DOZENS SIGN UP FOR CONSERVANCY'S `PAINT-OUT'.

Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer

Malibu artist Pat Ryan hasn't missed a ``paint-out'' in the six years the Mountains Conservancy Foundation has been organizing the event.

``I love to paint the Santa Monica Mountains - that's all I paint besides seascapes,'' said Ryan, who helped organize today's plein-aire - or open-air - painting session at Diamond X Ranch.

After an intense winter of El Nino-driven rains, the foundation and the National Park Service organized the year's first paint-out. Dozens of painters already have signed up to attend - even if it should begin to drizzle.

``Unless it starts pouring rain, I think we'll be fine,'' said Garrie Mar, spokesperson for the foundation.

For the past six years, the nonprofit group, based in Malibu, has organized the paint-outs to promote the grandeur of the Santa Monica Mountains and the beauty they can inspire among artists, Mar said.

``For many people, it's just an introduction to the mountains and the kind of art that can come from being in some of the lesser-known park areas,'' she said.

Paintings will be exhibited at Peter Strauss Ranch in Agoura and at Charmlee Park in Malibu during next month's Hands Across the Parkland festivities when the National Park Service celebrates its 20th anniversary.

``We just want people to know that the Santa Monica Mountains are right here for them and that these kinds of opportunities exist for free,'' said Catherine Saunders, spokesperson the National Park Service.