Daily Inspiration
Knowledge is marvelous, but wisdom is even better.
- Kay Redfield Jamison
Category Archives: CA State Parks
Meeting Julie Packard at Point Lobos Member Event
Point Lobos Cypress
Recently, I had the honor of meeting Julie Packard and hearing her speak, at the annual member meeting for the Point Lobos Foundation. This amazing lady is a great philanthropist, and in addition to her fabulous work with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, was named a California Coastal Hero by the California Coastal Commission and has received the Audubon Medal for Conservation. Wow!
Ms. Packard’s talk added so much to the meeting, and gave great insight into the newest for our State Parks, including her groundbreaking work with California’s Parks Forward Commission to help develop a sustainable path for California’s state parks. Very inspiring!
At the break I had the opportunity to chat with Ms. Packard about the role of artists in supporting our parks. Julie was excited to hear about PaintTheParks.com, and the great opportunity we have to create powerful synergy between the arts and parks.
Point Lobos is one of my very favorite parks, and attending the member meeting was a wonderful way to learn more about the organization.
Posted in CA State Parks, Parks, Uncategorized
Comments Off on Meeting Julie Packard at Point Lobos Member Event
Condors at Julia Pfeiffer Burns
Julia Pfeiffer Burns, McWay Falls
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and McWay Falls, about 36 miles south of Carmel, is worth a visit any day. Along with dramatic coastal vistas, this is the only major California waterfall to tumble into the Pacific – and no post card can translate the wild beauty of this place.
When a group of us artists headed towards the falls to paint this picturesque sanctuary, on a late spring afternoon, we were surprised by an additional gift:
Over 10 Californias Condors blessed us, circling above and swooping down to the trees while we painted there…Read More
Posted in CA State Parks, Paintings, Parks, Plein air, Uncategorized
Comments Off on Condors at Julia Pfeiffer Burns
Toro Park in Spring
- Spring at Toro Park, o/c
Spring is in the air, and wildflowers are popping up everywhere. Since we did not have much rain, this is not a record bloom year. However, don’t let that deter you from venturing out into the verdant beauty of our parks.
- Indian Warrior
Though there may not be wall to wall flowers this year, there is great variety. In this recent hike we saw Footsteps of Spring, Indian Warriors, Owl Clover, Poppies, Lupines, Johnny Jump ups…. and many more.
“Spring at Toro Park” is the result of another fabulous day spent in this park, painting on location with friends. We drove up towards the guided nature trail, finding this glorious vista with oaks and lupines. Little did I know I signed up for a VERY demanding composition. Like many creative ideas, this inspiring view turned into a challenge fast! Continue Reading
Posted in CA State Parks, Paintings, Parks, Plein air, Uncategorized
Comments Off on Toro Park in Spring
Painting Yosemite in the Snow
Painting Yosemite in the Snow
Yosemite in winter is a magical treat. After January snows, we captured a couple sunny days. Staying at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls is wonderful – when you step out of your room the magnificent Yosemite Falls are right there, beckoning to be painted. So I didn’t have to walk far to have a fantastic view of the entire falls, brilliant in the winter sunlight.
Setting up my ever-ready 4×6 Guerilla paintbox… continue reading
Painting our Parks Exhibit
Our local Santa Cruz Oil Painters group is hosting an exciting of show of Parks Paintings at all Branches of the Santa Cruz County Bank’s Art Collaborative.
20% of sales made during this exhibition will benefit the parks.
Painting our Parks, features over 100 plein air paintings of County, State and National Parks in California, from the quiet beauty of the pond at Quail Hollow, the grandeur of the rocky coast at Garrapata, to the majestic cliffs of Yosemite. The paintings were produced by fourteen Santa Cruz artists, all members of the Santa Cruz Oil Painters. Their images have captured the magic and the treasure of California’s natural beauty, preserved for all by our State Parks.
Artists’ Reception: 5:30-7:30pm on Thursday, September 27th Santa Cruz County Bank, 720 Front Street, Santa Cruz. Meet the artists, purchase artwork and network with other art lovers.
Read More
Posted in CA State Parks, Media Coverage, Paintings, Plein air, Uncategorized
Comments Off on Painting our Parks Exhibit
Get Married in a California State Park
Would you like to have your wedding in a park? How about getting married at Lake Tahoe? Want to get married at the beach? A gorgeous California State Park offers all of that: Sugar Pine Point State Park .
Sugar Point State Park hosts Weddings at the elegant, 11,000 square foot Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, amidst glorious forests of sugar pine, fir, juniper and aspen, and overlooking the emerald and saphire waters of Lake Tahoe. What a beautiful place to get married! And a great way to support the parks… the event fees will benefit ongoing improvements for this park, at a time when California State Park Funds are running short.
Sugar Pine Point State Park features almost two miles of gorgeous beachfront along the western shore of Lake Tahoe, as well as the bigger inland portion of the park, packed with hiking trails and camping – even in the snow! With 2000 acres this is the largest state park in the Lake Tahoe area. Read more about Sugar Pine Point State Park .
Other parks in the Lake Tahoe area that might host your wedding are Burton Creek SP, DL Bliss SP, Donner Memorial SP, Emerald Bay SP, Tahoe SRA, Ward Creek and Washoe Meadows SP – inquire here.
If you would like to get married at a Southern California State Park, San Clemente State Beach is a beautiful option. For additional SO CAL State Park locations for your wedding click here
For additional California State Parks hosting weddings click here
Explore Ca State Parks in your area
Here is a great resource list of getting married in a California State Parks from the Travel Journal.
- California Dreaming, o/c, 24×30
And how about a painting of the Park you are getting married at?
Please browse our galleries of California State Park paintings, and consider adding paintings to your gift registry.
Our Paint the Parks artists may also be happy to accept a commission, and paint a commemorative one of a kind piece to your specifications. And, a minimum of 10% from the sale price will be donated to Parks Programs!
Posted in CA State Parks, Uncategorized
Tagged california state park funding, california state parks, get married at a California state park, get married at a park, get married at Tahoe, get married at the beach
Comments Off on Get Married in a California State Park
Sugar Pine Point State Park ~ How to Improve in Times of Funding Shortage
On a recent plein-air trip to Lake Tahoe several of us artists were fortunate to paint at Sugar Pine Point State Park.
Sugar Pine Point State Park sports almost two miles of gorgeous beachfront along the western shore Lake Tahoe, no rx as well as the bigger inland portion of the park packed with hiking trails and camping – even in the snow! With 2000 acres this is the largest state park in the Tahoe area, with glorious forests of sugar pine, fir, juniper and aspen.
General Creek runs through the park, and creates a gorgeous s-shaped estuary and bird sanctuary, where this clear stream flows into Lake Tahoe.
When we painted there, flocks of Canadian geese with their chicks graced the waters. 
We even spotted Common Mergansers.
The numerous trails lead along the creek through a forested valley to the state park boundary, as well as into the El Dorado National Forest. You can also reach the northern part Desolation Wilderness from this park, as well as the Paci?c Crest Trail and other paths leading into the High Sierra backcountry.
In addition, Sugar Pine Point State Park is home to the Edwin L. Z’berg Natural Preserve. This preserve is an unmanaged sub-alpine meadow habitat allowed to evolve with as little human intervention as possible.
Scouting around this beautiful California park, we were amazed by the many improvements in progress ~ habitat restoration, path improvements… and even brandnew picnic tables in various stages of unwrap! Given the shortage of state park funding, I was curious about how this park is able to do these great improvements.
In my conversation with one of the friendly park rangers, I discovered how creative Sugar Pine Point State Park has been in funding improvements: In addtion to generous donations from patrons and visitors, this gorgeous park hosts events and even weddings ~ right there overlooking Lake Tahoe, at the elegant, 11,000 square foot Hellman-Ehrman Mansion. What a beautiful place to get married! And a great way to support the parks…
Congratulations Sugar Pine Point State Park for being so inventive in creating funds, and thank you for making such great improvements to this beautiful California State Park!
Posted in CA State Parks, Plein air, Uncategorized
Tagged california state park funding, california state parks
Comments Off on Sugar Pine Point State Park ~ How to Improve in Times of Funding Shortage