Many artists have been inspired by travel and adventure, and Rich Hoffmann is no different.

“Traveling always brings new things into your life," he says. “I enjoy going to new places and seeing new things. Even revisiting places I've been before reveals something new.”

As a visual artist whose works deal primarily with the expression of colors and shapes, Hoffmann seeks out the unique characteristics of a venue to both expand his visual scope and to gain perspective on different ways of life.

"Nature is always inspiring," according to the artist. "I look at the scenery and marvel at the beauty, the constant changes and can't help but come away with ideas.”

It's everywhere you look

Hoffmann maintains that inspiration can be found anywhere and in the subtlest forms.

“It can be the effect of light on mountains as seen in the Adirondacks, the glaciers and green meadows of the Swiss Alps or the unbelievable vistas on New Zealand's South Island. Cities have their own charms to be found too—New York with its high energy and constant changes; Paris with its charm and comfortable scale; Rome with its history and visual surprises around every corner; or the French Quarter of New Orleans with its unique feel."

Having traveled to all the above and more, Hoffmann absorbs the colors, feel and flavors of places. From there the ideas merge and grow to later take root in one of his paintings. “The completed images may not be recognizable as being from one place,” he explains, “because they come from many places and experiences.”

Favorite stimuli

In many instances, ideas long forgotten are brought to the forefront by something else recently experienced. For example, “Whirlwind” incorporates the effect of wind on sails. "After spending time in North Carolina and having looked out on the boats sailing on the Pamlico Sound, I wanted to capture that energy and feel,” he said.

The effect of light on water is also a favorite visual stimulus, so it's no surprise that the artist spends a great deal of his free time where he can observe and take it all in. During the warmer months he's an avid kayaker and he pretty much skies throughout the winter. “It's amazing how there are constant changes in the same environment, whether it's the glistening of the snow or the waves,” he says.