Steve Atkinson at Canyon de Chelly

Steve Atkinson sent us a letter to thank us for quick service as he was heading out to paint Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, September 20-27 with Plein Air Southwest.

He said, "In September I placed a frantic call to you. I had just traveled to Arizona to participate in the SouthWest Plein Air's Canyon de Chelly paintout on the week of Sept 20-27th, 2009. When I got to Prescott,Az where I would be staying and painting for the week prior to the paintout, I realized I had forgotten to include my rock sling on my tripod. Doesn't sound like an emergency I know, but that sling is one of the most important pieces of my plein air set up. Not only does it keep my tripod stabilized, during windy conditions (which is just about everyday at Canyon de Chelly), but it also is what I attach my paper towel discard bag to. I placed my order online and called to talk to one of your staff to see if they could get it to me as quickly as possible. I don't remember the young woman's name who answered the phone and helped me, but she couldn't have been more helpful or understanding. I got the bag in a couple of days, and she made the paint out something I will never forget."

He wrote about the experience in his blog, including some local history, wildlife and strategies for painting such a large-scale landscape.

Another Glowing Testimonial

Janet Kingan sent us this e-mail today:

"Hi, I just wanted to tell you how crazy I am about my 9 x 12 Guerilla Box!! I took it to Ireland with me and painted every day. It was fast and easy to set up, and to travel with. I was especially pleased with the covered palette tray. Best money I ever spent on my painting!!"

Glad you enjoyed your trip, and your box, Janet! Thanks so much.

We love to hear from our customers, whether it's a compliment like this, a request for technical assistance, a complaint or a suggestion. We value your input.

Thomas Wood, Customer Comments

Thomas Wood is a third-generation California landscape painter, living in Marin County.

He sent us a letter recently after filling out our survey with some additional thoughts. We quote:

"The Shadebuddy umbrella is by far the most practical and useful umbrella I have ever used, and I have used many. Its only drawback is in soft earth or sand, but I think I will adapt some sort of deeper stake for these conditions. A great product! Tall enough for standing up, large enough to cover, and no-nonsense adjustments. Really does the job, and makes painting more enjoyable.

I must say your "guerrilla" approach to plein air painting is a breath of fresh air (pun intended), and your equipment a welcome alternative to conventional gear like cumbersome French easels. I enjoy your articles and tips, and your promotion of outdoor painting. You create the sense of a brother-(and sister-)hood of like-minded painters out there working, a community of artists. I always enjoy reading your catalog cover to cover.

I was intrigued by your survey question 'What keeps you from painting plein air more often?' I suppose there could be a whole essay answer to this one... The one symptom I am sure every painter feels from time to time is that some days everything seems paintable, and other days nothing seems paintable. I don't know how to explain that one."

Thanks, Tom, and may you have continued success as well.

Self-Publishing

Often it seems that plein-air painting experiences become stories, or our paintings become illustrations, either of a trip or of our own life. Recently, many options have opened up if you want to publish your own book.


Leon Loughridge goes about it the old-fashioned way, using nineteenth century letterpresses and woodblock prints to create his limited-edition handmade books. He was raised on a ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico, and one of his books, Memories of the Diamond A, tells the stories of that time & place. His other books focus on the Flint Hills of Kansas, the Santa Fe Trail and the Gore Range in Colorado. Also, his guide to traveling with watercolors is available exclusively through Judsons Art Outfitters. His upcoming publications will involve Las Montanas de Santa Fe (poetry by John Macker), Beef Basin, Utah, and the Cimarron Branch of the Santa Fe Trail.

"Maybe I should make a map of where your paint boxes have traveled but then it would be a wiggly zig zag line all over the SW. It is those paintings out doors that become the core inspiration and structure of the woodblocks." - Leon Loughridge

He was also invited to participate in the prestigous annual Coors Western Art Exhibit at the National Western Stock Show in Denver this past January.

Dominik Modlinski's Adventures with his Guerrilla Box™ in the Arctic

"Dear team of Judson Art Outfitters,

First of all I would like to congratulate you on well design product. I purchased the 12” x 16” guerrilla box which I use right now for more then three years. I am a professional landscape painter and my travels take me to many isolated and challenging mountain environments. As an artist I experimented endlessly with many plain-air painting setups, which none really satisfied me 100%. Three years ago I traveled on Russian icebreaker “ Kapitan Khelbnikov” to the Canadian far Arctic as a resident artist and a expedition crew member. Since on many occasions time was an issue due to the changing weather, etc. I had to pack my gear in a hurry to be ready for a helicopter or a zodiac pickup coming from the ship. Through careful research I decide the guerrilla box offer me the fastest take down time and most secure both in transport and creating the painting.

Your box proved to be worth every penny on my month long journey to to the Arctic. Several months later I took it down to Antarctica to paint on location in most inhospitable locations on earth. From there I took it up to Patagonia where I had to paint in most windy environment I ever experienced. Again the box served me well and rewarded me with countless paintings. I use it nearly every day, especially during the summer months where I paint in the Yukon and Alaskan wilderness.

I am providing you with some of the images from the Arctic , Antarctica and Patagonia of the box on location.
Once again thank you again for a great product, I always highly recommend your company to other artists.

Sincerely yours,
Dominik Modlinski"
http://paintingjourneys.com

Guerrilla Box™ with Umbrella

"As a long time lover of plein air painting I just had to write you and tell you how much I am enjoying your well thought out product. Your Guerrilla Box with all the accessories is fabulous. I especially like the umbrella that covers the canvas making it so easy to pick painting locations. Trying to keep the canvas away from the sun has always been a problem for me. This just works! All your accessories are great too - the brush washer, covered palette cups and paper towel holder are functional and compact. Over the years I have had every kind of french easel and plein air gadget. This is the best. Congratulations."

-Stella, Virginia

New Guerrilla Box™

"My son just bought me a 9x12 Guerrilla Painter­® [box]. I've just completed my 2nd 9x12 painting and I can't tell you how much I enjoy using this pochade. Everything is so well thought out. This box has what no other box has, space to carry enough supplies for a week. All I need now is Mighty Mite brush washer and one of your good tripods and adapters for 8x10 and 6x8 panels. Also an umbrella kit. Once I get these I think I will be retiring my [old pochade box]. Thanks again for a wonderful product."

-Bill, Conneticut