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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October Artful Insights Newsletter: Servus aus Bayern!
Published 4 months ago • 7 min read
Note from the Atelier
Hi There Reader...
I love fall. It's my favorite season. I call it shorts and sweatshirt weather: perfect for sunny days and cool, crisp nights. And I know there's a huge contingent of people who are over the (harvest) moon now that pumpkin spice everything is available. To be honest, pumpkin spice is not really my thing, but I get it. It comes with the whole fall package: sweatshirts, pumpkin spice, football and lest we forget, fall colored peanut butter M&Ms (not peanut, peanut butter...and I don't really like peanut butter, but that's a whole 'nother rabbit hole). Anyway, I don't know why the fall color variety are so much better than the Easter variety, but they are. Maybe because I'm more drawn to the dark moody fall colors than I am the Spring pastels? Perhaps.
Interestingly, my art also tends to skew in a lower vs higher key, often with dark, moody backgrounds. Recently, I made a concerted effort to paint in a higher key. Turns out I didn't like them - not just a little bit - I REALLY didn't like them. After staring at some light background pieces for a few days, I re-painted the backgrounds into something darker and moodier. And I felt much better. I'm still trying to find the right high key-low key balance, but that's ok. It just gives me a reason to paint more!
October also feels like the perfect time to slow down before the post-Halloween holiday hub-bub happens. This month’s newsletter is brimming with ways to do just that — from some mindfulness tips to a holiday head start along with the usual can’t-miss art exhibitions and top-notch October destinations.
We’re also unveiling our latest Académie à la Carte challenge — a creative journey designed to both slow you down and give you a head start on holiday shopping! And since mindful travel begins long before you pack your bags, we’ve included a few tips to help you stay present and curious wherever this season takes you.
And finally...dust off your lederhosen — we’re heading to Bavaria, Germany for our October journey! Think fairy-tale castles perched high in the Alps, charming half-timbered villages bursting with flower boxes and golden meadows dotted with grazing cows and echoing cowbells (who doesn't need more cowbells??). Along the way, we’ll peek into Bavarian traditions like Oktoberfest where beer halls buzz with laughter and pretzels are practically an art form.
I can't wait to unearth my four years of high school German and one year of college German (reading big, fat "classics" in German!)! Meanwhile, get ready for a month filled with color, charm and a dash of gemütlichkeit (that’s German for cozy happiness). Pumpkin spice lattes are optional, of course.
We'll kick off with Beyond Brushstrokes on Thursday, October 2nd. If you'd like to join us, click the button below.
In the meantime, pour yourself something warm and settle in...
P.S. In case you're wondering, Servus aus Bayern! means Hi from Bavaria! It's a very regional and authentically Bavarian phrase — very friendly and informal!
Your Year, Your Colors, Your Medium: Join the Year in Paint Challenge!
I’m so excited to share our latest Academie a la Carte Challenge: Year in Paint! Together, we’ll be painting 12 pieces — one for each month of the year — with every painting inspired by a different destination. From a snowy January scene to a sunlit summer getaway, each artwork will become a little postcard from around the world, captured in your own hand. And the best part - you can use any medium you choose! I chose watercolors!
At the end of the challenge, we’ll share our favorite website so you can turn your collection into a personalized calendar — the perfect way to celebrate your journey as an artist this year. You’ll not only have a keepsake for yourself, but also a meaningful, handmade gift you can share with family and friends for the holidays.
We had a wonderful time exploring Grand Rapids — from capturing the bold, sweeping lines of Alexander Calder’s La Grande Vitesse to painting the delicate beauty of a lotus flower and lily pads from Meijer Gardens. It was a journey that blended art, nature and city energy in the most inspiring way.
Don't Miss These Exhibitions in October
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind
Museum of Contemporary Art
Chicago, Illinois
Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind, an exclusive U.S. exhibition, showcases over 200 works from the pioneering artist, musician and activist. This retrospective spans seven decades of Ono’s career, featuring participatory instruction pieces, sound recordings, films, photographs and archival materials. Highlights include the iconic performance piece Cut Piece (1964), collaborations with John Lennon and the ongoing Wish Tree installation.
Art Toronto 2025, Canada's premier international art fair, showcases over 100 galleries from Canada and around the world, including New York, London, Buenos Aires and Seoul. Highlights include the "Focus" exhibition, curated by Rhéanne Chartrand, and the debut of "Arte Sur," a new section celebrating Latin American art curated by Karen Huber. Additionally, the "Generations" program features curated presentations by galleries showcasing multi-generational artists. Art Toronto 2025 offers a dynamic platform for art enthusiasts, collectors, and professionals to engage with contemporary art from around the globe.
Ruth Asawa: A Retrospective is a comprehensive exhibition celebrating the centennial of the artist's birth. Featuring over 300 works, the show spans six decades of Asawa’s innovative career, encompassing her signature wire sculptures, bronze casts, drawings, paintings, prints, and public works. The exhibition delves into Asawa’s commitment to experimentation and interconnectedness, highlighting her contributions to arts education and community engagement.
By Henri Rousseau - Henri Rousseau, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2180066
Henri Rousseau: A Painter’s Secrets
Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia
Henri Rousseau: A Painter’s Secrets is a landmark exhibition featuring over 60 works by the self-taught French artist. This unprecedented showcase reunites masterpieces such as The Sleeping Gypsy, The Snake Charmer and Unpleasant Surprise—some displayed together for the first time in over a century. Drawing from the Barnes’ extensive collection and the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris, the exhibition delves into Rousseau’s unique approach to painting, revealing hidden layers and reworked compositions through recent technical studies.
Travel has a way of slowing us down if we let it. Whether it’s breathing in the salty air by the sea or simply sipping coffee while watching a new city wake up, travel invites us to be fully present. Mindfulness while traveling isn’t about racing to see it all; it’s about savoring small details we might otherwise miss.
When we bring this mindful lens to our journeys, every moment becomes richer: the color of a market stall, the sound of a language, the play of light on unfamiliar architecture. Not only does the moment become richer, but our memory deepens and our experience is enhanced.
Below are some tips to help remind you (and your artist's eye) to be more mindful when you travel:
Before you pull out your phone to start taking a million photos, pause to look around and really savor these moments. Then photograph what captured your attention most and what's most meaningful to you, rather than trying to document everything
Don't just visit a crowded cafe or bustling city center. Find the quiet spots where you can listen to the waves breaking on the shore or the birds chatting away
Seek out views where you can sit and observe both light and shadow. Notice the differences in the colors
Challenge yourself to find beauty in unexpected places. Laundry drying on a line, a market scene or a quiet alleyway can all be beautiful in their own way. Look for the ordinary.
Pause before leaving a destination and ask: What colors, shapes or emotions did this place leave with me?
Travel with an open mind and let the journey influence your art. Sometimes the unexpected is the most inspiring.
October's Best Destinations
Istanbul, Turkey
October in Two Continents
The summer crowds have thinned, the weather is comfortably mild and the city’s colors glow in the soft autumn light. From the majestic domes of Hagia Sophia to the bustling Grand Bazaar, Istanbul offers a seamless mix of history, culture and inspiration.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Fall into Santa Fe
October is a magical time to explore Santa Fe. The crisp, clear skies and golden autumn light make the adobe buildings glow, while the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountains shimmer with fall colors.
Andalusia, Spain
Sun-kissed Spain
In October, the summer heat has softened, leaving sun-drenched streets, fragrant orange trees and golden olive groves perfect for wandering. Stroll through Seville’s ornate plazas, admire Granada’s Alhambra bathed in autumn light, or lose yourself in the whitewashed villages of the Sierra Nevada foothills. From flamenco rhythms to rich tapas flavors, Andalusía offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and inspiration for both travelers and artists alike.
New York City, New York
Autumn in the Big Apple
October is one of the most enchanting months to visit New York City. The crisp fall air and vibrant foliage in Central Park create the perfect backdrop for exploring the city’s iconic neighborhoods. From strolling through the lively streets of SoHo and Greenwich Village to catching a Broadway show, savoring seasonal treats at food markets, or enjoying rooftop views of the skyline, NYC combines culture, energy, and inspiration in every corner.
Now is the perfect time to become an Artful Traveler! Whether you're a seasoned painter or just rediscovering your creative spark, we'd love for you to join us on this journey. We believe that everyone has an inner artist jus waiting to be nurtured.
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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