Coming Back to Making Art - Inspiration from Travels
- Feb 18
- 2 min read
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.
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.
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