How Travel and Art Inspire Design
One of my favorite things to do is travel - and visit museums. And if you are lucky enough, you can stumble upon some amazing urban art (sculptures, architecture, murals, historic landmarks), just out in the open, no ticket needed.
Seeing all of these beautiful pieces really fuels my own creativity. Plus, photography makes me so happy.
I think sometimes, if I hadn't taken that trip to Italy back in 2012 (see above), I wouldn’t have had the guts to start my own leather making business.
All that inspiration would be lost.
None of that self expression would even exist.
All the joy that I feel in the creation process - gone.
Get IN the Culture
Immersing yourself in a completely different culture is really an amazing thing to check off a bucket list. Quite an adventure for sure - it’s really living. We never really achieve complete immersion since we aren’t really a local. But think method acting, only for travelers. I like to seek out the less traveled spots, go against the grain of what everyone else is doing - and sit and watch. Find the best local breakfast spot that’s not overrun by tourists (I know I’m a tourist) - but still. You can find me there in a corner booth, just trying to blend in (I’m sure I don’t.)
I reminisce about the time we were in Giverny, France. Off the beaten path. We strolled through their charming little countryside, with a 1 lane walking promenade between little stores, museums, and cafes. This is the hometown of Claude Monet and his famous garden. The whole town is dripping with art. We happened upon a little cafe, where the servers didn’t speak English. It was a fun (and giggly) exchange, as I dug deep in my 2 years of French I had in high school, and taught our waitress how to say “water” in English, as she taught it to me in French. Talk about the full French cultural experience!
Another way to get IN the culture is through the food. Food as art… yes!
I digress - but all to make the point - traveling can provide some great inspiration and memories that will help to shape what is yet to be created. It has enriched my life so much and I’m forever grateful for all of the artistic and spontaneous adventures that I have had along the way.
Texture and Style
I’m a regular person, who enjoys traveling to new places and witnessing life through art.
Have you seen those paintings that use a giant glob of acrylic paint to mimic the ocean’s waves or a textural rainbow? Those types of paintings really intrigue me. How does the artist get it to stay? I just wanna touch it. The amount of life it portrays is off the charts. This kinda thing really inspires me.
Landscapes and Architecture
I think part of traveling that makes for a great adventure is taking in all of the sites. Being aware of everything that is going on around you - a subtle, painted heart on a cobblestone street in Mykonos, Greece, to a simple, rainbow window display...
To the lush landscapes of Dubrovnik, Croatia...
To the magnificent Trevi Fountain in Rome...
To the stark contract of the unique skyscrapers and Crystal Lagoon in Malta.
All of these sites are breathtaking, each invoking some sort of emotion and feeling that you only get when seeing these wonders in person. All 5 of your senses are engaged.
That’s why we travel: To enrich our lives, create spaces that will inspire us now and in the future, and to have all of the shared experiences and wonderful memories.
The Ultimate Design Inspiration
If you are a creative person, or you strive to be, take a trip and be completely present wherever you are. Look around and soak it in, even if you are lost. It might just be the push and the inspiration you need to create your next amazing masterpiece.
I know when I think about the next piece of jewelry I make or the next website I design, I’m gonna be thinking of the shapes of those ocean rocks, the sea glass and fresh linen, the colors of the sky and the sea, the random 5 story mural, and all the beautiful, ancient architecture that remains.
Can’t wait to see what we can all create next.
