From Travel Memories to Landmark Art: Bangkok Edition

This post is part of my “From Travel Memories to Landmark Art” series, where I revisit destinations I’ve travelled to and thoughtfully reimagine my designs with intention — creating work that feels more authentic, original, and uniquely mine.

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This time seven years ago, we were just beginning our Southeast Asia adventure. Bangkok, Thailand was our very first stop — vibrant, chaotic, golden, and completely unforgettable.

Over the past year, I’ve been slowly reimagining my landmark designs to make them more personal, recognizable, and reflective of the places I’ve actually visited. Cities like Paris, New York, London, Toronto, Montreal, and a few more have already gone through that transformation.

Now, it’s time for Southeast Asia.

As I started sharing my Bangkok travel memories again each day on Instagram, it felt like the right moment to begin reworking these designs too — not because I had just realized they needed updating, but because I was finally ready to rebuild them with more intention.

Why I Started Reworking My Landmark Designs

When I first began creating landmark art, I was working with the tools and skills I had at the time. I relied heavily on clipart sourced through platforms like Canva or online libraries. It helped me get started, and I’m extremely grateful for that phase.

But as my brand has grown, so has my vision.

I began noticing that many creators were using the same visuals — the same clipart and the same landmark elements. And I knew I wanted something more specific. I didn’t want my work to feel interchangeable.

I want someone to see one of my landmark pieces and immediately recognize it as mine.

I want the landmarks to feel authentic. Real. Intentional. Not generic.

That shift started last year. And now, I’m applying that same intention to the destinations that shaped one of the biggest trips of my life.

Looking Back at Bangkok

I always get nostalgic this time of year and love revisiting my travel photos. This time around though, I started studying the details more closely.

The golden temple structures reflecting in the sunlight.
The layered rooftops.
The intricate architectural lines.

Bangkok wasn’t just a stop on our Southeast Asia trip. It was the beginning of everything. The heat hit us the moment we stepped off the plane. The movement of the city was constant. The food, the energy, the sensory overload — it was overwhelming in the best way.

As I looked back through those images, I wasn’t just reminiscing. I was researching my own memories — paying attention to which Bangkok landmarks felt essential to include this time around.

What did I photograph the most?
What made me pause and stare?
What still feels vivid even seven years later?

Those answers fort of guided the design.

The Landmarks That Shaped the New Bangkok Design

When reimagining my Thailand landmark art, I focused on the architectural details and iconic elements that truly stood out during my time there.

Instead of relying on widely-used graphics, I paid closer attention to the small details that make Bangkok recognizable — especially its temple architecture and layered skyline.

The goal is to represent Thailand, as best as possible.

To capture the warmth, the dimension, and the visual rhythm that feels more lived-in and personal.

Making My Work More Recognizable

This redesign is part of a larger creative evolution for me.

Over the years, my skills as an artist have grown significantly. My editing has improved. I understand composition more deeply. I have more tools under my belt — and I actually know how to use them.

That growth has changed what’s possible for me creatively.

Now, when I redesign a city like Bangkok, I’m not limited in the same way. I can refine details, adjust proportions, layer elements more thoughtfully, and build something that feels more dimensional and specific.

This shift isn’t just about wanting my landmark art to feel more authentic.

It’s about finally having the skill set to bring that vision to life.

At the same time, I’m still keeping the subtle elements that tie my work together — my signature sun, cloud, and birds — so the evolution feels cohesive.

It’s growth without losing the identity.

The Start of Something Bigger

Thailand is the first Southeast Asia destination I’m reimagining — but it’s part of a much larger creative evolution.

Over the past year, I’ve been refining my landmark style city by city. Now, I’m revisiting the places that shaped my travels in a deeper way and rebuilding them with that same care and intention.

There are many more destinations from this trip to come.

Sharing these Thailand travel memories again has reminded me why I started creating travel-inspired art in the first place.

And this time, I’m building them with a little more intention.

You can explore my growing collection of landmark designs here → Landmark collection

Bangkok was just one stop in what turned out to be a huge year of travel for me. That Southeast Asia trip opened the door to so many other destinations that continue to inspire my work today.

If you’d like to see the full travel year recap — including the other cities I’ll eventually be reimagining — you can read it here→ My end of year travel recap