loving art, science and creative kids

Fantasy in Scotland, 12” by 36”, Acrylic on deep Canvas, $350

Travel, 2015 Style

“Life is great if you don’t weaken,” says Ray.  “Vacations are supposed to be invigorating and inspirational,” I respond.  Fortunately and unfortunately our last few weeks were spent wandering the coastal cities of Great Britain where we were introduced to sites, sounds and pubs before returning home bearing the gift of colds . . . we weakened.

During my travels I was on a mission, looking for nuances of architecture that defined each city’s unique characteristics.  My goal was to acquire a portfolio of images to influence the myriad of paintings I plan to compose during winter hibernation. Some people keep journals while others like myself paint scenes that have been filtered through my brain with an infusion of colorful imaginary meant to record cultural and social highlights.  

Most impressive was Rotterdam with its ultra-angular buildings that made me wonder how they stayed floating in the air. Since the port city had been war damaged, designers had a blank palate on which to create angular city-scapes.

The quiet pastoral lands of Ireland that overlooked the ocean’s breakers and high dramatic cliffs topped with fortressed castles also caught my imagination.  I especially enjoyed seeing black sheep grazing on gentle hillsides, causing me to continuously repeat in my mind the nursery rhyme, “Baa, Baa black sheep have you any wool.”   

The old cities of Cobh, Ireland and Edinburgh in Scotland showed their warmth with multicolored stone buildings, cobbled streets and fireplace stacks ready for use during windy cold seasons. Pubs were filled with friendly voices mixed with fiddle and accordion players ready to draw patrons into an evening of relaxation.

Nature has a way of outperforming man and the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland was no exception. The World Heritage Site boasts geometric basalt columns formed from from ancient volcanoes that became eroded over time by rain and wind. For hours we climbed among these dramatic hexagonal stepping stones in order to view the way it affected the distant coast line.

I had a great time and hopefully you will benefit by seeing more images in next year’s paintings. 

Art work is always for sale. I can be contacted at [email protected].

How have your travels inspired you throughout the year. Please respond to this blog with your stories.