The Right Stuff

I seem to always be on the lookout for the right bag to pack my things in when I travel. I really don't like checking my bag at the airport, nor do I like schlepping around Europe with an overload of equipment (been there, done it). I just found a new one that I really like, has a separate bag on the front that zips on, or you can carry separately. The zippers are really sturdy, lots of pockets (that seems to help some, but when I have too many, I can't find anything!) It's California Pac and I got the 21" Diplomat. I figure if I can't fit it all in, I don't really need it, and if I buy things when traveling and bring back paintings I use a zip grocery bag with the paintings wrapped in wax paper that I always carry with me.

Now my friend, and fellow painter, Cynthia Rosengren, travels by bike everywhere here in Charleston (and may I add - she and her husband Dave just walked across England). Here is her solution to carrying her equipment. Smart girl.

Sometimes You Win, Sometimes...

Trains, planes & automobiles...we've been doing a lot of traveling in the past few months, and it is so nice to be back in the studio, with nowhere to go - just paint. I came back from Chicago with this image in my head that I wanted to paint really big. 48x60. Sort of a version of my "Beach Girls", only with five people. That's a lot of canvas to cover, and I dove into it 9 hours each day for three days, thinking that it would "turn the corner" and start to look like what was in my head.

I'm pretty good at persevering, but sometimes, no matter what you do, it just doesn't work. That's a lot of time to invest and i hesitated for a few hours on the fourth day when I went into the studio first thing. I had made the commitment to the painting when I started, and gave it a valiant try, but it just wasn't the magic I aim for. So I scraped it all off (saved the paint in a pile for future "greys"). Frustrating yes, but in the end, I don't want a painting hanging around that I didn't just love.

So I've been painting 8x10's all week and very happy to let the 48x60 rest in the corner until I am inspired again.

When you're frustrated, paint small and quickly. I did this little one in France after I was doing large ones all week. For me, it brings back the joy of painting- capturing the light and color.

"Le Petit Patisserie"

8x8 oil on board

$450