Stafford Lake Park - Plein Air

Let's paint at Stafford Lake Park! Nestled just west of Novato, this 139-acre park offers a versatile plein air painting experience with its serene lake views, rolling hills, native oaks, and meadows, providing diverse subjects from tranquil water reflections and waterfowl to distant Marin countryside, all accessible via easy trails and picnic spots perfect for setting up your easel by the water's edge.

Meet and greet: At 9:30 AM, we will be at the Area 1 picnic tables shown in the attached aerial photo. Turn right after you pass the kiosk at the entrance to the park and drive back towards the Disc Golf & Bike Park parking lot. Suggested painting area is between Areas 1 and 2.

MPAP artists G.R. Brown and Sandy M will be hosting this event.

Show and tell: At the end of the event around 12:30, we will gather back at the Area 1 picnic tables for a "show and tell" of our art work.
Amenities: Restrooms with running water, large turf areas, paved paths, picnic tables, benches. Paths near the waterfront are paved and flat.
Parking: Free.
Shade: There are areas in the park that offer shade. If it is a sunny day, you may want to bring a sun umbrella or sun hoodie if you decide to paint in a sunny area.

What is plein air painting?
"En plein aire" is a French expression which means "in the open air" and is used to describe the act of painting outdoors, which became a central feature of 19th-Century Impressionism.
For newcomers, it's recommended that you do not go out and buy a lot of expensive "plein air" equipment until after your first visit where you see how others have improvised and customized their set-ups.

What to Bring?
Art Supplies - Bring your own art supplies that are relevant to your medium (e.g. paints, pastels, pencils, surfaces, brushes, easel, cleaning supplies). For beginners who don't know how to start or have questions feel free to post in the comments section or message us through Meetup.

Outdoor Wear - It's the North Bay so bring layers, hats, sunscreen and if you don't like the sun, a sun hoodie or small sun umbrella might be handy.

Something to Sit On - If you don't like standing or sitting on the ground, a camp stool or chair may be helpful. Not all locations have benches or picnic tables.

Snacks/Food/Drinking Water - Most locations don't have food or drinks so bring whatever you require.

Keys and tips to enjoying painting outdoors :
- Pack light and know how to set up your equipment before you go
- Stay hydrated by bringing your own drinking water
- Respect the environment, observe all signs, especially the "keep off" ones. Leave nothing behind, including waste. Empty any old painting fluids off-site, including dirty watercolor water.
- Be aware of what's going on around you. We can become so focused on our painting that we are no longer aware of our surroundings. And it is not uncommon for passersby to stop and compliment your art work. Thank them and ask them if they like to paint and if they would like to join MPAP :-)

Looking forward to seeing you!