Kristal Coral Marie Molina is an artist inspired by the tropics of her birthplace, American Samoa. Now residing in San Diego, California with her husband, she is a proud mother of two young adults. In addition to her role as a K-12 art teacher, Kristal also conducts art classes for adults at Vinya, a wine bar and restaurant with a speakeasy yoga studio. She finds joy in fostering creativity within young artists and helping them to blossom! In Volume 11 of The Turquoise Iris Journal, Kristal shares her tips for creating art while traveling.
Art While Traveling
In January, I stepped off the 5 1/2 hour plane ride hand-in-hand with my husband and I could feel the winter in our bones defrosting with each step. I was born in American Samoa, so being on the Big Island of Hawaii helps my soul shine brighter. Every trip is another step closer to following my dream (“moe’uhane,” which means “soul sleep” in Hawaiian) of living in paradise.
My husband and I often find ourselves house and dog-sitting for our dear friends. He will work remotely and I will paint daily. The house where we stay is surrounded by lush greenery and trees that tower higher than any buildings. We can barely see neighbors’ houses to the sides of the property.
After unpacking, I set up my art area with my watercolor set, two brushes, black and white watercolor paper, a pencil, a black micron pen, and a white gel pen. As the sun sets below the volcanoes, the coqui frogs take over, filling the air with their distinctive, high-pitched whistle.
As a traveling artist, I am always looking for new inspiration and ways to bring my imagination to life. During our trip, we made it a point to visit local farmer’s markets where we tried new fruits and learned about the local culture. With a two-hour time difference from our home in California, we had plenty of time to work and play. I would spend time on the different beaches collecting sea glass. At one such beach I watched whale spouts and tail flukes while my husband surfed. He could hear their song as he dove under the waves. My soul was happier and I was able to tap into my creative energy, resulting in some of my best watercolor works.
How to Make Art While Traveling
Taking a break and traveling to new places can be the perfect opportunity to reignite your imagination and create inspired memories. Pack your art bags and set off on a journey to discover the world’s beauty through your artwork!
Here are Kristal’s tips for making more art while you travel:
- Keep your set-up simple and compact – This allows you to travel light and make the most of your limited space.
- Take reference photos – Inspiration can strike at any time, and having reference photos can help you capture those fleeting moments.
- Experiment with different materials and techniques – Traveling to new places can be the perfect opportunity to try something new and push your creative boundaries.
- Embrace the local culture – Whether it’s trying new foods or learning the local language, immersing yourself in the local culture can be a source of inspiration for your artwork.
Subscribe now for more tips from Kristal about creating art while traveling!
Follow Kristal online @essentialexpressionsart for more inspiration and ideas!
