Travel Art Bags

I've read some really great art books lately and there seems to be

a repeating message in all of them:

Take art supplies with you everywhere you go.

You never know when you will be inspired.

Use time waiting for appointments and such to better your art skills

instead of staring at your cell phone.

So~ I decided to listen to the message I was hearing,
and for Valentine's Day this year, 

I put together traveling art bags for my daughters.

(and myself)

:)

The bags I used are made by Baggallini~
I found them at TJ Maxx.

Here are the reasons I LOVE these bags for this purpose.

1. I love the water-resistant type material it is made of~
which will be great for wiping away little spills that might happen
when we are using our watercolors...
or drinking our coffee ;)

2. I love that it has long, adjustable straps so that we can be
hands-free when toting around our supplies.

3. I love all the zippered compartments that help us stay
organized and allow us to find things quickly.

Here they are.

All packed up and ready to go.

They've been working marvelously.

I'll give you a peek inside and show you what

the essential supplies are that work for us.

Here is a small canvas type bag for  holding watercolor paper~ about 4.5 x 6 inches in size.
I got these little bags at Michael's.
I cut down larger paper from a watercolor pad to make the travel size.

Here are a few journal/sketch books ~ they fit well in the largest compartment.

You just never know what ideas may pop into your head that need sketching!

The next compartment contains pencils, markers, brushes, and a rag.

Here is the pencil/brush roll that I made from dinner napkins.

I will be posting a tutorial soon with instructions on how to make your own.

:)

Here is the pencil holder unrolled and open.

A waterbrush, regular brush, and clip to hold journal pages open
are a few of the supplies we take along.

Sketch pencils, blending sticks, and erasers

are some more of our must have supplies.

The tiny Altoids tin holds a tiny eraser, kneadable eraser,

and pencil sharpener. 

The larger candy tin holds our watercolor pans.

They are tiny~ but it's perfect for traveling.

I bought these tea containers at TJ Maxx,

removed the tea bags, drank the tea,

and filled the tin with tiny solo cups.

The little cups are for holding water to clean off our brushes.

And they are SO little and cute! 

We also pack a half-apron to protect our laps from messes.

Here are two of my favorite supplies:

A white gel pen and a correction pen
for adding white marks to my art.

This is a smaller tea container for holding blending sticks,

a small charcoal pencil and other "littles".

I bought these containers meant for traveling with toiletries

to hold gesso paints.

A bit of water and soap.

The wet, and possibly messy supplies, I keep in a heavy plastic

zip bag.... Just in case of a leak or spill.

Some darling colored pencils in the cutest tin ever.

And a clipboard with paper for taking down ideas and notes.

But not just any clipboard~

a baby-bitsy clipboard.

I've realized that I've used the descriptions

tiny, small, little, and bitsy

repeatedly in this post~

but that is the key to traveling with art supplies.

It helps for them to be small for traveling convenience.

And, for me, it helps for them to be adorable for inspiration sake.

And that's it.

Just enough to get some really great projects done on the go.

To sum it up in one easy to see list:

Traveling Art Bag Essentials

Journals/Sketchbooks

Clips to hold pages open

Pencils

Erasers

Blending Sticks

Colored Pencils/Watercolor Pencils

Watercolor Pans

Waterbrush 

Regular watercolor brush

Watercolor paper

Favorite markers

Soap and Water

Gesso

Paper for ideas/ notes

Apron

Rags

Voila.

If you don't already have a travel art set,

I hope that this was helpful to get you started.

I hope that you have a great day!

xoxo

Chasity

Spring Cleaning~ A Peek into My Creative Space

The sun is shining. The grass is turning green.

And it has put me in the mood for Spring cleaning.

I'm starting where it's the messiest~ my art studio.

Of course.

:)

Wow~ does it get messy in here quickly!

Since I've (kinda sorta) got some order in here for a while (today)

why don't I give you a little tour.

I just LOVE the mornings in here when they light filters in.

So calming and peaceful.

This is the spot where I keep my favorite art books.

So inspiring.

Not only is it our art studio....

it is also our music room.

One of my favorite things in the world 

is listening to my family play music.

Bottled rainbow
Yes, please.

:)

and rainbows in pencil form too

:)

Found this little paper hiding under some things on the table.

Good advice, little piece of paper.

Thank you.

3 little birds sat in my window.

And they told me I don't need to worry.

It cracks me up when my cat jumps into the window

to attack my wooden birdies.

When we he ever learn?

I made these wings in a Brave Girl class.

Do you listen to the Avett Brother's music?

 I LOVE them.

<3

Every nook and cranny is filled.
It's a happy kind of clutter.

Some paintings waiting to go to the art show.

I play a little tambourine from time to time.

Art aprons.... 

waiting for their chance to get messy.

Some sweet advice from Kelly Rae

:)

Washi tape addiction.

Bingo.

Choose Joy.

Every day.

The art table...

all clear and ready for a project.

Thanks for stopping by.

I loved having you here!

Enjoy the rest of your day

xoxo

Chasity