Tuesday, August 5 -- Bob's Beach, Stevenson, Washington...and Upcoming Painting Locations!

This past Tuesday several painters gathered amidst the vibrant rows of sunflowers at Rasmussen Farms.  It was a lovely place to paint, in spite of the heat.

Next week, we will be meeting between 8 and 8:30 at Bob's Beach, in Stevenson.  Bonnie White's group painted there in years past.  Although it has a reputation for wind, we'll keep our fingers crossed that next Tuesday will be calm and sunny!

Driving directions: From I-84, take the Bridge of the Gods exit (#44).  When in Washington, drive east 3 miles on SR 14 to Stevenson.  Turn right on Russell Street; cross the railroad tracks.  Stevenson Landing/Bob's Beach is straight in front of you.  Turn right and then left into the parking area.

UPCOMING PAINTING LOCATIONS!

Beginning on Tuesday, August 12, we are planning to paint at the following areas (Note:  updates of any changes will be posted on this blog each week):

August 12 -- Mt. Hood Winery
August 19 -- Deschutes River State Recreation Area
August 26 -- Cascade Cliffs Winery
Sept. 2      -- Downtown Hood River OR Dalles Mountain Ranch (to coincide with Plein Air Paint Out)
Sept. 9      -- Cathedral Ridge Winery
Sept. 16    -- Chamberlain Lake Rest Stop (Washington)
Sept. 23    -- Laurel Bushman's friend's ranch in Husum
Sept. 30    -- Yvonne Peterson's ranch, Hwy 35
Oct. 7       -- Catherine Creek
Oct. 14     -- a waterfall (location TBD)

If the weather permits, we will add more locations to this list throughout the fall season.  Happy painting, everyone!!

Tuesday, July 29 -- Rasmussen Farms, Hood River

Rasmussen Farms - view looking South

The sunflowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and interesting light and shadows can be found all over Rasmussen Farms right now.  There are good territorial views, as well as up-close subjects, such as tractors, colorful chairs, and old farm buildings.  Let's meet there this Tuesday.  In fact, conversation with the farm manager indicates that they want us to come out to paint, to draw a bit of attention to their facility!

Additionally, Rasmussen Farms is having its annual Van Gogh Days celebration on the weekend of August 2 - 3, and it would be awesome if some of us would be out there with our easels again, to try rendering our own versions of sunflowers and blue skies.

Driving directions: follow Highway 35 south from its beginning for approximately 5-1/2 miles; turn left onto Fir Mountain Road; turn right onto Thomsen Road and drive about 1/3 of a mile, looking for the giant pumpkin and sign on the right.  Plan to start around 8:30 a.m..  Parking is toward the back left (south) side of the driveway, out of the way of the visitors' parking area.

Hope to see lots of you there!!

**Terri**

Tuesday, July 22 -- Panorama Point, Hood River Valley

Hello artist friends!  The weather report for this coming Tuesday reveals a chance of showers; with that in mind, I've selected Panorama Point as our painting destination, since it has a covered area that still allows views of the valley and Mt. Hood.  To get there, just head south on Highway 35, and follow Eastside Road and the signs leading to our location.  There are restrooms and plenty of parking space.  Let's meet between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m.  

Upcoming painting locations include Mt. Hood Winery, River Bend Country Store, and one of the fruit stands along the Fruit Loop trail.  In addition, we've been invited back to Yvonne Peterson's acreage along Highway 35. 

Looking forward to getting together with you all once again this coming Tuesday!  

Tuesday, July 15 -- Mt. Adams Scenery in Trout Lake, Washington

It's hard to believe July will be half over by the time we get together on Tuesday!  We need to take advantage of our great summer weather as long as we can, so that when we're forced into our studios we'll be in the mood for a change of pace!

Get your oils, watercolors, and pastels ready for some Trout Lake scenery.  Rita Marlowe has provided driving directions to a location she's painted at in years past, when Bonnie White was our group's coordinator.  Let's shoot for 9:00 as our start time, since Trout Lake is a bit of a drive for most of us.

"Directions: Take Route 141 to the town of  Trout Lake, and drive through to the Mt. Adams ranger station. There you will find your only access to bathrooms, woods style. Continue down the road you came in on and take the very next right. I think it's called Trout Lake Park Rd. You will pass some homes as the road continues north about half to three-quarters of a mile; not far. When you see the road curve to the right, you could park and walk in. You can also drive, but if the little parking area is full, you may have to back up. The parking area is a clearing so you can paint here with the water of the creek in front of you and a great view of Mt. Adams. If you have a standing easel, you have more options."

I (Terri) will be unable to attend this painting opportunity, so if anyone feels like taking a few photos and submitting them to our blog for next week, I'd appreciate it!

**Terri**

Tuesday, July 8 -- Vagabond Lodge, Hood River

Recently featured on "Hotel Impossible" on The Travel Channel, Hood River's Vagabond Lodge is going to be our meeting place to make art this coming Tuesday, July 8.  Thank you, Laurel Bushman, for suggesting this site and for making arrangements for our use of the area.  Laurel kindly provided the following information, regarding the Vagabond:

" Vagabond Lodge is located just off Interstate 84 at 4070 Westcliff Drive, Hood River Oregon. If coming from the west (Portland) on I-84 east, take exit 62, turn left and go over the overpass, turn left on Westcliff Dr, and we’re a quarter mile west of the overpass.
If coming from the east (downtown Hood River), take I-84 west, take exit 62, turn right at the overpass, then an immediate left onto Westcliff Dr.
Parking: Please drive all the way to the back of the lodge property and turn right in front of the last row of buildings. Go as far east as you can and park in the back of the White Buffalo Wine Bar and Bistro. Please do not park in the lodge guest parking spaces.
Laurel Bushman will be the contact person since Terri is out of town. She will be there around 8:00 AM. Grant Poulson is the owner of the Vagabond and will probably be on-property. He is a very nice young man who has graciously offered us this opportunity. He mentioned that if it could be worked out, he might be interested in purchasing prints of our paintings we do on-site to hang in the guest rooms.
The grounds at the Vagabond are beautiful and the views are stellar! "

I regret that I won't be able to make it to this painting session, or to the one the following Tuesday, since I am still out of town, on a working/living vacation of sorts.  My special thanks go to Rita Marlowe for suggesting that on Tuesday, July 15, we all gather at the Mt. Adams Ranger Station in Trout Lake to go to a nearby location that offers a good view of the mountain.  More information to follow on next week's blog.

What fun this is going to be!  Please send me photos of your art so I can post it on upcoming blogs!

**Terri**