Winter Paint-Out Schedule January to February 2015

Hi painters and Happy New Year!

I will be unable to attend some upcoming paint-outs - mostly due to foot surgery.  So I have made a schedule of paint-outs with no host, or another painter who has agreed to be host.  Please do not ask me to change this schedule or locations.  I have already prepared the posts and set them to publish the week before the event.  I will be on crutches and not able to drive for 3 weeks.

I hope you all get out and paint this winter!  See you when I see you!

2015 WINTER SCHEDULE - WEATHER PERMITTING -

Jan. 6, 2015 (TUESDAY) Washoe Lake Wetlands (I will be there)

Jan. 12, 2015 (MONDAY) Rancho San Rafael Park (no host)

January 19, 2015 (MONDAY) Twaddle Ranch (no host)

January 26, 2015 (MONDAY) Oxbow Nature Center (host: Linda Santiseven)

Feb. 2, 2015 (MONDAY) Somewhere at Lake Tahoe TBD (host: Pat Edwards)

January 6, 2015 (TUESDAY!) Washoe Lake Wetlands Paint-Out

Remember last year's paint-out?  

Happy New Year everyone!  Sorry for the lapse in paint-outs.  Between inclement weather, the holidays and being sick.... it just didn't happen....

This was taken a couple of years ago....

Date:          January 6, 2015 (This is a Tuesday this time!)
Time:          10:00 am
Place:          Washoe Lake Wetlands - at the very south end of Washoe Lake
Parking:      Free and plenty of parking

Forecast:  We will be having warmer weather - in the 30's to 40's!   Lots better than what we've been having.  Still, bring layers and gloves if you have sensitive hands!

What to bring:

• painting gear
• artist umbrella
• camera
• winter layers, warm hat or ear covers, gloves
• waterproof boots in case snow or ice still on ground
• sunglasses for glare if it is sunny
• shade hat
• cell phone
• drink and food
• carts work OK if no snow on the trail or boardwalk

What you will see to paint:

• snow capped Slide Mountain and surrounding mountains
• reeds and marsh grasses
• maybe some patchy snow
• view of Washoe Lake and surrounding desert mountains
• sometimes cloud formations

Directions:

From Reno, take I-580 South toward Carson City

Exit 44/Eastlake Boulevard

Left on Eastlake Boulevard

Go about 1.4 miles

As you go around a bend, a parking lot will appear on the left - turn left (it is easy to pass it up by mistake)

Link:  http://renotahoe.about.com/od/NevadaStateParks/ss/Tour-Of-Washoe-Lake-State-Park_7.htm

December 8, 2014 Paint-Out at Tahoe Meadows

Tahoe Meadows Mt. Rose Hwy facing East - this was taken last year in the fall

We have fresh snow on the mountains.  If you are into snow - please join us!  Hopefully the winds will be calm.  Forecast so far says no precip on this day.

Date:        December 8, 2014 (Monday)
Time:          10:00 am
Place:          Tahoe Meadows at the top of Mt. Rose Hwy 431
Amenities:      none - I think the restroom at the trail head might be closed, as is the access drive to it
Parking:          on the highway
Where to meet:    the south side of the highway where the stairs are and the trails

What to bring:

• snow boots (maybe snowshoes?  x-country skis?)
• warm clothes, gloves, hats, ear covers?
• sunglasses, hat
• camera
• art gear that is portable 
• Food and drink
• cell phone
• possibly art umbrella

Might be this much snow - this was last winter

Directions:  if you are new to the area:
From Reno or Carson City:  Take 395/580 to the Mt. Rose Hwy (431), go up to the summit and as you continue downhill you will see a large meadow before you.  At the level area, park on either the right or left hand side of the hwy on the shoulder.  We will be meeting on the south side (your left), but you can explore either side of the hwy and paint.
From Incline Village:  Go up Mt. Rose Hwy (431) towards Reno.  Before you get to the summit, park on the shoulder at the level area of the meadow.  There are two sets of stairs to go down into the meadow on your right.

No Paint-Out Dec. 1 - AND - How to Paint Water

Hello my painting friends,

These storm fronts moving in and the daily changing forecasts for Monday Dec. 1, 2014 make for a good day to paint in the studio.

Last week a painter and I discussed the challenge of painting water.  I remembered reading a blog post about this subject by a fine California artist Terry Miura.  I invite to you click on this link to read his informative post:

http://terrymiura.blogspot.com/2014/10/transparent-water.html

This post was so informative that I printed it out for myself for reminders.  He has other helpful posts.  You may want to subscribe or follow his blog.

Happy painting!  Hopefully the next week we will have fair weather and can paint the great outdoors!

Carolyn

November 24, 2014 Paint-Out near Wedge Parkway

Since there is a storm predicted on Saturday, if we get a dusting of snow on Mt. Rose and Slide Mt. and the sun comes out, here is a place where the view of these mountains is very good.  This is an old ranch property that is open to dog walkers, people who fly remote controlled planes, etc.  There are some old cottonwood trees with character too.  Plenty of parking and you can drive around as well.  This area is right across the street from South Meadows Library - the big mustard-colored building.  Also close is Starbucks, Raleys, and McDonalds at the intersection of Wedge Parkway and Mt. Rose Hwy.

Date:          November 24, 2014 (Monday)
Time:         9:30 to 10:00 - depending on how cold the morning is
Place:         The old ranch - open lot - at the corner of Wedge Parkway and Whites Creek Lane
Amenities:   The library is across the street, Starbucks, Raleys and McDonalds down the street

Note:  I don't think we will get so much precip that it would be muddy, but if it is, you can park across the street at the library.  Signs on Whites Creek Lane say no parking.

There are some homes and power poles in some of your views, but that is what is so great about being an artist --- we can eliminate those!

You can also see Peavine and the Virginia foothills from here.  It is just a nice wide-open area.

DIRECTIONS:  From I-80 and 580 intersect:

• South on 580
• Exit 59 - Damonte Ranch Parkway
• Turn Right on Damonte Ranch Pkwy, it turns into Arrowcreek about where the intersection of Virgina Street is
• Continue on Arrowcreek Parkway - stay left 
• at about .8 miles turn left on Wedge Parkway
• First right turn at about .3 miles on Whites Creek Lane
• Immediate right into dirt parking area in the old ranch

PS: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

November 17, 2014 Let's Paint Dunes! Washoe Lake Paint-out

All this pictures were taken at 3:00 in the afternoon and it was overcast

Have you painted the dunes with iceplant along the Monterey coast?  Well, if you miss that, you must try painting our own Nevada dunes with sagebrush and rabbit brush and other native plant life growing on it!

Date:          November 17, 2014
Time:          9:30 am
Place:          Washoe Lake State Park - the North Boat Ramp Entrance
Meet:           In the above-mentioned parking lot
Amenities:    Bathrooms, picnic tables, dog-friendly
Fee:              $5.00 Nevada residents, $7.00 out of state - per car
Fees required year round

Washoe Lake may be dried up quite a bit, but it is still a nice area to paint.  This particular entrance has dunes close to the parking lot.  There are also sandy beach areas with grasses here and there.  There is also a wonderful view of Slide Mountain in the background.  So there is lots to choose from and your dog will love it.  It is off season so there is no one there - hardly.

The sign at the entrance off of Lakeshore Drive

Endless beaches since the lake is so dried up

Directions:
From Reno Downtown 80/395/580:  Take 580 south, Exit 47B for old 395 South/Virginia Street.  Continue on old 395 going south (Virginia Street) (don't go to Virginia City)about 6.8 miles.  At the top of a hill, get in the left-turning lane.  Turn Left on East Lake Boulevard.  Go about 2.1 miles and turn right on Lakeshore Drive.  If you miss this turn, just turn at any other street and it will take you the same road - Lakeshore Drive - which follows the edge of the lake.  Continue about 1.8 miles until you see the sign (pictured above) and turn right.  Go to the end and meet in the parking lot.

Links:  http://parks.nv.gov/parks/washoe-lake-state-park/

November 10, 2014 Silver Saddle Ranch, Carson City Paint-Out

Date:          November 10, 2014
Time:          10:00 am
Place:          Silver Saddle Ranch, Carson City, NV
Parking:       Parking area .6 miles down their gravel ranch road see above
Amenities:    bathroom, hiking trails, bird watching, picnic area, working cattle ranch, barns and caretaker house, hiking and horseriding trails
Meeting Place:   the parking area.  Painting areas in walking distance.

Directions:    
From Reno, take 580 south
Take exit 38 for Fairview Drive, keep in left lane
Turn Left at the light onto Fairview Drive
At the round-about, take 1st exit onto East 5th Street
Turn Right on Carson River Road
Follow Carson River Road for 1.4 miles to the entrance at a bend in the road.
Picture above shows their sign on Carson River Road
Follow their gravel ranch road .6 miles to the parking area near the hay barn and ranch buildings.

Links, pictures and trail maps:  
Friends of Silver Saddle Ranch  http://fossr.org/

Silver Saddle Ranch  http://www.silversaddleranch.info/ssr-carson-about.htm

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field/blm_programs/recreation/silver_saddle.html

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• carts will work here - level ground
• drinking water
• hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, umbrella
• lunch or snacks
• folding chair if you wish
• bug spray (where there are cattle....there are flies)

What you can paint:

• cattle (maybe - they do move around)
• ranch and pasture vistas
• some sagebrush and cottonwood trees
• nearby Carson River if you choose to drive down the road
• Ranch buildings