My love of travel either started in high school geography class when I realized there was a huge world out there, or it could have been because all of my memories of vacations as a child were good ones. Not really sure how a girl from Lock Haven, PA always knew she was bound to travel the world but I just knew it would happen.
I would say my first real adventure started when I was 6. I got picked up by the school bus at my house, dropped off at a grade school, switched buses, dropped off at a high school school and finally dropped off at my kindergarten class. I realized very quickly that I had to be independent and could handle anything.
OK so onto greater things...I had always dreamt of going to Paris, the City of Lights! I feel may have been a friend of Marie Antoinette in another life : ) After deciding Indiana University of Pennsylvania wasn't quite where I wanted to be, I decided to study abroad in France and travel across Europe a bit. I went with a group of students where I only knew 1 person and not that well. It was eye-opening for sure! I studied in Nancy, France in the Alsace-Lorraine Valley, one of the most gorgeous areas (but I'm a bit jaded that all of France is). After the study period ended, my "friend" and I booked 10 days by Eurail to see the French Riviera, some of Germany, Venice - Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium and London. Very aggressive! Looking back "what the hell was I thinking?" I wouldn't do that same route today but it gave me a taste of many places where I haven't made it back to yet.
So, the point of this blog is to talk about Art inspiration from traveling, right? I'll get on with it.
While seeing some of the original paintings and sculptures in Europe and Art museums in general for the first time in my life, I was in awe of the great masters. I experienced Rodin, Monet, Picasso and too many to name here. It gave me a reason to want to take my Art more seriously and prove my worth as an Artist. I knew I was good but I want to be a great master someday. This journey plus my childhood experiences formed my base opinions on Art (oh and a tad bit of Art history from college).
When the bus from Nancy to Paris edged into the city, tears welled up in my eyes. At only 20, I had made it to one of the coolest places in the world, and with next to zero help financially or otherwise. This is a pinpoint moment in my life of which I am still proud.
Moving on to my second big journey. So about 2 years passed, at Penn State now, and I finished my final semester out in PARIS! My major in French & International Business allowed me to spend 5 months learning the culture, language, business practices and nightlife (hey, I was of drinking age now). I drew inspiration from different things than the first trip, such as feelings, sights, sounds, more every day interactions with people and places rather than the Art itself.
When I couldn't find a job with a French import/export company, I took a job in Delaware speaking French on the phone to customers in Montreal/Quebec. This was the next best thing - sorry to my Canadian friends, I love you all. This job helped me practice my French and learn more about working for a corporation. It wasn't very inspiring for my Art so I took about 2 years off.
In 2003, I began painting again, but now I tried my hand at Abstraction and combining some different media. I was all over the place with my Art: taking photos, working in watercolors, acrylics, paper, tempera, oil, sculpture, basically anything I could get my hands on. This was a good intro back into Art for me and I quickly weeded out what didn't work.
In 2005, I vacationed in Miami, FL with my new-found love (now my husband). When I saw the colors and felt the energy, I was moved to create a series of Abstract paintings named "Miami Series" that launched my Action Painting career. I didn't know I was an Action Painter at the time, but later realized. The series can be viewed on my website: http://www.nicoleroyer.com/store/abstracts.asp
In 2006, I traveled to India twice for work, training others in Customer Service. It was an all-expenses paid trip lasting a total of about 4 weeks where I was able to work US hours in the evenings and experience New Delhi during the day. I saw painted elephants, rickshaws, cows in the streets, trucks & bikes loaded down with more people than you could imagine would fit onto one vehicle, 24k jewelry I couldn't afford, the Taj Mahal contrasted with such devastating poverty, and I could go on. It was a unique country with many lessons to offer from its generous, kind people. I returned and painted "India Series".
I also visited the coast of California in 2006 in a 3 week adventure, driving from San Francisco down through LA and to San Diego. I won't go into detail here but you guessed it, that's where "California Series" comes from.
I have made my rounds to many US cities since then, including Austin, Dallas, 3 Hawaiian islands, Charleston, Savannah, South Beach Miami (again), New York City plus I was able to visit Shanghai, China in the past few years. All of the fresh air I breathe in from each new place gives me hope that I will make it to everywhere I want to go in my life before I kick the bucket, which should be a long time away. Now I just need to come up with more money and time!
Thanks for reading about my adventures and if you want to hear more, please visit me on Facebook - www.facebook.com/nicoleroyerart and leave a comment. I can definitely tell you my opinions about different cities and will have more inspiration to share.
Looking forward to next time we shall meet : )
