Painting Easel
I would say that my painting easel is the third most important tool that I have. Without paints and something to paint on; be it canvas, bristol, or plain paper; you have nothing. So those have to take the top two positions. But the third spot definitely belongs there. Whether I'm in my apartment or I feel like heading out, I don't know how I would even function without it. Especially since I sometimes like to change my physical location up. I feel that it inspires me when I'm blocked and allows for some new creative juices to start flowing.
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US $24.00
Most of the time, I work from home. There aren't any distractions here. So, I just sit at my painting easel and plug away at the piece until it's finished. I can go for hours without a break. Sometimes my friends don't see me for weeks. They used to get annoyed at that, but have gotten used to it by now. They all realize that it's nothing personal. I just need to work and work some more if I want my career to go places.
I have found that every now and then I get flat-out stuck for what to do with the canvas on the painting easel though. I just end up staring at this blank slate. I usually let this go on for a while, and try to force my way through it. But if that doesn't work after a few days, I have to try other things. I usually work on a semi-strict deadline, so I just can't let the creative block continue indefinitely.
I've tried many things in my day to get over a block. Going out for walks, completely not thinking about it for a while, watching television, meeting up with some friends. I've even tried a friendly encounter with whichever lady friend I happen to be seeing at the time. As much fun as that last one is, it never worked for me. As a by the by though, it couldn't hurt either, so I highly recommend doing it anyway. What has worked is just grabbing my painting easel and getting out of the house with it.
I've taken everything, brushes, palette, painting easel and all to various locations. The park is a favorite of mine. I find that if I stand there and just people watch for a while, an idea usually comes. I've also tried setting up shop on the corner of a sidewalk, and on the rooftop of a friend's building. When I still had a car, my locations were even better and more exotic. That was one thing the car was great for. I miss that sometimes. But at the end of the day, it's still not necessary. All I really need is that change of location. Some interesting people. Some movement. I'm so glad that I when I was in the market for one, I went with a portable painting easel. I never expected that I would be going to all these places with it then. I just got it so I would have th eoption, just in case. Boy, did that work out. A little travel is the only thing that really helps.