About TravelArtist.info

TravelArtist.info was created by Simon Bird in 2003. The aim of the website is to promote painting and sketching as a medium to describe the developing world. By giving the public an artists view of the world, we hope to inspire more individuals to take up the brush or another form of art when travelling around our planet.

"Communication makes the most impact on the viewer, when they can see it has been hand crafted with individual expression."

Painting with gypsies in Slovakia.

Simon Bird

During my time at Cheltenham Art College I became disillusioned with the slick and commercial side of the art establishment. Travelling to developing countries enabled me to interact with people who have a more direct and less inhibited approach to painting. Through time I became more aware of the political and commercial influences on these people. Due to this, my paintings have evolved to express the difficulties many people are now facing around the world.

Contact: simoncbird@hotmail.com

Katerina Karaskova

I trained as a lawyer in the Czech Republic, and now often work abroad with humanrights and development organisations. I started to contribute artwork to travelartist.info in 2007. My paintings are influenced by the personal stories of the people I meet.

Contact: karak6aj@hotmail.com

Matriarchal Project

The Matriarchal Project is a combined effort by Simon Bird and Katerina Karaskova. Their work hopes to highlight the last societies on the planet that have naturally place women as equals, without them having to fight for their rights.

Contact: simoncbird@hotmail.com or karak6aj@hotmail.com

Karamoja Design

Karamoja Design is a development initiative designed to promote creativity within the Karamojong tribe. The initiative is run by Mr Simon Lokai, a Karamojong from Uganda. Travelartist.info has donated webspace, training programs for the design of handicrafts and hammocks, and has assisted with the setting up of a video production and music recording studio, (Seed Studio)

contact: Mr Simon Lokai - karamojadesign@hotmail.com