Plein Air Painters of the Ozarks meets every Wednesday 8 or so months out of the year and they always have a great time. I don't go often because Plein air painting is hard work...especially in August, in the Ozarks! Only 85 or so, but the humidity! and the rocks used to cover the hillside absorb the heat and reflect it back to you. (there was quite alot of socializing going on instead of painting). Of course, those of you who know and luv me know I am all business...have to get a good painting. THEN I can relax!
Cathy Wayson and her husband fed us great charbroiled burgers with all the extras after our 2 hours of painting.
It doesn't matter what kind of 'gear' you have, there is always something better. I think I'm done, tho. My EasyL box weighs almost nothing...the Guerilla Painter tripod is a bit heavy, but works great. I carry a soft-side cooler for other supplies. OH, and a field easel. Fairly streamlined, but you still have 5 or so things slung over your shoulder, which is WAY too much. Gotta get something on wheels (have had a few variations of wheeled bags that did not work). May have to go back to watercolor for physical gear hauling (a w/c block, my 4" brass Charles Reid w/c box, a handful of pigments and a good chair with arms...no easel or tripod, just hold the block in your lap supported by the arm. Lord knows I have plenty of watercolor supplies! and oil and acrylic and oh yeah, pastels. Sure has been fun collecting it all!
I've carried variations of the above gear all over Salzburg, Prague, Amalfi Coast in Italy, and France. I KNOW the values of painting outside, however, it is physically demanding...and today I think I came back in with a bit of heatstroke.
But, with all my whining (I need some cheeze with my whine), get a load of these sunflowers!
