inspired

i am now currently into my third month of travels and as i make my way down the west coast of the USA i find it bitter sweet. i never realized how difficult it would be to leave home where all my tools for art are now securely packed away. as i pass an endless array of jewellery stands, painting studios and so much more i am overcome with so many ideas that my mind is full of all i want to do. fortunately, i still have my camera with me and as i go i hope to be posting some of my favorite photos under my "world travels" portfolio.

it is such a neat thing to be able to have the freedom to explore the world for what it is - skip the tourist hot spots and take in all the real experiences each location has to offer. now, dont get me wrong, there isnt anything wrong with doing the tourist things - i just find that a lot of times the culture, people, colors and ideas are so much richer in the areas where the locals "hang."

i am close to making it to australia, where i hope to spend more time settling in and even getting a job or two. i hope that when i get there and am able to put my feet up for a while that it will open up the opportunities for me to explore my art a bit more freely rather than trying to cram all the inspiration in my mind and hope for the best that it will still be there when i return home.

for those of you who havent already - feel free to check out my blog in which i am regularly posting my travel adventures. you can find it at: http://shalanehopkins.blogspot.com