My Travel Art Bag...........

For many years I've carried my "Travel Art Bag" with me whenever I leave the house. I use to be frustrated when I'd see something amazing to paint and I'd have no supplies with me. So I put together a small bag with everything I needed. These days I also carry a small point and shoot camera. I've become excited about the hundreds of train cars coming through my neighborhood with the most beautiful graphiti painted on them. I snap pictures of train cars all the time now.

Back to the travel bag. If you are interested in putting one together, here is a list of the things I keep in mine. You can of course put in whatever you need for your own bag.

1. I look for a bag that will fit just the things I need to do small sketches or doodles.
I get mine at the Goodwill or Value Village or any thrift store. One with lots of little
pockets in it is great. You can fit all the different size supplies in it and have them
all available right at hand without having to rummage around at the bottom of your bag.

2. Now that you have your bag, you'll want to fit pencils, brushes, rulers etc. in neatly so they

    fit and don't fall out as you go. I found several short handled brushes that I like and I bought

    a really nice travel brush from an art supply store. You will need smaller size brushes

    and smaller sizes pencils. I use #8 and #6 brushes. 2 is all I usually need. I use pencils that have

    been used far enough down to fit in my bag. I usually only need 3 or 4.

3. I take a small watercolor tablet or block and a small sketch book.

4. A travel set of watercolors is good and a small set of watercolor crayons.

5. I had a tin that fit perfectly to carry my brushes in. When I placed them in my bag I make

    sure that the brush ends are sitting upright so the brushes don't get smooshed. The pencils

    and a small 6" ruler can fit into some of your small compartments.

6. I found a used vitamin bottle that fits in a compartment of my bag. Make sure the top

    fits tightly so you can carry water with you.

7. Always carry a few small (8"x8") paint rags. I tear up old T-shirts. The work great.