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Art Buildings - World Favourites

2nd July 2018

Have your travels been inspired by architecture and the story's behind beautiful buildings? What are your favourite buildings in the world? Here are some of my favourites which I have had the fortune to visit.

The Taj Mahal

I had always wanted to visit the Taj Mahal, mostly because I am an incurable romantic and a sucker for that enduring love story of Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Without doubt a visit to this awesome monument was a highlight of my trip to India, a trip which inspired my painting collection ‘Indian Heart Way’.

The building took 22 years to complete and is dedicated to the memory of Shah Jahan’s beloved and favourite wife.

This art building, embedded with precious stones (marble, jasper jade) and adorned with motifs, is the resting place of Mumtaz Mahal and her husband.

The Taj Mahal is among the Seven Wonders of the World. It was completed in 1643 and is regarded as an example of Mughal architecture.

Taj Mahal

Sydney Opera House

In my 20’s I obtained a work-travel visa for Australia and Sydney was my first port of call. Sydney Opera House was top of my must-see list. Despite jet-lag, after a few hours rest in a hostel, I made my way on foot to the harbour. The Opera House was magnificent to behold from every vantage point.

I never tired of seeing it throughout my stay. It resembled a ‘living creature’ with its modern out-croppings of gleaming white shell shaped roofs making a striking statement against the deep blue sky. Designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, the completed opera house first opened its doors in 1973. I eventually got a part-time job working as a waiter in its courtyard restaurant (where I was treated to a wine tasting as part of my training) and I sang a song in its main concert hall.

Sagrada Familia

Barcelona is a city that is a must see if you want to be influenced by an artist who used the entire city as his canvas. Antoni Gaudi (1852 – 1926) was an artist with vision and the city of Barcelona bears testimony to that with evidence of his ‘modern’ style engraved and sculpted on buildings and in parks. The church of Sagrada Familia is the main attraction and it was fascinating to discover that the city was still endeavouring to complete the construction according to plans set out by Gaudi so many years ago.

The Blue Mosque

Istanbul is a fascinating city to visit. I was there in winter just after the turn of the millennium. The Blue Mosque (1609 – 1616) is listed as one of the top tourist sites and gets its name due to the many blue tiles that adorn its interior. At the time of the year when I visited Istanbul there were not many tourists. It was also a quiet time of day when I visited the Blue Mosque with my travel companion. We honoured the custom of removing our shoes at the entrance and covering our heads with scarves prior to entry. The interior was marvellous with decorative features such as domes, carvings and tiles. It was so quiet and still inside. It certainly was conducive to prayer and humility with the room devoid of much furnishing, simply a bare carpeted floor for worshippers to kneel and give homage to a higher power.

Linderhof

Walt Disney’s ‘Enchanted Castle’ is said to be inspired by one of the real-life castles of King Ludwig of Bavaria (18845 – 1886), that is the Neuschwanstein castle. Ludwig had four castles in total and I visited one of them during my visit to Germany in the late 1990’s. It was the castle in Linderhof that I visited, the first of Ludwig’s castles that he commissioned, considered to be neo-French Rococo style. I had never seen such extravagance ever before.

Rooms were decorated in gold and its surrounding gardens had water flowing towards the castle, which was thought to influence the continued flow of wealth towards its occupant King. Set deep in the forest this castle also had an artificial cave with underground lake, on which floated a chariot style golden boat. There was even an electric generator which ensured the cave was magically lit for the King.

I hope you find some inspiration for your travels here. If you would like some more art and travel inspiration you are welcome to sign up to my newsletter here. Alternatively, take a look at my portfolio of colourful paintings inspired by travel and nature.

Caroline Cunningham

Through my art and writing I share stories and inspiration for transformation, healing and dreams turning to reality. When you visit my gallery you glimpse my journey, my authentic path. It took a ‘Break True’ moment to point me towards developing my artistic talents. It’s never too late to make a new start. I’ve achieved a lot in a relatively short time. My work has been presented in New York as part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, has been displayed on county Post Office and has been show-cased on National TV. Read more about my art journey here.

Testimonials

See what people say about our company.
  • Multi-talented & Down to Earth

    Caroline is a multi-talented artist and one of the most down to earth people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Her work in reflexology is second to none. She is completely dedicated to the well being of her clients. Caroline’s singing is truly magnificent, and an experience that the world really needs to prepare for.

    Fran Malone, Hypnotherapy, Cork, Dublin, Ireland

    Tremendously Talented &
    Authentic Soul

    Caroline is an incredible artist, her grace and beauty are reflected in her work which is a real treat. I’ve also had the privilege of witnessing Caroline sing in Hebrew, she is a tremendously talented singer. Caroline is a really authentic soul who is not afraid to be herself and I so admire that about her.

    Madeleine Forrest, Tourism & Events, Carlow, Ireland

    Her Readers Travel With Her

    Caroline is a gifted artist with so many additional talents. Caroline’s gift with words offers her readers to travel with her. This is an artist I will be following closely. It was an honour for me to support Caroline in reaching her ‘Fund-It’ target for her art exhibition ‘The Sacred Lives Of Trees’.

    Brenda Bergin, Seniorpreneurs Ireland

  • Renaissance Woman

    Caroline has many talents and will be able to write a beautiful poem, paint a lovely picture and even sing at your wedding. Her travel writing stories are captivating. She is certainly a renaissance woman and if you have her to do anything for you she will put her all into it and make sure you are happy with the finished product.

    Jackie De Sousa, London, UK

    A Great Affinity with Earth & Humanity

    I love Caroline’s art which conveys a peaceful, deep understanding of the essence of place, through colours, fluid shapes and perfect light, evoking smell, time of day and her connection with nature.

    Read more...

    Caroline is also a talented writer, sharing her experiences in an easy to read style. Her honesty and interest in the simple, everyday details and lives of other cultures is compelling and revealing. She shows a great affinity with humanity and the earth we inhabit.

    Sinead O’Gorman, Historian & Actress, Wexford, Ireland

    A Fund of Talent

    In representing the Carlow Association of London at the St Patrick’s Parade in New York in 2015 it was my role to make a presentation to Carlow Association of New York. I wanted something special to show the link between Carlow, New York and London.

    Read more...

    I contacted Caroline by phone a few days prior to the visit & soon the painting entitled ‘Mind the Gap’ was born. It was well received in New York as was her poem of the same title. I cannot recommend Caroline highly enough. She’s a fund of talent with great ability in going that extra bit further.

    John Nolan, Carlow London Association, UK

  • Powerful & Magical Piece of Art

    I love art and I’m the privileged owner of Caroline’s ‘Break true’. Caroline has uncannily captured in a most beautiful way, a woman breaking through the ties of her life and reaching for freedom. It’s now a daily reminder of the strength I found within to change my life. A truly powerful and magical piece of art which I will always treasure for many personal reasons. Caroline has many gifts to share with the world and I wish her success in all that she does.

    Teresa McGrath, Hypnotherapy, Dublin, Ireland

    Vibrant & Radiant

    Caroline’s use of colour makes even a naked winter tree look vibrant and radiates in any room graced with her art.

    Gavin Duffy, Investor, Dragon & Presidential Candidate 2018

    Striking & Courageous

    Caroline’s ‘Break True’ art piece is so well defined even in it’s title, representing a moment of awakening. It’s a striking work depicting true nature, light and shadow and the courage it takes to push through with authenticity. I’m also the proud owner of Caroline’s artwork & books and she is featured in my own book entitled Dreaming Doors.

    Maria Lehtman, Author & Digital Influencer, Finland

  • Multi-talented & Down to Earth

    Caroline is a multi-talented artist and one of the most down to earth people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Her work in reflexology is second to none. She is completely dedicated to the well being of her clients. Caroline’s singing is truly magnificent, and an experience that the world really needs to prepare for.

    Fran Malone, Hypnotherapy, Cork, Dublin, Ireland

  • Tremendously Talented &
    Authentic Soul

    Caroline is an incredible artist, her grace and beauty are reflected in her work which is a real treat. I’ve also had the privilege of witnessing Caroline sing in Hebrew, she is a tremendously talented singer. Caroline is a really authentic soul who is not afraid to be herself and I so admire that about her.

    Madeleine Forrest, Tourism & Events, Carlow, Ireland

  • Her Readers Travel With Her

    Caroline is a gifted artist with so many additional talents. Caroline’s gift with words offers her readers to travel with her. This is an artist I will be following closely. It was an honour for me to support Caroline in reaching her ‘Fund-It’ target for her art exhibition ‘The Sacred Lives Of Trees’.

    Brenda Bergin, Seniorpreneurs Ireland

  • Renaissance Woman

    Caroline has many talents and will be able to write a beautiful poem, paint a lovely picture and even sing at your wedding. Her travel writing stories are captivating. She is certainly a renaissance woman and if you have her to do anything for you she will put her all into it and make sure you are happy with the finished product.

    Jackie De Sousa, London, UK

  • A Great Affinity with Earth & Humanity

    I love Caroline’s art which conveys a peaceful, deep understanding of the essence of place, through colours, fluid shapes and perfect light, evoking smell, time of day and her connection with nature.

    Read more...

    Caroline is also a talented writer, sharing her experiences in an easy to read style. Her honesty and interest in the simple, everyday details and lives of other cultures is compelling and revealing. She shows a great affinity with humanity and the earth we inhabit.

    Sinead O’Gorman,Historian & Actress, Wexford, Ireland

  • A Fund of Talent

    In representing the Carlow Association of London at the St Patrick’s Parade in New York in 2015 it was my role to make a presentation to Carlow Association of New York. I wanted something special to show the link between Carlow, New York and London.

    Read more...

    I contacted Caroline by phone a few days prior to the visit & soon the painting entitled ‘Mind the Gap’ was born. It was well received in New York as was her poem of the same title. I cannot recommend Caroline highly enough. She’s a fund of talent with great ability in going that extra bit further.

    John Nolan, Carlow London Association, UK

  • Powerful & Magical Piece of Art

    I love art and I’m the privileged owner of Caroline’s ‘Break true’. Caroline has uncannily captured in a most beautiful way, a woman breaking through the ties of her life and reaching for freedom. It’s now a daily reminder of the strength I found within to change my life. A truly powerful and magical piece of art which I will always treasure for many personal reasons. Caroline has many gifts to share with the world and I wish her success in all that she does.

    Teresa McGrath, Hypnotherapy, Dublin, Ireland

  • Vibrant & Radiant

    Caroline’s use of colour makes even a naked winter tree look vibrant and radiates in any room graced with her art.

    Gavin Duffy, Investor, Dragon & Presidential Candidate 2018

  • Striking & Courageous

    Caroline’s ‘Break True’ art piece is so well defined even in it’s title, representing a moment of awakening. It’s a striking work depicting true nature, light and shadow and the courage it takes to push through with authenticity. I’m also the proud owner of Caroline’s artwork & books and she is featured in my own book entitled Dreaming Doors.

    Maria Lehtman, Author & Digital Influencer, Finland

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