Pretty much every time I leave the house, I drag along my art bag full of art supplies JUST IN CASE I'll have the chance to make art.  Even if I don't, I always feel better knowing that I have the option! (It's a much worse feeling to be somewhere with plenty of time to spare and NO ART SUPPLIES IN SIGHT than to have plenty of art supplies but no chance to use them, in my opinion!) So I recently took a two-week vacation with my kiddos to visit family in California and of course this provided the perfect opportunity to drag along not one but TWO big art bags full of supplies as well as several art journals all in different sizes!

And being in California, I could enjoy my most beloved past time of creating art outdoors, or having what I like to call "art picnics!"  This is where I spread a blanket out on some grass and spill out all my supplies and create art out in the sunshine with the kids running around nearby.  Seriously, this is a life-sustaining activity for me!

And all you need are some basic art supplies, a blanket (sheet or other picnic blanket-like thing), and a bag to fit all your supplies in!  My favorites are:

• Canson XL or Strathmore Art Journal (5x7 and a larger 11x14)
• Paint Pens (Liquitex, Sharpie water based, Dylusions by Ranger, Molotow, Montana)
• Stabilo marks-all pencil in black
• Watercolor set (my fave is a fluorescent set from Case for Making in SF)
• Watercolor brush
• Jane Davenport Mermaid Markers (watercolor brush pens)
• Collage material (from my own personal stash!)
• Oil pastels (Crayola brand works great and they're inexpensive!)
• Washi Tape
• Spray ink (faves are by Dylusions, Hero Arts, Mr Hueys and DecoArt Media)
• Acrylic paint (DecoArt Media)
• Basics: Scissors, pencil, sharpener, pens, baby wipes
• Stencils (faves are by The Crafter's Workshop, Stencil Girl, and Artiscellar)
• Shiva Oil Paintsicks (Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, and Alizarin Crimson)

So even if you can't make it outdoors, why not take a little bag of art supplies to your favorite coffee shop, bookstore or even the local library?  I know that's what I'll be doing to beat the insane Arizona heat this summer! :) Tell me where your favorite places are to create, what's in your art bag, or what would your dream bag of art supplies would contain?

As always, happy creating! :)