This past September 23-25 the Bay Area Chapter of the California Art Club hosted the third annual Limantour Retreat… an event that is eagerly anticipated and unanimously appreciated.

 

      

 

Friday morning the earlybirds converged on Limantour Beach for the first day of painting. After a light morning fog burned off we were treated to one of those perfect fall days. Christin painted from the hillside overlooking the Estero and I painted from the edge of the parking lot looking south toward a distant tree line and the cliffs beyond. I then joined her above the estero for another. We both came away with a few gems. The tide moves quite quickly there so the meandering channels through the pickle weed marsh alter while you paint.  I’ve learned over the years of painting there that you need to put down your water at the beginning so you don’t have to keep chasing the changing patterns.  At 4pm we went back to the Hostel for check-in. Cars were lined up waiting to be admitted so that those who needed a lower bunk for various reasons could get first shot at them.  I don’t think it has ever been a problem, but people seem to be quite determined to claim them since we don’t reserve spots in advance.  Everyone brought an enormous amount of food for Friday’s pot-luck dinner and we all sat around the comfy living room getting to know each other better. Debbie Gualco brought a DVD of Morgan Weistling painting a portrait… and this kept a whole bunch of people enthralled.

 

      

 

Saturday morning was socked in with fog. We all shared a yummy Bagel and salmon breakfast and then trooped out to Drake’s Beach where we had a planned paint-out.  Many stayed and some went to other areas of Point Reyes in search of some sun… but I’m not sure they found any.  Those who stayed, spread out on the beach and hills to paint the surf and dramatic cliffs. At 4pm about 30 of us gathered and set out our paintings on the café picnic tables. It was impressive… such good work.  Kay Young was awarded the artist’s choice award and received a set of Sennelier oils for her little square painting of the surf painted on a silver-leaf panel.  Will Maller captured second with another loosely interpreted surf painting.  Back at the Hostel, after a dinner of leftovers and such, some of us took a walk in the dark down the trail toward the beach. Later some of us went up to the upper dorm and we held an impromptu portrait session.  Christin sat with a guitar for the nine painters and we had lots of laughs. 

 

   

 

Sunday morning we were greeted by unseasonable rain… so instead of laying out all of our weekends paints on the patio, we went to the upper dorm again and set everything there. Pretty amazing how many paintings were created and such good work. 

 

It’s not often that painters can gather for fun.  It’s usually for a high-pressure event or workshop educational gathering… but at the Limantour retreat, we simply paint and get to know other painters better.  It sure is fun and I look forward to next year!

 

    

 

    

Having participated in many Plein Air events, it's easy to see why the Door County Plein Air Festival organizers at the Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek, WI have become one of the top events in the nation. The highly dedicated women who facilitate this event seem to clearly see what makes it all work and the 2011 festival produced enormous results. At the time of this posting, sales increased by 44% over 2010 with 207 paintings sold in the first two days. 

 

    

 

 

 

Another major component for the success of this event was the selection of hi-caliber talent.  Although I work for Plein Air Magazine and am familiar with many of the nationally acclaimed plein air artists, there were many artists here that have not reached a national stage, yet were exceptional talents.  Tom Nachreiner, Mat Barber Kennedy, Frank Gardner, Mark Boedges, Stuart Fullerton, Jim Hempel, Brian Sindler, John Stuart Pryce and William Suys were among those who I admired but had not known and they joined some of my favorites who have achieved a larger audience like Marc Hanson, Colin Page, Joshua Been, Jim Markle, Shelby Keefe, Debra Joy Groesser, Kim Casebeer, Mary Garrish and Ulrich Gleiter.  Other artists who haven't been mentioned here also worked hard and deserve mention, but then I would just be listing everyone.

 

         

 

Door County is a gem.  The beauty of this peninsula that juts out into the enormous Lake Michigan provides a wealth of painting subjects. We were thrilled to be part of this event and took away lasting memories.  Here are some more photos of the area.

 

      

 

   

 

   

 

 

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.         

Thursday April 1^st turned out to be an unexpectedly joyful painting day. Shaunie had arranged for a group of us to paint at Terra Firma Farm,  a sprawling arrangement of organic fields,, orchards and buildings.  After a brief tour of the acreage, we parked up at the old farmhouse with a few out-buildings. There were six of us who set up our easels on a bluff overlooking a patchwork of softly colored fields that were plowed in angular patterns of color.  Some painted the fields, others the eucalyptus groves and barns.  The sun came out mid-day and it felt great after a cloudy morning.  I painted the fields and later the pond with some meandering Eucs.  Another day in paradise.

Our intention was to take "Artie" (our RV) on a week or two painting trip to some Northern California mountain and coastal scenic areas.  Since the forecast was for a weeks worth of storms, Christin and I changed plans.  Our new friends Bill Keener and Nance Becker offered to drive us up to birding country for a guided tour around the flooded rice fields and different wildlife refuges that inhabit an area near Williams, CA. We set out to view the flocks returning on their annual migrations.  It turned out to be clear weather and the experience simply amazed our senses repeatedly.  We have never been birding before, but we do identify some of the local birds here on our trips out to west Marin. Here are some of the impressions and photos from our trip.

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 Below

 

 

 

 

A week at Lake Tahoe, when the tourists are gone, is food for the soul. Christin and I just returned from the week long North Tahoe Plein Air event. There were 38 artists who spent three days painting the lake and its surroundings for the show on Saturday and Sunday at Northstar Village. The daytime weather was perfect with bright sunny skies and cool shade which made for a painter's dream.