Although it’s summer solstice here, the longest day of the year, it is grey and raining. But it's all good because the sunsets have been spectacular the last few days.
For the last four to five weekends, we’ve been travelling back and forth for the love of being on the road and adventure. Travelling is essential for my partner and me. We usually leave on Thursday night and get back on Sunday late evenings. It’s gotten to the point that we almost sleep more in our van than at home. We’ve become pros at fast and light packing and I now have the perfect art supplies for a weekend, a week trip, and a long holiday. And by "perfect," I mean that if I forget something, I’ve learned to just go with it!
“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” – Seneca
This weekend will be our first weekend at home since the beginning of May.
From Colmar, Ammerschwihr, Marlenheim in France to Fehmarn, Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Bremen, Sankt Peter-Ording Germany, to a quick stopover in Rømø, Denmark, and Landsberg am Lech in Germany again.
This is the advantage of living in the Netherlands—sandwiched between France, Belgium, Germany, and all the other wonders surrounding the country that bring us back here.
This time of year always reaffirms why living in the Netherlands is such an amazing experience and why I made the (accidentally) right decision to be here.
It's a creative season when I feel less homesick for Oz, especially compared to the long winter months here in Europe.
“Traveling outgrows its motives. It soon proves sufficient in itself. You think you are making a trip, but soon it is making you - or unmaking you.” — Nicolas Bouvier, The Way of the World.
A short weekend getaway improves our lifestyle. Whether you spend a couple of days or one month away, getaways blend well-being and fuel new energy of inspiration. Even just being a tourist in your hometown.
Travelling is good for us:
It helps reduce and release stress, especially in nature
Boost confidence
Enriches cultural experience
Improves your self-awareness and grateful
Ignites curiosity and creativity
Cultivates mindfulness
Encourages self-discovery and gratitude
It inspires more outdoor sunset moments than Netflix!
📣 Create more and paint summer flowers next weekend, June 29 & 30 (click the link below to join us)
I know it might not be ideal to keep my photo locations on my iPhone, but for personal reasons, I'm grateful for it because it helps me remember the names of places and dates. Plus, it also comes in handy when sharing travel stories with others. Do you do the same?
“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” – Seneca
Drawing away from the van offers a unique experience compared to creating art at home in my dedicated creative space. It feels different; I often have to work faster, and my perspective shifts as I'm typically standing or sitting on the bed. But I’m usually more careful this way than when painting outside or in my studio.
Upcoming Weekend Challenge: June 29-30
Let’s paint roses and pansies together! Grab your colours and join me in exploring more flowers. I'll guide you through sparking inspiration, from realistic to freestyle and semi-abstract styles, whether you're filling your sketchbook or loose art pages. It's all about enjoying the creative process without the pressure of perfection.
Open for all, no experiences are needed other than curiosity to paint with colour. I’ll be using mainly gouache and mix media but feel free to use any medium you prefer.
Theme: Summer Flowers!
What: Doddle or Paint flowers
Medium: Paint, Markers or Color pencils
Time: 5-10 mins a day
Date: 29 — 30 June
Where: Substack
Anyone can join in—no art skills are needed.
To join, make sure you are signed up, below!
Capturing weekend road trips