Oh my goodness,  isn’t this crazy.  trying to cram in art supplies and leaving a little room for clothes.  I forgot how hard it was to pack with art supplies. I am spoiled travelling in my RV where I can bring my studio with me.  I am bringing a heavy jacket and a scarf, hat I will probably wear it on the plane.  I can always stuff it in the overhead.  In the evening it might get chilly there even in the Spring the mountains get cold at night.  “The weather in Padula in May is moderately chilly with a gentle breeze, with average highs of 68°F (20°C) and lows of 50°F (10°C).” I learned many years ago when teaching Plein Air Painting Workshops that it is absolutely essential to pack light. The key is to “layer”. Once when we were in France our group could not fit in the rental cars with so many large suitcases. We had to upgrade both vehicles at a huge expense. We also had trouble getting on trains and busses, going on escalators, walking on uneven pavement, cobblestones streets. In general, lugging a huge suitcase is miserable. Just don’t do it. Since then I have followed some of the Rick Steve’s suggestions for packing, with changes for painter’s needs of course. See here: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/packing-smart

1.  CHECKED BAGGAGE:  (will weigh when fully packed) 

PAINTING PANELS:  Assortment largest 12×16, smallest 8×11.  15 in all.  In a homemade foamboard portfolio in a plastic trash bag on the left side of suitcase. 

CLOTHES: Will go on top of the panels on the left side. I found some really nice lightweight thin jogging type pants at Costco.  I will bring 4 pair of them.  2 pair of jeans, 3 long sleeved t-shirts, 5 short-sleeved t-shirts, 3 overblouses, my denim painting shirt that I wear like a smock, extra pair of sneakers, 5 pair of socks, 5 underwear, two nighties, would love to bring my robe but don’t think it will fit now with the art supplies.  extra hoodie. I don’t think I have worn a dress or a skirt since I was in my twenties.  My mother always said I should have been a man the way I like to dress.   I think that is it for clothes???   

OIL PAINT, BRUSHES, PALETTE KNIFE, DRAWING SUPPLIES: On the right side in the zipped pocket area.  Two plastic pencil boxes.  one for warms, one for cools and a palette knife. A toiletry bag, brush, toothbrush.    Still plenty of room to stuff socks, underwear, small stuff, swiss army knife (Carl has rubbed off on me)  around in this area

2.BACKPACK:  weighs 11 lbs.  (place in the overhead). Easel, tripod, panel pak, brush holder, journal, sketchpad, small laptop (may switch to an i-pad). I do like to type though . There is room for alot of other small stuff but I don’t want to make it too heavy to carry on my back

3. SMALL CANVAS TOTE. (place under the seat) I like being able to throw loose stuff in a bag with no thought.  This one has a zipper which is nice.  I ordered (2) of the Belgium Linen on Multimedia Artboard – 5 pack – 11 x 14.   (2) Centurion Deluxe Oil Primed Linen Pad 9″x12″ (10 Sheets).  These are lightweight and easily fit in this bag.  I will keep a couple of small sketch pads, pencil case, journal, book.   Along with a copy of my passport , a few extra pill containers. I am terrified of losing my medicine so I will keep them in my new “Baggalini” purse.  Passport, wallet. 

SUITCASE: Delsey. Sky Max 2.0 Carry-on model. 23×14.75×10.5 (can open up to 11.5) Only weighs 5.70 lbs.

BACKPACK: Timbuktu Spire Laptop Backpack 2.0. This is a great bag and holds so much stuff. Be careful not to overpack though. don’t want a sprained back! Remember when packing your oil paints they MUST GO IN WITH YOUR CHECKED BAGGAGE. Later when you are on location you can put in the backpack.

REALITY CHECK: Well, I started this blog a few weeks before leaving for Italy. I had convinced myself that I packed everything I needed and did a great job of packing. The truth is my suitcase and my backpack both proved to be TOO HEAVY. I did alot of moving around on trains, busses and also walking and the next time I go. I will make the following changes.

NO WOODEN PANELS. No matter how gorgeous or how much time I spent making them. Not worth trying to carry a bunch of wooden panels around. Mine were very lightweight individually but were heavy as a group. I ended up mailing most of them back and by the grace of God they made it back home. Dealing with the Italian post office was a challenge. Loose canvas in a foamcore portfolio is best. You can attach the canvas to the foamcore with small clips or tape down. If there is a piece that you really want to frame, you can glue it down to a more sturdy support when you get home.

BACKPACK: Was great until I actually put it on my back. I had two near falls wearing this backpack. Boarding the plane on a metal ladder, upon taking that last big step up on to the plane, I literally lost my bearing. The weight of the backpack propelled me backward like a pendulum…… whoaaaaaa…..The flight attendant was horrified and reached out to grab my hand. She thought I was a goner and so did I. I swung my upper body forward and with the weight of the backpack, this time plunging me up and over on the metal ladder rung I felt my shin crunch. Ouuuuccch…. I tried to act nonchalant, but it was obvious I hurt myself. No break thank goodness but a big bruise. The nice attendant later brought me a free water. The second incident of an almost fall happened on the windy, cobblestone alley which serve as roads in Padula. It was raining on the day we went to the Market which was just a few blocks from the Art Center on a hilly road I liked to call the “Virgin Mary Trail of Tears”. It was a real challenge for me to go up and down these steep mountain roads. I was embarrassed on numerous occasions watching the young and especially very old ladies passing me by as I huffed and puffed and struggled to catch my breath. Yes, I admit I am out of shape and I have the “Humpty Dumpty” syndrome. I just seem to roll off balance with the slightest provocation. Not really due to bad knees, or old age simply, out of shape and too much weight around the middle. Now, add an extra weight like a backpack with groceries in it on an ancient, slick, wet, cobblestone road and there is the perfect storm for a fall. Everything was fine until we turned a sharp corner and the cobblestone road turned into an ice rink. whoaaaaa….. I tried to make the hairpin turn, but slid back again. Luckily I grabbed onto a stop sign pole. I felt like an idiot hanging on for dear life, swaying back and forth. My shoes had no grip at all. We were right in front of the bank where many people were in line to get checks cashed. There was a man in a car right next to me. This audience never moved an inch to help. They just watched the slapstick entertainment. If it weren’t for my buddy Chris who grabbed me and coaxed me off of the stop sign pole I probably would still be hanging there. Despite it all, I still like this backpack. It is very useful and sturdy but must not be overpacked. I kept an extra jacket and sketchbook, water bottle and a little food inside. Nice to keep everything in one backpack. Too much loose stuff just gets lost.

SUITCASE: Even though it is a small/medium size and can fit in the overhead I believe I can still go even smaller. I ended up not wearing some of my clothes and did not really need an extra pair of shoes. Washing your clothes more often and only bringing lightweight items that dry fast is the key.

CANVAS TOTE/SATCHEL: I love carrying an extra canvas tote or satchel but sticking to just two items when moving around alot is best. Backpack on your back and suitcase guided by your hand, leaving your other hand free is the best plan.

FANNY PACK and MONEY BELT: Worked like a charm. Always wear them when travelling. The pickpockets hate them.

That’s it for now. Happy Painting and Travelling. I hope to return to Italy someday. I had an amazing experience ! Ciao, Jeanean