Why Paint on Vacation — Mea Christie

Painting in Sedona in front of Cathedral Rock

I’m sitting in front of the view I didn’t believe would be true based on the Airbnb pictures. But sure enough, there is Cathedral Rock in all it’s glory, plus a creek, and trees filled with gorgeous yellow birds. I’m sitting with a small canvas on my lap, brown paper bags all around me as a drop cloth and lap cover. I’m happy to be outside painting this gorgeous landscape in Sedona.

Just a few days before I was painting an ocean scene in my sister-in-law’s kitchen, while she drank coffee and chatted with me. She said she really enjoyed watching me paint.

Vacation is a great opportunity to paint. Free from the distractions of home and work, you can take a half hour a day back at the Airbnb or hotel to paint instead of read or scroll or whatever you would usually do to "unwind" or check out in your downtime during vacation.

Packing paints and brushes is easy if you take small tubes of paints and just what you need in terms of pencils and brushes. This video shows you how to make a small portable painting kit. I use mine when I go on vacations or to visit family -- and at home, so that I can keep my art stuff tidy and bring it out only when I need to.

Here are some of the amazing benefits of painting on vacation:

1. You can capture a scene from your trip and have a one-of-a-kind priceless souvenir to keep to remind you of the trip forever

2. It's fun for your family and travel companions to watch you paint. If you can listen to them while you paint, it can be very soothing or mesmerizing for them to watch you. Some people prefer to paint in solitude, but I find I like socializing while I am doing it. Have some coffee together during a morning painting session. Or both of you can have a drink before or after dinner while you paint. They can paint too if you share your supplies!

3. If you do choose to paint alone, or you are traveling alone, you can call someone and talk on the phone while you paint.

4. If you prefer to not interact with people while you paint, you can create some "me time" or self-care, self-love time by lighting some candles or an essential oil diffuser, pouring yourself some tea, playing your favorite relaxing music, and soon you'll be in the zone. Painting like this is a great way to get in touch with your true self.