Sunday, May 1, 2022

Chateau CharMarron Peony Gardens and Nursery, San Jose, Thursday, April 28, 2022. Rancho Canada Del Oro, Morgan Hill, Thursday, April 21, 2022

Blog Status

Please note that this is the last posting of the Paintsites Blog. Paintsites acknowledges and appreciates all contributing bloggers' time and energy supporting this effort. With special thanks to Brad Santos, Sylvia Waddell and Dick Zunkel who started the blog, and to Marilyn Perry, Jane Saltman, and Annie Haines who graciously continued the blog for the past few years. The blog served as a wonderful resource to record and share paint site events.  We are exploring  alternative forums that require less time to administrate but still offer Paintsites members an opportunity to share their artwork.  For the time being we have chosen to transition to a Facebook private group located on the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society Facebook (SCVWS FB) page.  

The SCVWS website and Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society Facebook are 2 completely different sitesWith FB private group you will be able to post your own photos from a paint site including your artwork plus comments/feedback on yours and fellow artists' work. Your private posts will only be shared with invited members. 

NOTE: you must be a member of the SCVWS and have attended a paint site to join this FB private group. For site schedule, time changes, cancellations and guidelines and other important notices, please refer to the Paintsites Details  page on the SCVWS website.
 
How to Join Paintsites Facebook Private Group

First, you need to to become a Facebook member.  Next,  send a request to Paintsites@scvws.org and you will be sent an invite, then accept the invite.  To begin posting to the SCVWS FB private group, go to the  Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society Facebook page, click on more, then groups and then you will see the private group, Paintsites. For further questions Paintsites@scvws.org

For the time being, past blog postings will be accessible, and if necessary, will be archived and available through the SCVWS members-only section.

Chateau CharMarron Peony Gardens and Nursery

While the month of April presented Thursday Paintsites with weather challenges of being to too hot, too cold and wet and wind, April showers brought us flowers. Despite the morning fog, fourteen painters Alison, Annie, Karen, Lois, Lora, Linda N (and Mom), Jane, Jayne, Monique, Claudia, Brad, Janice, Helen and Katherine enjoyed the peonies in bloom at CharMarron Nursery atop Sierra Road. The wind provided spectacular views of the Diablo Range on a blustery day ~ Alison

Many thanks to Marcia for welcoming Paintsites back to paint at this wonderful location and for answering all our questions about peony culture and varieties. The blooms were amazing ... so many with intricate centers and some like a flower within a flower. In comparison, the unopened peony buds seemed boring, but if you took a closer look you'd be surprised to see a microcosm of insects crawling over and around the bud. Apparently, the ants( and a lady bug or 2) are drawn to the nectar below the bud, and protect the peony bud by eating harmful pests such as aphids. 

Also, for those who purchased peonies, there's a very interesting article from the nursery's how to plant and take care of the new potted plant. Most importantly, do not plant during bloom season. Instead, hold off until Sept. Here's the link in case any one is interested. ~ Linda N

https://4peonies.com/PeonyInformation.html

Rancho Canada del Oro

This site was only posted on  the Paintsites Details page a week before the actual date. It was iffy whether we would even go ahead with the event but in the end  we took a chance on the forecast. A few brave souls attended, 4 to be exact. The rain held off long enough for a loop around the meadow and then it poured. Plans quickly changed to painting from a warm dry car.

Upcoming Events (see paintsites details for full descriptions of painting sites)

MAY 5 - THUR PAINT SITE: Nola’s Iris Garden, San Jose

MAY 12 - THUR PAINT SITE: San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, San Jose

MAY 19 - THUR PAINT SITE: Villa Montalvo, Saratoga

MAY 26 - THUR PAINT SITE: Redwood Grove Nature Preserve, Los Altos

For additional information about the monthly events, go to the SCVWS Newsletter or Website www.scvws.org


 

Photos from the Peony Garden Paint Site 


Alison's watercolor of the Peony Garden

Karen's pastel of a peony duo

"Lora Painting Peonies" by Jane 


Brad and Katherine

Peony bud patrol


Jayne

Katherine 

Lora

Alison's view of the peonies 




Photos from the Rancho Canada del Oro Paint Site

Rancho Canada del Oro


Claudia painting in the rain

Lupines at Rancho Canada del Oro




Monday, April 4, 2022

Hidden Villa Ranch, Los Altos Hills, Thursday, March 31, 2022

Hidden Villa is open for visitors! Thirteen painters enjoyed a lovely spring day at Hidden Villa and were serenaded by baby animals, turkey and bird calls, little camper giggles, and even a little flute song. Sharman, Tanvi, Bonnie J, Mary R, Dale, Brad, Lora (and friend), Jane, Alison, Caroline, and Monique and had their choice of subject matter including the historic buildings Duveneck house and barns ~ Alison

Hidden Villa began in 1924, when Frank and Josephine Duveneck purchased the property near Los Altos in 1924 and began sharing the land and creating humanitarian programs that have inspired many generations. The Duvenecks were profoundly generous and dedicated to creating a just and sustainable future for all. 

Many thanks to Hidden Villa staff (including Nicky Crummet) for helping us schedule our paint site at the ranch. 

For information on Hidden Villa Ranch go to:

https://www.hiddenvilla.org


Upcoming Events (see paintsites details for full descriptions of painting sites)

APRIL 7 - THUR PAINT SITE: Overfelt Gardens Park, San Jose

APRIL 14 - THUR PAINT SITE: Santa Teresa County Park: Pueblo Day Use Area, San Jose

APRIL 21- THUR PAINT SITE: TBD (Succulent Gardens, Castroville have been cancelled)

APRIL 28 - THUR PAINT SITE: Chateau CharMarron Peony Gardens, San Jose


For additional information about the monthly events, go to the SCVWS Newsletter or Website www.scvws.org


Guidelines for posting your artwork on the Monthly Paintsites Blog

The Bogger application can be very finicky when entering photos especially after the blog has been published, so please pay special attention to the quidelines:

  • Take a digital photo (in focus please), of one painting and crop it as you would like it to appear. 
  • Email your photo with your name, and comments if any, to paintsites@scvws.org . Comments will be included in the photo caption unless noted otherwise. 
  • If possible label your photo as follows: Site name, your name, month year. Use capitals for each new word. No spaces or punctuation between words except before jpeg e.g. CasaGrandeBettyJan22.jpeg
  • Submission deadline is by midnight the Saturday following the paint site
  • Late photos will be posted in the next blog post
  • Thank you in advance for your patience



Photos of Artists and their Artwork


Duveneck House by Alison

Brad's painting of a more distant view of Duveneck House

"Apple Blossom Time at Hidden Villa" by Caroline

"Chicken Coop" by Jane

"Wonderful Wisteria" by Lora

Mary's closeup view of the wisteria

Bonnie

Hidden Villa Ranch barn

Spring at Hidden Villa 

Sharman

Duveneck House, Hidden Villa

Sunday, March 27, 2022

Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara, Thursday March 24, 2022

Santa Clara University students were on spring break so we had this serene setting to ourselves except for the odd  family scouting out the campus. 14 painters enjoyed the architecture and espaliered wisteria walkways of  Santa Clara Mission (Brad, Dick, Salinda, Sal Laurie, Jane, Helen, Lisha, Dale, Broncha, Jayne, Masako, Karen, Tanvi).

https://www.scu.edu/missionchurch/


Upcoming Events (see paintsites details for full descriptions of painting sites)

MARCH 31 - THUR PAINT SITE: Hidden Villa. NOTE: Please contact Paintsites @scvws.org if you plan to attend this site. 

APRIL 7 - THUR PAINT SITE: Overfelt Gardens Park, San Jose

APRIL 14 - THUR PAINT SITE: Santa Teresa County Park: Pueblo Day Use Area, San Jose

APRIL 21- THUR PAINT SITE: To Be Determined

APRIL 28 - THUR PAINT SITE: Chateau CharMarron Peony Gardens, San Jose


For additional information about the monthly events, go to the SCVWS Newsletter or Website www.scvws.org



Photos of Artists and their Artwork


Santa Clara University by Sal


 Gnarly trunk of a wisteria vine
Espaliered wisteria at USC

Santa Clara Mission by Lisha

Mission Santa Clara by Helen

Jayne, Lisha, Helen

Dick's painting of the original mission wall
and the Ricard Observatory

Salinda and Dick

Salinda's watercolor of the Ricard Observatory

Masako

Mission Tower by Masako

Mission Tower and Gardens by Dale

Wisteria and Clivia by Karen

Karen

Mission Gardens by Brad

 Clivia flowers in the Mission gardens

Nobili Hall by Laurie

Broncha

 Jane S

Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara University


Sunday, March 20, 2022

Alviso Marina County Park, Thursday, March 17, 2022

Everybody is Irish on Saint Patricks Day and 14 lucky painters were full of blarney on a blustery day on the bay! A wee Leprechaun pinched artists that were not wearing green. There was a request for a pinch of Irish Spirits!

Iris, Lisha, Helen, Masako, Sal, Salinda, Dick, Brad, Lora, Jane, Jayne, Sharmin, Candy and Alison used their watercolor pots of liquid gold to paint a variety of subjects including the still green hills near the Alviso County Park.


Upcoming Events (see paintsites details for full descriptions of painting sites)


MARCH 24 - THUR PAINT SITE: Mission San Clara, Santa Clara

MARCH 27 - WKND PAINT SITE: Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara 

MARCH 31 - THUR PAINT SITE: Hidden Villa NOTE: Hidden Villa would like an estimate of the painters planning to attend.

Please contact Paintsites @scvws.org if you plan to attend this site. 

APRIL 7 - THUR PAINT SITE: Overfelt Gardens Park, San Jose

APRIL 14 - THUR PAINT SITE: Santa Teresa County Park: Pueblo Day Use Area, San Jose

APRIL 21- THUR PAINT SITE: To Be Determined

APRIL 28 - THUR PAINT SITE: Chateau CharMarron Peony Gardens, San Jose


For additional information about the monthly events, go to the SCVWS Newsletter or Website www.scvws.org



Photos of Artists and their Artwork


"Val's" by Brad

Vahl's holds memories from both my childhood ('50s)  and '80s & '90s parties with coworkers.  It was always a bustling place. Revisiting it brought back those happy memories.  I set-up across the street from the restaurant, next to the railroad tracks, and was almost blown off my seat when an ACE train roared by.   I was prepared when an Amtrak came thru and crouched down next to a concrete abutment.   Who says plein air painting can't be an adventure?


Salinda's watercolor of the old cannery building 
at Alviso

Dick's gouache painting of the cannery building

Sal's watercolor of Alviso, San Jose 

Alviso Marina County Park, San Jose

Jane's watercolor sketch of the view from the levy

"Blue and Yellow" by Alison

"Alviso Boat" by Iris

"Alviso Yacht Club" by Jayne

"Alviso Boat Launch" by Lora

Helen's sketch of Alviso homes

"Boardwalk Gateway" by Masako 

"Alviso Slough" by Candy 

Alison came dressed in green and as 'luck would
have it', Alison had a spare hat for Jane!