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I took a trip recently to Boulder, Colorado to see my son, Markus, who lives and works there. Cindy, a good friend of mine, puts me up (or possibly, puts up with me) whenever I come to visit and this trip she had abundant treasures: a boatload of artist oils inherited from a relative of hers!  I combed through them and picked out so many to take home with me! Since I was flying Southwest, I knew I could check my suitcase for free and make it through the first hurdle of airline restrictions. I've taken artist oils to Mexico a few times now and knew the inside scoop on what to do...double ziplock bags, only 4-5 tubes per bag, a secure container (this pizza box was perfect!) and, last but not least, printed information for TSA, just in case.  Including a written statement (you can read an example here) clearly explaining the contents and their compliance with TSA standards as well as a print-out from one or more of the manufacturers listing the vegetable oil base and very low flammability is highly recommended. The wording is crucial: NEVER, EVER use the word "paint"...only say "artist COLORS made with VEGETABLE oil", because everyone knows vegetables don't combust. ;-P Happily, I knew to do this and put the whole kit and kaboodle into my case. So far, not that funny...right?  So I get home to Nashville and open up my suitcase...sure enough, TSA has left their calling card. But, glory! all the oil colors are where I packed them, next to the baby toy I brought home for my grandson...which, hilariously, makes a rather rude noise whenever compressed. I can totally picture the TSA agent repacking my suitcase and receiving the full dose of piggy "oinks" with every smoosh. Thank you, kind readers, for putting up with my silliness!! And many thanks to Cindy (and Greg) for hospitality and the boatload of artist COLORS!!
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Market Day in Provence...in paintings.....  The lavender is sold in generous bunches, tidily tied with jute string, and piled up like explosions of purple. Done mostly with palette knife to capture the texture and depth of the stems of blossom, this painting measures 11x14, oil on linen panel. $350 unframed.  Speaking of piles...at the markets were piles and piles of herbes de Provence, a fragrant mixture of herbs for seasoning just about anything. These were little tulle bags, brimming with herbs, tied with dainty white ribbons. Oil on canvas, 9x12 $300  Last, but not least (actually there is one more but it's not quite finished), the baskets and baskets of just about every single dried thing you could imagine! This was such a challenge, both in composition and execution, to attempt to capture the abundant textures and colors of the French market. How did I do? 11x14 oil on canvas $350
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