I have just returned from a week down at Phillip Island.  Our plans were changed as we recently adopted a rescue fur baby.   
The weather was chilly and most days it rained, yet we were able to feast our eyes on some spectacular coastline. 
The day before we decided to head home early, I visited a gallery in the main street of Cowes.  As I walked in, I noticed a board advertising an art class that afternoon. After chatting with the artist owner and her invitation to come back for the class, I couldn't wait to return later that afternoon. 

I enjoyed a few hours of painting a scene from my phone photos. Interestingly, I found it funny to have the colours squeezed onto the palette for me, colours I wouldn't have started with and some colours I would never have picked.  Being an artist who enjoys working with a limited palette and mixing colours to create what is needed, I somehow felt overwhelmed by the colour choices made for me. I work from the sky down and this time I had to start working from the ground up.  I found it challenging, yet exciting and different at the same time. 

It was fun to become the student and experience the class from a completely different way, when the fellow artist had no idea I also create art. 

Featured Artwork: Sunderland Bay, Phillip Island - work in progress, will be available for sale when completed. 
 

I am an over packer.  I am the one who has the 'just in case' or 'extra for someone else' type of person. I can't help myself, I do it wherever I go whenever I go.  I am guilty of this misdemeanor when I go out to our monthly paint outs.  I add a few extras for anyone that may have left something at home or a new person who wasn't sure what to bring.  Suddenly, my backpack is filled with extra items, I don't use and generally no one else does either. 
So... last month I decided it was time to take the plunge and cull what wasn't required and scale down to a more manageable kit. I looked long and hard at what I really needed and set about setting up a new kit. 
Firstly, I changed from a large backpack to a sling bag. I now need to fit everything into it, leaving room for my purse, phone and keys.  This is such a great grab and go kit.

This is now what I carry:

• Mont Marte watercolour journal A5
  
• Mont Marte A5 jounal/sketchbook 
• A small primary colours watercolour kit with built in palette 
• Sketchbook
• Paper towels and rubbish bag
• Foldable water pot
• Pencil case
  • Art Spectrum Watercolour well brush
  • HB pencil
  • 2B pencil
  • Faber Castell Pitt artist Pen 0.5
  • Waterproof fine liner 0.2
  • Stabilo All Pencil aquarellable in blue, yellow, red, white, graphite
  • 1/4" flat brush

I also carry a water bottle with me should I need it. 

Only last weekend, I headed out for our monthly paint out, with my chair slung over my shoulder, my sling bag filled with my kit and a coffee in hand, I was set for a joyous scaled down morning.

Do you have a special kit for your en plein air excursions?  Feel free to share your recommendations in the comments below.

When I run classes at any of the programs I run, including at my studio "Art in the Garden Room", I always recommend to sign the artwork and date it on the back. 
I wish I had done this when I started back painting. Fortunately, modern technology means I can work out dates based on the photos on my phone.

I love to look back and see the progression in my artwork, how my brushstrokes have changed, my colour palette and style changes. My art has always been inspired by nature, the style and colour palette has changed over time, yet my artwork continues to be inspired by nature.  Over time, I realised, I  prefer to paint impressionistic and abstract work, using mixed media. 
 
When we look back at our artwork it can trigger ideas, identify what we love, what we prefer to leave behind and monitor our development. Looking back can move you forward to exciting new ideas, spark joy in following your own artistic journey and create a sense of accomplishment.  This is why, I highly recommend having a sketchbook for practice as well as a safe private place for experimentation. 

Do you sign and date your work? Do you like looking at an artist's earlier work?
Feel free to leave a comment below.

Featured Artwork: Spring Meadow
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