I have to admit that I’m not one of these people who loves travel for its own sake. I like it as a general concept – seeing different parts of the world, the historical sites and the way people live – but I'm an anxious person by nature, and a creature of habit. I often find aspects of travelling to be stressful rather than exhilarating.
That being said, I am currently preparing for a pretty exciting trip! This Monday I'm heading to Japan along with my family for two weeks. I've packed lots of snacks, and medications for every possible eventuality, and I'm sure once I get past the initial jetlag I'll have an amazing time.
But I'm also curious as to whether I'll find particular inspiration from this trip. This will be my first time visiting a non-English or French-speaking area of the world, and I can only imagine that there will be a lot of unexpected and new experiences while we're there. A friend of mine who went to Vietnam told me a lovely story about a particular scene he had seen that had stuck in his brain as a perfect composition for a painting. I imagine I'll be pretty busy, but I'm bringing a small sketchbook just in case something strikes me in the same manner!
Essentially, this is all just to explain that I will be away for a couple of weeks. I've lined up guest newsposts, so you can look forward to those for the next two Fridays, and then I will be back to regale you with tales from my travels!
Have you ever found inspiration from travelling, whether in your art, writing, or general comic-making?
—
Have a comic milestone, a community project or some comic-related news that you'd like to see here? Do you have original art for our newspost image database? Send it to me via PQ or at hippievannews(at)gmail.com, or leave a comment below!
For more info on News, please check out this DD Help Site article: https://sites.google.com/site/theduckhelp/getting-started/news-and-getting-your-news-in-it
Inspiration through Travel
HippieVan at 12:00AM, July 1, 2016
4 likes!
©2011 WOWIO, Inc. All Rights Reserved Mastodon
plymayer at 10:23PM, July 3, 2016
Used to travel quite a bit. Not for some time now. Lived in Japan and the United Kingdom for three years each. Been to quite a few countries. Good luck and enjoy. Stay safe.
bravo1102 at 7:34PM, July 1, 2016
And being a model builder all I can think about is going to a Japanese hobby shop. You buy Japanese made kits for about half their retail back in North America and reselling them when you get back subsidize your trip. And then there are 7-up or Kit-kat flavored potato chips.
Bruno Harm at 4:15PM, July 1, 2016
Kyomisu temple for sure. there are tons of temples. Okochi-Sanso on mt. Ogura has amazing views. It's past cherry blossom season. but it's still amazing. And Shakey's Pizza has normal pizza, but it also has octopus and corn pizza.
HippieVan at 11:14AM, July 1, 2016
@Bruno Harm: Any suggestions for Kyoto? We're excited for weird vending machines, haha.
HippieVan at 11:13AM, July 1, 2016
@bravo: I definitely get that. I don't have too much trouble with different accents, but it did take me a while to figure out that people in England weren't asking if I was "alright?" because I looked ill.
HippieVan at 11:12AM, July 1, 2016
@ozone: Yes, I'm exactly the same way! I had an amazing time in Montreal because I was there for a month and a half - I had my own place where I was all settled in, and I could check things out at my own pace. It was a lot less frantic that way, and I really got a chance to enjoy the city.
ashtree house at 11:11AM, July 1, 2016
Have fun! I can't wait to hear about it, I am sure you'll write a lovely post once you get back!
Bruno Harm at 10:37AM, July 1, 2016
My favorite trip to date is still Kyoto, Japan. well, It was also my Honeymoon, so that didn't hurt. I didn't speak any Japanese, so it was pretty stressful sometimes, but everyone was so nice! and there were beer vending machines.. I had never traveled anywhere before that, and it really added to my life in ways I never expected. I've now been to all the old Axis Nations (Just a funny coincidence I swear)and western Canada, and I really enjoy Visiting new places and meeting different people. I can't say it's inspired anything specific in my work, but I'm willing to bet that it's influenced everything I have done since.
mouse4949 at 10:13AM, July 1, 2016
Oh!Welcome to Japan!
Ironscarf at 7:10AM, July 1, 2016
I find travel really stressful, mainly because Mrs. Scarf likes to be late for everything. Have a great time, can't wait to hear about it!
KimLuster at 5:02AM, July 1, 2016
Oooo I'm so envious!! While I've had the privilege of visiting Mexico and a few European countries, I'd relish a chance to visit the Far East someday...!! Enjoy it, Hippie!!
bravo1102 at 1:24AM, July 1, 2016
Home is where you hang your hat. As I have gotten older I have grown comfortable travelling. That being said I have yet to go someplace where English is not the native tongue. Well at least so they tell me. My wife couldn't understand the natives in either London or South Carolina.
Ozoneocean at 12:10AM, July 1, 2016
Kawaii loves it! I think I'm more like you in that I find it a bit stressful. I like arriving at a place not the stress of getting there. Then I have to find my bearings... It's only when my ducks (quack quack) are all back in a row again and I know what's what that I'm happy in a new place.