Inspire, educate and connect travel loving creatives through online art instruction and exploration of global landscapes, lifestyles and cultures. We invite aspiring artists and hobbyists to celebrate the world’s beauty and spirit, fostering a community of artful travelers who see the world through a vibrant, artistic lens.
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November Artful Insights Newsletter: From Bold Women to Bright Destinations - November Awaits!
Published 3 months ago • 8 min read
Note from the Atelier
Hi There Reader...
As the year winds down and the holiday season approaches, I want to start with gratitude. I am eternally grateful to all of you for your support and encouragement this past year. A year ago, the Artful Traveler was but a twinkle in my eye. We've come a long way, and still have a way to go, but it has been an incredible journey and I want thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.
I also want to thank everyone who joined me for the recent Year in Paint Challenge! It was great fun to see your collections come together. Whether you’re keeping your calendar for yourself or gifting it to a loved one, I hope it brings smiles all year long.
We also had fun last month exploring Bavaria, Germany! You will see a couple of our paintings down below in the newsletter.
This month’s issue also shines a spotlight on two remarkable women in the art world - one you likely know (of) and one you’ll be glad to meet: Amy Sherald, whose courage and conviction continue to shape contemporary portraiture, and Lillian Merritt, a young fine art photographer transforming abandoned homes into artist residencies through her visionary ReStory Arts Foundation.
You’ll also find a peek inside my travel gear as I prepare for an adventure, a roundup of top November destinations and a list of not-to-miss exhibitions opening this month. And for a little holiday inspiration—consider turning one of your paintings into a custom Christmas card this year. There’s no better way to send art, heart and cheer all at once.
I mentioned an adventure I'm preparing for; I'm actually writing this from the plane on my way to Barcelona right now. It's the beginning of one of my bucket list adventures: a transatlantic ocean crossing - by myself! Before heading back across the pond (I've heard no one says 'across the pond' anymore, but I'm old, so I can say it), I will be exploring Southern Spain. I am particularly excited to do some urban sketching in the magnificent towns in Andalusia. Next comes nine days at sea; I am truly looking forward to this. There are, of course, a gazillion things to do on a ship, but I'm looking forward to none of them. I'm bringing my watercolor and gouache paints and have loaded up my Kindle and my Audiobooks. And that sounds just perfect to me. (Are you humming the tune to Titanic right now??)
Anyway, talk to you all when I get back...
We had fun exploring Bavaria, Germany and Oktoberfest in Munich last month! We painted a seasonal pumpkin and a traditional German pretzel. We missed not only painting a stein of beer, but also enjoying one!
Meet Lillian Merritt: Breathing New Life into Forgotten Spaces
I recently had the privilege of meeting the remarkable Lillian Merritt—and let me tell you, she is every bit as inspiring live (ok, live via zoom) as she looks on paper. At just 24 years old, Lillian is a fine-art photographer whose early fascination with old, abandoned homes has grown into something extraordinary; not only does she capture their life and stories through her lens, but she’s now restoring these very structures and transforming them into creative spaces for artists through ReStory Arts Foundation.
ReStory’s mission is rooted in the belief that historic buildings carry stories, and that preserving these buildings offers artists the time, space and inspiration to write their own stories.
Lillian Merritt. Photo from Restory Arts Foundation
Lillian understands this deeply; as a storyteller herself, she’s turned her passion for photographing decay into a force for renewal. “Revitalized and saved historic properties provide the foundation for time and space away from the chaos of normal life for artists looking to dedicate themselves to their craft.”
What strikes me most about Lillian is how seamlessly and successfully she blends artistic vision with social purpose. Through ReStory, she’s awakening forgotten spaces and inviting other artists into the fold. It’s a vivid reminder that art isn’t limited to the artist's paintings or photos; it’s also the environments we build to nurture those who create.
I’m thrilled to introduce the Artful Traveler community to Lillian, and even more excited about the creativity that will come from the spaces she’s bringing back to life.
Lillian is currently restoring The Gertrude Shook House in Virginia. I recently did some super quick (!!) gouache studies of the home and property. She expects restoration to be complete next year. (Click on the photo above to learn more.)
As I get ready for my upcoming trip, I’ve been assembling my Traveling Studio - that perfect balance of portability and what-if-I-need-this (aka story of my life). Urban sketching is at the heart of this adventure, so I’ve set aside time (never enough) in each city to sit and sketch.
Lately, I’ve been playing with both gouache and watercolor, and frankly, I couldn’t choose between them, so both are coming along. I have travel sets for each, along with the necessary portable accoutrement (you know I'm a sucker for accoutrement). I’m also packing a variety of papers and sketchbooks: some with a bit of tooth for watercolor, others smoother for gouache and pen. And naturally, in an assortment of sizes. One never knows...
And after an exhausting search (phew!), I finally found the perfect art bag: sturdy but not bulky, with just enough pockets for paint, brushes, portable palette, pens, tape, water container and a tiny spray bottle...not to mention a phone, some lip stuff, my passport, air pods, sunscreen and probably some money or at least a credit card. And most importantly, my sketchbooks - and they fit like a glove. (Are you envisioning an I'm sorry ma'am, that bag's too big for the overhead compartment bag? Nope. It's just a clown-car bag.) It’s funny how something as simple as the right bag can make you feel completely ready for the road (and bus, and plane, and ship) ahead.
Below are some pics of my necessary supplies. Check out my Instagram or Facebook to follow along on my travels...
Don't Miss These Exhibitions in November
Tom Lloyd, courtesy Studio Museum in Harlem
Studio Museum in Harlem Re-opens
New York (Harlem), New York
After a long period of transformation, the Studio Museum in Harlem returns this month with expanded galleries, artist-residence spaces and a major inaugural exhibition honoring the late artist Tom Lloyd — whose work first opened the museum in 1968.
The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons by J.M.W. Turner, 1834
Turner and Constable: Rivals and Originals
Tate Britain, London
This November sees the launch of Turner and Constable: Rivals and Originals, a landmark exhibition at Tate Britain that brings together the works of J.M.W. Turner and John Constable — two titans of British landscape painting born within a year of each other. The show delves into their intertwined lives, contrasting styles and mutual influence, offering a fresh perspective on the “fire and water” of Turner’s dramatic vision and Constable’s more grounded naturalism.
The Amy Sherald retrospective American Sublime opens this month, marking a powerful homecoming for the artist who received her MFA in Baltimore and whose work often centers on Black American life. The exhibition spans nearly two decades of her portraiture practice and includes around forty works—from early paintings to her iconic portraits of Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor—bringing together an ambitious survey of her career and her distinctive approach to representation.
Birthday by Dorothea Tanning - http://www.dorotheatanning.org/life-and-work/view-work/work-63/, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40428664
Dreamworld: Surrealism at 100
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia
The Dreamworld: Surrealism at 100 exhibition opens at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, marking its only U.S. stop and showcasing ≈200 works by more than 70 artists from the global Surrealist movement. Through five thematic sections, the show traces the movement’s journey from its 1920s Paris origins to wartime exile and beyond — inviting visitors into a realm where imagination and art collide.
You know Amy Sherald. Or least you know her work, if not her name. She painted the famous portrait of Michelle Obama (scroll up to see it again) - the one where she is wearing the white geometric print dress, set against a robin's egg blue background. It's very striking.
Sherald's style is instantly recognizable: she exclusively paints grayscale skin tones set against vivid, dreamlike backgrounds to intentionally take the focus off the color of the skin. Also, in many of her works, the subject looks out of the canvas, directly at the viewer, inviting them to see themselves.
Since becoming the first woman and first African-American to win the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition in 2016, Sherald has continued to expand the conversation around identity and representation through works like her portraits of not only Michelle Obama but also Breonna Taylor.
A natural next step, she was scheduled to exhibit her American Sublime retrospective at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery this fall... until politics intervened.
Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance), by Amy Sherald, winner of the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition in 2016. https://npg.si.edu/files/image/pressmiss-everythingjpg
Trans Forming Liberty by Amy Sherald
Her 2024 painting Trans Forming Liberty, which reimagines the Statue of Liberty as a Black transgender woman, became the center of controversy after Smithsonian officials expressed concern about political backlash. When asked to “contextualize” the work, Sherald refused, stating that fear should never guide art, and withdrew her American Sublime retrospective from the National Portrait Gallery in July 2025.
That's when the Baltimore Museum of Art stepped up. Sherald's retrospective will open in Baltimore rather than DC this fall. It’s actually a fitting homecoming; she earned her MFA in Baltimore and her work continues to stand firmly and beautifully for integrity, inclusivity and the transformative power of seeing ourselves reflected in art.
A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who joined me for the Year in Paint Challenge! I hope you had as much fun creating each month’s piece as I did designing the challenge. What a wonderful feeling to know that your art will now bring joy for the next year - whether hanging proudly in your own home or wrapped as a gift. It certainly beats your local insurance broker's annual calendar!!
Another holiday tip: select one of your favorite paintings from the year (or paint something special) and use that as the cover on your holiday card. You can make the traditional fold-over variety or a more modern flat, post card style. And either way, they're fabulous! People love getting custom cards!
November's Best Destinations
Sedona, Arizona
Autumn Light in the Desert
The summer heat gives way to crisp, golden days and the red rocks seem to glow under the softer autumn light. The crowds thin, the trails open up and the desert air turns perfect for hiking, plein-air painting or simply soaking in the scenery. With average highs in the 60s and the cottonwoods along Oak Creek turning amber, Sedona in November feels like nature’s own gallery opening.
Cape Town, South Africa
A City in Full Bloom
Spring is turning to early summer and the city is bursting with color. The weather is warm but not yet hot, making it perfect for exploring Table Mountain, the Cape Winelands or the beaches of Camps Bay. With longer days, blooming jacarandas and fewer crowds before the December rush, Cape Town feels alive with light, flavor and creative energy.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Marigolds and Memory
November in Oaxaca is captivating! The city’s rich cultural traditions and warm climate converge in a celebration of color and spirit. The month begins with Día de los Muertos, filling streets and cemeteries with marigolds, candles and intricate art that honor life and memory.
Savannah, Georgia
A Southern Season of Charm
In November, the summer humidity gives way to cool, comfortable days and the oak-lined squares shimmer with autumn light. The city’s historic charm feels especially inviting - brick streets dappled with golden leaves, art galleries buzzing before the holiday season and just enough coastal breeze to make a riverfront stroll comfy.
Inspire, educate and connect travel loving creatives through online art instruction and exploration of global landscapes, lifestyles and cultures. We invite aspiring artists and hobbyists to celebrate the world’s beauty and spirit, fostering a community of artful travelers who see the world through a vibrant, artistic lens.
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