The Artist Companion take your kit into the great outdoors

Be ready, explore, create

At prototype stage and launching soon, 'The Artist Companion Explorer'.

One of the great joys in Art and indeed writing, is being able to create outdoors. The senses are filled to brimming with light, sound, smell and a sense of being. If ever there was an exemplar of mindfulness, creating outside must surely rank high.

Setting out with your art or writing gear, in a purpose designed kit 'system', changes the way you view what you are about to do. You are setting out to create, professionally and with attitude. You are primed to succeed in your endeavours.

The Artist Companion Explorer is being created for just such adventures. I find from personal experience that being prepared to create, actually helps me 'be' creative. A good example for me is Photography. Virtually everyone has a camera with them all the time on their phones. People tend to whip them out, snap a selfie, or snap the landscape. It can feel a bit to me like a 'throw away' activity. Make no mistake, having a convenient way of capturing images to use later as inspiration for your art is priceless and I use it a lot. It has its place. However, when I go out with my camera gear, although it's less convenient, I feel like a photographer. I am preparing to take quality images. My mindset is different. My output is usually significantly improved both in composition, subject capture and creative value. In other words, I am preparing to do good work.

In the past I've slung some bits and pieces in a rucksack, fully intending to do a bit of 'Plein air' sketching and painting. However, I somehow get distracted and end up coming home, the pad and pencil never having left the bottom of the bag. It wasn't until I treated my art the same way I do my photography, that all of a sudden I found it easier to start sketching and the output tended to be of a higher quality. This situation has since got even better as I now use the Artist Pencil for my work. I feel different when I work now. Seems daft, but setting out with the best kit for the job makes you feel 'capable'. It's a mind game at the best of times, but self belief is a powerful weapon where creativity is concerned. Over thirty years as a professional designer has taught me that.

So, no excuses, pack up your kit, head for the scenery and get creating.

In fact, create your happy.

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