Time on the road

Been a while. After travelling for 9 days, we arrived in Collingwood Ontario, where our sons and their families live. Nice to be back in familiar landscape. Great to be with family and the weather has been wonderful. So I have not picked up a paint brush for almost a month. Had expected to do some plein air along the way but the weather SUCKED. So we just pushed through. But I did collect lots of new reference photos - hundreds in fact.

In case weather was bad I packed a half dozen of my favorite books to re - read. I began with Powerful Watercolor Landscapes - by Catherine Gill with Beth Means. I first saw it at the Carol Marine workshop and, although it was watercolor medium, the content is outstanding and suited to all mediums.

I was once again struck by the introduction - which seemed very close to home for me. This is a wonderful book - particularly for plein  air. It simplifies the essentials and provides excellent exercises. I recommend it highly.

Now we are set up in our little condo until the end of June. I set up a "studio" in a SMALL bedroom with Walmart plastic on the walls and floors. Added a bit of lighting. Used the storage boxes from the RV as "tables"  and used the palette from my ArtBox on my Soltek easel to get as close to the acrylic set up I wanted.

I have started painting again. But this is the longest stretch without painting I have taken since I began in 2004. Needed to start slow and small.

I will share some of what I am using and doing in a few days.

Cheers.