The globetrotter

Nina Brooke, artist and founder of Joy Editions

What’s your earliest holiday memory? Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean island where my mother grew up and my grandparents still live. I vividly remember learning to swim in its crystal-clear waters. I was three and dressed in the brightest coloured clothes because it was carnival season, the mangos ripe on Oma’s tree.

What’s your favourite hotel?

I have a couple: the Watergate Bay Hotel in Cornwall, not only because it is on home turf, but because the sea views are amazing—it’s as if you’re in an amphitheatre. The hotel is laid back, but they’ve thought about everything. Abroad, I like the simplicity of Ceylon Sliders in Sri Lanka. Good food and views over Weligama Bay—and a short tuk tuk drive to my favourite surf break.

What do you never travel without?

A paintbrush. Sorry, but it’s true! Even if I’m not there to paint, there always seems to be one hiding in my bags.

Where’s top of your travel bucket list? NIHI in Sumba, Indonesia. It’s got some great waves and would be the perfect subject for one of my paintings—the land and sea from a bird’s eye perspective. Last time I checked Instagram, I saw a video of [surfer] Kelly Slater there, riding a horse on the beach with a surfboard under his arm. Get me there!

Do you have a holiday book recommendation?

Funny Weather: Art in an Emergency by Olivia Laing. It’s an inspiring collection of essays about why art matters, particularly in the current turbulent political climate, and easy to dip in and out of during your travels. A great read and a super birthday present.