My Setup for Plein Air Painting

Top photo: My setup for plein air painting

My photo

Middle photo: My EasyL tripod and easel box ready to travel

Wet canvas/panel sizes 8x10, 9x12, 11x14, 12x16 slide into pochade box 

My photo

Bottom photo: EasyL Plein Air Easel and Tripod Setup

EasyL photo

"Creativity takes courage."

-Henri Matisse

My EasyL Versa Plein Air Easel and tripod have made painting on location so much easier! It feels like an outdoor studio once you are all setup. The pochade box holds a variety of sizes of canvases or panels that are transported by sliding them into the back of the box - 8x10, 9x12, 11x14, 12x16. If you wish to transport smaller or larger sizes in another wet panel or canvas carrier then many more sizes can be secured onto this easel with certain necessary adapters (i.e. bungee cords, etc.). 

One other important item I was counseled to always bring is a thick piece of light colored fabric to lay down on the ground. This helps keep ants and other crawly creatures from crawling on your shoes and up your legs. YIKES!!! The light color allows you to see any moving creatures better. I use a reversible outdoor picnic blanket with an adjustable strap that is machine washable - Picnic Time Vista Outdoor Picnic Blanket! Living in Florida makes this an absolute necessity!

More about plein air supplies to come!

Enjoy painting! ... Peace

https://www.instagram.com/cindymottmcgarry

Color Speak

"The Secret Language of Color"

by Inna Segal

"Color is a power which directly influences the soul."

~Wassily Kandinsky

One of the most powerful reasons many artists love to paint is Color! Color is a way of communicating what you want to say without using words. Using mindfulness along with knowledge acquired about how humans perceive color, the use of different shades can create calm within the nervous system, influence mood and create peaceful feelings.

Hospitals are now using color to help patients feel better. Some hospitals and nursing homes also use music, writing and animal therapies to create a happier and calming environment. Certain colors are considered healing. The top seven are:

Yellow = playful, optimistic

Orange = happy, positive

Pink = loving, compassionate

Red = stimulating, energizing

Purple = meditative, creative

Blue = calming, tranquil

Green = soothing, refreshing

"The Secret Language of Color Cards" book by Inna Segal contains 45 different color cards. The guidebook talks about what the colors mean and how they can help you. There are also meditations for each color. More new shades can be brought into a person's surroundings by displaying pleasing art, wearing certain colors of clothing, spending time in nature, decorating, serving up a colorful plate of food ... and, of course, by painting and drawing. 

Speaking with color is a wonderful way to communicate, improve your emotional state and create the ambiance you desire!

Coming soon - more meditative art!

Thank you for reading my blog!

Check out my Meditative Art on my website!

Until next time ... Peace