Patti Gibbons Art

I am on the road at least once a week with art supplies and and not every bag is suitable for every situation. After years of making art and being an art teacher, I have whittled it down to four different bags that I use when I travel/teach. My goal is to get the most that I can fit in my bag, and have ease of  transporting it. Starting from the top; a black cross-body bag, that I got for free from AARP.   I am saving my money for a bigger and better bag, but for now, this nylon freebie works just fine. It is my watercolor bag. In this small 9" x 6" x 3" bag I can pack the following:  3-4 of my Kremer  pan sets, fold-able cup (purchased in a camping store)  folded paper paper towels, waterproof and a non waterproof black ink pen a pencil or two an eraser brushes and water-brushes.  a pad of watercolor postcards, and a 6 x 9 or so watercolor book/pad. The red bag I purchased in a second hand shop in the Adirondacks a few weeks ago for 5.00, a...

I often work in watercolors. Though they can be difficult, and I have made a lot of rather awful paintings using them, they are an integral part of my art life. I have used many different brands over the years, ranging from school grade to the top of the line. I have done good and bad paintings with both. The main difference is the amount of pigment vs. fillers - the more expensive watercolors have a denser and richer color.  Think of it in terms of a mostly meat meatball vs one that is a mostly breadcrumbs meatball. I prefer pan watercolors because I like the ease of traveling with them. When I hike/travel, I have a small cross body bag that fits a 9 x 6" watercolor pad, 3-4 full sets of watercolor, brushes, paper towel, and collapsable cup. If I don't want to carry water on me, I bring my water brushes, although carrying water with you is always a good thing.  I discovered Kremer Pigments which is in located in Chelsea in NYC . My abstract drawing teacher/men...

I intended to be writing more, but I have to admit, I have been putting my energy into my granddaughter the past 10 days.  This is the third year that we take Alanna for two weeks in the summer, and indulge her in every experience that we possibly can.  I joke that her social life is better than mine, which means we move like twisters. We swim a lot as we are graced to know many people with pools, a necessary respite on hot summer days when you don't have A/C.  We've also watched the first three Harry Potter movies, and just borrowed the next three from a friend. I am hoping that one of us will take her to see the last one in 3D before she goes. I was not the perfect parent.  I loved my kids, but I was a stressed single mom who had no money, worked and went to  college to get my BS and MS so that I could have a good job with benefits to support my kids.  There price for that often took its toll in ways that make me wince.  Short tempered, always ...

I received an email in response to yesterday's post. After I read it I felt rather badly, and immediately wrote back, telling Michael that for the most part I do use my local art supply stores.  Those of you who know me know that I can't stand the "box" stores, but somehow, because the chain store Michael's contains art supplies, I forgot it was one of "those" stores, and that spending my money there is not the most economically wise thing to do in these difficult times. Michael also told me that such stores often hike their prices way up, so that even with the 40% discount coupon you aren't getting that big a deal. So remember folks, that if you can, make the most of your money buy purchasing from local  individually owned businesses.  You are doing everyone a big favor, rather than benefiting corporate America! Read about their 3/50 Project and when you are in town visit the Newburgh Art Supply Store! Hi Patti, Caught your recent blog p...