The workawayer who discovered a passion for painting en-route and now can’t stop!

At Workaway, we absolutely love getting to know you all, whether it’s meeting you on the road, at a Workaway trip or hearing about your adventures through e-mails and social media. We couldn’t be prouder to be involved with such an inspiring community of travellers, which is why we just have to share some of the stories you tell us!

Recently our attention kept getting drawn to a few spectacular murals we saw online. We wanted to find out more about the talented workawayer behind them! This month, we’re glad to have finally caught up with workawayer Aude from France:

“I would never have known that I was able to paint and love it so much if the

The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.

Extremadura, Spain

Permaculture market farm and training small scale farmers project in La Codosera, Extremadura, Spain
Hello, my name is Javier Piris, and I am the responsible of this project. It is important to notice that your help will not be business related. In the garden you will help in the cultivation of the crops that volunteers will use for their own ......
Sustainable project Sustainable project Cultural exchange Cultural exchange
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, Spain hadn’t given me the opportunity in October last year. And now my only dream is to travel and paint as many walls as possible along the way, filling my travel map with completed projects around the world!”

After ten months workawaying Aude is on a non-stop mission to leave a trail of inspirational murals behind her as she travels around the globe on a one way ticket. Some of her friends call her “an artwork machine”, because when she starts painting she is in the zone and there is no stopping her…!

Your murals are so vivid and detailed. How do you bring your ideas to life?
Aude:

It happens quite spontaneously. I only sketch the general outline first and then my hand somehow finds its own way once it reaches the wall. :)

Isn’t it hard to paint on such a large scale and get everything in proportion?
Aude:

The size doesn’t change anything, except that now I want to take on even bigger and bigger walls to paint! Haha!

ink sketch on notebook
large mural of animals nature and people
So let’s rewind a bit to the start of your adventures – what initially motivated you to leave everything behind for a while and travel?
Aude:

Well, it had always been my dream to travel the world one day, but it took me time to really make the leap into the adventure. I am from Le Havre in Normandy. After high school I studied graphic design in Paris, then I found an internship and later a job in the same city. However, as a result of a very difficult period of my life five years ago, I realized that life is a gift that should be lived to the fullest. Even though I had everything, friends, a nice job, renting a nice apartment something was wrong, something was missing. I was bored, wasting my time instead of pursuing my dreams. So, with the encouragement of a colleague and dear friend I left my job and all my past behind me, to embark on something entirely new.

workawayer painting bird mural
That move must have taken a lot of courage and conviction. How did you embark on your new life?
Aude:

In September 2016 I went to Spain for four months as a workaway volunteer, armed with basic Spanish, a sketchbook and an enormous appetite for all the news things that I would meet along the way. I went with an open-heart and mind.
​​​​​​​
Once there, I learnt Spanish staying with

The image depicts a rustic stone building with a tiled roof, set against a backdrop of trees and a hillside, evoking a sense of rural charm and tranquility.
The image depicts a rustic stone building with a tiled roof, set against a backdrop of trees and a hillside, evoking a sense of rural charm and tranquility.
The image depicts a rustic stone building with a tiled roof, set against a backdrop of trees and a hillside, evoking a sense of rural charm and tranquility.
The image depicts a rustic stone building with a tiled roof, set against a backdrop of trees and a hillside, evoking a sense of rural charm and tranquility.
The image depicts a rustic stone building with a tiled roof, set against a backdrop of trees and a hillside, evoking a sense of rural charm and tranquility.
The image depicts a rustic stone building with a tiled roof, set against a backdrop of trees and a hillside, evoking a sense of rural charm and tranquility.
The image depicts a rustic stone building with a tiled roof, set against a backdrop of trees and a hillside, evoking a sense of rural charm and tranquility.
The image depicts a rustic stone building with a tiled roof, set against a backdrop of trees and a hillside, evoking a sense of rural charm and tranquility.
The image depicts a rustic stone building with a tiled roof, set against a backdrop of trees and a hillside, evoking a sense of rural charm and tranquility.
The image depicts a rustic stone building with a tiled roof, set against a backdrop of trees and a hillside, evoking a sense of rural charm and tranquility.

Aragon, Spain

Help with farming, babysitting, gardening and other chores at our 15th century house in La Fueva, Spain
We are a welcoming family and we like to discover other experiences of people from different countries. It is a house in a quiet village with good atmosphere among the neighbors. Our family keeps the house from the fifteenth century. Somos una ......
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, and had time for sketching the natural surroundings. This was followed by a stint on the
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.
The image depicts an aerial view of a farm with rows of plants, trees, and buildings, showcasing a vibrant and thriving agricultural landscape.

Extremadura, Spain

Permaculture market farm and training small scale farmers project in La Codosera, Extremadura, Spain
Hello, my name is Javier Piris, and I am the responsible of this project. It is important to notice that your help will not be business related. In the garden you will help in the cultivation of the crops that volunteers will use for their own ......
Sustainable project Sustainable project Cultural exchange Cultural exchange
4.9 (79)
Top rated
where I experienced the flavour of naturally cultivated food and saw how much effort and love you have to give to earth to produce it, I also painted my first mural here :).  After that I helped at a
The image depicts a small stone cottage nestled in a wooded area, featuring a moss-covered stone staircase and a chimney, surrounded by lush greenery.
The image depicts a small stone cottage nestled in a wooded area, featuring a moss-covered stone staircase and a chimney, surrounded by lush greenery.
The image depicts a small stone cottage nestled in a wooded area, featuring a moss-covered stone staircase and a chimney, surrounded by lush greenery.
The image depicts a small stone cottage nestled in a wooded area, featuring a moss-covered stone staircase and a chimney, surrounded by lush greenery.
The image depicts a small stone cottage nestled in a wooded area, featuring a moss-covered stone staircase and a chimney, surrounded by lush greenery.
The image depicts a small stone cottage nestled in a wooded area, featuring a moss-covered stone staircase and a chimney, surrounded by lush greenery.
The image depicts a small stone cottage nestled in a wooded area, featuring a moss-covered stone staircase and a chimney, surrounded by lush greenery.
The image depicts a small stone cottage nestled in a wooded area, featuring a moss-covered stone staircase and a chimney, surrounded by lush greenery.
The image depicts a small stone cottage nestled in a wooded area, featuring a moss-covered stone staircase and a chimney, surrounded by lush greenery.
The image depicts a small stone cottage nestled in a wooded area, featuring a moss-covered stone staircase and a chimney, surrounded by lush greenery.

Castile and León, Spain

Youth hostel in the Camino de Santiago, Spain looking for a helping hand
I have the perfect job!!! I run a youth hostel in the Camino de Santiago ( Saint James Way) in the north west of Spain, a paradise in Spain. I receive pilgrims from all over the world ..... It's located in the mountains of a small village. The house ......
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along the Camino de Santiago (Santiago Trail) where people from all over the world meet and walk for months. From there I went to an art colony,
The image depicts a serene sunset scene with silhouetted trees and mountains in the foreground, set against a vibrant pink and orange sky.
The image depicts a serene sunset scene with silhouetted trees and mountains in the foreground, set against a vibrant pink and orange sky.
The image depicts a serene sunset scene with silhouetted trees and mountains in the foreground, set against a vibrant pink and orange sky.
The image depicts a serene sunset scene with silhouetted trees and mountains in the foreground, set against a vibrant pink and orange sky.
The image depicts a serene sunset scene with silhouetted trees and mountains in the foreground, set against a vibrant pink and orange sky.
The image depicts a serene sunset scene with silhouetted trees and mountains in the foreground, set against a vibrant pink and orange sky.
The image depicts a serene sunset scene with silhouetted trees and mountains in the foreground, set against a vibrant pink and orange sky.
The image depicts a serene sunset scene with silhouetted trees and mountains in the foreground, set against a vibrant pink and orange sky.
The image depicts a serene sunset scene with silhouetted trees and mountains in the foreground, set against a vibrant pink and orange sky.
The image depicts a serene sunset scene with silhouetted trees and mountains in the foreground, set against a vibrant pink and orange sky.
The image depicts a serene sunset scene with silhouetted trees and mountains in the foreground, set against a vibrant pink and orange sky.
The image depicts a serene sunset scene with silhouetted trees and mountains in the foreground, set against a vibrant pink and orange sky.
The image depicts a serene sunset scene with silhouetted trees and mountains in the foreground, set against a vibrant pink and orange sky.
The image depicts a serene sunset scene with silhouetted trees and mountains in the foreground, set against a vibrant pink and orange sky.
about 1 day ago

Valencian Community, Spain

Help at a cultural association with an ecological art project in a rural setting near Alicante, Spain
We are a cultural association with an ecological art project in a rural setting, located in the municipality of Monforte del Cid, 15 minutes from Alicante. Surrounded by a garden with different sculptures and structures. We have a small garden, 6 ......
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; it is magical place where everything and anything is possible…I decided to buy my plane flights for Mexico the following year with the sole desire to keep exploring. I ended my travels in Spain at a
The image depicts a serene gravel path flanked by a wooden fence and lush greenery, leading to a cluster of white buildings in the background.
The image depicts a serene gravel path flanked by a wooden fence and lush greenery, leading to a cluster of white buildings in the background.
The image depicts a serene gravel path flanked by a wooden fence and lush greenery, leading to a cluster of white buildings in the background.
The image depicts a serene gravel path flanked by a wooden fence and lush greenery, leading to a cluster of white buildings in the background.
The image depicts a serene gravel path flanked by a wooden fence and lush greenery, leading to a cluster of white buildings in the background.
The image depicts a serene gravel path flanked by a wooden fence and lush greenery, leading to a cluster of white buildings in the background.
The image depicts a serene gravel path flanked by a wooden fence and lush greenery, leading to a cluster of white buildings in the background.
The image depicts a serene gravel path flanked by a wooden fence and lush greenery, leading to a cluster of white buildings in the background.
The image depicts a serene gravel path flanked by a wooden fence and lush greenery, leading to a cluster of white buildings in the background.
The image depicts a serene gravel path flanked by a wooden fence and lush greenery, leading to a cluster of white buildings in the background.
about 24 hours ago

Andalusia, Spain

Help at a community foundation close to Granada, Spain
We are a self managed COMMUNITY, founded 30+ years ago, situated 10km from the center of Granada, that hosts and helps people coming from a situation of social exclusion, mainly mothers with children in emergency situations or young immigrants, ......
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that helps people with economic or social difficulties to find a place to live. After four months I went back to France and prepared myself for my BIG journey, but this time with NO return date!

outdoor mural of minimalistic birds and flowers
So the second time you were even braver and made n even bigger leap of faith! What happened next? Did you satisfy your desire to keep exploring and discovering?
Aude:

I arrived in Mexico in April 2017 for six months, and here again I learned more and more about the world and about myself.

Tell us more...
Aude:

I lived with

The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
The image depicts a man in mid-air, seemingly jumping over four children in a field, with a tree and mountain visible in the background under a blue sky.
about 2 days ago

Zacatecas, Mexico

Develop an eco-community village in Guadalupe, Mexico
Hi there, We are a family of this very unique and beautiful city called Zacatecas. As a family we are try to develop an eco-community village. Our project is developing at the community of San Ramón at 15 minutes driving from the city of Guadalupe ......
Sustainable project Sustainable project Cultural exchange Cultural exchange
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that had a project to make an eco-village where taking care of the environment is given the same importance as education. Here I had the wonderful opportunity to be able to paint a lot of colourful birds. 🙂 Then I helped in a
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.
The image depicts a serene forest landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees and grass, set against a bright and sunny backdrop.

Veracruz, Mexico

Help to build an ecovillage in Veracruz, Mexico
[Please respond to host in Spanish] We are a cooperative focused on practical field teaching for young children of farmers, we share with these young people the experiences acquired by years of work in the field convinced that we are providing a ......
Sustainable project Sustainable project Cultural exchange Cultural exchange
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headed by an old wise German and Mexicans who have been cultivating without using pesticides for the past 20 years as well as rearing pigs for meat, but in a considerate and respectful way. This farm attracts young students from all over the country with the aim of spreading the word regarding this type of agriculture and aiming to provide its own energy supply too. Here I was also able to paint a lot, an entire building and more! 

Workaway has opened up a lot of possibilities, not only because it has enabled me to express myself with painting but also to learn new things every day. I meet people of all ages and nationalities and it makes me realize that we are all citizens of the same world, all equal, facing the same issues, depending on the natural environment we are living in. After four months of travelling and five different workaway placements, I have realized more than ever how much we are all citizens of the world, despite our cultural differences, we all have the desire to discover and learn from each other through art, music or community projects. Each person is precious. 3

workawayer and host in front of mural

Would you say that your experiences have changed your life in any way or, changed your direction for the future?
Aude:

All of these experiences have changed me! They make me grow, open my mind, extend my tolerance, trust and respect towards others.

​​​​​​​The friends I made along the way opened new possibilities and determined where I would go next… After Mexico I headed to Guatemala with a contact of a Workaway host in Izabal, there I met two friends and we travelled around together. We found a hostel where I plan to go to in December because they want me to paint all the walls. Right now I am in a house of one of their friends on the coast painting turtles. :)

mural of purple turtles
Do you live by any particular personal philosophy to help you on your way?
Aude:

In this small amount of time I have learnt to never give up, to always give the maximum of myself, to keep learning from both good or bad experiences, to treat others with respect and equality, to listen what they have to say, to be kind and to trust, to keep asking and get curious about everything, to keep myself awake and active, to fight my fears, to never forget to say thanks, to be grateful, to listen my instinct and my inner-self.

workawayer painting rooster mural

Thank you so much Aude, for sharing with us your love and respect for life, humanity and nature. Your stunning artwork is a testimony to this. Congratulations! We hope that you continue to decorate your path by “covering all the walls of the world with your paintings”. How wonderful to literally “leave your mark” wherever you go and be remembered even when you are long gone.

Aude is an avid blogger, read more about her travels and see some great photos too on her colourful blog. Or, if you want to be wowed and inspired by her paintings check them out here!

painters art project artistic mural creative painting Spain global citizen cultural exchange guatemala eco community mexico
Jane Alicia Cooney
About Jane Alicia Cooney

Jane is another regular blogger who has been involved with Workaway since its birth back at the start of the century! She has travelled extensively and has both volunteered and hosted travellers over the past 20 years. She is a firm advocate of the mutual benefits of this initiative. Now she is a resident in Spain, where she is working within the world of TEFL and Cambridge examinations, as well as being a mother of 3.

She loves dancing, analysing why we “do the things we do” or “think the way we think," and is fascinated by trying out alternatives—which is probably why she enjoys travel so much. She has contributed to the content of the Workaway website, its translation into Spanish and is the author of “The Complete Workaway Guidebook."

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