Art Cocoon Wet Panel Carriers

Plein Air Curacao - Art Cocoon is a sponsor and I'll be there!

2011-08-26T14:16:00.000-04:00

Step aside, Irene, I'm goin' to Curacao in the morning! Not even the threat of an historic hurricane will stop me now. Heading out Saturday morning - moved the flight up one day. Almost packed. Very excited about this trip to Curacao where Art Cocoon is an official sponsor and I get to paint all day, every day for a week with some truly fantastic painters.

Here's a recent photo of a Curacao painting by Nancy Tankersley (http://www.nancytankersley.com/). Nancy is one of the organizers of Plein Air Curacao and will also be teaching during the workshop.

I'll be updating all week, so stay tuned!

Art Cocoon Kids Paint Out - A Great Success

2011-08-07T09:21:00.001-04:00

Painters signing up at Art Cocoon booth.

A future gallery owner.

Half way point.

Serious painter with assistant.

This painter later on took first place.

A little Picasso.

A perfect family friendly event.

Everybody is a winner today!

44 young emerging artists painted in Rotary Park in Goffstown, NH during the Uncommon Art Fair on Saturday, August 6. Sometimes photos say it all! But, I will add...
... the Art Cocoons were perfect. There was a lot of wet paint here, but since no one had to touch the wet paintings, the paint stayed on the paintings where it belongs and that made everyone happy! We are heading to the drawing board to design a new product especially for this application. Stay tuned!

Uncommon Art on the Common Art Festival - Goffstown, NH August 6

2011-07-27T08:16:00.001-04:00

The Goffstown Main Street Program will host the 3rd Annual "Uncommon Art on the Common" Festival on August 6. Goffstown's largest art festival yet with over 35 vendors and a "Kids Paint Out" this promises to be a great day. We invite plein air painters to come and set up to paint anywhere downtown. This could be a great opportunity to get some free exposure and potential sales. Rest rooms will be available. Come and enjoy the day with us ~ paint, enjoy the festival, dine in one of our great restaurants, and check out our cool shops.

Art Cocoons available at South Street Art Gallery in Easton, MD

2011-07-25T21:15:00.005-04:00

Nancy Tankersley explains how to use Art Cocoons

during Plein Air Easton.

An e-mail came in today from Nancy Tankersley:

"Pat, I am going to sell some cocoons at the Camille Przewodek workshop tomorrow. Would appreciate it if you would add our school link to your page."

Consider it done, Nancy, and thanks so much!

eastonstudioandschool.com/

Plein Air Easton Quick Draw

2011-07-24T22:18:00.000-04:00

Richard Dorbin and I set up off the main street in the shade.

Two hours to paint in this open competition.

Here comes the judge!

Painting in 100+ degree temps - ya gotta be nuts! The "Quick Draw" at Plein Air Easton is a 2 hour open event that took place on Saturday from 10-noon. Despite the oppressive heat a great number of painters participated encouraged by crowds of onlookers. I painted a sidewalk scene using my Guerilla box and an 8x10 panel in the Art Cocoon.

At noon we carried our easels to the main exhibit area for two more hours of judging, sales and awards presentations. Then it was time to say good bye to this great event and head north for the 9 hour trip in a nice air conditioned car.

Plein Air EASTON 2011 - An Extraordinary Experience

2011-07-22T19:59:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Nancy Tankersley of South St. Gallery in Easton, MD, Art Cocoon had the pleasure to be an official sponsor of Plein Air Easton 2011. What a wonderful experience! We started out painting on our own on Day One, then decided to spent the rest of the week seeking out the 56 competing professional painters scattered about Easton, MD and surrounding towns. It was like a FABULOUS treasure hunt. The artists were friendly and it was amazing to see so many great paintings being created day after day.
It's one thing to see great finished plein air paintings, but seeing them develop is an entirely different educational experience. This could be habit forming - we're hooked on plein air here at Art Cocoon - painting AND watching painters paint.

southstreetartgallery.com/

Day One Observing Plein Air Easton.

2011-07-18T14:44:00.000-04:00

Pat LaBrecque, owner of Art Cocoons, gets in some painting at Plein Air Easton.

Plein Air Easton (http://www.pleinaireaston.com) is my first experience with a plein air competition. Not a competitor, I came here to give out samples of Art Cocoons and to paint on my own. Enjoying watching professional artists paint "en plein air" while picking up some tips and hoping some of the talent rubs off on me!

I have been invited to paint tomorrow with another vendor, Richard Dorbin, Dorbani Boards Hand Manufactured Custom Painting Panels. His web site is undergoing revisions and will be up and running shortly, but for now his e-mail is images@paragonlights.com or he would be delighted to take your call at 410-924-0217. We'll be painting with a of group of area artists and I am looking forward to meeting them.

Richard will be exhibiting his work with other area artists "Local Color" here in Easton this week and painting in the "Quick Draw" on Saturday. I am signed up for the Quick Draw as well - a 2 hour plein air event that should be great fun.

Road Trip

2011-07-15T07:10:00.000-04:00

Packed and heading south today for Plein Air Easton. Looking forward to this trip for a number of reasons. The three most important - meeting new artists, plein air painting and seeing our new granddaughter.

Art Cocoons - great for camping.

2011-07-05T11:42:00.001-04:00

I am a lazy camper - no tents these days. More like microwave and movies at night. But, it is still camping and quarters are a little tight. Painting in oils can make a real mess of things. That is, unless you have Art Cocoons. I have just come to get out of the heat, take a break and do a little touch up on a plein air painting of a cabin across the pond from where we are staying. We are camped for the summer at Site #1, Cawley Pond Campground - "Where they treat you like family." It actually my parents' yard and we are plugged into my Dad's woodworking workshop. Life is good.

Acadia Workshop Center

2011-01-07T18:25:00.005-05:00

Along the Park Loop Road with Sand beach and Great Head in the background - from the International Paint Out 2004

Become a better Artist by taking a 5 day workshop At Acadia Workshop Center
Acadia Workshop Center is located in Bernard, on Mount Desert Island, Maine, the home of Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. Situated on the "Quiet Side" of the island, it's a few minutes from Southwest Harbor and about 20 minutes from Bar Harbor. AWC features 5 day workshops by top instructors in all media - acrylic, oil, pastel, watercolor and more, with quality studio space plus incredible plein air locations. There is plenty for your family or guests to do and there's a free shuttle bus system on the Island (in season).
For more info about our workshops contact:
Gail Ribas, Workshop Director
Acadia Workshop Center
7 Bernard Road
Bernard, ME 04612
207-460-4119 CELL
awcmaine@gmail.com
http://www.acadiaworkshopcenter.com/

Here's what Gail says about Art Cocoons:
"Traveling to workshops poses a special problem. I carry Art Cocoons at the Acadia Workshop Center. Students find these absolutely fabulous because they are so lightweight to pack or ship and provide a great base for your canvas or board. Using clear packing tape on the surrounding surface will keep them serviceable for a very long time."

Dee Lessard, Guest Post, Comments

2011-01-06T23:30:00.001-05:00

Tea Roses Oil on linen board 8x10

by Dee Lessard

Well I have to say, I have so enjoyed having these Art Cocoons. I paint on panels when I travel ...and everywhere I go people have asked me about the Art Cocoon that I carry them in. They are so reasonably priced and can be used over and over again! You are such a genius!
Painting is 8x10 oil on linen board called ’Tea Roses" (I used my art cocoon!)
www.deelessard.com
www.deelessard.blogspot.com

Painting while gallery sitting

2011-01-05T19:53:00.002-05:00

Gallery sitting on a quiet weekday is a good time to paint - if you have the right stuff. At East Colony Fine Art Gallery, in Manchester, NH, each member works one day a month. There's a side room to paint in but some sitters prefer to be in the gallery where the light is better.
Using Art Cocoons and a Mabef paint box, I painted in oils at the front desk today. I am home now, and have this same set up on my kitchen table where I will be finishing up this little painting. To be perfectly honest with you, I'm actually moving it over to the couch where I'll be working on my lap (new big screen tv in there). So, gallery, kitchen, couch, plein air - you can paint just about anywhere with art cocoons!
East Colony web site: www.eastcolony .com

East Colony facebook page: Search "East Colony Fine Art"

"Painting on Matboard" Guest post by Michael Chesley Johnson

2011-01-04T13:15:00.001-05:00

"Mingus View" 8x10, oil on paper - contact Michael

"Courthouse Butte Glow" 8x10, oil on paper - contact Michael

We artists are always searching for cheaper materials. One option for oil painters, especially if you're looking for a good surface to sketch on, is acid-free matboard with a couple of layers of acrylic gesso.

While unpacking my new studio, I found a stack of matboard scraps that had been in storage for nearly four years. I decided I'd have some fun, so I took some 8x10 pieces and brushed on two layers of Golden Acrylic Gesso. I asked on the WetCanvas forum about the advisability of first sizing the boards with something like Golden's GAC-100, but the responses were mixed. (If any of you in BlogLand have an opinion, please let me know!) I let the brush create some neat texture, and once the boards were dry, I went out. The results are above. Although the surface isn't as absorbent as Ampersand Claybord, it is fairly absorbent. I like the way the paint "sets up" pretty fast because of it.

By the way, I used an Art Cocoon I to hold my 8x10 matboard while painting. Although I could have taped the matboard to an 8x10 foamboard sheet and then put it in a wet panel box to carry it home in, I don't have any 8x10 boxes. The Art Cocoon was perfect! (www.myartcocoon.com)

Plein Air - Almost

2010-10-25T21:18:00.002-04:00

Work in Progress Oil painting by Pat Labrecque

It's just too darn hot here this week in Florida for this New Englander to paint outdoors. (Not complaining, just explaining.)
This morning I headed over to our little lake to take photos of the ducks. Last year we had two beautiful Pekin ducks in residence. This year we have one duck and an alligator. Such is life in the great outdoors.
I downloaded the photos onto my laptop and worked off the monitor on the lanai with two fans blasting. I'll finish this 11x14" oil painting in an Art Cocoon Traveler 2 in the morning. Tomorrow afternoon - to the pool!

Painting outside at home

2010-09-08T17:05:00.000-04:00

11x14 oil painting in progress

There's something really nice about painting in your own yard. At first there may seem to be nothing of interest ~ same old, same old... Relax, look around and you'll find a good spot to paint no matter where you live - in an urban or country setting.
Today I pushed myself out the door, not really in the mood. Thinking I should drive somewhere to get "inspired". That was 4 hours ago. What a fine day! And I got to run inside to make some tea, pee, do the laundry, check my email. I'm thinking this could become a very good habit.

Designated Painting Day!

2010-08-31T15:57:00.000-04:00

Mustang 9x12 Oil

by Pat LaBrecque

Squeezing painting in during the busy summer months can be a challenge. Never mind keeping up with your blog. Weddings, cookouts, camping, paint outs, festivals, etc. - all raise heck with our painting routine, don't they? Today, 95 or not, was a designated painting day. Using a French easel and Art Cocoon Traveler 2 (forgot the camera) I painted this street scene in three hours under the shade of a nice big tree. Home now, enjoying a cool drink by the fan. I will have everything packed tonight and ready to go back out in the morning. Shaker Village bound. Or maybe the back yard...

Art Cocoons come with stands for convenient, clean and free standing display of wet paintings.

Paul Morgan paints in Wyoming

2010-08-10T14:28:00.002-04:00

I met Paul Morgan at art school in Boston a long, long time ago! I found him a few years back on the internet and we have been in touch ever since. From his wife, Paula, about a recent plein air painting trip to Wyoming...
"Here are a couple of photos of Paul painting in Cheyenne today that he thought you might enjoy.
He is using the Cocoon that you sent! He wanted me to explain the bungie cord...it was windy.
I also attached a photo of the Wyoming Motel...this is on my want list for him to paint! You can see by the flag how windy it was today. Not a cloud in the sky either until about noon."

paulmorganpainter.blogspot.com

Painting Clouds

2010-07-29T17:14:00.002-04:00

Dunbarton, NH House 8x10" Oil in Plein Air

by Pat LaBrecque

Still sky high from all the good things I learned at Peter Granucci's workshop, Clouds and Skies, the first in his series: Landscapes: Painting the Parts. The next workshop, Weather Patterns, will be held August 21, 2010 at 597 Black Brook Rd., Goffstown, NH.

About this next workshop Peter says: "The workshop on weather patterns and effects will explore various ways of painting and interpreting landscapes that are beyond the average nice day. We will look at clouds, rain, fog, sunsets and other topics that will engage the artist and enable them to render these effects more easily. There will be lecture and group discussions and hands on painting time."

If you are interested in signing up and to get more details, go to www.NHPleinAir.com. Click Activities, then 2010, then scroll down the page to:

August 21 - Peter Granucci Landscape Workshops: Painting the Parts - Weather Patterns

Get Set, Get ready, Go!

2010-07-22T08:41:00.000-04:00

Having everything ready to go the night before really helps. Cleaned palette, brushes, Art Cocoons loaded with with panels (3), checked the paint/mediums, hat, cell phone, wipes, paper towels. All by the door and ready to go. No excuses now - I'm out of here!

Dunbarton, NH House 8x10" Oil in Plein Air

by Pat LaBrecque

This was an interesting house to paint and the owner who came over to talk to us was a very interesting fellow, too. A fairly new house by New England standards, circa 1901, it was built by the original owner of the Dunbarton Telephone Company. The switchboard was in the dining room. This company is still in business and is now across the street.

In Mom's Garden 8x10" Oil in Plein Air

by Pat LaBrecque

Back on Church St.

2010-07-16T14:44:00.000-04:00

Under the pines on Church Street Oil 8x10

by Pat LaBrecque

There's just something about this street. I love to paint here and I miss it when I don't. This morning we finally made it back. I painted under a big pine across from Pepere's house and Nancy painted behind me over by Kay's place. Pepere was sitting on his porch with a couple of his friends and I got to hear about all kinds of interesting things - trucks, tires, transmissions, tune ups, megabucks, kids today, doctors and dead people. Kay, who is around 90, came out to talk to Nancy and the next thing I knew they were off in Nancy's car! Apparently Kay was heading down the street to deliver a half a pound of ham to her friend and Nancy didn't want her to walk in the heat. Nancy says, "I try to treat people the way I'd like them to treat my own mother. And that's all there is to it." Nice, very nice.

Paint with your mouth open...

2010-07-09T17:15:00.001-04:00

So my friend, Nancy, has been reading (she reads a lot) about how it's important to have your eyes relaxed and not to squint or stare too long at an object in order to see its color correctly. According to what she read, if you stare too long and hard you will actually start to see its compliment. The solution is to paint with your mouth open, your eyes half shut and nod slowly from side to side. What I can tell you with absolute certainty is that if you try this (must be done with a friend and never alone) you will both laugh really hard and once you recover you'll become totally relaxed and make a wonderful painting.

Painting in Hollis, NH

2010-07-05T18:19:00.000-04:00

Hollis, NH House Oil on Panel 8x10"

by Pat LaBrecque

I painted with the Nashua Breakfast Club and Steve Previte in Hollis, NH for the first time last Friday. It's always fun to paint with a new group. Mary and I arrived around 9:30 and I spent some time just walking around to get the feel of the place and talk to the artists. It's amazing how many plein air set ups there are - artists are as creative in this part of the plein air experience as in actual painting.
My first painting was tight, but I did get a good handle on the building. I used an Art Cocoon Traveler 1 and an oil primed 6x8" canvas panel. After lunch I painted the same building again, this time using a larger 8x10" panel. I moved the paint out past the sides of the panel onto the Art Cocoon, ignoring the rectangular shape of the panel. I think it worked out pretty well and I'm going to experiment more with this technique.

Coming soon - Focus on plein air set up.

2010-07-03T09:13:00.002-04:00

Red Door on Church Street Oil 6x8"

by Pat LaBrecque

It has occurred to me that you might like to know what I do to get ready to paint outdoors. I have a simple set up which makes it easy for me to get out there and get going. Any frustration with "what to bring" can be easily diminished by keeping things simple and consistent. So, beginning next week, I will focus more on helping you get out to paint more. And for all you pros who already have this down to a science, please add your own comments!
For now, here's another painting of a house on the street we have been painting on for the past few weeks.

2010-07-01T14:48:00.002-04:00

Click here to see Art Cocoons on Ebay!

The Blue Cottage

2010-06-30T22:01:00.000-04:00

The Blue Cottage Oil 4"x 6"

by Pat LaBrecque

This little blue cottage was a challenge to paint. It took awhile to get the color right. The proportions - normal sized doors and windows and big trim on a tiny house - well, I'll just say I'll be heading back there to try again.

Camping at Umbagog

2010-06-29T20:26:00.001-04:00

We had a great time this past weekend at Umbagog State Park in northern, NH. Lots of kayaking, relaxing by the fire, and more kayaking. We saw three moose, a black bear cub, deer, loons, woodpeckers, hawks and osprey. Didn't get as much painting in as I thought I would, too many interesting distractions, although I did try night painting for the first time. It was weird and will take some getting used to, but I enjoyed it ~ reminded me of hornpout fishing at night with a Coleman lantern.

Grumpy weather.

2010-06-23T16:55:00.001-04:00

Church Street Plein Air 8"x10" Oil on Panel

by Pat LaBrecque

Trying to work on mood today, and the weather cooperated by being grumpy. Dark clouds continuously rolled by and spit out a few drops of rain followed by few minutes of blazing sun.

Church Street Plein Air 4"x6" Oil on Panel

by Pat LaBrecque

I started with a quick 4x6 study of the opposite side of the street. Then I decided to stay put and paint the view down the sidewalk. Took awhile to pull this composition together. I sketch right on the board using thinned paint and a small brush. I used to use a sketchbook but lately I've been skipping that.

Kay's house.

2010-06-22T16:50:00.002-04:00

Kay's House Oil on panel 8"x10"

by Pat LaBrecque

Sitting down the hill is Kay's backyard, the horizon line is below the house. This was a nice angle to paint from, and in the shade as well. Kay invited us in and we got the grand tour. It was interesting to paint after getting to know her home from the inside out. This house is circa 1842.

This painting was done on an 8x10" Fredrix archival panel in a Traveler 1 Art Cocoon.

Nancy C. paints the Roger's house on Church St.

2010-06-22T16:47:00.000-04:00

We continue to enjoy painting the houses on Church St. Today Nancy C. did this nice 6x8" oil on panel of the Roger's place. A neighbor says that Pepere, who sits on the porch off and on, was born in this house. He's a friendly guy, and seems to enjoy having us around. We'll show him all of our paintings before we head down the road.

Nancy C.'s painting today

2010-06-21T21:11:00.001-04:00

I've been trying to convince my painter friends to let me show their plein air paintings using Art Cocoons. Nancy C. succumbed to the pressure today. Thanks, Nancy!
She says:

"Here it is, not good but very much better than 2 years ago. I stayed until 1:30 and before I left I went across the street to show the old man on the porch. Told him we'll be back tomorrow and he said it wasn't enough time to get the place fixed up. Told him we loved it just the way it was."

First day of summer

2010-06-21T16:35:00.000-04:00

What a gorgeous day! We are working our way down Church Street. Today we painted "Pepere's" house from the shade of a great bull pine across the street. It had been my plan to stay with really small canvases until I loosened up, but today I took a giant leap to 8"x10" and bigger brushes. I am pleased with the result, beginning to head in the right direction.

Lots of visitors today

2010-06-18T15:20:00.000-04:00

Forgot to take a photo of this house I painted today. I had a fairly a constant stream of people stop and talk to me. I really enjoy talking to people, and often learn things about the subjects in my paintings that I wouldn't otherwise know. For instance, this place was bought (by the guy on the other side of the street in the house right behind me) in a foreclosure and has been completely gutted out and they are living upstairs (or downstairs, can't remember). He's waiting for the building inspector to come by today to inspect some of the remodeling and later the fire department will be by to inspect the outdoor fire pit. The painters stopped by and will be painting the house the same color. Ross, an antique house restoration/painter person stopped by and said his he thinks his grandmother was born in the house and his family has lived in town for generations. We talked about many of the buildings in town he has worked on and of course I will be painting all of them. Another fellow stopped by to say he does pen and ink and wants to start painting in oils so I gave him a brochure and recommended that he go to my web site and sign up for Michael Chesley Johnson's workshop. My hairdresser, Jen, rode by, waved and smiled, and my sister, Cindy, stopped her car to say hi on her way to fish with Jeff in the stump field of some lake around here.
Sometimes it's a little harder to concentrate, but sometimes it's also just fine to be just a little distracted.

Painting with Friends

2010-06-16T17:36:00.000-04:00

Nancy C. and I are really enjoying painting together in town. There are so many great old buildings here - we could be here all summer. It's fun to paint with a friend. Aside from the good company, the back and forth critiquing is helpful.

I am staying with the 4x6" canvas panels for awhile. They are helping me to loosen up and I am having fun with these. I will gradually move up to bigger panels. I bartered with my hairdresser today - traded a painting of her shop for a couple of free cuts! Cool.

Here are today's small panels. One before and one finished after the haircut.

4"x6" panels are easy to paint in Art Cocoons

2010-06-15T16:30:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I look at my stack of 4x6" panels and wonder why I bought them. Then, as has just happened to me, my larger 8x10" - 11x14" paintings start to get tight and out come the tiny panels. It's just about impossible to work tight or get too much detail in a 4x6" space. They are really fun to work with.
Small panels are easier to paint in Art Cocoons. Centered in the painting area, tabs and shadows don't get in the way.

Think I'll stay with this small format for awhile and gradually work up to larger panels and bigger brushes.

A nice plein air set up

2010-06-10T07:28:00.001-04:00

My painting friend, Nancy C. has a great plein air set up. The easel is an Open Box M. She is painting this scene of an old building in Goffstown using a canvas panel in an Art Cocoon.

That sturdy, lightweight folding chair looks comfortable. Think I'll bring one along from now on just in case.

Art Cocoons in the Artist's Magazine

2010-06-08T20:17:00.000-04:00

Thanks, Michael Chesley Johnson, for recommending Art Cocoons in your great article in the July/August issue of the Artist's Magazine. "Gear Up - Learn the Secrets of packing light and smart for plein air success" is filled with common sense tips, checklists, equipment and supplier lists ~ all you need to know to get started or get better at putting it all together. This will make you want to head out to paint RIGHT NOW!

Tool box in the car - a good thing.

2010-06-08T07:55:00.000-04:00

Our Monday artist's breakfast club had a big turnout this week. All that excitement plus a big cup of coffee, mmmm. Maybe not so good to go out painting right after that. First thing that happened was that two of the legs of my tripod fell off when I was setting up, just as two friends stopped by. By the time I got everything reassembled, I was just a wee bit rattled. So, that is my excuse for the poor perspective and drawing on this painting. I will go home and make some adjustments and bring it back tomorrow. Quietly. With a tool box in the car from now on.

Rainy days are good...

2010-06-06T10:27:00.001-04:00

...after an outdoor event. Good day for prepping canvas panels and mounting them Art Cocoons to use this week. Everything will be by the door and ready to go in the morning. Meeting artist friends at The Happy Tomato Cafe in Goffstown for breakfast, then some of us will stick around to paint.
There are many interesting buildings in this town, fun to paint in part or whole. Part of the joy of painting old buildings, like this one from last week, is learning their story. Think I'll join the historical society.

Fiber Arts Detour

2010-06-04T15:44:00.000-04:00

Got roped into having a fiber arts booth at Old Home Day in Goffstown Saturday, June 5. So, I have spent the past two weeks felting like a crazy person - it was a nice side trip into another creative medium. I've been able to squeeze in some painting. Looking forward to painting every day after tomorrow. Did manage to get out today and get Joe Burnaham's real estate agency sketched in. Cute building.

The bagel shop, bikers and freedom.

2010-05-22T20:04:00.000-04:00

There's much more action in town on the weekends. 2 for 1 burgers at a local restaurant brings in the bikers. Swimmers in the river, jumpin' and hollerin'. I am still painting in the park, this time with my back to the water. Beautiful day. Spent 3 hours (yes, THREE HOURS for all you 1.5 hour purists) working on this painting of the bagel shop across the street and I will finish it tonight on the couch with my feet up on the coffee table while watching Star Trek with my hubby. Just one more reason why I love Art Cocoons so much. I can paint anywhere, anytime. Freedom!

One more day by the river

2010-05-21T19:23:00.000-04:00

I am painting buildings this summer to practice perspective. I am thinking about chopping the top off this one, nice thing about using panels. Last day by the water then we'll relocate to the next street, many nice old houses to paint in this town. And when we want to take a break, there are several restaurants, coffee shops (and a few good bars) to visit.

Plein air "Rules" ?

2010-05-18T16:01:00.000-04:00

Even though I had straddle poison ivy along the Piscataquog River in Goffstown, this was a great place to paint. By mid afternoon, teens out of school came by to jump off the bridge abutments and swim, so I had lots of company.
Today another artist told me plein air paintings have to be done in 1.5 hours. Huh? There are rules? Does the half hour I spent laying out the painting before I started laying down the color count? I am going to ignore this "rule". Because I can. One of the many, many pleasures of 50+.

Guerrilla Box and Art Cocoons

2010-05-17T20:24:00.000-04:00

I get out the door very quickly with everything I need. I take my Guerrilla Box, tripod, 3-4 sets of Art Cocoons with a variety of panels premounted in them, a few brushes, a 5-6 tubes of oil paint, a roll of paper towels, camera, small trash bag, water and snacks. I am good to go for the entire day.
On Sunday Mary and I painted in Goffstown for a couple of hours. Got enough down on this park scene to finish from memory at home. Then we headed for Manchester where we crashed the watercolor plein air event at the Currier Museum. It's nice to know that oil and water does mix with artists - met some nice people. I forgot to take a photo of the painting I did in Manchester, but I am happy with the way it turned out.

Painting in town with Guerrilla Box

2010-05-13T19:29:00.002-04:00

It has taken a few days to get stuff done after our return from Florida. I finally managed to get some painting in this afternoon. Mary Crump and I both like to paint buildings so we headed into Goffstown. Today's subject turned out to be the old mill across the river. I was using a 8x10" archival canvas panel the small Art Cocoon which fits perfectly into my Guerrilla Box.

Art Cocoons are on Ebay.

2010-05-12T21:22:00.001-04:00

Click here to see Art Cocoons on Ebay

Art Cocoons Kits are now on Ebay. This Kit is the Traveler 2 with an 11x14" canvas panel included.

Comes shrink wrapped with our new brochure featuring Michael Chesley Johnson painting in the Gand Canyon. This is a great deal and a great way to try Art Cocoons.

Going home with paintings

2010-05-09T15:21:00.002-04:00

We are heading home today, but I have to get just one more hour of painting in. This 5x7" oil on board is a quick study of one of the older park models here. This Art Cocoon is a couple of years old, used a lot and I have no idea why it's taped. Who cares ~ I'm painting!

Back at our place it's time to close up. I'm looking at my little painting while washing some dishes.

Here's my stack of paintings from this week long vacation. They'll go in the overhead bin on the plane later today. I'm sad to leave Florida, but I'm looking forward a summer of painting in NH.

Art Cocoons can be painted any color.

2010-05-08T14:46:00.001-04:00

This Art Cocoon carrier has been spray painted flat white. Any acrylic spray paint will work.
I have also rolled on leftover house paint. I like the white paint. Think I'll try several different shades of white-gray-black painted carriers this summer.
Today I painted the hibiscus one more time before we head north. I used a 9x12" Ampersand pastel board, gray, wiped smooth with a wash of Gamblin torrit gray paint and OMS. It was a breezy day, so I secured the art Cocoon to the French easel with the rubber band that comes with it.
I worked on this painting outside for about an hour and a half, then brought it back to my studio to finish.

The lazy painter

2010-05-07T17:48:00.000-04:00

One of the great things about Art Cocoons is that you can paint without using an easel. Today I painted in my favorite reading chair just outside our front door. Here's the finished 5x7" oil sketch on the couch. I am happy with this little painting. It is loose and sketchy - and was fun to paint, too.

2010-05-06T20:20:00.000-04:00

My Florida studio is very small. It is also where I came up with the idea for Art Cocoons. Leaning wet paintings against the wall, getting paint on everything was a real pain. Now the problem is solved
and I am really enjoying my little Florida space. I can easily continue working on plein air paintings, or I can display or stack and store them. I usually leave the paintings in the Art Cocoons until I get home.
Today was a beach day, beautiful, hot, lots of shark's teeth. I didn't paint outside, just worked this morning on the one I started yesterday. Still having trouble loosening up, but I'll get there. Practice, practice, practice.

2010-05-05T21:30:00.000-04:00

This is how I carry Art Cocoons when I am using a French easel. Two or three fit easily on the easel.
Today was an overcast day, muggy and I lasted about an hour in the heat. I'll work on this painting again later. My brother, Jim, came by with some spotted sea trout he'd just caught. They were delicious grilled!

2010-05-04T16:40:00.000-04:00

We just returned from the beach. It was beautiful and I hope it stays that way. I found some nice new additions to my shark's teeth collection. This painting was done earlier today just down the road from our place. I used the limited palette again, and an 8x10" canvas panel in a Traveler 1 Art Cocoon. This is a nice spot, and I will most likely paint here again. Now, however, I am being dragged off to the pool. Can we do this full time please, dear?

2010-05-03T16:53:00.000-04:00

Another beautiful day in paradise.
I painted hibiscus this morning. I used a 9x12"gray gessoboard pastel board in a Traveler 2 Art Cocoon. The board was a bit toothy so I smoothed it down with some paint and turps. I have a limited palette here in Florida - 5 colors plus white, a real challenge. The colors I have for the week are cad red light, aliz crimson, ultra. blue, cad yellow light, and thalo green. I could go over to the wonderful Art and Frame of Sarasota store, but I think I'll try to push these colors around and see what happens.

Day one of a season of painting in plein air.

2010-05-02T20:51:00.000-04:00

Painting in Sarasota with Art Cocoons

I am in Sarasota, Florida for one more week before closing up our place for the summer. I will be painting every day while here, and continue the trend when I get back home to New Hampshire with my friends from NH Plein Air.

I started this painting early this morning at a small nearby pond, and when it got too hot I moved into the lanai and finished it from memory. This is an 11x14" oil on canvas panel painted in the Traveler 2 Art Cocoon. Art Cocoons come in natural corrugated tan, but sometimes that color bugs me so I paint the outside edge. I painted this one with Gamblin's Torrit Gray and it worked out great for me. I think I will be doing this often. Dried in about 5 minutes, too! I'll be taking this and other paintings home on the plane in Art Cocoons. In case you don't already know this - they come with a raised lid that protects the painting.