The Top 5 Retreats For Any Artist to be Inescapably Inspired

The artistic psyche is a delicate and vulnerable one; struggling with the constant deliberation of feeling it’s surroundings to the core, and not taking things too personally. Such an undertaking can cause an incredible build up that, inevitably, bursts through in a spectacular and glorious creative bout (or a complete psychotic meltdown) that culminates to eating an entire box of chocolate mini donuts while huddled in a laundry basket, then burning said basket on your front lawn.

So what’s the best way to overcome discouragement? By finding something that reminds you why any of this was important to you in the first place. Which brings me to number 5 on our countdown.

5. Roden Crater

(PHOTO CREDIT ROBOTSPACEBRAIN.COM)

(photo credit http://hyperallergic.com/)

In 1977, artist James Turrell managed to purchase an extinct volcanic cinder cone, and has since turned it into a most ingenious display of light utilizing the surrounding elements.

Let me say that again… a man purchased a volcano for an art project. If that isn’t the ultimate baller status I don’t know what is.

Located near the Grand Canyon and Arizona’s Painted Desert, Roden Crater stands 600ft tall and is just shy of 400,000 years old. While some of this project is still in progress, 1.3 million cubic yards of earth have already been moved to complete the first phase of construction, and the next phase is currently underway gathering funding.

So wait… why did I want to make art again? Oh right, because it’s f***ing rad. Do you think James Turrell cared when his peers said, “I don’t get it?” Or when his teacher said, “This feels unfinished?” Probably not. He probably flipped his beard and said “Girl, Bye, I’m working.”

4. Le Cyclop

(Photo Credit: baudoin lebon Galerie d’art contemporain)

Said to be buried so deep in the forest of Milly-la-Forêt, France, that you need a guide to take you, “Le Cyclop” is the 75ft tall masterpiece of Jean Tinguely, and his wife Niki De Saint Phalle. This enormous sculpture is a testament to the importance of collaboration and teamwork. Originally, it was designed to deteriorate and eventually disappear. However it has become such a staple in the town’s history that they spend almost 1 million francs a year maintaining it.

Jean Tinguely labored over this insane sculpture for about 30 years, but he wasn’t alone. Friends of his, including Marcel Duchamp, Arman César, JR Soto and, not to mention, his badass wife Niki De Saint Phalle, poured just as much of themselves into this project to complete one of the world’s most complex and intriguing sculptures.

So wait…. I work on something for like a year and I feel like I’ve taken too long on it? Do you think maybe Jean Tinguely got a tad discouraged working for 30 years on something he thought probably wouldn’t be around past his lifetime? Um, yeah. But he had his French ass posse to not only back him up, but also contribute and make his vision theirs too.

3. The Lightning Field

(Photo Credit: accessibleart.com)

(Photo Credit: earthworks and sacred landscapes)

Somewhere in the high desert of western New Mexico, 400 stainless steel, 20ft poles, are laid out in a giant grid. This handy work is that of none other than Walter De Maria. “The Lightning Field” doesn’t need a thunderstorm to be enjoyed, and is said to be most magical at dusk. This awe-inspiring installation uses the forces of nature to create split-second masterpieces. Interestingly enough, once the poles are struck, they must be replaced to keep the fluidity of the work constant, and are set in 3 feet of concrete underground.

Walter De Maria received funding to play with lightning in the desert and people love him for it. Do you think at some point while he was setting these poles he thought “Jeez I hope a storm doesn’t come by at this second and strike me down?” Or do you think the whole time he was thinking to himself, “Jeez this world is great and my life is beyond amazing to be doing this right now.” Come on.

2. Palais Idéal (The Postman’s Dream)

(photo credit: democraticunderground.com)

(Photcredit: democraticunderground.com)

If you’re really in need of inspiration, consider Ferdinand Cheval’s “Ideal Palace” or “Palais Idéal” built in the 1800’s. While Cheval was living a respectable life of poverty as a postman, he one day noticed a remarkable looking pebble on his route. As the story goes, this was the first of many, and every day on his mail route he began collecting rocks and pebbles that fascinated him. It started with pockets and moved to wheelbarrows, which he then brought home to create his masterpiece “Ideal Palace” also referred to as “The Postman’s Dream.”

It took Cheval 33 years, with no prior experience or training, to build the 85ft long and 30ft high structure, its intricacies carefully sculpted and carved into cherubim, mummies, birds, and mermaids. He then gave his creation to the public, and wished only to be buried in it. The request was denied him as the laws forbade it, and he then spent the remainder of his life creating an equally complex tomb, which he resides in now.

Ferdinand never gave up, obviously, and neither should you. If a simple postman with an enormous imagination can create one of the worlds most intricate palaces that still inspires millions of people today, you can probably make that deadline you gave yourself, or finish that song that’s frustrating you, right?

1. Lake Retba

(photo credit: HotTrips.net)

(Photo Credit: hottrips.net)

The last on our countdown isn’t manmade, but you totally deserve it. “Lake Retba” is a 1sq mile lake in Senegal that is completely pink. A special kind of algae grows all throughout the lake producing an unusually high amount of salt content. The pink color is caused by what is known as Dunaliella salina bacteria that’s attracted to the salt, and produces a red pigment in order to absorb sunlight. It’s completely harmless to humans and only gets about 9ft at it’s deepest, meaning that (due to it’s high salt content) you can easily float, all day in a giant pink lake.

So there you have it, inspiring places worth the trip, or the mouse click. I know it’s easy to get downhearted, but don’t let that stop you. Pebble by pebble, you can do whatever you set out to achieve, and you will dammit. The world is full of beautiful places, and beautiful people… just like you.