October 10, 2012

Out there, somewhere


I haven't been "here" because I've been out "there" and I'm trying to catch those few extra rays of sunshine while we still have them. I never used to be too keen on painting outside (plein air) but I think that might be because I didn't have the right setup. Now, I do (thank you Larry).

I started out with carts full of stuff and the setup seemed so cumbersome. Now, I am down to things I can just sling over my shoulder so I'm pretty mobile. Here's what I started with - yes, I know, it looks like my entire studio on wheels. But, because I didn't have the right stuff, I needed a lot of extra stuff. Until I got my Best Brella, I had to have the cart to attach my umbrella to (otherwise it would fly away) and I had to have the smaller cart because I didn't have anyplace to put my palette when I worked with oils. And, I had to have the bigger cart because my little cart couldn't go most places I wanted to go because the wheels are too small.

 
This is my new setup :).
 
Attache Aire (for oil or pastel) & bag (holds my pastels, paper/panels)
Winsor Newton Easel / Easel Butler (for pastels)
Best Brella
Walkstool
Accessory bag (turp/oils/brushes)
 
 
 
This is the Attache Aire set up for pastels. Those pointy things are magnetic & there's a tray below the painting so the dust doesn't get all over the pastels below. The paper on this is 11 x 14.
 
 
This is the Attache Aire set up for oils with a vertical palette! SO awesome for keeping the palette on the same light plane as the working surface (in the shade). I can't take credit for the idea, it was an idea inspired by David Kassan and shared by my friend, Cary. Larry adapted it to our Attache Board (still in protype) and now to the smaller Attache Aire. I am in love with this puppy!
 
 
 
This is so, cool, too - the palette flips over and screws facedown onto the board for transporting wet paint and fits into a Masterson Wet Palette storage container for longer term storage. Nice.
 
So what about the horse? Hahaha. Well, I was painting last night with a friend and this horse showed up for a nice stroll along the beach. Okay, he did have a friend with him, too, but it was still a little out of the ordinary and just another great reason why I enjoy going outside to paint.  
 
Cheers, all!

5 comments:

  1. I had to giggle, I just posted to my blog the same reason (summer sunshine) why I hadn't blogged much this summer. Love living in the PNW!
    I am intrigued with the Attache air palette!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well how fabulous to see your set up for outdoor painting!
    I've never really done much of that - But then again, your gadgets make setting up look a whole lot easier, lol!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Sandra, Thanks for stopping by - I'll be dashing by your place as soon as I haul my stuff inside. The weather is turning quickly!

    Hi RL Delight, I just went and read your post - we certainly are in synch! Oh, I so love the Oregon coast. I love our coast, too, but there is something so special about painting "your" coastline. I have takent the Attache-Air board out on numerous test-drives and we've made several modifications but I think it's splendid now. I am very happy with it. I will get a picture of it with the palette "flipped" so you can see it that way, too. You can email me if you'd like more info (sandy@sandybyers.com).

    ReplyDelete
  4. You sound like a little girl in a candy store...LOL. I love how we all get excited with our equipment.. I tried plein aire ONCE! I like it but it was a bit hard setting up when you work with pastels..however, this looks pretty compact...I love that horse, Sandy..I hope to see this one painted by you someday..

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Hilda,
    Yes, you are so right, I do feel like a kid in a candy store ;). I was a one-timer, too, but then just got a bee in my bonnet to try it again and I'm so glad I did. I'm so glad you like the horse - you know, it may just show up in a painting!

    ReplyDelete