Ready to Paint...
I just returned from my holiday trip to Puerto Rico. It was great being there, and then beautiful coming home to so much snow on the ground. The painting above was done when I got back from my last trip. It’s a little study that I did from photos. I’m trying to get my mind wrapped around the stronger color I’ll be seeing in Hawaii when I go there next month for a plein air festival. I kept seeing these great scenes in Puerto Rico that gave me some ideas for paintings when I get to Maui.
I’ve been going to Perto Rico for years and I’ve never brought oil paints with me. I’ve played with watercolor and done a little drawing, but I’ve never tried oils. I know it would be fun to paint such a different landscape, but I’ve always wanted these trips to be real vacations where I couldn’t get wrapped up in the pressure of wanting to paint. Recently I’ve been thinking more and more about working on some plein air sketches when I make the trip, but I hesitate to take away the great relaxation of no work hanging over my head. I love painting, so it’s not like the painting will be unpleasant. The problem is that I will just constantly be thinking about it, and wanting to get back behind my easel instead of relaxing with a book. Instead of having cocktails at sunset with my family I’ll think I should be painting. I think I might bring my easel down on my next trip and just see how it goes, but part of me likes having a sepperate world to go visit and truly relax.
Happy new year to all of you and I hope you had a great time over the holidays.
Posted on Wednesday January 6, 2010 | 5 Comments
5 Responses to “Ready to Paint”
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I think no matter where you are, constantly thinking about painting is something an artist does. So, whether you take your paints or not, your mind is painting, picking out scenes, looking at the light and shadows. I took my oils to Belize in July (for the first time on a family trip). When my husband and kids were diving, I painted (small pieces). When they were napping, sunning, I painted. It didn’t get in the way of the trip. I loved it. I took my paints on another trip this fall through Utah. I didn’t paint once, due to the cold. We hiked, had a great trip, and i used photos upon our return. Now, I realize I’ll just do whatever works.
I like Pam’s advice… I also struggle with taking my paints on vacations with family. I know they get annoyed with me but how can you not take advantage of painting on location to wonderful, new places you rarely go? I’d take them… just in case.
I love your website – it’s set on my favorites… it’s inspiring and your work is always set as my background.
I too struggle with painting on vacation, so sometimes I just bring a pocket watercolor kit and some paper or my really small cigar paint box. These are small enough that I can use them at anytime without disrupting family vacation time. Love your work Colin!
Hi, Thanks for checking in! You’re right Pam, I do end up spending time in my head thinking about painting/color/landscape, even if I don’t have my paints with me. And Justin, I have thought about bringing a small watercolor set with me on vacations. It would be a fun challenge, considering the new and different landscape and the unfamiliar materials. I guess I’ve just always enjoyed the break I get from leaving materials at home, but now I’m getting antsy to use these trips for more of an adventure to paint some new places. When I do have some new travel paintings I’ll be sure to post them and let you know how it goes.
Colin
I can’t not take the paints but, I may not use them, either.
In Sedona last year I did one painting of red rocks from the upper deck of my Condo, but my hubby was there and I couldn’t just abandon him. As it was, I took a million photos and we had a great time. I was painting in my head the entire week!