My bags are packed and by the time this post reaches you I’ll be in Sydney, Australia! While I’m away I plan to continue weekly cards for my 52 Cards Project. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I’m determined to create a theme card for every week of 2022 and I don’t plan to miss these weeks I’m traveling!

I won’t have a scanner and I’m not bringing Copic markers—but I’ll have other art supplies with me (see below). I’ll also throw in a few photos of our trip too, so stay tuned!

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About what is going into these two luggage pieces

Besides art supplies? Well, I’ll go into that in a moment. First, I replaced both my suitcase and carry-on this year, and now my 22” suitcase is a bit smaller than I had (the fewer things I bring the less I can misplace or lose), and the tote bag is replaces a backpack.

I’m also bringing a sling bag for during the days (art supplies, cell phone, etc.)—which I’ll pack for air travel.

I am someone who can’t function in a disorganized environment, on the road or off. If you’ve ever been to my art studio, for a good example, you know that everything has to have a container and I want every container in an optimum location around the room according to how I use the materials.

It’s the same with travel.

Everything I’m bringing is now stored in a container or a particular luggage place. Clothes are sorted into packing cubes and cosmetics aren divided into two bags instead of one (each holding other smaller pouches!). Hat and raincoat will live in their own pocket in the suitcase, and finally electronics and art supplies each have their own containers.

Art supplies are their own special category

Oh have I struggled in the past! I’ve lugged around way too many sketchbooks, pens, paints and art tools. ONLY to have little time to even use them.

This time will be different.

What I’m bringing:

• Two small sketchbooks: one handmade 9”X6” sketchbook and one 6”X6” sketchbook (Bee Company)

• Two color mediums: a small travel watercolor kit (small tin watercolors, travel paint brushes and also glue stick and pencil lead) and a small 10-piece colored pencil case

• Two pen cases: A larger one holding my favorite pens & pencils and a tiny one holding a mechanical pencil, eraser and two pens for quick sketches on the road

Subsets and where they’ll go:

Hotel Room: 6”X5” sketchbook (for quick daily illustrations), larger pen case, both color mediums

Sling Bag: 9X6” sketchbook (for sketching while out and about), tiny pen case, colored pencils—and maybe I’ll add watercolor to sketches in the hotel room or on a plane later to finish)

Airplanes: Both sketchbooks, tiny pen case, both color mediums with me at my seat. The large pen case will be packed away)

So there you have it! I’ll let you know how it all worked out when I get back. Meanwhile, I hope this gives you some ideas the next time you travel.