I live in NW New Mexico. The Land here IS art. Every single day. The air, the waters, the prairie dogs, the rocks, even the energized tumbleweeds...it's all living ART. I live here in challenge and gratitude every day.
Such a question… All my life, I’ve felt drawn to Istanbul, and when I first got there, it exceeded my expectations! It moved something inside me and it still does, even when I’m far away from there… I think it’s about our alignment with the place and its frequency. But, there is so much to uncover yet…
I’m excited to follow this exploration! When I visited Santa Fe in 2019, I stayed at the Inn of the Turquoise Bear, which has hosted many prominent writers of their day. Perhaps artist colonies also sprout from a few well-connected individuals inviting their favorite folks to stay. https://www.turquoisebear.com/history.html
Such an interesting question—though I must admit when I was in Glastonbury last week to watch Othello in the abbey ruins there was definitely a vibe but it felt more alternative than arty.
I definitely feel more creative in places like Lake Atitlan and CMDX than Sydney—as beautiful as it is.
I’ve always wanted to go to San Miguel de Allende and you’ve sold me on Sante Fe 😍
Matt, fellow Traveler, SEEKER of creative places and creator of creative spaces, I was thoroughly engaged and reminded of America's beauty.
Your writing has evolved beautifully too mate!
I found my creative place and 'Private Mountain', down in the creek behind our home in NE Ohio, sitting on a paint bucket, under a tree, with a winding creek a mere 15 paces away.
Though I left that creek 12 years ago, to go and travel the World, it still flows through me.
From Kilimanjaro to Kathmandu, Nairobi to New Delhi, Belo Horizonte to Belfast, discovering places where creativity flows.
Granda is just a Wonderer, Wandering around the World.
This makes me also think of how there is a theology of place and space that emerges over time depending on the use of the space. That is true whether a place has a malevolent force to it or a generative one. I have just returned from Sequoia national park and to be amongst age old redwoods at whose feet many ancestors would have sat was thrilling and moving all at once 😍
As a writer, I'd been feeling an immense pull to LA for the last few years. When I finally made a trip there in April this year, I felt underwhelmed and overwhelmed all at once. I drew such inspiration from the mountains and the climate and the architecture and the sorrow and the glamour that accompanied old Hollywood folklore. I came away thinking I had scratched that itch - but now I can't stop thinking about going back.
Many goosebumps and aha moments reading your post. I love how you've woven physical spaces, inspiration, mystery and virtual places together. Also loved the photo of the tree and moon ;)
I'm excited about your inquiry, and hoping you'll share more with us along the way.
In answering your question 2 places jump out. The first is Doha, an example of what you nailed in terms of "engaging community" and "economic ecosystem". I lived there for 2 years and soaked up the libraries, world class events, workshops, museums, diverse cultures from all over the world. You can really feel the impact Qatar's resources and investment in the arts has had and how it's growing. Living there was nothing short of life changing for my writing and creative life.
The second, Nicaragua, is very different, and it's more of a whisper or a calling for me. Here I live along miles of isolated beaches, surrounded by local communities and "campos" (basically country side), and volcano views. There's very little happening in terms of museums/events and things like I mentioned about Doha. But the creative inspiration I feel is off the charts. My theory is it's got something to do with the clear night's sky, the open ocean horizon, the land and how wild/raw it is here. Lately we've been finding artifacts in the sand AI dated as old as 1000 years. Anyways, all that to say, there are certain place that just have "it", and for me Nicaragua's got it.
Grand Canyon. The Chalice Well. Scotland’s Highlands. Bathsheba Beach, Barbados. South Island, New Zealand. Belize. Kauai, Hawaii. Vancouver Island. For various reasons, I have found not only visual beauty and power but, literally, felt the active and responsive spirits of place in these locations.
I live in NW New Mexico. The Land here IS art. Every single day. The air, the waters, the prairie dogs, the rocks, even the energized tumbleweeds...it's all living ART. I live here in challenge and gratitude every day.
Ley lines <333
Such a question… All my life, I’ve felt drawn to Istanbul, and when I first got there, it exceeded my expectations! It moved something inside me and it still does, even when I’m far away from there… I think it’s about our alignment with the place and its frequency. But, there is so much to uncover yet…
Love Istanbul!
Yes, Istanbul is special 🩵
I’m excited to follow this exploration! When I visited Santa Fe in 2019, I stayed at the Inn of the Turquoise Bear, which has hosted many prominent writers of their day. Perhaps artist colonies also sprout from a few well-connected individuals inviting their favorite folks to stay. https://www.turquoisebear.com/history.html
Such an interesting question—though I must admit when I was in Glastonbury last week to watch Othello in the abbey ruins there was definitely a vibe but it felt more alternative than arty.
I definitely feel more creative in places like Lake Atitlan and CMDX than Sydney—as beautiful as it is.
I’ve always wanted to go to San Miguel de Allende and you’ve sold me on Sante Fe 😍
Matt, fellow Traveler, SEEKER of creative places and creator of creative spaces, I was thoroughly engaged and reminded of America's beauty.
Your writing has evolved beautifully too mate!
I found my creative place and 'Private Mountain', down in the creek behind our home in NE Ohio, sitting on a paint bucket, under a tree, with a winding creek a mere 15 paces away.
Though I left that creek 12 years ago, to go and travel the World, it still flows through me.
From Kilimanjaro to Kathmandu, Nairobi to New Delhi, Belo Horizonte to Belfast, discovering places where creativity flows.
Granda is just a Wonderer, Wandering around the World.
This makes me also think of how there is a theology of place and space that emerges over time depending on the use of the space. That is true whether a place has a malevolent force to it or a generative one. I have just returned from Sequoia national park and to be amongst age old redwoods at whose feet many ancestors would have sat was thrilling and moving all at once 😍
As a writer, I'd been feeling an immense pull to LA for the last few years. When I finally made a trip there in April this year, I felt underwhelmed and overwhelmed all at once. I drew such inspiration from the mountains and the climate and the architecture and the sorrow and the glamour that accompanied old Hollywood folklore. I came away thinking I had scratched that itch - but now I can't stop thinking about going back.
Many goosebumps and aha moments reading your post. I love how you've woven physical spaces, inspiration, mystery and virtual places together. Also loved the photo of the tree and moon ;)
I'm excited about your inquiry, and hoping you'll share more with us along the way.
In answering your question 2 places jump out. The first is Doha, an example of what you nailed in terms of "engaging community" and "economic ecosystem". I lived there for 2 years and soaked up the libraries, world class events, workshops, museums, diverse cultures from all over the world. You can really feel the impact Qatar's resources and investment in the arts has had and how it's growing. Living there was nothing short of life changing for my writing and creative life.
The second, Nicaragua, is very different, and it's more of a whisper or a calling for me. Here I live along miles of isolated beaches, surrounded by local communities and "campos" (basically country side), and volcano views. There's very little happening in terms of museums/events and things like I mentioned about Doha. But the creative inspiration I feel is off the charts. My theory is it's got something to do with the clear night's sky, the open ocean horizon, the land and how wild/raw it is here. Lately we've been finding artifacts in the sand AI dated as old as 1000 years. Anyways, all that to say, there are certain place that just have "it", and for me Nicaragua's got it.
Grand Canyon. The Chalice Well. Scotland’s Highlands. Bathsheba Beach, Barbados. South Island, New Zealand. Belize. Kauai, Hawaii. Vancouver Island. For various reasons, I have found not only visual beauty and power but, literally, felt the active and responsive spirits of place in these locations.