View this OAT traveler’s watercolor paintings from a recent journey to Southeast Asia
By Bonnie-Sue Schwartz, 2-time traveler, Culver City, California
An elephant gets extra friendly with Bonnie-Sue during her Southeast Asia adventure.
After teaching high school art for 37 years, I’m now retired and can travel around the world, doing my watercolor paintings. As an artist, I’ve learned to see things differently. If I come upon a beautiful setting, I may stop and make a little frame out of my fingers and imagine it as a painting. I tend to paint landscapes, but occasionally, I include people or animals. I seem to be drawn into scenes that show nature, along with perspective. As a result, people often comment that my paintings make them feel as if they are “right there.”
From the time I was a young girl, I had a special interest in Asia, and specifically, Japan and China. I’ve traveled to both countries, but had never been beyond them, so I was excited to see what awaited me in Southeast Asia. When I arrived there, everywhere I turned, I saw another painting forming in my mind. I often found myself wishing that I had more time on my own, so that I could sit down and paint. For instance, when my Trip Leader took us through Nirvana Park in Luang Prabang, Laos, he showed us the Bodhi Tree, which is also called the “Tree of Life.” I knew that this was a place that I wanted to start drawing. I asked him if I would have some time on my own to come back, and he assured me that I would. So, while most of my other group members went shopping, I returned to the park and spent several hours on my painting. And, as it turned out, this was my favorite painting from the trip!
During my adventure, I was able to complete five paintings. I hope you enjoy a small sample of my work below, as well as a favorite photo from the trip of my special new “friend” (above):
Vietnamese floating village
Pond in Luang Prabang, Laos
Discover your own perspectives of Southeast Asia on our Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia adventure.