two if by sea

sketchbook on day of departure

It seems that just when I have started to hum along in the studio with a new process or idea, I am packing again for another trip. Part of me is frustrated by that interruption, but most of me is excited for new vistas and with them, new ideas.

Boat travel is different from road travel. I am much more careful to bring all of the supplies I think I want on the boat since finding an art supply store is harder to do. First of all, I have to find it on foot. I could call a cab, of course, but it's easier to bring it with me if I can.

Days before we leave home, I create long lists of things I want to bring. Clothes for about 21 days so that laundry isn't a big issue. Food for about 2 weeks (more for the big, bulky stuff). And then there's the art supplies. 

All of this stuff is packed into bins, hauled up to the boat, then hauled down the dock in carts. Next, it's all unloaded and stowed away on the boat. Did I remember everything I wrote on the lists? Don't kid yourself. It's a lot of work!

bins hauled down the ramp to the boat, unload, repeat 100x

 

If you knew you were going to be away from home for several months, how would you pack your art supplies? What would you take? What would you leave at home?

We'll see if I brought what I need (and want) as time unfolds. Honestly, as soon as we push away from the dock, I don't worry any more.

For now, I'm content with my 9" x 9" Aquabee Super Deluxe sketchbook and Sakura Gelly Roll pen. I was interested in the shapes of the land as they jutted out into the water along our route. 

looking back at the Capitol building in Olympia, WA

We're "hanging on the hook" as some nautical folks might say. Relaxing and resting from all of the work of getting underway. I hope it's a great adventure!

Last night I dreamed I was explaining to someone what it means to be an artist. "An artist is someone who has BIG IDEAS."

You know what? I think I just might be right!

Sketching

Like most artists, I bring a sketch book with me wherever I go. I have them in all sizes. When I go on the boat, I bring an Aquabee 11 x 14 so that I can do easy watercolor washes and any kind of pencil or pen. The 90# pages are pretty tough.

In my car is a an 8 x 10 parchment paper sketch book. I use it to record what I see and what I think when I am out on my own at refuges and other birding locales.

But, when I am doing my normal stuff and carrying my purse, I have a 5 x 7 inch Moleskin with me. The pages are thinner than the Aquabee, but nothing beats it for convenience.

You won't be surprised to find out that as I waited (four and a half hours) while my friend was in surgery, I pulled out my Moleskin and sketched. Nothing fancy. The beautiful third floor courtyard, the chapels, the other people waiting, whatever caught my eye.

I just picked up a couple of books on how to keep a good sketchbook. I would like to improve what I do.

P.S. My friend is just fine! Hooray!