How nature can make you a better artist

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The striking fall foliage and crisp fall breeze can make the art studio feel even more closed off. And while you might think it's best to ignore the allure of changing colors and cooler weather, enjoying it can really help your art career. A quick trip to nature can relieve burnout and creative block, as well as inspire and increase productivity. So, take a leaf from Thoreau's book and find your very own Walden Pond. You never know how much inspiration, peace and perspective you may find.

A change of scenery can relieve stress

If you stay within the closed walls of your studio, it's very easy to let your doubts and fears get the better of you. It can be suffocating. Molehills become mountains and everything seems too big. We all know how history can develop. You may be tempted to deal with stress, but a change of scenery (and a wonderful, quiet one at that) can be a faster path to better thinking. Give yourself time to get some fresh air.

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(Beautiful) breaks are critical for the future

While stopping work for a while might seem counter-intuitive in terms of performance, if you keep moving forward, you're bound to slow down. So if you need to take a break, why not take it in the most beautiful place? If you must go for a walk, why not take a stroll among tall aspens or shimmering waters? You can then return to your studio feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to tackle your to-do list.

Time without distractions leads to new ideas

As long as you hide your phone at the bottom of your bag, you won't be distracted. No phone calls, no buzzing email notifications, and no temptation to waste time online. As you go to find the perfect view, let your mind wander and relax. With every step forward, leave the stress and pressure of business behind. You never know what brilliant new career ideas might come up once you reach a conscious state.

Wandering is sure to bring inspiration

Landscape painters will of course have a choice of theme. But being surrounded by such richness - light, color, texture, plot - can inspire artists of any style. After returning from a recent tourist trip to Grand Teton, he said: "I dare to leave you without inspiration." A trip to nature is the perfect antidote to the strongest creative block.

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And inspiration is portable

Being in a stunning location often leads to an innate desire to capture ephemeral beauty and make it permanent. Bring along a sketchbook or portable easel (). If you are a photographer or your art is more studio related, take your camera with you to capture the scenes. You can then return to your studio with tons of inspiration in tow.

Do you want to make an outdoor residence?

Our artist recently completed a residency through . Lisa spent two weeks painting in the Petrified Forest in Arizona. You can read about it on her blog. There are 50 residences available throughout the country, filled with the benefits of nature.

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