How Travel Fuels Creativity: Paralympic Artist Gregory Burns On Finding Inspiration Around The World

Searching for sanctuary has been a continuous goal of mine, especially through travel. Travel takes us to beautiful places where we meet incredible people, see amazing sights, and experience cultural icons and relics. In doing so, we often spread ourselves thin. We venture into unknown territories, face stress, and get tired. This is all part of the journey. It's not a complaint but an honest assessment of what it takes to travel the globe and absorb the essence of everything the world offers.

Unfortunately, I haven't been in Goa long enough to fully absorb its culture. However, I've incorporated elements of the Goan culture I've experienced so far into a painting I created for the hotel. Also, although Goa is Catholic and Portuguese, I prefer to include Hindu imagery due to my personal views on the church's historical impact here.

Much of my art has been influenced by travel. For instance, I've done a series on sacred sites around the world, trying to express the feeling of being in those places. I've also used handmade Indian paper from Udaipur for its lovely textures. Travel has definitely provided me with new ideas and materials.

Angkor Wat had a very strong connection for me. The spiritual aspects of the temples and their history resonated deeply, and I did some meaningful paintings there. It was emotionally fulfilling.

In a nutshell, my art is like meditation. I perform some rituals before I paint; as I paint, I concentrate, feel, and work into the painting. It opens up my heart and quiets my mind. It is like meditating, allowing me to be active yet quiet. I find it challenging to meditate just by sitting, but painting allows me to be active while quieting and re-energising. Painting, like swimming, is regenerative; it creates energy and builds up my internal turbine.

Not so much art affects sports, but sports affect my art. I have been doing both all my life, so they were always in tandem. The training in sports helped me persevere and get stronger in art. In both, you spend a lot of time training even though no one is watching. This perseverance translates into art as well. I also do a lot of sports art, and I recently did a big commission for the Olympics in 2020.

Absolutely, nature influences my work in all ways. Being in nature is a huge part of my meditative process, whether on a mountain, by the ocean, or sketching under the sea. Nature is conducive to a meditative state, and being at one with nature and my art is integral to my work.

Yes, I remember an eight-year-old girl from Kazakhstan in the Maldives who became my student for a week. She was very directed and lovely, and her enthusiasm was touching. I've met many interesting people through these programs, but she stands out.

Art can bring people together and create a sense of equality, removing hierarchies. While there are better and worse artists, art can be egalitarian. It's challenging to place the responsibility of community engagement on art, but it can bridge gaps and help people process emotions, as we've seen in art therapy with Ukrainian refugees. Art can potentially make a positive impact, even if it's a big ask.

With age comes experience. When you're young, you're full of ideas, some good and some not. As you age, you gain more layers of experience, and your art becomes more nuanced and balanced. It's more about internal focus rather than external flashiness. Age has made me more grounded and reflective in my art.

When I first came to India in 1985, I was travelling from Darjeeling to Delhi and wanted to go to Dharamsala. I had a ten-minute window to catch the next train. I argued with the conductor, who insisted I couldn't board without a ticket. As the train started to move, I heaved myself onto the steps, arguing all the way. Eventually, I got on and bought my ticket on the train.

I think that the type of food you consume affects you, but I find too much food counterproductive to art. I prefer to eat light to let my spirit and emotions flow when creating. Too much food weakens my energy, so I try to eat lightly.

I hope the people we've touched through our art programs have taken something positive away. As an artist, I hope my work reflects a well-lived life in which I overcame challenges and made the most of what I had. I want to continue living my best life and inspire others to do the same.

I like France, but Tibet was very special to me because of its remote and spiritual nature, especially in 1985 before China's takeover.

My sketchbook

Vincent van Gogh

Acrylics

Antarctica