Join us on Wednesday February 29, 2012 for our Paint Out at STONEY POINT PARK on Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Chatsworth from 9 AM to 2 PM.. The park has great rocks that are a wonderful natural subject for painting – whether you like to paint it realistically or use the rock patterns for an abstract. There is a lot of potential in the subject. If we are lucky, there will even be people rock climbing too. Bring your camera, painting gear, chair, lunch, water, sunscreen and hats for a great opportunity and a successful day.

Directions: Drive to Topanga Canyon Blvd. and go North towards the Ronald Reagan Freeway. Before you get to the Freeway you will see a large outcropping of rocks on the east side of the street. The parking is on the street. and you will be next to the rocks.  Be sure to set your wheels to the curb because it is on a slope. Then you can walk to the entrance that will be to your right at the bottom of the hill.

Hope to see you on Wednesday February 29

—Trisha

Come with your painting gear, sun screen, hat, sunglasses, chair, camera, lunch. You can eat on a park bench, the lawn or in a nice picnic area there (Most restaurants are closer to Wilshire and Santa Monica Blvd- to the South).  You can bring your dog, but the dog has to be on a leash at all times.

TIME:  9 AM to 2 PM (You can arrive earlier, but you may run into morning traffic.)

PARKING: The best is street parking next to the park on Ocean Avenue, and I did not have any trouble finding a spot when I took these photos. There are parking meters that take coins or credit cards. The price is $1 an hour from 9 AM to 6 PM. If you car pool, and share the parking fees that will make it cheaper. If you can’t find street parking next to the park, there are nearby residential streets that have parking. Park between Margarita and Montana (I will be near the Palisades St. intersection.

DIRECTIONS: Take the 101 Freeway to the 405 South towards Santa Monica and get off at Wilshire Blvd. WEST towards the ocean and stay in the right lane because after the Veterans Complex you will turn right onto San Vicente at the first big intersection. Then get in the left lane because San Vicente veers to the left and if you go straight you will be on another street. Follow San Vicente through the shopping area and soon you will be free of congestion and it takes you directly to Ocean Blvd. Turn left and fairly soon you will see street parking (check the signs). Try to park soon – between where Margarita Street intersects with the Ocean and where Montana St. comes in. I deliberately chose the North end of the park because I think more tourists choose the Southern end near the pier and there may be more problems with parking there. Of course, if you want a closer view of the pier, you should park more toward the Southern end of the park.

I would appreciate it if you could find me and let me know you are there, and where you will be. I will be near the Palisades St. intersection with Ocean. And when it is completed, don’t forget to put your masterpiece in our Gallery on this Blog.

Have a Happy New Year of Painting,

—Trisha

Please E-mail me (in advance) if you think you may have trouble with the directions,  and I will give you my cell phone number.

http://sfvacpaintout.wordpress.com/videos/

–Jan

Join us for our December Paint Out at the Sepulveda Wildlife Reserve on Tuesday December 27 from 9 A. M. to 2 P.M. This is a wonderful location for painting nature – right in the middle of the San Fernando Valley. There is a lake surrounded by trees and native growth, and in the lake is a lovely island where birds nest. A stream runs through the preserve also. There are plenty of views to paint. Bring your painting gear, sunscreen, camera, lunch etc.

There are some rules however that I feel you should be aware of:

1. No dogs are allowed – Remember this is a wildlife reserve.

2. Stay on the paths to preserve the wild habitat and plants.

3. Respect and protect the wildlife – there is no fishing or hunting

4. No bikes are allowed.

5. Use trash cans for all litter. (PLUS I am adding this. Do not dump your painting liquids in the ground as the chemicals will end up in the lake and pollute it. Bring empty containers with lids to take liquids home so you can dispose of liquids correctly.)

6. Don’t feed the ducks and other wildlife. It makes them dependent on handouts and is not their natural diet.

The address is:
The Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve
6350 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys CA 91406

Directions from Victory Blvd. Go to the intersection of Victory and Woodley. Turn south and look for the park entrance. Turn in there and go past the entrance to the Japanese Gardens parking area, and continue all of the way to the parking lot at the end near some rest rooms. Park and walk on the main path into the Wildlife Reserve. Go to the first viewing area for the lake where we will meet.

Directions from Burbank Blvd. Go to the intersection of Burbank and Woodley. Turn north and look for the entrance to the park on your right. Go to the parking lot at the end of the road, near some rest rooms. Park and walk on the main path into the Wildlife Reserve. Go to the first viewing area for the lake where we will meet.

Hope to see you there,

–Trisha

Our November Paint Out will be at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino. This is a lovely place, with grounds that include a pond surrounded by trees. They have graciously agreed for us to meet at the pond to paint. There are tables for us as well. Bring your painting gear, lunch, hat, camera, sun screen, and whatever else you need for a great day of painting.

The date is Tuesday, November 22, 2011 from 9 AM. to 2 P.M. The address is 4316 Lanai Road, Encino CA 91346.

Directions from Ventura Blvd:
Go to the intersection of Ventura Blvd. and Havenhurst. Go South on Havenhurst (toward the hills) and turn left on Lanai Road. You will soon see the Holy Spirit Retreat Center on your left. Enter through the gates and go over the hill to the parking area near the offices. You can then check in with Sister Linda and proceed to the pond area to paint.

See you there  (weather permitting).

Trisha

—Jan

Diane Gold - photo by Terry Supple

Michelle Nosco and her assistant. - photo by Jan Cipolla

Sharon Weaver - photo by Terry Supple

Marlyn Blutter - photo by Terry Supple

Marian Fortunati - photo by Terry Supple

Jackie Daugherty - photo by Terry Supple

Mariam Thoren - photo by Terry Supple

Ger Mellgren-Kerwin - photo by Terry Supple

Jan Cipolla - photo by Michelle Nosco

Lunch on Terry's patio. Paint Out Coordinator, Trisha Bennett, Marlyn Blutter, Diane Finn, Marian Fortunati, Terry Supple, Jan Cipolla, Jackie Daugherty and Sharon Weaver.

Remember to go to the Gallery on this blog (see navigation at the top of this page) and share your artwork from this paint out.

If you’re not a member and would like to join the friendly San Fernando Valley Art Club paint out group, you can get more information by visiting our website. By the way, even if you’re not a member, you’re welcome to join our paint outs and see what we’re all about.

Terry’s duplex backs up to Marina Park where we can paint the ocean, the Ventura Marina, or the park. Also nearby are the San Buenaventura Mission, the Ventura Pier, the Olivas Adobe, thriving agricultural fields, and a colorful lagoon at the mouth of the Ventura River.

I suggest that we car pool – since it is a bit further than we usually travel. Bring your painting gear, walking shoes, hats, jacket, sunscreen, camera, lunch and water for a fabulous day.

For directions and a map, please email me by clicking on the link below.  I would like to tell Terry how many to expect.

Yes, I want to go, please send me the directions and a map!

-Trisha Bennett

Artists Sketching in the White Mountains by Winslow Homer

How important is squinting when we’re painting outdoors? I recently watched an excellent DVD by British artist, Robert Brindley, who counts squinting among the most important things to remember when painting en plein air. How important? To remind himself to squint, Brindley painted in thick red paint across the wood facing of his French easel: SQUINT.

This morning I read a  blog post on the topic of squinting which does an excellent job of illustrating this essential part of the process of painting. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Here is the link:

http://www.fresia.com/technique/on-squinting/

—Jan

Join us for a great Paint Out at the William S. Hart Museum and Park in Newhall on September 28, 2011, 10 AM. We can take the tour of the wonderful home (now a museum) of William S. Hart the famous cowboy actor of early Hollywood, and then set up to paint. The location has a lot to offer artists. There are interesting old buildings from historic Newhall, a locomotive at the train depot, barnyard animals and a barn, a lovely park for picnics, scenic views, a trail to climb to the top of the hill, and as mentioned the museum.

If you want to take the tour, you should drive to the top of the hill and park in front of the museum. I am going to be there at 10 A.M. for the first tour, but I think there is one each half hour. After the tour, you can decide if you want to paint from the top of the hill or drive to the bottom, where the old buildings, locomotive, animals and park are located. From the top of the hill you can see the views, the musuem building, a bunk house, gardens and patio areas.

Bring your painting gear, chair, sunscreen, hat, camera, food, water and whatever else you need for a successful day of painting at this wonderful park.

Directions: Take the I-5 Freeway north out of the San Fernando Valley to the Lyons Ave. Exit. Then turn right and go a mile or so until you come to Newhall Ave. Turn right, and continue until you see (on the right side) the entrance of the William S. Hart Museum Park and Museum. The address is 24151 Newhall Avenue. Turn right into the park. Once you are in the park, I suggest that you go to the left at the back of the parking lot and take the gravel road, to view the old buildings and train station first, then turn around and go in the opposite direction to see the Park  area. You then can go up the paved road to the top of the hill to get to the museum and park for the tour, or to see what the area is like from the top of the hill if you do not want to take the tour.

Hope to see you there,
Trisha Bennett