My Traveling Sketchbook: Prague's Architectural Inspiration

On to the second stop of the trip; Prague. Having never been to the Czech Republic before, I was anxious to see what this region had in store. Of the eleven countries I've traveled to, I can honestly say that Prague has been the most unique (so far!)

It is not often that one city can represent a vast amount of architectural styles- yet Prague holds them all, side by side in it's beautiful capital. From Romanesque to Gothic, Renaissance to Baroque, and even Rococo to Classicism...Prague throughly represents all eras. Architecture has the potential to unlock every artists' imagination and I encourage any traveling creative to make Prague their next stop. This city was the perfect place to dive head on into the culture and gain an insight to my own artistic voice. 

The architecural lines and shapes quickly began to stimulate my imagination and desire to sketch abstract. My mind could not get enough of the burnt orange roofed houses, intricate gothic structures, and lavish castle gardens. 

Although archictecture must be more functioning, so to speak, than a painting hanging on a wall; the basic elements of art are always needed to create both buildings or finert. All makers, no matter the medium, need to develop strong sense of balance, harmony, and aesthetics in order to accomplish the final goal. Observing these incredible structures from all periods of art has given me a creative bearing; similiar to a compass. I am anxious to get home to my acrylics and empty easel to play with line and texture. Prague has many areas to offer and I would suggest you take the time to explore them all. It is a very clean city, (despite the graffiti) easy to navigate, and safe for late night adventures. Many of the famous scenes are overrun by visitors- so I would suggest visiting many areas at various times of the day in order to get a true feel for the atmosphere. Visiting large points of interest in the early morning makes all the difference.

Here are my favorite places of inspiration:

Old Town Square.

What an incredible piece of history! The town square has remained nearly untouched for decades...and the views of architecture are simply breathtaking. The multicolored, intricate houses caught my eye immediately- but are just the beginning of what the square has to offer.

High in the tower of the elegant Town Hall is the world famous Astronomical Clock- which has shown the procession of the Apostles since The Middle Ages. Immediately, I began doing research on the workings behind this 600 year old clock, and couldn't believe all that it is capable of and represents. The details and vivid colors on the face itself were unlike any other. When the hour strikes, be sure to watch everyone gather in front of the clock to watch the Walking of The Apostle. It amazed me; the thought of time having such a heavy signicance...even for those who lived long ago.  

For only a few Euros, you can climb to the top of the clock tower and feast your eyes on some beautiful birds' eye views of the square. Below, there were hundreds of people, scurrying about to witness the square's beauty. Compared to the size of the archicture surrounding them, they appeared tiny, minuscule, and insignificant. Through out life, there are times when it may be difficult to wrap our head around the power and greatness of something. For me, standing in this bell tower, overlooking a 600 year old city, I felt small. But in the most empowering, and inspirational way a person can feel.

Dominating the opposite end of the square, stands the mystical Tyn Church- one of the most admired Gothic structures in all of Prague. On the third corner, The Church of Saint Nicholas, another breathtaking structure from the inside out. We spent hours exploring, observing and tasting all the Square had to offer. 

Charles Bridge.

One of the most well known structures in Prague, this bridge was built centuries ago in 1357. Baroque statues line the outskirts of the passage, and there is plenty of viewpoints all across the way. Because of its fame, the Charles Bridge is packed with visitors, taking away from of the aesthetic views and intimacy. Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and to catch a glimpse of the structure in the early morning fog. For me, journeying across this century year-old walkway took hours. There are so many characteristics to admire, a vast amount of art to research and interpret. One of the most visited statues, St. John of Nepomuk,  is rumored to bring good fortune to all who touch it; leaving a gleaming, worn plaque in the sunlight. 

Lesser Town.

The Charles Bridge connects Old Town and Lesser town, where my next place of inspiration lies. Here, just across the bridge, there is a bell tower (that many often pass) which allows you to venture to the top for yet another incredible city view.

The narrow, steep stairway was incredibly rewarding once reaching the top. The buildings overlapping in height create strong negative space, their roofs seeming to compete at a glimpse of the sun. Views of both lesser town, old town...and even the Charles Bridge- made for my favorite view of the city. The Castle and St.Vitus Cathedral sit powerfully from afar, overlooking all of Prague; seeming to watch over all below. The Church of St.Nicholas and it's copper dome remain hidden, yet bold, in all of Lesser Town's wonderful character. As far as the eye can see...architecture from all periods of time, longing to be admired.

We were the only observers for the 45 minutes spent at the top, and I was able to sketch/take note of all that was surrounding me. Photography has always been a passion of mine, and will continue to be on all of my journeys... But there is something to be said for jotting down all that our senses take in while present in a moment. How do I feel, what do I see? What little details of sensitive information will be missed when looking at this photo, 10, 15 years from now? Prague has reminded me to be present, to continuously live in the moment.

The Lennon Wall.

Yes, it's true.. Prague has an infatuation with John Lennon. I overheard many tourists mocking the area for their love of westernized music, calling it "weird" or "random"; when really, this admiration stands for something so powerful and inspirational, that it should never be misunderstood. Visiting The Lennon Wall emphasized the importance of misunderstanding when traveling. As travelers, it is so important to remember...just because something is unfamiliar or you do not understand it; does not mean it is strange. Judgement is an ugly thing. No sooner than approaching the mural, The Lennon Wall immediately became one of the biggest places of inspiration while traveling through Prague.

The Lennon Wall represents the fall of the Communist Regime in Prague. It stands for freedom, for peace, and for individualism. John Lennon and all western music was banned for years, and as an act of protest, Prague citizens began painting Lennon lyrics and art on this wall to symbolize their strength. Even with guards standing through the night, more and more art was added to the wall. Prague would not back down, and it was a foreshadowing to the Velvet Revolution. This wall is ever-changing, and is still painted over and added to constantly.

Standing there, in front of this incredibly powerful piece of history, chills ran over my body. For centuries, the arts have always been a means for communication; a voice. Running my fingers across the mural, I couldn't help but feeling grateful. Grateful for every chosen act through out my daily life, grateful for each time I am able to pick up a paintbrush, pen, or turn on my favorite record. The colorful mural represents a sense of community; of people longing, hoping, and praying for a similar dream. And to me, that is what all art should always work towards. Peace, Love, and Individualism. The colors and writings of this wall all blend together to be sure that the voice of freedom is heard. And an artist, it is a beautiful, emotional experience to witness such a bold act of creative expression.

The Castle.

Another beautiful piece of Prague that goes without saying is the 1,146 year old Castle district. Large walls surround the area, creating a village within itself. There, lies one of the most magnificent structures in all of the Czech Republic, St.Vitus Cathedral.

I spent hours wandering, and re-wandering, both the outside and inside of the Cathedral. Each Cathedral I visit, it never ceases to amaze me how unique and full of character they are. The story-telling frescoes on the ceiling, Gothic and Baroque statues surrounding the facadé, rare stone mosaics covering the walls, and the intricate stained glass windows. How can I pull these shapes, these colors, into my work? These brilliant structures of architecture all create such strong compositions... How do the shapes of the doorways and windows lead your eye around the entire building?  The statues and intricate details of the exterior emphasize such lovely shadows when the sun hits them- how does this create depth? Each minuscule detail had a plan, a purpose. Nothing is random, nothing is left to chance. How will this thought/realization affect my work?

And briefly, I sat down to sketch..

The Castle is also surrounded with wonderful, lush gardens; along with views of Lesser Town. Many of the gardens were closed during our visit, but I took in as much as I could..leaving the rest to my imagination. The high, rough textured brick walls against lush greenery created strong visual stimulation.. The colors longing to be on my paint palette.

The outcome and play of sketches inspired by Prague architecture using watercolor and ink pen.

Follow more of my journey on Instagram: @sruetercreates and #MyTravelingSketchbook 

As an artist, Prague has gifted me with incredible insight to all periods of history. Studying art history as a BFA was a great experience, but observing them in real life always offers so much more. The vast amount of architecture reminds me that all art, no matter the form, is working towards a common goal of composition, color, and balance. I am hopeful that these areas will reflect in my work once back at my easel.

Stay tuned. Xo S 

My Traveling Sketchbook: A Walk Through Amsterdam

As the Netherlands' capital, Amsterdam is an extremely historic and artistic city- visited by nearly 3.5 million travelers a year. The views of intricate architecture, canal system, street markets, and bike travel left me breathless. With only two days to explore, I decided to ditch sleep (push through some serious jet lag), and begin to explore the city's exquisite character and charm. 

Known for beautiful canal houses and architectural charm

Our hotel of choice: HotelNotHotel

As an artist, I cannot tell you how grateful I am that my fiancé researched and found this unique place to stay. Each room in the hotel isn't like any other "hotel room" you've stayed in before- they are all created by designers who allow you to experience a stay unlike any other. Our room entrance was a hidden bookcase, like something you see in a James Bond movie. ( I had to memorize the books on our shelf, just to be sure I was pushing open the right door) Others include an actual tram car, crows nest, or printed house.

Front entrance of Hotel Not Hotel. They even offer bike rentals! (Which you'll want to do, it's perfect for exploring the city.)

Each room is very little over 100sq feet, but the rest of the hotel is created to function as one large living room. The downstairs is filled with great nooks and comfy spots to read a book, fill a journal, listen to some tunes, or indulge creativity. The restaurant bar is as unique as its name, "Kevin Bacon" (yes, the actor) The all-around quirkiness of this place is exactly why we fell in love. AND- the community showers/toilets are extremely clean, which is always a plus.

One of the intricately designed rooms- an actual tram

Breakfast is served at the Kevin Bacon restaurant  

The entire upstairs is styled as a public library, and the room entrances are "hidden" doors. 

After checking in to our hotel, we grabbed coffees and headed to Vondelpark, one of the most famous parks in the Netherlands. This park is loved by both locals and tourists, filled with joggers, bikers, rollerbladers, families, and dog walking. We were amazed by how many dogs roamed free- well trained and always returning to their owners. Many locals would strike up conversation and encouraged a game of fetch with their furry friends. How could you say no?! On top of the beautiful 47 green acres, there are also beautiful sculptures, gardens, and an open air theatre. 

Being the chilliest part of our trip, we had to stop at a local market and purchase scarves. Grabbing a coffee to go often kept us warm, and encouraged the 15+ mile walk/bike ride each day. EVERYONE rides bikes in Amsterdam, it is a favorite means of transportation for locals; and has me wondering why the United States isn't as "travel savvy" as the Netherlands.  

There were too many great restaurants and local cafés to name! One little spot that stuck out the most to me was "Jacketz"- home to the best baked potatoe my lips have ever touched. A quaint atmosphere and a unique twist on dinner is what you'll find in this small corner restaurant. "Jacketz" offers 1lb potatoes with numerous fillings and toppings (I chose the chicken salad and garlic sauce)- and I guarantee you won't be able to finish! 

The inviting upstairs seating of "Jacketz" restaurant  

Many trips, I try to stay far from museums or large tourist attractions- but there are some I can't resist! Example: The Vincent Van Gogh Museum. My favorite artist of all time; the one I have studied and idolized since I was a little girl. And let me tell you, this iconic display did not disappoint. As most museums, you are unable to take photos in undesginated areas. But this museum is filled with work all through out van Gogh's lifetime, hundreds of letters to his brother Theo, and family history/biography. 

Incredible fine art galleries to explore

Amsterdam is absolutely, without a doubt, a city for artistic inspiration and historical significance. Until next time.

Next, catching our 7am flight to Prague.

Stay Tuned

xo S