One of my major puzzles to solve has been – how shall I continue to paint for the three months we are traveling in Europe starting in April? Photography, no problem, even if my camera bag weighs sixteen pounds with out my toothbrush and two pairs of socks, underwear and a clean t-shirt. The limit is 22 lbs. for carry on luggage. I think I can do it. But painting, how can we make THAT light weight and practical at the same time? Here is my solution….
This is a “French Resistance” Pochade box. It is 10 x 13 x 3 inches and weighs only 3 lbs. The palette is a wee lightweight one I rounded up from another source. I have already purchased Golden Heavy acrylic paints for their drying power over my water-mixable oils and I also picked up a dozen 8 x 10 inch primed panels to get me started. The panels and the little water jar are another find along with the pochade box that I discovered at Judsons Art Outfitters. The pochade box mounts onto my camera tripod but will also sit on a table. The packaging has a little note that says “kiss your French Easel goodbye and start a whole new relationship.” I did giggle. Though wee beauty it NOT likely to lessen my love for my French Box Easel. I am however open to a wild, passionate European fling with this little “French Resistance” pochade 😉 The acrylic paints clean up easily and dry quickly. The acrylics are the best substitute for my oils I could find and though not as rich and flexible, they will do the trick for painting sketches. And their other attributes make them a necessity. This light weight and compact set up means many a painting sketch while we are on the go. I will be able to pick up larger panels up to 16 x 20 inches to use with this pochade though a larger panel will likely mean adding weights to the tripod to keep it upright if it is windy. But to start, I am going to keep it quick and small. These will be painting sketches for reference in painting larger oil paintings when I get back to our home on the southwest coast of Canada. Many of these sketches will likely be en plein air because, well, why not!
Wishing you all a fine week ahead!
What is YOUR major puzzle to solve this week?
p.s. In other news, FOUR photography prints of Mayne Island SOLD to a new collector yesterday and will take up residence in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yippee! Please feel free to have a browse your self at my Redbubble Storefront.
© 2014 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.
Liberal usage granted with written permission. See “About” for details.
Creative Potager – Visit with painter and photographer Terrill Welch
From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada
For gallery and purchase information about Terrill’s photographs and paintings go to http://terrillwelchartist.com
Creative Potager 
Terrill – your solution looks like a real winner to me! In any case we are inching closer to your great European journey. Excitement is surely building.
The puzzle here is to figure out a way to rig the clouds and the heavens so it won’t snow any more this Winter. Ha!
Sam I am so tingling with excitement that I lay down to sleep and then think of a thousand things that still must be done – my eyes are then reluctant to close. Ah well, it is a good kind of preoccupation. Yes, snow be gone with you! We have none of this white stuff but the winds are still howling their winter dissatisfaction with two storms back to back this weekend. However, the power stayed on – YES! I did get a chance this morning to provide two art film reviews on your post “Gloria, Young Mr. Lincoln, Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts and upcoming ‘The Complete Hitchcock’ on Monday Morning Diary (February 17)” This reference is mostly a live link for others that might want to slip by and join in the conversation you host there every Monday. All the best of today Sam!
Major Puzzle Paying my billssigh
KIm
From: Creative Potager Reply-To: Creative Potager Date: Monday, February 17, 2014 1:01 PM To: Kimberly Grady Subject: [New post] How To Paint Europe While Traveling Without An Art Studio
WordPress.com Terrill Welch posted: “One of my major puzzles to solve has been – how shall I continue to paint for the three months we are traveling in Europe starting in April? Photography, no problem, even if my camera bag weighs sixteen pounds with out my toothbrush and two pairs of socks”
That is a big one Kimberly and I do wish you a positive solution! You can do it, I just know you can!
Glad you came up with a solution. Weight limits are the pits for traveling artists, well, for traveling anybody, for that matter.
Blogging from Ecuador,
Kathy
It is a challenge Kathryn and since you are blogging from Ecuador I am sure you have some solutions of your own for these restrictions. I am most concerned with the limitations of the paints but my back up plan is to buy the oils and wet painting containers while I am there and then leave them behind the paints when it is time to return. We shall see. I plan of shipping the paintings home as I go so that will be an expense but not an issue.
Terrill — Clearly, you’re one smart cookie! The pochade box looks to be the perfect summer romance, I can see why you’ll fall head over heels!
My biggest puzzle to solve this week was taken care of by Sandi White who told me about the “under water” trick for de-seeding pomegranates! Prior to that tip, it was a fight to the death 🙂
Oh that does sound like an interesting trick Laurie! I am assuming you will include the solution in the run of recent food recipe and preparation images? And about the pochade promise… ah well you know (she shrugs one shoulder), promises are one thing but I will breathe a sigh of relief when this handsome lightweight delivers!
‘wild, passionate European fling’–I love that.
My major puzzle will surely be navigating the University of Victoria campus to arrive safely at Words Thaw literary festival. But that’s not until Saturday. So I have an entire week to devote to revisions–which is a puzzle in itself, a very happy one.
Oh my that does sound like fun and the University of Victoria is such a nice campus though I admittedly haven’t been there in years. Do enjoy Leanne.
What a wonderful opportunity! I would have found anyway I could to practice my art while doing a tour of the Continent ! Sounds wonderous!
My major puzzle was to curate a photography exhibition for the Photographic Society of Philadelphia . That has been accomplished, the show is now up, with reception Sunday March 16th.
Oh for a wild passionate fling – Way to go and what a fun find
It is Patricia and I found a small wet palette which I think will fit and will work better. I will know when I get back home and check it out.
I’m thinking you’re going to discover ‘European’ art materials during your sketching-tour that you’ll explore on your canvas/papers and then you’ll wonder how to bring back home your favorite-finds!!!!!
What a fun dilemma for you to encounter.
As for my puzzle…still puzzling over that question.
peace
LAURA
Welcome to Creative Potager Laura and I am thinking you may be right. That would be something after searching so carefully for what to bring.