Buongiorno amiche miei, have returned from Italy a few weeks ago and still have jet lag… or is it nostalgia? I certainly love my home and missed my children and grandchildren but this trip was so inspirational and I could have stayed even longer.

Montegiovi was magical and it felt like I was stepping back in time. The house I stayed in was built in the 14th c. Boy, they sure don’t know how to build them here in the US like the italians used to. It has only been 15 years and my house needs a new roof. The ceramic roof tiles are so long lasting, maybe we should try building our houses out of stone. Here are a few pictures of this lovely ancient town. I was plagued with a “bum right leg” and could not walk very easily without the aid of a walking stick and standing while painting was a challenge. I am doing better now and hopefully this issue will resolve. Has something to do with arthritis… hmmm I don’t feel old? I found painting in and around the house and locally was actually great. I never wanted for an inspiration.

Thanks to my travelling painting buddy, Chris Willey we had a successful painting experience. I highly recommend La Baldi if you would like to apply for a residency. https://www.cultivateprojects.net/labaldi

Many have asked me how do you transport your painting materials and also how do you bring back wet paintings. The main thing to remember is that you should always pack your oil paints in your checked baggage suitcase, never carry on. Because I am using panels I can fit them in my suitcase in between my clothes. For the most part I am using smallish lightweight panels no larger then 11 x 14. I use Raymar lightweight panels, Centurion Deluxe Oil Primed Linen Pad 11″x14″ (10 Sheets), multi-media artboard that I mounted linen onto. I have two small plastic pencil boxes that I keep my warm colors in one and cool colors in the other. My palette knife and assortment of brushes go in a cloth brush holder in my checked luggage. i had my palette knife conviscated once. in the past i have always brought my trust 1/2 size French easel but i have downsized to a small New Wave U.Go Pochade Box https://newwaveart.com/ and tripod which is packed in my carry on. I don’t use alot of medium only a little turp. that I purchased in Italy. They do not sell gamsol. A good substitute is Diluente Inodore – odourless thinner, I learned my lesson the last time travelling that weight is a very important factor. 21 paintings, 15 drawings made it home safely and lots of fond memories. In the field using a panel pak (https://www.panelpak.com/)to put a wet painting into is also helpful or a small pizza box in a pinch. Thank goodness for pizza boxes, parchment paper and tape. that is how I brought my work home wedged in between my clothes. Tape a sheet of parchment paper over each painting and sandwich together tightly. The idea is not to let the panels move around and possibly smear. As soon as the work is tweaked I will post individually for the curious. It was a very successful residency and I am very grateful to La Baldi

Another important item for your travel art journey is to keep a journal. As a young art student at the Maryland Institute College of Art, I was made to keep a journal as part of my grade. I was reluctant at first, but now after all these years, (graduated in 1980), I never travel without my journal. Sketchpad, paper and pencils also invaluable for those times when you just want to work quickly. I took large sheets of Stonehenge paper and tore into smaller sizes. I am in love with this paper which takes a variety of mediums and is a dream to draw on in pencil.

Well, I hope you are having a wonderful summer. I also hope you are staying in the shade and out of the hot sun. Italy was wonderful weather the first two weeks and then it got hot fast. The heat was prohibitive during midday but early morning and evening was beautiful.

Ciao for now, Peace

Arrivederci beautiful Montegiovi, Italy