Season Finale -- Autumn Colors Near Glenwood, Washington, Monday, October 5

Hello everyone!

We've decided to give plein air painting one last chance as a group before retreating to our individual studios for the cold and rainy season.  Out past BZ Corner, toward Glenwood, Washington, is a roadside pullout offering lovely views of the aspens in the distance toward the Conboy Lake Wildlife Refuge.  Getting there is going to be a matter of intuition mixed with luck on your part; there are no specific markers for the special spot, but Jan Muir is going to try to be there before the rest of us and offer her car/easel/self as a clue as to where to set up.  Lousy weather will most likely keep most of us from venturing outdoors, however.  Let's see what Mother Nature flings at us next Monday, October 5. Start time: as close to 9:00 as you can make it!

It has been a fun season! Thanks to all who participated! Hope to see you back again next spring!

Driving directions:  After crossing the Hood River Bridge into Washington, turn left and follow Hwy. 14 west until you see State Route 141, which leads to Trout Lake. Turn right onto 141 and follow it to BZ Corner. Turn right onto the BZ-Glenwood Highway, and drive for a while toward Glenwood.  Be watching for a road on your right called Lakeside Road (labeled as such on your maps app).  Turn onto that road, and drive for a while until you see a distinct pullout on the left, where with any luck you will see Jan Muir flagging you down.  ☺️

White Salmon River at Husum

The Hiway 141 bridge over the White Salmon River


The morning started out chilly. Jan and Terri are bundled up as they look the situation over.

Jan, Terri and Sally paint the river from the bridge that crosses over to the town of Husum

Anita perches on the cliff overlooking the river

Monday, September 28 -- Husum

Hello everyone!

This coming Monday we are going to paint in the little town of Husum, overlooking the White Salmon River, with its white water rafting, and the beautiful fall foliage.  Our fellow painter Anita has enjoyed painting here a number of times.

Driving Directions:  From Hood River, cross the bridge to Washington.  Turn left onto Hwy 14, and go to State Route 141.  Turn right onto 141 and drive until you enter the town of Husum.  You will see "Wet Planet" on the right side of the road.  Park on the left side of the road across from there.  There is a short path to an overlook over the white water.  Alternate places to paint are found by driving over the bridge to Husum and parking just past the bridge, allowing you to walk down to the river.

According to our calendar, this is the last official day of our plein air painting season, but I will continue to write the blog if you give me suggestions of other areas you'd like to get together, and if the weather cooperates for painting outdoors.  It has been a great season, and I think we've all had a good time meeting new painters and being together.  Thanks!

**Terri**

Gorgeous morning at The Griffin House B&B

Gorgeous morning (once again) at The Griffin House B&B in Hood River. A HUGE thank-you to Claire Griffin (and thank you Marlowe!) for welcoming us to your spectacular setting above the river.

Monday, September 21 -- The Griffin House, Again!

Hello everyone,

Our plein air season is winding to a close, with only two more scheduled sessions (unless someone suggests via email a venue for the first Monday in October).  On Monday, we're returning to The Griffin House on the Columbia, in Hood River. I missed it last time, so I'm really looking forward to it! Let's meet at 9:00.

Driving Directions: From I-84, take the westernmost Hood River exit, and turn toward the river, following Westcliff Drive to the west, about a half-mile past the Columbia Gorge Hotel. The address is 4168 Westcliff Drive. Look for the upended 1959 pink Cadillac near the entrance, and follow the signs to the Griffin House parking area. Do not park on the street, or your car may be towed.

**Terri**

Laurel's skylight studio in the woods.

What a treat this (chilly) morning, to get to spend time in Laurel's beautiful new studio in the woods beside their home, custom built for her by her hubby. We were so enjoying the beauty (and the warmth) of the studio that only a handful of artists actually ventured outside to paint. 

A warm welcome from Laurel to her studio...

... across the way from a charming barn ... 

... a peekaboo view through the trees... 


Nancy paints the exterior view of the studio 

Monday, September 14 -- Laurel Bushman's Residence, Hood River

Hello, everyone!

On Monday, September 14, we will be guests at Laurel Bushman's woodsy retreat off Methodist Road.  The property offers views of neighboring pasture lands, structures on the property itself, and garden areas.  If you joined us at Clint and Megan's farm a couple weeks ago, you'll have a good idea of where we will be painting this next Monday, because it is just a bit farther down the road, and on the left side.  Laurel promised to put out a flag or banner or something eye-catching on the entrance to her driveway. Start time is 9:00 a.m.


Driving directions: Take the westernmost Hood River exit off I-84, and follow the signs to Country Club Road.  Follow Country Club Road until you get to Belmont.  Turn left onto Belmont, and drive until you see the sign for Methodist Road. Turn right onto Methodist, and drive for about 1/4 mile to 1107 Methodist.  Turn left onto the gravel driveway and follow it to the end.  Laurel's husband recently built her a very cool art studio which you're going to want to check out!

**Terri**

Monday morning at "The Hook" in Hood River

It was a pretty morning and beautiful views at "The Hook", a windsurfing beach in Hood River, (a popular and relatively benign spot for learning), that extends out into the Columbia River.

... lots of happy artists...

Monday, September 3 (Labor Day) -- the Hook, Hood River

 Hello everyone, 

So this next Monday let's see who wins -- the windsurfers or the plein air painters; if it is super windy at The Hook, or if rain is a problem, there might not be many happy painters there. But if it is a lovely sunny day with minimal wind, then The Hook should be a fun location for us.  It offers views westward down the Columbia, northward toward the bluffs of Washington, and eastward toward the Hood River Bridge and the river beyond.  Let's plan to get started by 9:00. And since a couple of cool eateries are just down the road, maybe we can grab lunch together afterwards. 

Driving Directions:  The Hook is a windsurfing launch site located at the westernmost end of Portway Avenue in Hood River. Take the City Center exit off I-84, and head toward the river. At the second stop sign, turn left onto Portway Avenue and just keep driving until the road ends at a cul de sac with a sign saying, "The Hook."  Drive down the long, straight gravel road to the end.  That's where we'll get started.  I'm so happy that my plans have changed, allowing me to be there too!

**Terri**

Pretty morning painting at a farm near Hood River.

So many choices of subject matter: barns, sheds, coops, horses, chickens, and bucolic vistas.

...and sunflowers

Monday, August 31 -- Private Residence of Clint and Megan, Hood River, Oregon

Hello everyone,

Just like Arnold Schwarzenegger once said in one of his movies: "I'll be back."  I have returned from my stint at the Coast and so I'll be back painting with y'all in a couple of days.  So glad!

This Monday we will be gathering at our usual start time at Clint and Megan's property in Hood River.  They have horses, and a barn, and some nice bucolic vistas.  As long as we steer clear of the pastures (which are hot-wired), we are good to go.  Of course, if the rains actually arrive and make painting outdoors unpleasant, we will cancel.

Driving directions: their address is 1050 Methodist Road, Hood River.  You can google it, or you can take the most westerly Hood River exit, and follow the signs to Country Club Road.  Stay on Country Club Road until you reach Belmont, at which point you turn left onto Belmont, and then fairly soon after, you turn right onto Methodist Rd.  Look for our cars parked on the road. We can drop stuff off in the driveway and repark. But we must park along the road.

Should be interesting!  A head's up for next Monday (Labor Day): we who wish to paint on the holiday are going to gather at The Hook in Hood River!

**Terri**

Monday Aug 24 at Kiyokawa Family Orchards

We painted this morning a Kiyokawa Family Orchards in Parkdale, OR, in business since 1911. It's apple and pear harvest time, two week earlier than normal due to the harsh summer temperatures.