Traveling (sorta) light with art supplies

My art supply bag for Mexico.

Travel and art making have always been equal passions for me. Doing both at the same time equals bliss. The challenge is always: how to travel light with art supplies?

This is a carry-on size duffel that I don’t actually carry on. (Except for a recent incident, explained below.) I put this duffel full of supplies inside a larger checked bag. This keeps the supplies sorted, and also gives the option of checking the supply duffel in case I have collected more stuff during my travels that I need the space for.

• Several sets up alphabet stamps
• Cutting mat, hand-carved rubber stamps (and cutting tool plus extra rubber sheets, not shown)
• Various size circle punches (cuz a girl’s gotta have her polka dots!)
• Cosmetic brush bag that holds paint brushes
• Clear bag that holds ink pads and some clear stamps
• Round gear bag full of stuff I use every day (contents shown below)
• Large clear cosmetic bag full of pens, markers, pencils
• Tub of water-soluable wax crayons
• Large bottles of Gesso, Matte Medium, Glazing Liquid (by Golden, can’t buy in Mexico)
• 

  Close-up view of large cosmetic bag that holds pens, markers, pencils

Pens: I believe I’ve finally given up searching for the perfect black ink pen. I carry about a dozen of the same black pen I’ve used forever: The Sanford Uni-Ball Micro. They are not waterproof, but they hold up perfectly for travel— they don’t leak or respond unfavorably to climate changes.

I have not given up the search for the perfect white ink pen that will work more than two times (damn Uni-Ball Signo) and also write on paint.

Markers: Don’t use these much. But always have a few waterproof Sharpie’s (great not just for art, but for tagging (just kidding), and leaving notes taped to your door in inclement weather.)

Pencils: I love pencils! This is my go-to tool when I need the writing to be waterproof (obviously not talking about watercolor pencils here). I have all sorts of graphic pencils, plus my favorite colored pencils: the huge Lyra Color Giant. Appropriate name.

• Main painting tool while traveling: water soluable wax crayons

Ta Da! You don’t have to travel with paint to paint

In travel situations when I don’t have the luxury of being in one place for a while, don’t have the space to mix paint, or am just traveling carry-on and can’t bring liquids, I don’t even bother bringing paint.

Painting tool of choice: water soluable wax crayons. These come in a variety of brands and all work a little differently. I like the kind by Caran d’Ache called Neo Color II. These are really chunky, though, and heavy. There are more typically crayon-sized versions, just do a google search for water soluable wax crayons.

You can use these with water, but also any water based medium, like glazing liquid. I’ve used these alot in my 1008 Paintings series when I’m too lazy to mix paint.

Cosmetic brush bag makes a great paintbrush holder

Until I invent my own perfect art supply travel bags, I make do with whatever cosmetic bags I find in the Target cosmetics aisle.

My favorite paint brushes are the cheapies that come in a huge bag at the hardware store. For heavy duty painting with mediums, I use nylon paint brushes for kids.

I also have a well-worn set of fancy, shmancy paint brushes from France: Isabey watercolor brushes. I use these when I want very precise lines and detail work. They don’t like mediums too much, so I’m careful to use them with very fluid glazes and wash them immediately. They’re incredibly expensive, but very long-lasting if cared for properly.

The stuff in the blue gear bag

Finally, here are all the supplies I like to have on hand all the time. They live in the blue gear bag.

• Ruler
• Bone folders
• Brayer
• handful of pens, pencils
• permanent ink and bamboo pen
• glue stick
• stain remover
• clear packing tape
• masking tape
• scissors
• sandpaper
• tiny cutting mat
• folding water container with brush pockets
• mini bottles of mediums
• Golden fluid acrylics: just the primaries (to mix my own colors) plus a couple of shades of terracotta colors that I use all the time and am too lazy to keep mixed.
• Nalgene spill-proof bottles hold smaller portions of Gesso and mixed glazes
• A bottle of Traci Bautista’s marvelous Collage Pauge (creates yummy texture and so much fun!)
• Spray bottle of ink
• Plastic bottles with small points used for fine line work
• expired gift, coffee or credit cards: fun way to paint w/out brushes

To keep paint from spilling out, I snip pieces of plastic bags to cover the opening, then screw the tops back on over the plastic. Voila! Instant spill-proof bottles from any bottle.

So…what’s in you bag?

How do you travel light (or not) with art supplies? I’d love to hear your tips and all about your favorite supplies.

—oh, but first—

*The Carry-on Incident Mentioned Above (where all of my sharps were confiscated and I feared the situation might escalate to the International Incident variety)

After the Puerta Vallarta retreat, I was traveling from PV to Oaxaca via Mexico City. Since I was now traveling with the 200+ paintings I finished in PV, my two checked bags were full. So, the art supply duffle would be my third checked bag. Or so I thought.

On the way to Mexico the month previous I was allowed two checked bags. But the rules changed and now I could only have one checked bag. Mexicana Airlines told me it would cost $40 to check an additional bag, and $190 for checking two additional bags. Gulp.

After unsuccessfully trying to understand this math (flashbacks of junior high algebra all over again) $40, then $190…??? I tried a different tactic which usually works out well in these situations: Be an actress and play the role of a very nice but confused traveler.

The script: I’m sorry, but I’m confused. I know you’ve explained everything and I appreciate your patience. I’m wondering, is it possible that there might be another arrangement we can make? Or it is possible there is an exception? Is it possible?

Note: I recommend learning the phrase: Is it possible, in whatever language is being spoken where you are traveling. It has worked magic for me every time, when asked gently, nicely and with a (at this point not faking it now) confused look on my face.

Si! Es possible!

Lo and behold! Yes, something else could be arranged. Now, this doesn’t make sense, but…we’re dealing with the airlines. OK?

They let me pay $40 to check one extra bag.

They told me to carry-on the art supply bag. Even though I already had a wheelie carry-on and a “personal item” i.e., the carry-on sized purse.

I opened the bag to show them the paint. They said liquids are fine when traveling domestic in Mexico.

I forgot totally about the sharps. Which I so thoughtfully put all together, including my damn manicure scissors, lest they be take from my toiletry kit.

Didn’t remember about the sharps until my carry-on bags and I went through the x-ray machine a few times. And more and more officers were called over to look through the weird art supply bag.

Five pairs of scissors?

Soy artista. Soy pintura, I said (with the confused face) while pointing at the paint.

Lo siento. (I’m sorry). At this point I was so nervous I lost all of my Spanish and couldn’t explain why this was actually meant to be a checked bag.

Then they hauled out my half dozen box cutters. Which of course I use for their intended purpose. My 1008 paintings are done on recycled cardboard that I have to cut. With box cutters. Now there were four people combing through my stuff with all the care and patience of a bomb squad.

Lo siento. Lo siento. Lo siento.

At this point, my plane is leaving in 10 minutes. Which is not helping me look less nervous. I made sure my Virgen of Guadalupe pendant was showing (this usually impresses people positively in Mexico) and took a few deep breaths.

Glitter saves the day, I think.

When the most serious official of the officials pulled out bags of glitter from the bottom of my bag, they all started laughing. I’m not sure exactly what the joke was, but I laughed along. Soy artista, I shrugged.

The official shooed everyone back and zipped up the duffel with an air of macho authority, I swear. He handed it back to me with a look like: yeah, we know your type: Glitter-happy, virgen-wearing, gringa tourist who is too stupid to know you’re supposed to put the machete and box cutters in your checked bag.

I decided not to press matters by trying to get my manicure scissors back.

Oh…and when I hauled everything to the plane, of course the crew was freaking out that I had three carry-on’s. Yeah, I know. It doesn’t make sense. They checked my bag at the gate. Which caused a whole different kind of situation at the Mexico City airport. But that’s, as they say, another story.

Related posts:

1. Artistic Acts of Generosity: Your Supplies!
2. The Artful Traveler: Keep Calm & Carry On