Workshop with the Art Group of the Comox Valley

Finished a two day Preparing for Plein Air workshop with members of the Art Group of the Comox Valley. Great group and very well organized. The venue was the beautiful ocean-front home and gardens of Kate Brown.

The workshop focused on planning, preliminary sketching, value plans and getting ones head in the right place for the challenges of painting on location. The group took to it like ducks to water. Great fun for me.

For anyone interested in this group contact artgroup.cv@gmail.com

New Plein Air set up for our RV

Last year Cathy and I changed from a truck with a fifth wheel trailer to a class C motorhome. Suits us in most respects but , without our truck, it means we need to unplug and move every time I want to paint in the area.

So I modified my older mountain bike and added a Bionx Peddle Assist battery system and a Burley Travoy bike trailer .  I dug out an old large back pack that fit my ArtBox plein air system and all supplies and a new duffle bag for a simplified acrylic set up.

So now I have a mobile plein air system for both oil and acrylic that gives me full freedom from the RV.

The Bionx system is terrific. I can use the bike without the assist for workouts or add the power that responds to the gear and torque applied. I am booked for a knee replacement in a few months so it enables me to pull the added gear without problems.

The Travoy bike cart is also a great addition. Even if I didn't use it behind a bike it is a great system for toting gear and it folds up to almost nothing. Great investment.

Of course it did mean we had to get Cathy a Bionx for her bike as well.

A few recent sketches done on RV trips using my new set up.

Acrylic 11x14

Oil on MDF board 8x10

Oil on linen board 8x10

Oil on Linen board 11x14