Reyes National Seashore. Thirty Six artists gathered at the Limantour Hostel for two nights and three days of painting, eating and conversation. At check-in, Laife (hostel staff member) handed out sets of Sennelier Artist Oils to each participant. They were generously donated with our gratitude by Savior Faire... the U.S. importer of the French artist materials manufacturer. After four months of preparation, some people drove in from L.A., Monterrey and Lake Tahoe, but most people were from around the Bay Area.

We had spectacular fall weather all weekend with totally sunny skies during the days and a small amount of shore fog in the mornings. Absolutely glorious! After a day of painting at Limantour on Friday with many of the participants, Christin and I checked in and gathered for a pot-luck dinner with the others. Everyone provided an enormous amount of food. We drank (moderately) and engaged in group conversations with stories, laughter and warm smiles all around. It was great to meet some new people and learn more about the lives of other artists. This year there were many more women attending, so we had two dorms dedicated for the women, one for the men and one co-ed dorm. Naturally, everyone wanted a lower bunk, but it all seemed to work out. In the morning we didn't hear any horror stories of loud snoring like the previous year.

Saturday morning began with a Bagel, Salmon and cream cheese breakfast. We added a new twist to the Saturday of painting this year by holding a group paint-out at the Historic Pierce Ranch on Tomales Point which dates back to around 1850. It was a large dairy ranch that produced prized butter, milk and cheese products due to the near ideal cool climate which was perfect for grazing cows. Although the ranch is not a working ranch any longer, the cluster of old whitewashed buildings with surrounding cypress tree windbreaks are now preserved by the Pt. Reyes National Seashore and allowed us to all spread out and paint a similar theme. At 3pm we gathered at the main barn for a viewing of one painting from each artist. Christin Coy's painting was selected as the winner of the Artist's Choice award and received a nice gift from the CAC. Returning home later, we shared a Barbeque dinner and left-overs with more socializing. Another beautiful day in paradise.

Sunday morning we ate breakfast and then we all set out our paintings on the outdoor picnic tables so we could experience the various styles and techniques. It brought us closer once again to see each others work. Michele de Braganca won a random drawing from the hat prize from the CAC. We cleaned up a bit and checked out at 10am and said our goodbyes. Local artists scattered about and painted in the region on Sunday too. I don’t know how everyone felt about the paintings they produced over the weekend, but I do know that such events hold a special place in each of our heats and will be a memory that lasts in our history as artists. We're already planning our 3rd annual retreat for next year.

Note: This event came about as a result of the combined efforts to bring more CAC events to the Northern part of our state. Our local chapter, co-chaired by Kay Young and myself, has been working closely with the CAC Executive Director Elain Adams, Managing Director Lisa Cavelier, CAC administrator Barbara Chung along with our chapter volunteer steering committee. I was very happy to have administered this event on their behalf. If you're not already a CAC member, you too can join...CAC MEMBERSHIP INFO

CAC Artists Paint Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo Sites

As part of their 100 year Centenial Celebration... The California Art Club joined with the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo by inviting Artist members to capture the stunning landscapes of San Luis Obispo County featuring ecological preserves and privately-owned conservation properties that the Land Conservancy has played a role in protecting.

It took place during the week of April 18-23, 2010. The first day at Dana Adobe was 70 degrees and beautiful. Elaine and Peter Adams joined the others as we painted the Mustard covered hills and surrounding trees. Christin and I had not met many of the Southern California painters before, so it was nice to sit in the shade and lunch on the site while we painted.

Predictions of foul weather came true for the next few days so only the brave actually painted on Tuesday with very high winds. On Wednesday we drove down to Nipomo and were escorted to the Black Lake Ecological area. Surrounded by sand dunes to the west, it had an enormous eucalyptus circle grove with an adjacent lake. First it rained while we hiked with our gear, then the winds picked up and reached 40 mph gusts. Not the most ideal conditions for painting, but an experience only an outdoor painter would appreciate.

Rain and clouds once again on Thursday morning at the Octagon Barn, so Marcia Burtt invited some of us back to her ranch east of Nipomo. Four miles off the highway, their property sits on a sprawling california grazing plateau nestled between shale cliffs and rolling hills covered in oaks. Still raining, I painted under the buildings protected carport while others used the southern patio to face the valley vista. Beautifully tended native gardens surrounded her home and color was everywhere. What a nice woman.

There will be a show of the paintings at the CAC Old Mill Gallery in San Marino from October thru December and then a show in January 2011 at the San Luis Obispo Art Center (Museum).

California Art Club Painting Retreat at Limantour Beach

Friday Oct. 30, 2009 finally arrived and the California Art Club Limantour Painting Retreat had begun.Fourty artists gathering at the Pt. Reyes Hostel for two nights and three days of painting, eating, conversation and fun. After four months of preparation, people drove up from San Diego, L.A., San Luis Obispo and from all around the San Francisco Bay area.

Three days prior to the weekend all the weather channels were predicting showers, but it turned out to be spectacular fall weather with totally sunny skies during the days and a small amount of shore fog in the mornings. It was absolutely glorious each day.

After a day of painting on Friday, Christin and I checked in and gathered for a pot-luck dinner with the others. Everyone provided an enormous amount of food. We drank (moderately) and engaged in group conversations with stories, laughter and good cheer. It was great to meet some new people and learn more about the lives of other serious artists. Turning in for the night proved to be a bit of a challenge with the women in two dorm rooms with 5 bunk beds each and the men in an out building dorm also with two rooms and 5 bunk beds. Naturally, everyone wanted a lower bunk, but it all seemed to work out. In the morning I heard some horror stories of loud snoring in one of the womens dorms, but not a big problem in the men’s area.

Saturday morning began with a Bagel, Salmon and cream cheese breakfast before heading out. We all stood around the kitchen area toasting bagels, making coffee and sharing areas to paint for the day.Some went to Pierce Point Ranch, some to Drake’s beach, some to Tomales Bay and we all scattered and followed our instincts. Returning home later, we again shared a Barbeque dinner with more good cheer and stories. Another beautiful day in paradise. After dinner, about 15 of us took a 3 mile Halloween night MoonWalk out to the beach without need of any flashlights. Saw a low flying owl, a glistening ocean and glowing trees with eerie shadows that could be hiding all sorts of night creatures.

Sunday morning we ate breakfast and then we all set out our paintings on the outdoor picnic tables so we could experience the various styles and techniques. It brought us closer once again to see each others work. Sennelier Artist Oils graciously provided two sets of Oil Paints for the winners of the random drawing. We checked out at 10am and said our goodbyes. Local artists scattered about and painted on Sunday too.

I don’t know how everyone felt about the paintings they produced over the weekend, but I do know that such events hold a special place in each of our heats and will be a memory that lasts in our history as artists. We’ll surely plan another one again soon.

Note: This event came about as a result of the combined efforts to bring more CAC events to the Northern part of our state. Our local chapter, headed up by Michelle Jader and Kay Young, has been working closely with the CAC Executive Director Elain Adams, Managing Director Lisa Cavelier along with a chapter volunteer steering committee. I was very happy to have administered this event on their behalf. If you're not already a CAC member, you too can join...http://www.californiaartclub.org/home/join.shtml

Photos and Movie Below:

CAC Paintout at Cavallo Point Lodge

Yesterday was one of those perfect days by the San Francisco Bay.  It was time once again to gather the Northern California members of the California Art Club for their quarterly chapter paint-out.  

This time we met at the absolutely beautiful Cavallo Point Lodge where Rochelle Bernet (program manager) greeted us at one of their posh outdoor seating areas. Kay and Michelle, our CAC organizers served coffee and bagels as we basked in the sun and gazed at the bridge with a slight wisp of fog overhead.  Rochelle then gave us a personal tour of the converted former Fort Baker site on one of their six seater carts.  The views there are spectacular with some of the most iconic of the City, SF Bay and the Golden Gate.

Christin and I painted from seperate locations on the grounds but returned a couple of hours later to the outdoor seating area to relax and marvel once again.  We were even treated to a glass of Cabernet by some young couples gathered at the same spot with their young kids.  Life couldn't be any better. Christin had a gallery opening at Holton Studios in Emeryville from 4 to 7 pm, so sadly we had to leave a bit early while the other artists continued painting from their scattered locations.  A few of the painters took advantage of the adirondack chairs that were strategically placed on the fescue meadows. (see photo)  

What a great thing to be part of a historic club like the CAC and to have access to these kinds of situations with other artists.  My hope is that other events and gatherings in our northern part of the state will take place more often.

California Art Club - San Francisco Chapter Growth

Elaine Adams, Executive Director of the 100 year old California Art Club, came up to the bay area yesterday with Lisa Cavelier the Managing Director.  Their purpose was to discuss how the CAC could help with the growth and development of the SF chapter. Several bay area members met with them at The South Food & Wine Bar for a mixer and discussion of future goals.  

In attendance were Eric Rhoads (publisher of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine) and Chapter Chairs Michelle Jader and Kay Young.  Artists and members Christin Coy, Richard Lindenberg, Kim Lordier, Krystal Allen, Pam Powell, Chris Adessa and Carolyn Lord also participated.

Clearly the Bay Area is an enormous potential resource for the CAC.  Many of the Artist members and Associate members of the influential club live in the northern part of the State, but most of the activities, exhibits and gatherings take place in and around Pasadena in the South.  As a result of a recent grant for the purpose of chapter development, the club can contribute more of their time and resources to aid in the SF chapters growth.  Much excitement was generated by the gathering and there will be great things to come soon to the Bay Area. On June 6th, the SF chapter will hold their quarterly paint-out at Cavallo Point Lodge, just below the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands. 

If you are interested in becoming a member of the California Art Club or for further information on the quarterly paint-out, please follow this link to their site.   www.californiaartclub.org