Raleigh Outdoor Painting Group

Mordecai Historic Park
Mordecai Historic Park
1 Mimosa St
Raleigh, NC 27604

The Visitor Center is located on the corner of Wake Forest Rd. and Cedar St. at 1101 Wake Forest Rd. Parking is available at 1 Mimosa St. as well as street parking along Cedar St.
You can buy a ticket for a guided tour or trolly ride .
Maps are available at the Visitor Center, as well as restrooms. We will be outside but this is a historic place so please be mindful of any posted signs.

If you are new to painting outdoors and want to know what to bring see my list of suggestions below:
camp chair, water, sunscreen, bug spray, hat, snacks/drinks
Watercolors are the easiest to start with and have great portability. I recommend pan watercolors, a water brush and a multimedia sketchbook. Also, a rag or paper towels. A music stand makes for a very inexpensive and portable easel.

Tips

• Wear comfortable clothing for the weather and supportive shoes for walking on uneven terrain.
• Bring a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray.
• Bring water and any other beverages or snacks you may want.
• If you don't have an easel or don't prefer standing, bring a folding chair/stool or picnic blanket.
• Make sure you're able to carry your supplies for short to medium distances, depending on your preferred painting location.
• Be aware of your surroundings and the weather. Watch out for uneven terrain and signs of heat exhaustion. Hike at your own risk. Stay hydrated.
• Leave the area as you found it or better. Bring any trash out with you.

We have a Facebook group too: Raleigh Outdoor Painting Group.
Please feel free to join us there.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Jaylene

Saturday April 18, 2026 9am
Beech Bluff County Park
3321 NC Highway 42
Willow Spring, NC 27592
Beech Bluff County Park Info
Map of Beech Bluff County Park
Let's meet at the Harvest Hub, near the gardens at the park entrance. If that is not inspiring enough, we can walk out to the Bluff Overlook. It's a half mile hike one way. I believe this trail is ADA accessible. Please see map and park info links above or call the park for more information.

If you are new to painting outdoors and want to know what to bring see my list of suggestions below:
camp chair, water, sunscreen, bug spray, hat, snacks/drinks
Watercolors are the easiest to start with and have great portability. I recommend pan watercolors, a water brush and a multimedia sketchbook. Also, a rag or paper towels. A music stand makes for a very inexpensive and portable easel.
Tips
Wear comfortable clothing for the weather and supportive shoes for walking on uneven terrain.
Bring a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Bring water and any other beverages or snacks you may want.
If you don't have an easel or don't prefer standing, bring a folding chair/stool or picnic blanket.
Make sure you're able to carry your supplies for short to medium distances, depending on your preferred painting location.
Be aware of your surroundings and the weather. Watch out for uneven terrain and signs of heat exhaustion. Hike at your own risk. Stay hydrated.
Leave the area as you found it or better. Bring any trash out with you.
We have a Facebook group too: Raleigh Outdoor Painting Group.
Please feel free to join us there.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Jaylene

Observation Tower
Lake Crabtree County Park Saturday April 25, 2026 at 9 AM to 12 PM
Paint the Parks: Lake Crabtree County Park
If you like to participate in the Paint the Parks event see the above link.

Let's meet at Lake Crabtree's Observational Tower. It was a great location last year. We will have a view of some architecture elements, water, small boats and people. What is not to like? Look for the Boat Rental location on the map, see link below. I want everyone to have a good time. See links below for more information.

Lake Crabtree County Park Map

Lake Crabtree County Park Info

As always, all art media is welcome, but please remember to take out what you bring in. We want to be good custodians of our natural spaces. If you have any specific questions about what to bring, please fill free to send me a direct message.

Pack up your easel, brushes, and paints or other art supplies. In addition, you will want to bring something to sit on as the ground might be wet. Hats, sunscreen, bug spray, wet wipes etc. might come in handy as well. In my experience people feel nice and warm while they are walking around but get cold as they sit arting, so plan accordingly.

If you don't have a field easel or pochard box/tripod and want to keep your hands free I suggest a sheet music stand. They are very light weight and inexpensive and collapse down to a small size. They are not as stable of course but you won't have to hold your paper or sketchbook the entire time.

I will update event info if there are any major changes to the weather.

Happy Arting,

Jaylene

Saturday May 9, 2026 9 am to 12 pm
American Tobacco Trail New Hill Entrance
Paint the Parks: American Tobacco Trail
If you want to participate in the Paint the Parks event use the above link to sign up.
For park information click here
For park map click here

Will update soon