Packing Up!

Ginger and Twink want to walk on the foam. Bad idea!

      We are preparing to leave for the Outer Banks and there won't be room in the Jeep for three dogs, our stuff and all the paintings I want to take down with us.  So, I am shipping the largest one in one of my Airfloat StrongBoxes.  I have mentioned these before and they sure make shipping paintings easy.  I have three and they are all well traveled.  I can't believe my first one is still in circulation!  These are lined, puncture proof boxes.  The painting lies on a bed of foam like you see on the right side of the photo and the middle layer of foam is perferated so you can create an opening to cradle whatever size painting you are shipping.  You can tell by the mosaic of foam surrounding this painting that I have used this box for various size paintings before.  The last step is to place the top layer of foam over the painting and close the box. I will Fed Ex it to myself at the OBX and then just Fed Ex the empty box back home.  Nice.

     Lucky was off sleeping on his favorite chair but Ginger and Twinkle were just waiting for an opportunity for me to turn around so they could jump in the box and walk around on the foam.  Twink is quick and I plucked her off the painting before her weight could do any damage.  You might be able to tell from her expression that she was just chastised.
     Since space in the Jeep will be tight I am glad my new Cigar Box sized Pochade Box arrived in time.  I can get everything in my backpack and it is still a comfortable weight for me to carry. I hope I remember to bring my card reader so I can post from the beach.  I am bringing 8 panels with me and hope to fill them all!