Being an artist of any kind is a different kind of career. It’s a lifestyle driven by passion, where the work never really stops as long as inspiration is in the air. That’s why artists, including writers, sculptors and other practitioners, can use even their holidays to drive creativity. Art holidays are a great way to reset the right brain and expand the imagination.
Exploring areas of natural beauty, artistic relevance and architectural majesty can activate your mind and lead you towards new and exciting projects. Taking enough time away can also be a great opportunity to start new pieces, whether that takes the form of travel writing or painting the landscape in front of you.
This article will highlight some great trips artists can take across the world, so you can plan a retreat to enhance your output.
The Lake District is a literary & landscape haven
The summer breaks Lake District destinations have to offer can be a significant source of inspiration. This mountainous collection of lakes is a must-see If you’re going to stay in the UK on your art holidays.
Grasmere and Dove Cottage are essential pilgrimages for writers and poets, as the site where William Wordsworth penned his most legendary passages of prose. The blend of dramatic rain and stunning sunshine is great for inspiring world-building.
As a visual artist, Derwentwater and Crummock Water are hard to beat in terms of glorious scenery. The colours and shades are vibrant and exciting, ideal for picture-perfect landscapes and abstracts alike.
Kyoto, Japan, is a sensory sanctuary
Writing retreats in Kyoto are perfect for those looking to elevate their capacity for philosophical thought. The quiet, spiritual atmosphere of the older, historical parts of the city are great for connecting with a more reflective side of the creative brain. Areas like the Philosopher’s Walk are perfect for anyone interested in poetry or magical realism.
In terms of visual art travel appeal, Kyoto’s contrast between old and new offers a great opportunity to better understand texture, negative space and distinct framing. From the rock gardens of Ryoan-ji to the Fushimi Inari shrines, painters and sketch artists are remarkably well served.
Giverny & The Normandy Coast, France, is an impressionist wonderland
French Impressionism is one of the defining art styles of the visual world. And when you visit Giverny, it’s no wonder why. A visit to Claude Monet’s House and Gardens, with its own touches of Japanese architecture, feels as if you’re walking through a canvas itself, great for getting some inspiration, however you interpret painting and sketching. The white cliffs of Étretat are similarly thrilling to an art-travelling brain.
When it comes to writing, Normandy has more than enough to inspire art holidays of the written word. The countryside is rambling and quiet, ideal for a reflective stroll. On the other hand, the seaside ports are bustling and the wartime history of the beaches is a surefire win for anyone looking to accelerate their approach to historical fiction/narrative non-fiction.
Additional locations for powerful art holidays
The beauty of art holidays is that there are plenty of different locations you can choose to gather some inspiration.
- Venice and Rome are Italian powerhouses for romantic scenery and legendary art history.
- Andalucia in Spain is great for art tourism, with it’s glorious landscapes and purpose-made art retreat infrastructure.
- New York City may not feel the most obviously artistic, but its cultural cache in terms of film, music and indeed museums makes it a must-visit for artists.
Start organising your next trip and get a new lease on your creative spark. A break could be just what you need.
