Calendar

All paintouts begin at 9AM unless otherwise specified.

Thursday, June 24 - Austin Zoo, 10807 Rawhide Trail 78736. Meet between 9:00 - 9:30, **$4 fee if in group**
**The fee for the zoo is $4 if we enter as a group, so Val Walden does need an RSVP. We can meet between 9:00 and 9:30 when the Zoo opens. Anyone entering later will be charged $8. The mission of Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary is to assist animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation and education. They currently have over 300 animals from over 100 different species. Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary is a pleasant Hill Country zoo where the people of Austin can come to learn about the animals close-up, spend some time outdoors getting exercise, and have fun.

Austin Zoo is located 2.5 miles past the “Y” in Oak Hill on Hwy 290 West…

Directions from North IH 35: Go south to exit 230 (that is the Johnson City exit). After taking that exit, you are on 290 West. Follow 290 for 15 miles. Turn right on Circle Drive and follow that for 1 1/2 miles. Turn right on Rawhide Trail and follow that down into the zoo.

Directions from Mopac North: Take Mopac South to the 290 West exit. Follow 290 West for 5 miles. Turn right on Circle Drive and follow that for 1 1/2 miles. Turn right on Rawhide Trail and follow that down into the zoo.
Contact: Val Walden 970-1900

July

Thursday, July 1 – McKinney Falls State Park - McKinney Falls Parkway, $5 day use fee

13 miles SE of the State Capital. Join us to paint the Upper or Lower Falls... bring a swimsuit so you can take a dip afterwards.. Falls are running at both locations.

Directions from Austin: Take 183 South of Ben White Blvd., turn West onto McKinney Falls Parkway (turn off is between Ben White and Burleson), go straight to Park entrance. Pick up map to help you locate falls (entrance gate opens at 8 am). It’s a little bit of a hike, so edit your supplies accordingly.

Contact Robert McArthur cell: 512-767-8285

Thursday, July 8 – Bull Creek District Park, 6701 Lakewood Dr., 7:30am or after.

This used to be a quiet scenic park until the dogs took it over! Well there is now a strictly enforced leash law and the park is now peaceful and painter friendly again. Very beautiful environment with shade trees, small stream, and large rocks. There is also a new bridge with a sidewalk edge that could provide a fresh vantage point. Robert will be there at 7:30.

Directions: From the Intersection of 2222 and 360 go North on 360 about ½ mile to the light at Lakewood Dr. Turn right (east) and follow Lakewood drive to the paved parking lot (with restrooms).
Contact: Robert McArthur, cell - 767-8285

Monday, July 12 – General Meeting – 7:00 – 8:30pm, location TBA.

Saturday, July 24 – Rio Vista Park, 555 Cheatham St., San Marcos, 8am or after.

A wonderful park on the crystal waters of the San Marcos River. A small lake with cypress trees and a footbridge to a small island make great subjects. Downstream, are rapids with rocky ledges that make great painting perches. Best to get there early. Robert will be there at 8 am. Please plan meet-up at 11:30 for a Mexican Lunch at Herbert’s on Riverside Dr. (You passed it on the way in…about 100 yards from the park).

Directions From Austin: Drive south on I-35 to San Marcos. Take exit 205 ("Luling/Wimberley"). Go through traffic light and continue on access road to "Riverside Drive" (just past Harbison Auto Sales, about 1/4 of a mile from intersection). Turn right on Riverside and continue to stop sign (Cheatham St.). Take left on Cheatham and cross the bridge. Take the right immediately after the bridge (Reynolds St.) and follow to the parking area. If this lot is full, go back to Cheatham St. and take a right and then take the next right (C.M. Allen St.). Turn right onto the unmarked drive just before the railroad tracks and follow it to parking. Good Tex Mex at Herbert's (You passed it coming in on Riverside Dr.)
Contact: Robert McArthur, cell - 767-8285

Saturday, July 31 – Sketchcrawl – Meet at Halcyon Coffee House, 218 W. 4th (at Lavaca) at 9AM.

We will reconvene for lunch next door at Fado’s in the outdoor seating area in the alley between Fado’s and Halycon at 11:30. The sketchcrawl is an international sketching day. Bring your sketchbook and drawing tools and be ready to move around. After the sketchcrawl you can post your sketches. See http://www.sketchcrawl.com/

Possibilities for sketching from Halcyon:
1. Sit at a sidewalk table at Halycon and watch the world go by.

2. Walk one block west to the Republic Square farmer’s Market and sketch there.

3. Walk three blocks north to 7th and then one block west to Guadalupe and sketch the historic homes between Guadalupe and San Antonio on 7th.

4. Walk 4 blocks south from Halcyon and cross Caesar Chavez to the small Bell Tower park overlooking Lady Bird Lake.

5. Walk to Congress (2 blocks east) and sketch the street life.

Contact: Robert McArthur, cell - 767-8285




August

Saturday, August 7 - Barr Mansion, 10463 Sprinkle Road, Austin, Texas, 78754 http://www.barrmansion.com/

Stunning Victorian Mansion on beautiful grounds. An organic garden, large live oaks, and a small chapel add to the ambience. Please be very careful and not spill any solvents. Permission to paint from Mark. Robert will be there at 8 AM. The lighting is best early.

Directions From the intersection of I - 35 and 290 East: Drive east to Springdale road (about 3.5 miles) and turn left. Go about 1.8 miles until Springdale Rd. makes a “T” with Sprinkle Cutoff. Turn left on Sprinkle cutoff. Barr Mansion is immediately on your left. Parking lot is on the far side of the mansion. Be aware that the speed limit on Springdale road is a strict 30 mph and it is radar enforced.
Contact: Robert McArthur, cell - 767-8285

Thursday, August 12, Krause Springs, Spicewood, Texas, $5.00 Admission
Website with Map: http://www.krausesprings.net/location.html

Krause Springs is a good ol' fashioned Texas Hill Country swimmin' hole. Lots of shade from huge Cypress Trees. There is also a butterfly garden. It's a beautiful place and you will be tempted to take a dip in the cool spring fed waters. Great place to paint as well. 9AM

Directions: Krause Springs is located about 30 miles West of Austin off of Highway 71. Take Texas Highway 71 west from Austin, cross the Pedernales River, drive 7 miles, turn right on Spur 191 at the Exxon Station, right on County Road 404 and you will see the gates for the Krause Springs entrance to your left.
Contact: Robert McArthur, cell - 767-8285

Saturday, August 21 - Zedler Mill, 1170 South Laurel, Luling, TX 78648

An old mill complex built in 1879 and restored into a city park. On the banks of the San Marcos River, Zedler Mill features several rustic metal buildings, huge shade trees, and a river wide waterfall. This is a great place to paint, and a good place to take a dip in the river. Join Robert at 8AM to enjoy the cooler morning and softer light.

Directions: Zedler Mill is 39.5 miles from the intersection of Hwy’s 183 and 71 (near the airport).
Take HWY 183 south past the airport and pass through Lockhart and continue on 183 to Luling.
In Luling, HWY 183 turns left. Do not turn with 183 but continue straight on HWY 80 (Magnolia Ave.) to Laurel Street (just before the bridge over the San Marcos river). Turn right on Laurel. Zedler Mills is immediately to your left and the parking lot is immediately to your right. Park in the lot; cross the street; and enter over the wooden footbridge.
Contact: Robert McArthur, cell - 767-8285

Thursday, August 26 - Zilker Botanical Gardens, 2220 Barton Springs Road, 78746

Rose Garden, gazebo, tropical dinosaur park, Japanese Garden, beds and beds of native plants, koi ponds, water lily ponds, old pioneer cabin etc. etc. These are among the reasons not to miss this paintout. Early risers will find few visitors, cooler temperatures, and softer light.
Robert will be there by 7:30.

Location: 1/8 mile east of Mopac on Barton Springs Road.
Contact: Robert McArthur, cell - 767-8285