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| Spring Greens at the Seaside Barn, 6x8, oil
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Now that we've settled in after our long, cross-country drive, I thought I'd go out painting with a few new items I've come across. We've had absolutely gorgeous weather these last few days, and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to play before getting back to work. Of course, painting
is work, but I call it playing when I introduce a few new items to my materials or equipment. (Actually, I
have been working; this week, I created the syllabus and materials for my online course through Artists Network University, started an article for The Artist's Magazine, and promoted
my Paint Campobello plein air painting workshops.)
Although blackflies aren't a problem when I start teaching my workshops at the end of June, we always have a run of them in late May. I came across "
Bye Bye Blackfly," a DEET-free ointment that comes in a nifty can. We do have blackflies now, and I can swear that this product works.
I've always used those free plastic bags from Wal-Mart for disposing of my soiled papertowels. I hang one from the side of my pochade box. But one problem with these bags, in addition to their being bad for the environment, is that a windy day will often send it whipping around, often right into my palette. Paint gets everywhere. I now have the
Bajer Pop Open Caddy, thanks to a student of mine from Ohio. Originally designed as a shower caddy, it's perfect for trash. I have to admit I do line it with a plastic bag.
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Besides the Pop Open Caddy, you'll note the Art Cocoon, which I
have written about before. |
Finally, when I was at the Plein Air Expo in Las Vegas, I was given a set of
Cobra paints, a new brand of water-miscible oil paint from Royal Talens, the people who make Rembrandt paints and pastels. They're better that the Grumbacher Max brand which seems to "clump" when thinned with too much water. Yes, I know you can buy a medium that will thin without clumping, but for me the point of these paints is to minimize what I have to carry. Cobra paints thin well with just water. I like the consistency of them, too.
At the top of this post is the little piece I did this morning. With all these new toys, you can bet I had fun painting it!
