| What's Inside:
- Next Paint Out: Friday, October 23, 10am to 12pm Pastel Art Demonstration ~with~ Mike Ishikawa! Heisler Park in Laguna Beach
- New! Join our SOCALPAPA Painting Challenge!! One week only! October 24 - 31~Chance to win a gift certificate~Details below!
-New! Shipley Nature Center Paint Out and Sale November 21 ~ Registration now open!
- Save the Dates for October and November 2026 Paint Outs
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- SOCALPAPA Referral List
- Order Your SOCALPAPA Name Badge & Name Plate
- Muth Display Gallery & Art Bin Reminders
- Download the SOCALPAPA APP
- SOCALPAPA Referral List
- Online Critique Group every Thursday on Zoom 10-11am
Shown: Club Members painting at Dana Point Headlands Hiking Loop above Strand Beach on a blustery day | | |  |
Join the SOCALPAPA Paint Challenge! The More you post, the more chances you have to win!!
>> Open to SOCALPAPA members only <<
Post yourself plein air painting or painting in your Studio
Please only post paintings that you’ve done the week of the challenge
We can’t wait to see where you are painting!
Paint, Post and Promote SOCALPAPA!
Questions? Contact Chairperson Kim Gordon
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Registration now open!
~ for the~
Shipley Nature Center
Paint Out & Sale
Saturday, November 21, 2026
9am - 3pm
17851 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Space is limited to 25 members, Register early!
You must be registered for the event by Monday, November 16, 2026 @ midnight
on the SOCALPAPA website to attend!
This exciting opportunity for members returns for a second year, with a slightly expanded schedule.
Registration is open now and the fee is $15 per artist, plus a suggested donation of $5 upon entry.
(Please scroll down this email for Directions listed in Paintouts description)
ABOUT THE EVENT
Paint the beautiful nooks and crannies of the 18-acre Shipley Nature Center:
* Chance to engage with new potential collectors and sell your art;
* Bring (1) previously painted finished artwork with you to sell (subject must be a framed plein-air style landscape) on our display grids during the last day of the concurrent holiday pop-up shop;
* Display and sell what you paint the same day on the trails, up to (3) plein air pieces painted the same day. Sell off your easel in the amphitheatre, framing not required;
* Light refreshments to be provided to artists.
Visit the SOCALPAPA website Event page, member logon required to learn more, read the full prospectus, and register:
Contact:
Randi Moran
randi.moran1@gmail.com
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OCTOBER 2026 PAINT OUT DATES
Friday, October 23
10am to 12pm
Heisler Park in Laguna Beach
"Painting with Verve"
Pastel Art Demonstration
~with~ Mike Ishikawa
Saturday, October 31
9:00am
Niguel Botanical Reserve
29571 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel
NOVEMBER 2026 PAINTOUT DATES
Friday, November 6
(9:00 opening time)
Shipley Nature Center
17851 Goldenwest Street
Huntington Beach, CA
Mentor Day with Jim Ellsberry
Saturday, November 7
9:00am
Huntington Beach Central Park by the Lake and Library
Friday, November 13
9:00am
Newport Coast Crystal Cove State Park
Pelican Point entrance
$15 entrance fee
Registration Required, Limited to 25 SOCALPAPA Members
Shipley Nature Center
Paint Out & Sale
Saturday, November 21, 2026
9am - 3pm
17851 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Friday, November 27
9:00am
Salt Creek Beach, Dana Point
| "Painting with Verve"
Pastel Art Demonstration
with Mike Ishikawa
Friday, October 23
10am to 12pm
middle of Heisler Park in Laguna Beach
Please join us for a demo by pastel artist Mike Ishikawa!
Watch how Mike uses bold bright colors, strong strokes, shades, shadows, and varied textures to create a painting that is filled with light and energy. Mike will be using soft pastel, but we encourage painters of all mediums to learn how Mike utilizes "verve" to create his unique style.
Mike, from Los Angeles, was born in 1937 and began painting in pastel in 2009 after a career as an architect. He is an award-winning artist and has been invited to compete in the 2026 LPAPA Invitational.
DIRECTIONS
From Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Laguna, at the Laguna Art Museum Cliff Drive entrance go towards the beach and park at metered parking around the corner near the middle asphalt pathway that leads to the point by the flagpole and veterans monument near the lawn bowling. Mike will be set up somewhere on the path looking South towards Main Beach and the gazebo. Look for the SOCALPAPA flag and a SOCALPAPA member to direct you to the setup.
Restrooms are along Heisler Park near Jasmine and Cliff Drive | | Saturday, October 31
9:00am
Niguel Botanical Reserve
29571 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel
Take the 5 Freeway to Crown Valley Parkway heading South about 2-3 miles. Just past Central Park Drive, go Right at the next exit, go past the pool building and park on the left by the restrooms. Go through the playground equipment up the path. Paint along the path up the hill, or the domed cupola, or across the valley in different directions. Lots of tree-shaded views along the path.
Restrooms by the playground | | | | Friday, November 6
(9:00 opening time)
Shipley Nature Center
17851 Goldenwest Street
Huntington Beach, CA
Take the 405 or 22 Freeways to Goldenwest and go South towards the beach a few miles, and just past Slater, go Right into the small parking lot across the street from the Huntington Beach Library. Take the path at the North end of the parking lot and go about 100 feet to the Shipley entrance. Donate $5 near the entrance if you want. This a scout out day for possible locations for those entering the event on the 21st. Wear long pants, to protect against nettles along the path.
Restrooms available behind the gift shop | | | | Mentor Day with Jim Ellsberry
Saturday, November 7
9:00am
Huntington Beach Central Park by the Lake and Library
Take the 405 or 22 and go South on Goldenwest Street a few miles, go past Slater I/2 mile to Library Entrance on the Left. Bear Left into the parking lot past the library and park nearest to the lake under the protective roofs. Meet near the lake by the concrete pad/bandstand area. Coffee shop in Library lower level.
Restrooms nearby | | | | Friday, November 13
9:00am
Newport Coast Crystal Cove State Park
Pelican Point entrance
$15 entrance fee
On Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), just across the street from the Newport Coast Highway junction is the Pelican Point entrance to the park. Go through the entrance (if the gate is manned you may have to pay $15 entrance fee—otherwise there will be QR codes to scan in the lots.) Bear Right and go past Lot 2 over to Lot 1 and park your car. Walk on the path past the restrooms and go about 100 yards to a fork that goes Left down the ramp to the beach, or take the path on the Right and go past the golf course greens 1/4 mile to views of the cliffs and ocean.
Restrooms on the path | | |
Shipley Nature Center
Paint Out & Sale
Saturday, November 21, 2026
9am - 3pm
17851 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Registration now open!
You must be registered for the event by Monday, Nov 16, 2026 @ midnight
on the SOCALPAPA website to attend!
Registration fee is $15 per artist, plus a suggested donation of $5 upon entry.
For those not familiar with the location of the Shipley Nature Center, its 17851 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach, CA-- from the 22 or 405 Freeway, take Goldenwest Street a few miles, and just past Slater 1/2 mile is the small parking lot entrance on the Right for the Huntington Beach Central Park West, which includes Shipley Nature Center. If lot is full, park up the hill in the Senior Center lot or across the street at the Library lot. Walk down the path at the top of the Central Park lot about 1/4 mile to the entrance of the Nature Center. $5 donation requested. Wear long pants to protect against nettles on some places near the paths.
Restrooms by the gift shop
Visit the SOCALPAPA website Event page, member logon required to learn more, read the full prospectus, and register:
Contact:
Randi Moran
randi.moran1@gmail.com
|  | | | | Friday, November 27
9:00am
Salt Creek Beach, Dana Point
Take Crown Valley from the 5 freeway South to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), go Left down about a mile to the Ritz Carlton Resort and Salt Creek Parking Lot entrance (Look for the fake Lighthouse). Park on the very end by the kiosks to pay and walk under the tunnel down to the Beach. If the sand is missing because of high tide, and storm damage, paint from the bluffs just above the beach.
Restrooms at the parking lot and by the path near the beach | | | Order Your Name Badge and Name Plate!
SOCALPAPA encourages members to wear name badges at all of our events and Paint Outs.
If you are entering the summer Back Bay Event, a name badge and name plate are required. Get ahead and order yours now!
Log in to the SOCALPAPA website, click Artists in the blue banner and look for Member Resources. Go to that page and you will find a button for ordering the badge and name plate.
| https://www.socalpapa.com/ | Muth Bin Reminders
Since so many wonderful artists are now contributing to the bin at Muth, we want to remind you of a few guidelines.
1. All work displayed at Muth must be original plein air-style depicting outdoor locations in Orange County.
Animals, plants or people must be shown in a landscape setting.
2. Flat panels only, no foam-core backing or gallery wrap.
3. Mat board backing is suggested to make your work look more professional.
4. Obtain and attach a sales slip for each painting from the green SOCALPAPA notebook at the front desk, and fill out a form to list your work in the green book.
5. Paintings must be in a cellophane envelope.
6. Suggested minimum price: $50 for smaller paintings $75 for larger work.
7. Due to space considerations, we are no longer going to accept prints.
Thanks to you all,
Randi Moran |  | | Get the Club App on your phone!
NEW! Want to stay updated on what's happening, while you're on the go?
Access all the same SOCALPAPA information on your phone, using the Club Express app.
Register for events, check the calendar, renew your membership, and more -- all in an easy-to-use format on your phone.
The Club Express app is available for iPhone and Android users.
iPhone users -> head to the App Store
Android users -> head to the Google Play Store
Click here for instructions -- 3 easy steps -- how to download it and register!
|  | Did you know there are several ways to find out about the paint outs?
• Weekly Bulletin
• MeetUp group online
• Website events calendar
• Facebook & Instagram
ALSO
Occasionally our group gets approached for plein air painter referrals.
If you would like to be included on a roster, please email Kim Gordon with your name and phone number.
Make sure to put "Referrals List" in the email subject line.
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 | SOCALPAPA ZOOM
Zoom Group invites you to join us
every Thursday, from 10am -11am
This is a time for members to share their art, get feedback and connect with other artists over the web. All levels are welcome.
If you are not ready to share, join us anyway and get inspired!
Follow link below to join.
The passcode is 229461
Zoom |
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 | Discover the SOCALPAPA Meetup Group and join our thriving community of plein-air painters in Southern California.
Get the latest updates, find out who is joining (we have 279 members now!) and connect with other artists on events such as our weekly paint outs, paint aways, Zoom meetings, special events and showcases!
If you haven't already joined, head over to the MeetUp website and join the group - it's free!
Your artistic community awaits you.
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| GET SOCIAL!
Tag us in your paint out posts
#socal_papa & @socal_papa
on Instagram!
Post your photos on our FaceBook page!
Connect with and be inspired by our
fantastic group of artists!
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GET INVOLVED!
The club is still looking for members to volunteer for
different committees and events this year.
There are a variety of different ways you can get involved, both large and small.
Contact Randi Moran if you want to help.
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OUR SPONSORS
We continually wish to thank
our sponsors. Visit their links below and please continue to support their businesses.
Dakota Pastel Supples
Frame Xpress Long Beach
Fast Frame Irvine
Irvine Ranch Water District
Paint Like a Pro - Debra Huse
Randy Higbee Gallery
Newport Bay Conservancy
OC Parks
Rosemary & Co Brushes
San Joaquin Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary
Teri Ludwig Pastels
Tim Smith Real Estate Group / Caldwell Banker Newport Beach
Viviva Colors
Watercolor West |
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 | SOCALPAPA is a 501c3 organization
(Southern California Plein Air Painters Association)
~Our Mailing Address~
4790 Irvine Blvd, Ste 105-371
Irvine, CA 92620
Contact Us | |