LAA Plein Air Painters Schedule

Welcome back for another season of paint outs!

To all Plein Air Painters: It’s that time again! We’re excited for another season of painting outdoors and enjoying birds, water, flowers, sunshine and painter friends. Below is some general information followed by our selected locations for May. Hope to see you there!

We gather Friday mornings from about 9 to around noon, providing an opportunity to work at an outdoor site with other artists. Open to all LAA members and friends, PJ’s is free and suitable for all levels of experience. Usually the group will be spread out around the location, in small
groups, or off solo. Most stay till around noon, but the loose structure allows for abbreviated or extended sessions. It’s up to you to come and go as you wish! In case of inclement weather, artists should make their own decisions about attending. For Questions - Contact Jane Elvins at 720-352-7218

July 2019

July 5 – South Mesa Trailhead, Eldorado Springs. Where Route 93 begins just south of Boulder, turn right at the stoplight intersection across from Marshall Mesa where the big gas station and fireworks stand are. Coming from Costco on Hwy 170, you go straight through the intersection and head toward Eldorado Springs.  Go 1.7 miles to the South Mesa Trailhead on the right side of the road. To help ease parking, go early and/or carpool. There are wildflowers, shaded picnic tables, Flatirons views, creeks, and restrooms.
 
July 12 – Diane Wood’s Gardens, Longmont. Once again, we are privileged to be invited to the home and gardens of Diane Wood, LAA member at 6914 St. Vrain Rd. This is a gorgeous country setting with panoramic mountain views and the expansive farmlands in the area. Diane has multiple gardens with annuals and perennials, and she says this year is especially spectacular because of the wet spring! She has graciously offered her bathroom and water for us to use.

July 19 – Annette Brand Park, Louisville. Where South Boulder Rd. intersects McCaslin, turn north onto Continental View Drive (south takes you onto McCaslin). Bear right onto Azure Way and follow that until it turns right onto Plum Circle. Parking on the street. Great mountain views from an Open Space to the north and west of the main park. Restrooms, picnic shelter, playground.
 
July 26 – Harper’s Lake, Louisville. Start from the same intersection described above, only go south onto McCaslin. Turn east on Washington. Parking is at the corner of Washington and McCaslin. Panoramic views of the mountains to the west of the lake. There is a restroom but no shade, so bring your umbrella.

Directions to Diane Wood's Gardens, Longmont:  From 75th St. and Nelson Rd. Drive one mile going north on 75th.  Go left on St. Vrain, then drive west for 0.7 miles. Driveway is on the left (south) side and 6914 is on a mailpost and the mailbox. Driveway is a one-lane gravel, washboard road. Drive ½ mile down driveway and go to the first house on the right. Park in the fruit orchard near driveway, or at the garages. 303-678-7456. From 17th Ave. and 75th St. At the 3-way intersection in Hygiene, take a left on 75th heading south. Go approx. 1 mile to St. Vrain Rd. on the right side.  Go right (west) on St. Vrain for 0.7 mi. Follow rest of directions just above. (If anyone wants directions from Hwy 36 and St. Vrain Rd., contact Jane Elvins at phone # below).

June 2019

June 7: The Flower Bin, 1805 Nelson Rd., Longmont.  A feast for the senses, with every variety of flowers, shrubs, annuals, perennials, and garden décor. The outside area has a small pond with a fountain and shady areas. If weather is unfavorable, one can paint inside the immense greenhouse which has fans and row after row of gorgeous flowers. A restroom on site, and cashiers ready to ring up any sales you might want to make! (optional, of course)
 
June 14: Sawhill Ponds, Boulder County. From Valmont and 75th, go north on 75th to a small sign on the left  saying “Sawhill Ponds.” If you get to another sign saying Walden Ponds, you’ve gone too far. Beautiful views of the mountains, ponds, reflections, grasses, and birds. Some benches and some shelter. Restroom in the parking lot/picnic area.

June 21: “Roofscapes” of Boulder, on Spruce St. between Broadway and 11th St. Go into the parking structure at this location and proceed to the top level. For some urban sketching from a unique perspective, we’ll choose from views of the Flatirons, the tops of buildings downtown, and magnificent old houses. In case of intense sun, one could paint out of the back of her car or rig up an umbrella. It’s somewhat challenging, and can get windy, but the views are terrific! Restrooms, snacks, coffee, lunch in the surrounding businesses.
 
June 28: Greenbriar Inn, 8735 North Foothills Highway (the road to Lyons). Behind the restaurant, a little to the south, there is a small park that belongs to the Greenbriar. It has mountain views, 20 acres with two ponds, a small waterfall, woodlands, vegetable, fruit and flower gardens. Restroom inside the restaurant, even though restaurant’s not open for lunch. A very peaceful setting with ample shade.

May 2019

May 3: Chautaugua Park, Baseline Rd. & 9th St., Boulder. So much to paint at Chautaugua: poppies, the iconic auditorium and dining hall, the Flatirons, lilacs, trails and trailheads. Parking is now paid, and there is a convenient free app for your phone called Parkmobile. Free parking may be found on 10th St. or other streets across Baseline from the park; those require a short hike up to the park. Restroom and restaurant in the Dining Hall. Carpooling a good idea.
 
May 10: Coal Creek Trail at Louisville Community Park, 955 Bella Vista Dr. Paint a great red barn and silos, or go to the Coal Creek Trail where fruit trees are in bloom. The park has a pavilion and picnic shelter, and restrooms. At S. Boulder Rd. and Highway 42 ( 95th St.), go south on 42 to Pine St. Turn right, and then left at the first street, County Rd. Go to Bella vista and turn right. Park on Bella Vista and South Roosevelt.

May 17: Long’s Gardens, 3240 Broadway, Boulder. Located just north of the North Boulder Rec Center, there are lots of interesting subjects, whether or not the irises are blooming. There are lilac trees, poppies, the goats, antique trucks and farm implements, interesting buildings, mountain views. Restroom available inside the building where the office is.

May 24: Memory Park Square, Spruce and Lincoln, Louisville. The area right around our beloved art center has many prospective painting subjects. There are interesting houses in all directions, the historic Methodist Church at Spruce and Jefferson, the art center building itself, flowers, lots of shade, bathroom and water available inside art center.
 
May 31: Old Town Niwot, 2nd & Franklin, Niwot. From 287, take Niwot Rd. west to the town of Niwot, then turn right on 2nd Ave., then one block to Franklin.From Hwy 119, turn east on 2nd Ave. Franklin is the second cross street. The old town is full of quaint shops and other reminders of earlier times.Walk another block west to Murray and 1st Ave. where you’ll find Whistlestop Park, home of an old caboose and a bandstand with distant mountains in the background. Numerous restaurants and cafes provide restrooms and lunch too, for those interested.