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The StoryI purchased my one (and only) pochade box when I began plein air painting and it has served me well for many years. It has travelled extensively - as evidenced by the number of stickers on all sides from the various places I have painted, including to Europe and down the Colorado river.It was designed and lovingly hand crafted by a small Montana Company called “Open Box M” that unfortunately is no longer in business. It is an institution in the plein air painting world. I’ve never come across another fellow painter using it that would ever part with it.

Some years ago, at an annual Plein Air Painting Convention we went out late afternoon to paint after the day’s events. I found a good spot in between some bushes that had a good view and was away from the mass of other painters. After I heard the sound of footsteps a man appeared. He looked at my box on the ground and knelt down to inspect it. His hands started to caress the box which I thought was strange until he looked up and informed me that he had made the box! What a small world – and what were the odds?


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