How Travel Inspires an Artist’s Palette by Bonnie Levinson
Travel inspires a direct way of changing an artist’s point of view. For Bonnie Levinson, visiting new places introduces fresh light, colors, and emotions — elements that naturally show up in her work. She noticed this shift clearly when she moved from San Francisco, California to Delray Beach, Florida. A new environment can influence creativity, change the color palette, and create a different rhythm in the artistic process.
Bonnie Levinson’s Artistic Journey
For Bonnie, travel isn't just a source of inspiration — it plays an active role in changing how she creates. On her trips to Portugal and Sardinia, she saw how much a location can shape an artist’s visual language. The Mediterranean setting, with its bold colors, historic architecture, and the way sunlight hits the surfaces, left a strong impression on her work.
Bonnie finds her creative process deeply impacted by place. Portugal, in particular, revealed a surprising shift in her palette. Pink—a color she had rarely used in the past—emerged prominently in a series she created after her time there. Four different paintings explored her fascination with the azulejo tiles, each infused with varying shades of pink. The soft blush tones and bold magentas became symbolic of the layered emotions and decorative intricacy that surrounded her, offering a completely new lens through which to express her experience.
In Portugal, she was drawn to the sunlit facades of Lisbon’s buildings and the bright patterns of traditional tiles. These visuals — especially the light blues, pinks, and yellows —began to appear in her artwork, bringing new layers of warmth and detail. The gardens of the Mateus Palace were especially memorable, offering a calm contrast to the formal structure of the palace itself.
Sardinia had a different feeling. It offered a more rustic look with earthy tones: the reds of terracotta roofs, the oranges and greens of local plants, and the deep blues of the sea. The natural views and steep cliffs added a raw, grounded quality to Bonnie’s work, encouraging her to focus more on texture and natural shapes. The island’s simple beauty led her to use more contrast and bolder brushwork.
Travel Inspires as a Creative Catalyst
Bonnie, like many artists, finds that her surroundings directly influence her creative process. A lively city might lead to bright colors and strong lines, while a quiet countryside may bring out softer tones and slower, more thoughtful work. Travel doesn’t just motivate —it often changes the way art is made. Every trip and every new view can leave a lasting mark on the canvas.
For artists looking to grow, visiting different parts of the world can offer real perspective. Bonnie’s travels—from the colorful markets of Morocco and the calm waters of Bali to the historic buildings of Italy—each brought something new to her work.
Wherever you go, let the places you visit shape how you see and create.
Learn more about how Bonnie’s fascination with the natural world deeply influences her artistic practice.
