Japanese Tea Garden in San Mateo's Central Park. Thursday, November 3, 2016.

Although on the small side (a few wide spots and numerous paths provide enough intimate spots in which to set up), the Japanese Tea Garden in San Mateo's Central Park is a wonderful paint site -- it made me wonder why we hadn't visited before.   It didn't hurt that we had an absolutely perfect day:  paint in the sun or shade, paint the meticulously landscaped grounds, the authentic architecture, or the interesting stone features - it made no difference, it was all worth the effort.   (Note, if you visit and you hear a little bell tinkling about 11:00 AM, it means the koi are about to be fed.   Altho' the park ranger admitted the bell was more for visitors than for the fish, I choose to believe otherwise.   Either way, the gold / white /orange / blue-grey feeding frenzy is something to behold.)

Hungry koi (photo by Mary R.)

Feeding the hungry koi (photo by Mary R.)

The official website is:
http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/index.aspx?NID=718

Upcoming Paintsites:

• Thursday, November 10, 2016:  Historic Santa Clara RR Depot, Santa Clara.  This will be the first of our paintsites focused on historic Santa Clara in the buildup to the "Art on the Lawn" event at the Harris-Lass House Museum scheduled for August, 2017.
• Thursday, November 17, 2016:  "Kids & Artists" - Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills.
• Saturday, November 19, 2016:  "Kids & Artists" - Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills.   
  (This is a repeat of last year's successful two day Hidden Villa paintout.)

Details can be found on the SCVWS website and in the November Newsletter.

Ongoing activities of interest involving Paintsites regulars:

• A number of Paintsites artists are showing their studio work in the 'Vino Locale Show' which runs November 8, 2016, thru February 6, 2017.   The Artists Reception will be Monday, November 14, 2016, from  6:00 PM - 8:00 PM.       The restaurant is located at 431 Kipling St., Palo Alto.   Hours are:  Lunch:  Tue. - Sun.:  11:30 AM - 2:30 PM.   Dinner:  daily:  5:00 - 9:00 PM.    Go for lunch or dinner, have some wine (get in a good mood), buy some fine art.   You won't regret it!  Vino Locale website: http://www.vinolocale.com/about-us/
• Candy Yu is showing 17 original paintings & canvas prints at Foothill Presbyterian Church, 5301 McKee Rd. San Jose.   Call the church (408) 258-8133 before visiting to make sure the show will be accessible.   The exhibit runs thru the end of December. 

 Here we are.  You can tell we had a good day by our smiles .... 
 

Iris (photo by Liz)

Iris' painting of the larger of the two wood bridges in the garden.

Broncha

Broncha's painting of one of the handsome stone pagodas.

Elaine (photo by Liz)

Tammy

Ji-eun (photo by Liz)

Annie (photo by Liz)

Brad (photo by Liz)

Brad's unfinished painting looking across the pond from near the main entrance gate.

John (photo by Liz)

John's value study of two older gentlemen who, after a leisurely stroll thru the garden, settled down on a sunny bench across from John.   Other than us artists, there were a number of seniors (the garden is adjacent to a senior/community center), and many toddlers with their moms or grandparents in the park -- it made for an interesting cross section of humanity.

John's dramatic finished painting of the two old gents.

Leslie (photo by Liz)

 

Leslie's painting of one of the bridges with a small bubbling fountain.  There were several water features in the garden which masked some of the outside city noise and contributed greatly to the garden's sense of serenity.

Lorraine is an experienced artist and this was her first time with the Paintsites group.  (photo by Liz).

Lorraine's painting of the smaller of the two bridges in the quieter end of the garden.

Lorraine's 2nd painting of pond-side  rocks and plants.

New SCVWS member Marcelle (foreground) at her first Paintsite (photo by Liz)

Mary R. (photo by Liz)

Mary R.'s painting of a hidden waterfall which emptied into the main pond.

Susan (photo by Liz)

New SCVWS  member Debbie at her first Paintsite event.

Debbie's first plein air painting with Paintsites!   This is of the Tea House and very well done.

Lisha (standing) and Helen

Lisha's small painting of a detail of the bridge.

A happy artist: Karen O. - "What more could an artist ask for?"

Karen O.'s unfinished painting.   (Be sure to re-visit this posting and see the competed painting.)

Liz

Liz's unfinished painting of the Tea House and an adjacent maple just starting to turn color.

Lunch. (The 'show and share' critique followed.)