How Travel Inspires Art

To be an artist is to be in tune with the world around you, drawing creativity from the seemingly insignificant details to the large sphere of features. One such source of inspiration that many artists rely on is that of travel.

When presented with opportunities to travel to new environments and settings, most artists jump at this chance. Discover more about how travel inspires art below.

New Scenery

With the existence of social media, television, media publications and technology in general, it has never been easier to see foreign parts of the world. However, most travelers willingly admit that seeing a photo of a location in no way equates to actually being there. Travel is so much more than sight. It is feeling and smelling and existing in a new environment and culture.

In this new environment, artists are given the freedom to engage all of their senses and immerse their artistry into the new scenery. Unfamiliar sceneries can introduce new color schemes, brush patterns and overall designs into an artist’s work. But without having actually traveled to the location, it poses more of a barrier when it comes to evoking the thoughts and emotions an artist might have experienced in these surroundings.

Recreating Scenes

While the overall scenery may inspire artists to create abstract or conceptual pieces of art, these new environments also expose the artist to new people and cultures. Artists have the ability to capture a moment in time and make it last through centuries. This type of inspiration takes some intentionality, as an artist may need to sit in public and wait for inspiration to strike. Their attention may be drawn to a group of teens gossiping by a fountain or a couple taking their dog for a walk. By immersing themselves in these scenes, the artists can recreate that moment on paper or on a canvas. By doing so, their art then allows others to “travel” there simply by viewing their work, thus creating an ongoing cycle of wanderlust and inspiration.

Erases Stress

Travel has a way of taking the stress out of producing art. While at home, you may have felt yourself get into a creative rut, which can be a frustrating position to be in, especially for struggling artists who rely on their craft for an income. Due to all the inspiration one gains while traveling, however, creating art becomes second nature again. You’ll find that you’re able to indulge in the passion you love without having to put as much thought into it, thus reducing any stress you may be feeling. Travel therapy can be quite opportune for the unfruitful artist.

Now that individuals are beginning to travel more frequently, the art world is awaiting the production and creation of meaningful pieces of art, some that may come from previously unknown artists. Post-pandemic times will call for a revitalization of creativity and an emergence of talented individuals who have been using the previous years to grow their skills before taking their talent public. With the continual emergence of technology and NFTs, there is yet another avenue for art to thrive, this time in a digital space.

As artists begin traveling more frequently, they will find themselves inspired more easily instead of grasping at straws for inspiration to strike. Discovering a new energy from a newly visited destination can motivate your mind and engage your senses to show different perspectives in your art. Allow yourself to emerge fully into the essence of a travel destination, gaining inspiration from a place as touristy as the Jershey Shore to a destination as majestic as the Irish countryside.