Join the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore for a plein air paint-out at King Gillette Ranch on March 9, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Spared by the recent Woolsey Fire that burned nearly half of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, 588-acre King Gillette Ranch, located in the heart of the Malibu Creek watershed at the corner of Mulholland Highway and Las Virgenes Road, offers unspoiled views of nearby mountains, stately coast and live oak woodlands, rolling meadows and fields and historic buildings.
The main residence and stables were designed for razor magnate King C. Gillette in the 1920’s by famous architect Wallace Neff, architect of California’s golden age. Painting opportunities include Gillette’s historic Spanish Colonial Revival style mansion and other structures that were part of the original landscape plan. These include a long tree-lined alleé and grand entry, a large constructed pond, a formal courtyard and terrace, bridges, and lawns.
The broad meadows and low ridge lines serve as a wildlife corridor in the geographic center of the Santa Monica Mountains range. Several sensitive species are present. Raptors and other birds forage and nest among the plant communities of valley and coast live oak savannah, grassland, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, riparian woodland, and southern willow riparian vegetation.
Paint-outs are a great way to meet other artists and discover new sites for inspiration. All plein air artists and art enthusiasts are welcome to participate, no cost and no membership required. The event begins at 9 a.m. with a short painting demonstration by featured Allied Artists member watercolorist Tim Kitz.
Participants should bring their own art supplies, water, lunch, sunscreen and repellent, hat and walking shoes. Rain cancels the paint-out. For more information, contact Elena Roche at elenaroche@elenaroche.com, (310) 570-3791 or Barbara Freund at dobieridge@gmail.com, (310) 903-2475, or visit the website allied-artists.com