For All Pleine Air travelers! IKEA appropriation!


When going on painting trips, something that can become increasingly problematic is the accumulation of wet panels and canvases, and where to dry them. If you are on the cheap, staying in a hostel, your wet panels will slowly start to take over the room, much to the annoyance of your fellow travelers who aren't too keen on stepping over your little masterpieces, scattered all over the place.



I was strolling tghrough IKEA the other day, and stumbled the "Rational Variera" collapsible pot-cover-holder. It will hold 6 wet panels and stretched canvases, and hopefully by the time its full, the first few will be dry. (Liquin man myself when Im traveling, so they are usually dry the next day). Its good for space saving in the studio too.




The little arms screw off, so it will fit easier in your luggage.




And best of all? Its 5 bucks...

IKEA Magic here





A new Pochade box for smaller work.


Even though I have the amazing piece of kit know as the Soltek Easel, it is still pretty cumbersome, and not very discreet. I wanted to have something small, more inconspicuous to set up and paint, maybe at a cafe or on a park bench.

I converted a small panel carrier I made a while ago to a fully functioning lap-box. It still houses a panel carrier compartment underneath the makeshift slide out tray.




It will hold one 17x30 cm panel, or 3 10x17 cm panels. I have ordered a bunch of empty 20 ml tubes so that I can fill them with paint from larger tubes, more economical that way. I can also fit some brushes, box of Kleenex, small medium jar and a palate knife.

I fitted some sturdy rubber feet on the bottom, and a tripod mount in case I want to bring that along too. The extra loophole for the carrier strap is there so that I can secure the box from tipping by fastening it underneath my legs whilst sitting down, so I can have both hands free. The lid stays up by a simple rubber band fastened at the back.