Plein Air - Frank Butler West

What:   First fall plein air
Where: Frank Butler County Park West
When:  Saturday, Oct. 1, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

It's time again for plein air to start. Summer doesn't seem to want to let go but Saturday forecast right now shows a high of 80 degrees and a mixture of sun and clouds, so if the forecast holds that's not too bad.

Our venue is Frank Butler County Park West on the bank of the Matanzas River. It's easy to find. Just take St, Johns County route 206 out to A1A, head north, and the park will be on your left.

There are plenty of views and spots to set up along the river itself, or smaller streams leading into the river. Plenty of water and open sky.

The park also has a boat ramp. If the weather is as predicted there are likely to be plenty of boaters there also, so please be mindful of that when you park, and when you choose your plein air setups.

There are also small ponds, often with birds and wildlife, along the roadway leading into the park itself. Also, of course, restrooms, as well as covered picnic pavilions.

So come with your pastels, hats, sunscreen, bug spray, water, and don't forget to pack a lunch so we can all eat together and have a show and tell for those so inclined.

And don't forget to put out next general meeting, November 5th, on your calendar. Our own Kevin Arthur, an excellent portrait artist, will be doing a demo for us. More details to follow.

It was a busy summer

It was fun to kick off a new season with FCPS - our first general meeting with our new President, Cindy Pierson. We all look forward to working with Cindy in the coming year.

Members all brought in works from their summer vacation. It was a wonderful variety of subjects and styles, with some members trying out different subjects from their usual, and doing a wonderful job with them!

We had about 25 members in attendance which is a great turnout. We had a brief business meeting and got to hear about possible workshops and events for the coming year. We still hope to hold a fall Member Show if we can find a venue.

Our FCPS book and DVD library was on display as well - only $2 for a two-month rental! Several members took advantage of this and rented items.

After the business meeting Cindy went around the room displaying the various works members had brought in.

Some folks had already begun removing their works from the easels before I got around to taking photographs so I'm sorry  for those folks whose work is not pictured here, but here is a sample of all the works done over the summer so you can see the variety.

Summer is Ending!

What:    Fall Kickoff meeting
Where:  Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach
When:   Saturday September 10, 10 AM to 12 noon

Did you feel that breath of cool air this morning? It was in the upper 60s when I took my dog out early. Summer is not done with us yet but there is a hint of change in the air.

So come join us this Saturday at the Ponte Vedra Cultural Center for our kickoff meeting of the season. Our theme is "What I Did on my Summer Vacation".

Please bring some of the paintings that you worked on this past summer. We will have a "Show & Tell" discussion and you may ask for suggestions or comments if you like. We have our fall member show coming up so this is a great way to tune up your work for the show.

Keep in mind our first plein air outing is on the calendar too. Saturday, October 1st. 1st plein air day will be held at Butler Park West, in Crescent Beach. 9:00 -1:00 More details to follow in the blog but get it on your calendar now. See you Saturday.