Packing for an overseas painting adventure is a skill in itself. What to take and, more importantly, what to leave home is more significant than you might think. You want to take everything you need, but not one extra item. Here, Carole Bruno demonstrates one of the valuable skills she learned while in France.
THERE ARE TWO BASIC WAYS I LIKE TO PAINT WHEN TRAVELING (and neither of them include an easel). By the way, if you just read this blog to be amused, scroll all the way to the end. 🙂
- I love painting in a journal format. It’s such a good memory to take home. Opening it up and looking at the pages takes you right back to that day. Plus, you can paint additional pages after you get home, painting from the many photos you took. OR
- Individual paintings, not in a journal format.
PAINTING IN A JOURNAL. FUN! CHOOSING THE RIGHT JOURNAL FOR YOU is sometimes challenging, so here’s some help with making the right decision.
NOTE: Could we use one of the cool journals we made from our old paintings? Yes, we could, depending on the QUALITY OF PAPER you have inside them and the SIZE. I’ll talk more about that in a moment.
Every time I go on a painting trip I learn something. Over the years, I’ve used a lot of different journals. Here’s a photo of several of them, along with comments about what I like and DON’T like about them. Only one of these travels with me anymore. Each trip I get lighter and easier. Why am I showing you journals I no longer take on trips? So you can learn from my mistakes. I’ve been seduced by a journal more than once. Tempted to use less than 140lb. Paper, and I’ve learned the hard way! When in question, test your paper before you go.
OR you can keep it simple and do the following, which fits either way of painting – with a journal, or individual pieces.
I think that might be enough for you to chew on this time around? I’ll let you digest that a bit, then on Thursday I’ll post a list and photo of the rest of the supplies you’ll need to pack.
One final thing. I just can’t help myself. I can’t get over how I escaped the bullet with the swimsuit caper. You want to know what I had pictured in my mind? Here you go…and besides, if you’ve read this far, I think you deserve a bit of ‘eye candy’, don’t you? he, he.
   
Thanks so much for reading and stay warm out there! More on Thursday…
Kathie xo
Love it! Thanks for the info and the “eye candy!”
Love the ideas you gave for journals. Makes me want to go on another trip with you.
As for that “eye candy”, well there just aren’t any words!
I really enjoy your tips. I have also reached the conclusion that only 140# paper will ‘make it worthwhile’. Glad to know how to make journals too because finding what you want at a price you can afford can be a challenge.
You’re welcome. Have I said how happy I am that you’re joining us? I miss you, goofy girl.
Kathie as always some wonderful tips. And I really enjoyed the photos, reminds me of the old pictures of my Dad in his swim suit. Glad your experiences with your husbands suit was a good one.
Oh Linda…..I won’t ask which one reminds you of your dad. (I do hope the shoes weren’t a part of the suit). hahah.
Love your idea. I’m going to be “teaching” art with the Boys and Girls Club in Arlington, WA in December. Long way away I know, but this would work great. By December, I’m sure I’ll find more things for them to work on.
Thank you for always coming up with new ideas. Safe travels.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Love my American Journey 9×12 journal. Because it is spiral bound and the pages lay flat. I have the one which Kathie made me for France in 2010 and while I treasure it, it is travel worn and falling apart. I might try
to redo it or take it apart and paste the pages into another one someday. But I’m not done painting in it!
Yes, Sandi, that particular one is the one I still use. Sturdy, not too heavy and good paper inside….even for mixed media which you know I love. When you get it entirely filled, I think we should sew the pages. I’ve learned a lot since I made that first journal for all of you.
Okay, Kathie, it is a deal when I finish the France journal. Right now I am working on the Italy one. Just finished painting the lovely lady in Siena serenading her dog with her accordion. First time I ever painted a face and thanks to my other teacher Dottie, it came out pretty good.
Oh Sandi….send me an image of that painting. Would love to see it.