I'm sorry to have been so quiet this past week. I haven't made much in the way of art although I've been in my studio every day, reading blogs, keeping up with email, making a mess and straightening it up, painting paper and spraying, but mostly preparing for vacation travel.
For some reason I simply can't toss a few things into my suitcase and be confident that I'll have all I need when I get to my destination. I have to make lists upon lists to be sure I haven't forgotten something important... and this from a woman who used to teach workshops about planning and packing a travel wardrobe. Yesterday I finally called it quits, culled my clothes down to the bare essentials, put most of the more valuable things like art supplies into my carry-on, pared down the contents of my handbag, and I think I'm ready to go except for the last few things I'll need until we hit the road.
Art essentials for my trip:
So what am I taking in the way of art supplies? an Altoid travel box with 10 colors, a waterbrush plus 4 other rather small brushes, a tiny spray bottle, a tiny bottle of Indian red ink and a dip pen for drawing, my collage/watercolor journal and a few extra bits of watercolor paper, 2 gluesticks and a small bottle of ModPodge with a spreader, small scissors, pens and pencils, eraser and pencil sharpener, a tiny sea sponge, several paper and plastic alphabet stencils, my Moleskine journal and tiny watercolor paintbox and waterbrush in my handbag, a film container with paper clips and brads with masking tape wrapped around the outside, a roll of clear packing tape that tears easily to use for magazine transfers. I'm sure there's more but I can't think what. I didn't make a list for those things. I laid out everything I thought I'd need and put only half of it into a small folding cosmetic bag I found at Fred Meyers. Oh yes, I added a small cribiner, an S hook, and a large safety pen. These are so I can hang up my bag from the airplane seatback in front of me while I work on that impossibly small table. I'd show you a picture but I forgot to take one before packing and I'm not about to undo it now. Maybe I'll remember to take pictures as I work so you can see the process later. Remind me.
I'd love to see the x-ray at airport security!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time.
Safe and pleasant travels Jo! I love your mini supply list and I can't wait to see your creations. Your cribiner & S hook/safety pin is a CLEVER idea. I too have tried painting while mid-flight...it's not easy!!!
ReplyDeleteIs there a list (from the airlines) of what type of paints are allowed? I will be going to Mexico in Oct. and would like to be sure what can I put in my kit.
ReplyDeleteYou can take any paints but no solvents. Watercolor and acrylics present no problems... just put them into a tough plastic bag and into your checked luggage along with a note that these are "artists colors". Same with oils. But I'd hand carry oils in a quart ziplock with the same note, artists colors, being sure the tubes are the small size, less than 3 oz. For more information go to The Painters Keys and search for traveling with paints. Never tell a TSI person at security that these are paint... always refer to them as artists colors. If you work in oil you can buy solvents at your destination.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jo, I will be taking only the KOI Watercolor kit, and a journal and will take lots of pictures to later maybe doing in acrylics.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have absolutely no problems with taking watercolors. Like you, I take lots of pictures and I try to take time to really study what I shoot so that the memory is sealed. If you can, sit down and do a quick sketch, no matter how critical you are of your skills. this seals memories better than anything I know, certainly better than photos do. Have a great time; let me know about your trip later, please.
ReplyDelete