Wildwood Park, Saratoga. Thursday, January 5, 2017.

The forecast was for rain Wednesday nite into early Thursday morning.   Would it be accurate or would we be rained out again?   The forecast was accurate (it was actually sunnier than forecast) but perhaps overlooked was the predicted wind-chill.  Overlooked that is until we got out of our cars.    Brrrrr!    Also, we hoped for enough water in Saratoga Creek to make the rocky creek bed interesting. Again, as soon as we got of our vehicles, the thunderous roar of the creek answered that question. 

So yes, with temperatures in the mid-40s and a slight breeze dropping the wind-chill into the high-30s, it was cold.    But nothing to stop us!    Especially since Kay Duffy arranged for her gallery - the Aegis Gallery (http://www.aegisgallery.com/Aegis_Gallery/visitAegis.php   14531 Big Basin Way, Saratoga), to have hot coffee and baked goods available for us for a late-morning break.  Our hands warmed and morale boosted in the Gallery, we were able to get back to work with renewed enthusiasm.  Thanks Kay!  

The official website for Wildwood Park is:
http://www.saratoga.ca.us/cityhall/rec/facility_and_park_rentals/parks/wildwood.asp


Upcoming Paintsites:

• Sunday, January 8, 2017:  Deadline to register for SCVWS Annual Holiday Party.  See website for details and instructions about registering on the Members Only webpage.
• Thursday, January 12, 2017:  Historic Santa Clara Site to be Determined.
• Saturday, January 14, 2017:  SCVWS Annual Holiday Party - 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM.  See link on the SCVWS website home page for details
• Thursday, January 19, 2017:  Guadalupe Oak Grove Park, San Jose
• Thursday, January 26, 2017:  Santa Cruz Arboretum, UCSC.

(Note:  Registration for the Annual Member Show is now 'open'.  It closes February 15, 2017.)   

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

Ongoing activities of interest involving Paintsites regulars:

• The 'Vino Locale Show' continues its run thru February 6, 2017.   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.    Do yourself a favor:  Go eat, drink, and buy a fine watercolor.   (Unfortunately, it's too late for a Christmas gift so get one for yourself.)    The  Vino Locale website is: http://www.vinolocale.com/about-us/
  

•  John Ediger will be gallery-sitting at the Az Gallery (1213 Lincoln Ave., San Jose) on Thursday, January 19, 2017 from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.    Drop in and say 'hello'.

• Cathy Belleville is exhibiting 18 of her Palo Alto Baylands paintings at the Sequoias of Portola Valley (340 Willowbrook Dr. just off 501 Portola Rd.) from January 3rd - 30th.    An Opening Reception will be held on Sunday, January 8th from 2:30 - 4:30 PM.    Please RSVP to Cathy at cwbelleville@earthlink.net  if you'd like to attend.

Artists on the Bank, Boulders in the Creek - each where they belong:
 

Looking downstream from the bridge, artists painting the creek.   (photo by Salinda)

  Looking upstream:  the waterfall and rapids were the most popular subjects.   The wood structure over the creek is the bridge from the parking lot into the park.  (photo by Liz)

Jane S. found the best way to beat the cold was to work fast (that and fingerless gloves)  ...

Jane S.'s thundering Saratoga Creek waterfall (#1) ...

... her frothing rapids (#2) ...

... and, closer this time, the waterfall again.  (#3).

Dan (photo by Liz)

Marilyn, left, and Leslie.

John's ink & wash sketch of Marilyn.

Marilyn's swiftly flowing waterfall.

Leslie, painter of rocks par excellence, and the waterfall.

Carol and Lisha W. dressed for the day.

Lisha  (photo by Liz)

Lisha's waterfall.

Lisha's second painting - a branch in the stream.

Carol stayed late to finish her painting.

Liz, foreground, and Lisa B.

The Rapids - by Liz.

Lisa B. did two paintings of the waterfall.   This the 'deliberate' one. ...

...

... this her 'sketch' --- she liked this one best.

John's unfinished painting of the Creek and far bank.

Kay (photo by Liz)

Kay's painting:  a composite of all of us - even those not painting the Creek itself.

Big Trees:   For a small park, there are a number of really large trees - especially native Sycamores whose bark this time of year is brilliant white.

Annie (cold days don't faze this Michigan girl) .

Annie's eucalyptus grove.

Ji-eun (photo by Liz)

Ji-eun's trees, vines and a glimpse of a calmer stretch of the Creek.

Joy.

Peeking over Joy's shoulder.  (photo by Liz)

Joy's trees and the bridge over the Creek's troubled waters.

Brad, foreground, and Joy on the sand volleyball court - unfit for play but OK for painting. (photo by Salinda)

Brad's big Sycamore.

Critique:

We wisely chose the sunniest spot in the park for Lunch and subsequent Critique.