Coming Back to Making Art - Inspiration from Travels
Updated: Sep 23
For a long time, my art lived in boxes.
It wasn’t that I stopped caring or ran out of ideas. Life kept moving. I changed countries, lived out of suitcases, and crossed borders and time zones. I carried only what I needed and learned how little you really need when you’re on the move.
For four months, I traveled from the United States through Canada, Denmark, Italy, Turkey, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, spending time in Bali, before finally returning home to New Zealand. The experience was both overwhelming and grounding at the same time.
Somewhere along the way, making art fell quiet.
At first, the quiet felt strange. Creativity was always part of my life, something I relied on. Without it, I questioned who I was becoming. But over time, I noticed something important: even when I wasn’t making, I was still gathering - travel art inspiration.
I collected colors in markets and on the streets. I noticed patterns in tiles, textiles, and shadows. I found stories in gestures, food, language, and rhythm. I was taking in beauty differently, focusing less on creating and more on being present.
View of Kapiti Island with Maggie the dog Close up of flowers in Waikanae, NZ The Lemon Tree Cafe in Bali Fun pots for plants made out of old plastic bottles in Bali Beautiful glass lamps at Al Jazeerah Signature Restaurant and Lounge in Bali Perfectly beautiful flowers in Bali Batu Caves in Malaysia Street art in Kuala Lumpur Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur Wat pho in Bangkok Siam Paragon in Bangkok Wat Pho in Bangkok Wat Pho in Bangkok Chinatown in Bangkok Paper Plane Project Co-working space Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok Cafe Culture in Koh Tao John Suwan View Point in Koh Tao Ozone View Point in Koh Tao Mango sticky rice in Chiang Mai Wat Buppharam in Chaing Mai Wat Buppharam in Chaing Mai Mae Taeng District - Kuet Chang Pagoda Noppamethanedon Doi Intanont Great View Point Si Phum in Chiang Mai Fatih-Cankurtaran Mh. in Istanbul Maden Mh. in Adalar Beyoglu - Mueyyetzade Mh. in Istanbul Vatican City Vatican City Colosseum in Rome Centro Storico in Florence Centro Storico in Florence Castello in Venice Castello in Venice Castello in Venice Basilica of Saint Mark in Venice Basilica of Saint Mark in Venice Basilica of Saint Mark in Venice Cannaregio in Venice Rio del Mondo Nuovo in Venice Venice Basilica of the Frari in Venice @poetic_living.dk Laboca, Torvehallerne in Copenhagen Tivoli in Copenhagen Trinitatis in Copenhagen Marielyst in Denmark Majorstuen Syd in Oslo Frogner Park in Oslo Uranienborg in Oslo Uranienborg in Oslo Cascades of Time Gardens in Banff Bishop Arts District in Dallas Palm Springs Historic Tennis Club Saguaro in Tucson Saguaro in Tucson
When I came home and started unpacking, I felt the urge to create again, but it felt different this time. It was gentler, less urgent, and not about proving anything.
Starting again after a break isn’t about picking up exactly where you left off. It’s about meeting yourself as you are now.
My hands move more slowly now, and my ideas come in new ways. I have more patience and curiosity, and I don’t feel as much pressure to make something 'good.' I’m learning to let my work be small, imperfect, and open to exploration. I try to let play guide me instead of expectations.
If you’ve taken a break from your art because of travel, change, getting by, or just living, remember this: your creative side is still there. It has been watching, listening, and collecting.
You don’t need to make a big gesture to start again. Sometimes it’s as simple as opening a notebook, setting out your materials, and letting yourself begin quietly.
Art will meet you where you are. And sometimes, it’s richer for the waiting.
Comments