New Pochade Box, WIP Continues,Momma's Mac and Cheese

Here is stage three in the WIP

I have some minor adjustments to make in the reflections of the tree trunks of the palms. They are a little off, but a fairly easy repair. A bit more work here and there. I have left this one a bit loose to portray the jungly kind of feeling you get on some rivers here in Florida. I am very pleased with the palette for this painting too. Very crisp with a lot of variety in the greens but not so much that it screams. I think one more session will finish this one.



I finally broke down and bought a new Guerilla Pochade Box. My other one is almost ten years old. The box is still usable, but all the feet are gone, the arm mechanism is messed up so it is hard to open and close. I don't know how much longer it will last. it is the perfect box for me because everything fits inside. I am not one for carrying satchels and extra bags with me. I want to set up and take down quickly and efficiently. All I need is my hat, tripod,box and a bottle of water. If I attach the tripod, I can sling the whole thing over my shoulder and off I go. It is made like iron and believe me, I have abused my current box severly over the last ten years.

I decided that I would need a new box for all these paint out events and I fear that the old one will fall apart while I'm in the middle of a paint out. Not good. That happened to me with a French Easel last year at Wekiva. I had my oils in a Julian Half Box and my acrylics in the pochade box. The Julian was less than a year old when it died at the paint out. Julian is now a poorly made easel. They used to be the best, but no more.

I'm going to use the old pochade box for my gouache paints this year and trade out the palette, using the new palette for the old box and the old palette in the new box for oils, since it is now broken in. I'm guessing that the old box will probably last a few more years. When it dies, I am going to buy the 6x8 inch thumb box for the gouache paint kit.

I hate to think of how many easels, and paint boxes I have had over the last 40 years. I am very hard on equipment. I used to go through French easels one a year before I gave up on them. Truth to tell, the Guerilla Box is the only one which has lasted more than 3 years. I'm sold on them. They are simple, not hoity toity like some of the more expensive brands, but extremely well made boxes.

Here is another gouache river study:

4x6 inches
gouache on WC cold press






Today's Recipe


Here is my Mamma's Recipe:


8 oz Elbow macaroni; cooked
3/4 ts Salt
4 c 16 ozs shredded cheddar
1/4 ts Pepper
2 lg Eggs
1/4 tsp Paprika
1 1/2 c Milk
1/4 tsp dry mustard

Layer one third of macaroni in a lightly greased 2-quart baking dish; sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups cheese. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining macaroni. Reserve remaining 1 cup cheese. Stir together eggs,mustard,milk,salt/pepper until blended. Pour over macaroni. Bake covered, at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Uncover and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese and paprika. Cover and let stand 10 minutes before serving.