Erin O'Toole

North Coast 2007

October is a great time to travel in California. The leaves are turning, the weather is cool. It was raining hard when we left for the coast but by the time we reached the sea it was sunny.

Past Jenner, Highway 1 is steep and windy. Trees hang in the midst on the inland side and sheep graze on the ocean side.

My tiny sketch book filled with pictures of hedgerows, deer and coastline as we traveled to Sea Ranch to stay a few days with family.

This journal is small, 4.5 inches by 5.5 inches and has brown and white paper. I like the brown for animals and the sparking white for the brilliant skies near the ocean.

There are many unfinished sketches right now. I work a little bit each day, painting and writing, remembering the trip and finishing the journal.

 

Brush Box

My current brush box is made from a empty greeting card box. I cut down the brush holder part of an old plastic art box to fit in it. The sponge holds the brushes firmly to keep the tips from hitting the end of the box. I keep an elephant ear sponge and a small jar of white paint next to the brushes.

My watercolor palette fits over the brushes. I made two holes in the bottom of the box and tied a piece of elastic through them to keep the lid closed in my pack.