Painting in a sketchbook has been a part of my daily routine since 2010. At first, it was used to design projects and exercise techniques, but with daily use it naturally took on diary-like qualities. Paintings became increasingly autobiographical and polished. Eventually, it was no longer a collection of sketches, but a complete book of paintings: my visual journal. I fully embraced the medium in 2013 when I traveled to Turkey with a Fulbright Fellowship to study Anatolian textiles. The book was small, lightweight, and portable; allowing me to travel without compromising my desire to create.
This journal was my greatest asset while abroad. It overcame steep language barriers by visually communicating who I am, what I do, and where I have been. My journal was always met with kind curiosity, wonder, and encouragement— qualities that defined my travels and were captured in its documentation. At times when there seemed to be no common ground, I could always find a mutual love and admiration for the arts. It is what connects us.
I have filled five Moleskine journals with paintings that catalog my journey through eight countries. Following is a selection from 250 pages. To learn more, this short film captures my recent trip to Vietnam as the first “Envoy” for Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. You can also read more about my travel journal in Passion Passport, Travel + Leisure, Mashable and the book, A World of Artist Journal Pages.
