Art and Design
International art styles, color palettes, patterns, textures, textiles, typography, and designs from around the world.
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Wanderlust Patterns: Exotic India Collection
I dream of traveling to India one day to soak up the colors, landmarks, symbols, and motifs of this culturally rich and diverse country. From the Pink City of Jaipur to the Taj Mahal in Agra, the visual feast of patterns is incredible. Inspired by stories I’ve heard, I created this Exotic India collection to celebrate this beautiful place in the world. If you are interested in licensing my illustrations or patterns in this collection, please contact me for details. For more licensing information, feel free to browse my portfolio.
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Creative Inspiration: Forget the Fish – Sketch the Signs at Pike Place Market in Seattle
There is a reason Pike Place Market is one of the top destinations when visiting Seattle. From discovering the food delicacies and handmade goods to listening to buskers and people watching, a local market is the best place to capture the feel of a locale. Pike Place Market has all that Seattle and the Pacific Northwest is known for – fresh fish (flying overhead!), ripe Rainier cherries, blooming flowers, and even Rachel the Pig. You can spend the better part of a morning just soaking it all in. But one aspect of the market that is frequently overlooked is all the incredible signage. Capture the Signs of Pike Place Market…
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Creative Inspiration: Go on a Rainbow Hunt in the Castro, San Francisco
The Castro is definitely one of the most colorful neighborhoods in all of San Francisco! The extra large rainbow flag, the defining landmark of the area, flies proudly over the intersection of Market and Castro Streets welcoming all to the inclusive neighborhood. A Rainbow Hunt Beyond the main flag, there is no shortage of more rainbows to spot in the Castro. Rainbow banners hang from light posts and there is a cross walk lined with rainbow colors. For an easy entertaining game while exploring, play “I Spy” with your friends and try to be the first to spot the rainbows you see. If you are looking for an even more…
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Finding Inspiration: Tips for Using Pinterest Effectively
To me, Pinterest is the mother of online inspiration! I absolutely love the platform. Well before Pinterest was ever a thing, I was that person who had a bulletin board pinned with inspiring images and ephemera. Illustrated post cards from a trip, tiny paper ornaments, decorative business cards, magazine cut outs, my board was and still is always filled. So, when Pinterest was first announced, I eagerly requested an invitation so I could create potentially a million little inspiration boards like the one I had at home! Lo and behold almost 10 years later and I still use the platform almost daily for inspiration. I use Pinterest in 4 ways-…
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Creative Inspiration from Sara Midda
I’ve been a huge fan of Sara Midda and her gorgeous art for many years. I first came across her work when my parents lived in St. Remy de Provence, France in the mid-90’s. Her book, South of France, A Sketchbook, is dreamy journal of her own experience of living a year in Provence. Her journal is filled with tiny thumbnail drawings of her moments. She has a spread of postage stamp sized loose watercolor paintings of mas’ (Provencal farm houses) and typical Provençal buildings in golden hues. She paints snapshots of everyday activities like an evening in the park playing pétanque. She discusses (and paints) the fruits and vegetables…
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It’s a Colorful World – December Color Palette
December is one of the best months to get out and about, open your eyes and see the colorful world we live in! Here’s a new palette for the month to keep an eye out for. These are some of my favorite holiday shades– cherry red, crisp turquoise, vibrant chartreuse, forest green and a rich brown. Once you spot these colors, whether it’s thumbing through your holiday ornaments, or at walking by an elaborate Christmas window display, snap a pic, make a quick sketch, then let me know! Post it on social media and tag #itsacolorfulworld, or send me an email! I can’t wait to see what you find. December…
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It’s a Colorful World – November Palette
Many years ago, while traveling with my family we came up with a “game” for the day where we’d pick a color and while we were out touring we would snap a picture when we saw the color. The picture could really be of anything; a door, a flower, some food, a painted wall, a sign. It’s amazing how many pictures each of us would find, and how artsy some of them were! For instance, when touring Istanbul, I picked the color red. It was everywhere, from flags hanging proudly to the bright red trolly in the Taksim neighborhood. I even found this very random red chair, on the side…
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Wanderlust Patterns: Alluring Istanbul Collection
Istanbul, Turkey is one of my most favorite cities in the world. The “East meets West” concept is so incredibly alluring. By just driving over the famed Bosphorus Bridge, one can be transported from the continent of Europe to the continent of Asia! This bridging concept runs much deeper than just the driving across a river, though. The East/West connection can be seen in the art, architecture, culture and warm hospitality of its inhabitants. I enjoyed creating these Istanbul illustrations and patterns and capturing this spectacular city. From the signature Turkish tile seen throughout the buildings and mosques to precious floral details, I’ve highlighting the vivid colors, motifs and architecture…
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Wanderlust Patterns: Paris Floral Collection
Paris is so iconic. From the Eiffel Tower to the cafe chairs, I love how a city can be represented by just a few simple line drawings. How in the instant you see the drawing, you know exactly where you are. I created this Paris Floral collection with this notion in mind. When ever I’ve visited Paris, I can spend many days just wandering the streets, snapping pictures of decorative windows, lamp posts, mansard roofs and gargoyles. Add some fanciful florals that you might see in Luxembourg Gardens, at Marché aux Fleurs (Paris Bird Market), or in a simple window box and voila, beautiful Paris! If you are interested in…
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Wanderlust Patterns: Bella Italia Collection
I have yet to meet someone who has traveled to Italy and hasn’t fallen in love with the country. Whether it’s the incredible Italian food, the enchanting piazzas, the historic sites, the Mediterranean cypress blowing in the breeze, or just the earth-toned patina that graces every wall and building, there is lots to love in Italy. Here is a collection of patterns and illustrations I created, called Bella Italia, that celebrate the good life in Italy! If you are interested in licensing the illustrations or patterns in this collection, please contact me for details.
