Art is addictive. Somehow it gets into your life and it will not let you go. Beginning to see - really see with an artist's eye. Not just assume and take for granted. There is a world that opens up to the artist that others cannot see. They just don't understand what intrigues you so much and brings so much passion.  Well if that is you - you have found your tribe. As artists we often hide in that strange world of seeing what others do not see and get lost in our own thoughts. But we also need to share. Share what we have found. Share how we have lost the path and would love to know if someone else has found that path and where did it lead? We speak a language that only other artists and creators seem to understand. The eternal chase of light, colour, harmony, contrast...story....I remember my first winter school that I attended. Six days of pure indulgence. A first for me to spend money and time just on me and my crazy addiction. But it was the best thing I ever did. I found over 200 other people just like me! The passionate discussion over dinner about tone and temperature. The joy of knowing you were not weird and everyone else had the same questions that you did. The same need to see more, know more, explore more of this thing called art. I was not alone anymore.  But alas from the mountain top experience comes the valley of returning home to the laundry and groceries. Wondering 'did that just happen? Where did the time go? Will I ever remember all the information that just poured into my brain over the last few days?'  All I can say is I am better for it. Now I am many years on in my art journey and I have the joy of being the tutor to  the habitual winter school tribe and the newbies too. I look forward to being there to show the paths that I have found. Take you down road less travelled and open a new world of colour, light, harmony and contrast for you and to find a place where you belong. Come - indulge yourself.  artsworx.usq.edu.au/event/pastels-with-tricia-taylor/

Meet Emillie Claire.  A new companion for my painting travels. She has her own painting kit ready to plein air. It is amazing how many people will talk to you when you have a teddy bear on board. Perhaps it breaks the ice. She certainly brings a smile to many.  

Ever had one of those paintings where your pastels just go crazy and your pastels get all mixed up and muddy? You just zone out being all creative and then you look down.... Oops - dirty pastels. You can no longer determine if it is blue or a red! Time to spring clean your pastels.....Here is how I do it. Using oat bran I fill a ziplock bag half full. In go the pastels. With a bit of a shake and shuffle for 30 seconds - hey presto! Clean pastels. 

eThe ultimate question on how do i limit my pastels! This is how my head works when I pack my pallete. You will choose different colours when you pack your pallete because you love different colours to me but the theory is still the same. Keep them sorted by tone and by temperature and it becomes easier.  The reason I use 2 boxes is for packing to fit into my carry on luggage - but it is also handy that all the colours on the left are my cool colours and all the ones in the right side are warm. I know that to grey something down I just choose something in the other box! I hope this helps you. I would love to see your pallete set up! 

 I get asked a lot - how do I pack my pastels for travel? We buy these fabulous sets and have great timber draws at home - but they are heavy and too big to take plein air or to workshops that are away from home. 

​There are a few ways to pack your pastels for travel with many on the market to purchase. Some easels come with compartments for your pastels which are good too.
My way  is just one way of many that is home made. 

I have two small boxes that are each about the size of an A4 sheet of paper. I have lined the boxes with foam rubber top and bottom. With a layer of paper towel on the bottom of the box so I can clean it every now and then. (the boxes are old rembrandt 60 half stick set boxes. But you can use plastic food containers or whatever you have that is light and sturdy.) 

One box has cool colours and one box warm. I sort them by tone and then temperature then intensity.
 
When travelling the two boxes are stacked on each other and held tightly closed with large elastic bands. As they are closely packed they do not move much and therefore do not break. They are all half stick size pastels.   I also have similar size boxes of Unison 63 half sticks that are great for plein air and travelling too. 

The best thing is they fit in my carry on luggage if flying so I can keep them safe with me. 
Weights about 1kg for two boxes. 

I hope this helps  you next time you travel with your pastels. 

Tricia Taylor

Having a workshop at Daku resort has been not only eventful in our painting sessions but we have been entertained, dined and taught the Fiji culture. Definitely learning to relax! I have found this wonderful time of day between 4:30pm and 7:30pm. The light has dimmed so we are unable to paint so work stops. But dinner is not served until later so there is 3 hours just chilling out. I must find the reason we don't do this at home!