Efficiency is a big thing for me. If I can find a way to get something done in less time, with less work, and a great outcome, I'm all over it. Painting has given me lots of opportunities to put that to work! This is the first of my "Great Idea" posts, so if you're an effiency-minded thinker like me, read on!

When I first started painting, I used oils exclusively. It was how I learned and therefore the most comfortable medium for me. In fact, I've only been painting with acrylics for less than a year. I had tried it early on but I was such a slow painter in the beginning, I got frustrated with the paint drying up before I could use it. I didn't want to invest in the Stay-Wet Pallette because I thought oil was the only way to go. And to be honest, my brain was so crowded with all the new stuff I was learning that I didn't feel I could take on two different mediums. So I clung tightly to my oils for a long time. And we all know that oil painting is a lot messier that acrylic painting.

First stage of a 16x20 acrylic painting from a class with Cathy Martin, during my first year.

I had heard from more than one teacher that my biggest investment might be in paper towels! I started out using a tabletop easel, but as my art studio grew, so did my need for something larger and more stable. I loved my new floor easel (which my husband gave me for my birthday), but without my table in front of me, I was at a loss as to where to put my paper towels! Reaching all the way across my body or to the floor was just not an option! Not ergonomic enough!

As I got accustomed to my new setup and enjoyed my new easel, I figured out the best place to put all of my supplies, right at my fingertips... except the paper towels! And then one day I had a brainstorm. I made a trip to the local Dollar Tree and there it was - a package of 4 mini bungee cords. Perfect! When I got back to my studio, I threaded the cord through the tube and hooked it on to each end of the tray beneath the canvas support, making sure it was positioned so that the towels unrolled from the top. That way I could use the easel tray to rip off a towel with one hand. Not exactly rocket science, but it was awesome - and it only cost a dollar! I LOVE my DIY paper towel holder!

Is this something you've already figured out or would like to try? Do you have a Great Idea you'd like to share or for me to share on my blog? Let me know in the comments section below or shoot me an email!