Latest, Greatest Plein Air Tool

Spam and I with my newest painting tool

A plein air painter faces many challenges: changing light and weather, carrying around those wet paintings, wind blowing the easel over, etc. But this summer my time on the Carlson Landscape Residency showed me that the greatest challenge is finding a fascinating location to paint, and spending enough time there to get to know the place. Familiarity with an area's features and light makes it possible to attempt works that express what it feels like to experience being there. With the residency I had a temporary home that allowed me to freely study Lancaster County, PA.

But what about the rest of the time? Traveling and finding new locations is great, but that often means passing through with just a couple of hours to knock off a study before running along someplace new.

So I bought a camper van. This is small enough for me to set up wherever I find a great painting location, and has everything I need for my dog Spam and I to spend a few days getting to know the area. Here is why I love it:

1. It is easy to navigate. It is a little bit longer than the average car, but not much wider at all. That means I can pretty much set up wherever I find inspiration! For example, I recently drove by a wildlife refuge with some amazing eastern exposure in some beautiful marsh grasses. There was a parking lot nearby. I can park the van there, and have just a short walk to drag my painting materials to my location.
2. It has a kitchen. When I finish one study, I won't have to go search out lunch before getting to the afternoon study. I expect to be much more productive this way.
3. It has a bathroom. My favorite painting subject is nature. Being a woman artist, I have a harder time responding when she calls. Now, instead of leaving my painting and searching out relief, I can pop into the van and get right back to my painting.
4. It has a generator and utilities. Let's face it, I am NOT into roughing it. Music, air conditioning, refrigerator, toilet, even shower...oh, yes. It will be very nice to get clean and relax after my work is done.
5. There is enough room for Spam. My Australian Cattle Dog is a very good bodyguard! If I can bring her on these trips, I will feel safe enough to concentrate on my painting.

Now Vinny is getting me set up (inspections, stereo installation, etc), but it hopefully won't be long before you see a post from a long weekend painting somewhere. I already have several locations in mind, and I can't wait to share them here.