Mid August : Mid Vacation

a few thoughts on being creative while away

I’m taking a few weeks at the beach in Massachusetts and then in Maine this August. It’s heavenly. I always want to paint while I’m traveling but I never know what form will be inspiring to me. On last year’s beach vacation, I set up a table looking over the water and painted large imaginative acrylic landscapes. I’m not feeling it this year, even though I expected it to. (It’s good to go with the flow and not force anything) Luckily, I also brought my dried water-based gouache palette and a large sketchbook and I’m out there every day painting plein air. **Tip: Be sure you bring paper and drawing materials, even if they aren’t the “perfect ones”.

I’m keeping it loose, having fun, and not being invested in perfection.

.A few years ago I was in Barcelona on the way back from a teaching workshop and I spent an afternoon with Maru Godas, after we looked at each other’s sketchbooks (hers are incredible) she suggested to me that I get a much bigger sketchbook and spread out. The one I’m using this week is 11x14”. It‘s freeing to have the extra space. It’s a pain to carry around though, I took the hardbound cover off to make it lighter, it’s not perfect but it’s exactly what I want this week. My dried palette is also too big for lugging around, but a mini watercolor size one feels too small for me. I have a few weeks when I get home before my Italy teaching trip to figure out a lightweight medium-sized solution. I’ll let you know.

When I’m not painting, I’m reading, hanging out with family and friends, eating, and relaxing! Have a great rest of summer everyone!

xxxJennifer