June 23 (Sunday) Paint-Out at Watson Lake (above Tahoe City)

Date:          June 23, 2013 (Sunday)
Time:          9:00 - 9:30 am or earlier if you want!
Place:         Watson Lake
Parking:      Small dirt parking area for picnic, hiking, etc.  Since this is a summer weekend, advise getting there between 9 and 9:30

Amenities:    Port-a-pottie nearby
                    Cell service is questionable

Directions:    From South end of Reno to Brockway Summit:  About 30 miles/50 min:  Take Mt. Rose Hwy to Incline, turn Right on N. Lake Blvd. heading to Kings Beach, turn Right on 267 (No. Shore Rd) and go up to the top (Brockway Summit) and turn Left at the turn-out.  This should be the entrance to Fiberboard Freeway.  Fiberboard Freeway is a paved logging road.  Take this road for about 6 miles (miles are marked on the pavement for bicyclists).  At some point the road has changed name to Mount Watson Road.  Watch for a spur road to the left and sign that says "Watson Lake".  This is a short (less than one mile) road to the lake that ends in a parking area for picnic and hiking around this little lake.

From Northwest Reno to Brockway Summit:  About the same time and mileage, but go I-80 to Truckee, take 267 turn-off and head west toward Northstar.  Pass Northstar and continue up to Brockway Summit and look for the turn-off on the right.

From Brockway Summit to Watson Lake:  6.7 miles

Map:            http://www.tahoeloco.com/archives/2938  this link has a map that shows the paved road from 267 at Brockway Summit to Watson Lake.  If you click the zoom-in several times, you can see the names of the roads and even the trail names.

Meeting Place:    If you are uncertain about the logging road from Brockway Summit to Watson Lake, Monika and I are meeting at the turn-off at Brockway Summit and the Fiberboard Freeway at 9:00 and caravanning in.


What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• drinking water, snacks or lunch
• sunscreen and hat and bug spray
• jacket or windbreaker (it is always cooler up in the mountains)
• cell phone
• TP (port-a-potties supplies can't be relied on)

Parking area is a stone's throw from the lake.  An easy trail goes around the lake.  The Tahoe Rim Trail is here as well.  I haven't been there since 2006, and my pictures were taken then of the lovely area:

Recent Paint-Outs to Blue Lakes and Tahoe Meadows

Blue Lakes

Last week, Ida Glazier, Carol, Emma and I met at Blue Lakes.  It was a beautiful morning, but a brisk mountain breeze sent Carol and Emma seeking shelter back at the Lily Pond.  Ida and I found enough shelter among the rocks.  Even though the lake is beautiful and a good subject, we opted for intimate scenes along the shore.  On the drive back, we enjoyed the wildflower display!

This paint-out was a small group and not advertised in advance.  Partly because there are SO MANY gorgeous places to paint on the way, and partly because there is no cell service up there.  Forecast was being watched as well.

 If you want to go from Reno - take 395 south through Minden and turn right on Hwy 88.  At the junction, take Hwy 89 to the right and go up the hill, through Hope Valley.  Turn left on Blue Lakes Road and follow it to the end.  At the end is parking at Blue Lakes, some picnic tables and bathrooms.  Fishing and kayaking are popular, but it was too windy and choppy on the lake for Carol on this day.  Some of the roads from this point are dirt and high clearance vehicles is necessary.  Before you get there - look for the lily pond on the right.  There is room to park off the road on the side.

Tahoe Meadows (aka Mt. Rose Meadows to some of us!)

We had some new folks join us today at Tahoe Meadows - Ray, Diane and Vickie.  Also present were Monika and myself.  It was gorgeous and green up there, and no bugs yet!  A few wildflowers are beginning to come out.  We got up there before the wind picked up, but a few umbrellas caught a gust now and then....but no mishaps!

June 17, 2013 (Monday) Mount Rose Meadows Trailhead Parking Lot

Date:     June 17, 2013 (Monday)
Time:     9:30 am  (note the earlier time!)
Place:    Mt. Rose Meadows Trailhead Parking Lot
Amenities:    Bathrooms, level and maintained trail around the perimeter of the meadow, wildflower viewing

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• drinking water
• hat, bug spray, sunscreen, long pants, hiking boots

What you will see and/or paintable subject matter:  gorgeous green meadow, wildflowers, mountain tops, trees

Hazards:  maybe a few wet spots in the meadow at this time of year from snowmelt.  Maybe some mosquitos or bugs

Directions:  From Reno, take Mt. Rose Hwy to the top and the parking lot is on the left.  Drive down the road to the parking lot and there is a restroom there and the trailhead signs.

Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/regions/intermountain/MtRoseMeadows/index.shtml

Paint-Outs From May, 2013

The month of May had variable weather up here in the high desert and the Sierras.  We were unable to post outings in advance for anyone to join in.  Here are some pictures of our paint-outs for your future reference to add to your "great painting spots" list!

Silver Lake - On Hwy 88 near the town of Kit Carson (west of Kirkwood Ski Resort)

Carol's painting at Silver Lake

Michael painting at Silver Lake

Martis Creek - May 20, 2013

From I-80, take 267 towards North Star Ski Resort.  The sign for the trailhead parking lot is on the right.  There is a port-a-pottie and a picnic table.

View from parking lot of Martis Creek Trailhead

Monika and Moxie

Thomas Creek - May 21, 2013
From Reno, take the Mt. Rose Hwy west, at the base of the mountain, turn right on Timberline Drive.  Go to the end, begin the dirt road and cross the wooden bridge.  Take the dirt road to the left and then go left to the creekside parking for the trailhead.  Thomas Creek is popular for its aspen trees and year-round creek.  This particular day it was very, very windy everywhere, but we sought shelter in the trees by the creek and we were fine.

Emma and her dog at Thomas Creek

Carol was in a grove of aspens

Carolyn (me) preparing to paint the creek

Recent Paint-Outs....You may want to check these places out on your own!

Below are several paint-outs we have been on. Some were private gatherings - some were posted here on the blog.  Here are the highlights:

Tahoe Keys (Mt. Tallac) on 4/29/13- What a great view!!!!  What a beautiful day too!  Monika's dog loved playing in the marsh while we painted.

Sand Harbor 4/22/13 -

Another gorgeous day!  And Lisa's husband paddled by while we painted

Virginia City 4/15/13 - Lisa and I went to a private home where the view was spectacular.  The weather was cold and blustery.  We found a sheltered side of the house and the clouds were fantastic, but also moved and changed fast!

Dangberg Ranch April 10, 2013 - Carol and I called and made an appointment with the Ranch Historian to visit on a day that was convenient.  This ranch is off of Highway 88 about a mile from 395.  We had a great time and got to see the artifacts inside some of the outbuildings.

Little Washoe Lake 4/2/13  Carol and I painted Little Washoe Lake on a pleasant day while the snow was still on Slide Mountain and the willows were still orange and rust colored.  Grass was just starting to grow in places.

Silver Lake (near Kirkwood, CA) - April ? 2013, Carol and her friend Michael enjoyed a day at Silver Lake painting - before the snows melted.

Our friend Emma (as well as Monika) went to Monterey to the Plein Air Convention.  She sends this funny YouTube video and some notes from her time there.  Be sure to click twice on the (YouTube link) noted below to view the video of artist's stories of their painting disasters.

Plein Air Painting Disasters Posted: 23 Apr 2013 12:41 AM PDT (YouTube link) A lot can go wrong when you paint outdoors, but wind is the biggest enemy. Artists at the second annual Plein Air Painting convention share their stories of "gamestoppers," unexpected events that bring a painting session to a dramatic halt. A few gamestoppers that have happened to me include:  1. Sudden downpour. 2. Painting falls face down. 3. Subject departs. 4. Forgot brushes. 5. Fog covers view. 6. Tide floods painting spot. 7. Cold air freezes watercolor. 8. Truck parks, blocking view. 9. Biting insects unbearable. 10. Automatic sprinklers turned on. 11. Hordes of annoying tourists. 12. Spat on by people above me. 13. Chair collapses in museum. 14. Drawbridge lifts. I’m on it. 15. Donkey rests head in lap. 16. Easel blown into rapids. 17. Jostled by drunk dancers. 18. Menaced by bull. 19. Kicked out by a guard. 20. Ejected by nun. Thanks to Frank and Justin for filming, and to Eric Rhoads, Steve Doherty and the Streamliners for hosting.  To the Plein Air convention gang, thanks for all your stories! Sorry we couldn't fit more of them into this short video. Please share the video on your blog or Facebook.  Subscribe to my YouTube channel and see new videos before anyone else. Check out Plein Air magazine Original Gamestoppers post on GJ, with over 40 stories in the comments

April 29, 2013 (Mon.) Paint-Out near Tahoe Keys, South Lake Tahoe

Before the snow melts on Mount Tallac, we want to paint it from a viewpoint near Tahoe Keys, South Lake Tahoe.  Come and join us!

Date:           April 29, 2013 (Monday)
Time:           10:00 am (or soon thereafter)
Place:          Venice Drive (approximately at 1736 Venice Drive,
                        So Lake Tahoe 96150
Parking:       Plenty of street parking on Venice Drive.
                        There is a meadow there with a view
                        of Mount Tallac.  Look for artists and easels.
Amenities:    Not right there that I know of, but it is close to the
                        business districts of South Lake Tahoe
Map:            Here is a google map of the area:  click here

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• drinking water
• sunscreen and hat
• lunch
• cell phone
• check forecast for temps if you need a jacket

Directions:  From Reno, take I-580 south to Carson City, last exit is Fairview Drive - turn Right, South Carson Street turn Left, then at Highway 50 turn Right and go west.

Stay on 50 for 27 miles, going through the casino area and then
Right on 89/Emerald Bay Road and go 1.1 mile
Right on 15th Street and go a half mile
Left on Venice Drive and go about .4 mile.  The meadow is on the left side.  See map link above

April 1, 2013 (Monday) South Meadows Parkway, Reno

This is the first time in a while that a paint-out is being scheduled!  Yesterday Monika, myself, and a new art friend Lisa painted at this location and we enjoyed it so much that we are coming back next Monday.  Right now the forecast for April 1 is high of 65, 10% chance rain, winds 12 mph (usually in the afternoon), and cloudy.  But we all know spring weather is variable.  At least no big storm is due then!

Date:        April 1, 2013
Time:        10:00 am or soon thereafter
Place:        The very end of South Meadows Parkway (the east end) in Reno
Parking:     Plenty of street parking at the dead end
Amenities:  None.  But there is a paved walking path that follows Steamboat Creek where people ride bikes and walk dogs

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• drinking water
• plein air umbrella if you have one - just in case
• grocery bag to weight your easel or tripod with available rocks - just in case!
• hat
• sunscreen

Painting subject matter:  Looking west, the view of Slide Mountain and Mt. Rose are beautiful this time of year with snow still on them.  Looking east, you have Steamboat Creek and reeds and grasses.  On the other side of the creek were a herd of wild horses.  Looking north, you have Rattlesnake Mountain and a pond with reeds and grasses.

Directions:  From downtown Reno area, take 580 south, exit at South Meadows Parkway.  Go left (east) on South Meadows Parkway to the dead end.