Cities to Explore
The best cities in the world to explore.
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Seeing Green in Ireland and Northern Ireland
It only takes a few moments upon arrival in Ireland to realize why the country is nicknamed the Emerald Isle. Green is everywhere – vibrant, refreshing, rich greens, in every hue. One of my favorite creativity prompts while traveling is color. It’s such a simple idea, yet can truly open your eyes to seeing so much more than you expect when you explore a location! The goal is to choose a color in the morning before you head out, then when touring, be on the look out for it. When you see it, take a quick picture on your phone. At the end of the day, you can create a…
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Creative Wanderlust Prompt: Inspired by Maui, Hawaii
Maui, the second largest island in the Hawaiian island chain behind the Big Island of Hawaii, is nicknamed the Valley Isle. This name derives from the fact that the island is made up of two volcanoes (a volcanic doublet), where the lava flowed between the two to create an isthmus or valley connecting them. The older volcano to the west rises 5,777 feet above sea level and the younger volcano, Haleakala is more than 10,000 feet above sea level! Like most islands, Maui is filled with microclimates, from extremely wet areas to drier regions; warm regions to surprisingly cold ones (10,000’ elevation on Haleakala will do that, even if on…
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Creative Wanderlust Prompt: Mardi Gras
I can only imagine the buzz that is happening in Rio de Janiero, Brazil;, New Orleans, Louisiana; and Venice, Italy right now! It is Mardi Gras time (otherwise known as Carnevale in Venice and Carnaval do Brasil in Rio.) These cities are living it up before the religious season of Lent begins. Lent is a 40 day period that comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. It begins on Ash Wednesday, and ends with the Easter celebration. It is a season to reflect on the passion and sacrifices made by Jesus with fasting and penitence. Thus, the week before Lent begins cities around the world celebrate with one long party!! The…
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15 Minute Art Lesson: Learn How to Draw a Historic New Orleans Home
Follow along with this ~15 minute lesson and learn how to draw a New Orleans Garden District house, the Morris-Israel Home. We will virtually travel to NOLA where I will tell you a little about the house. Then, I will teach you a doodle approach to drawing the iron work sometimes called “iron lace” to give the impression of intricacy yet with a loose impressionistic approach. Following this lesson will not only show you how to draw this specific New Orleans home, but also teach your techniques to be able to draw houses and building around the world with similar ornate ironwork detailing. Be sure to share this video and…
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Creative Wanderlust Prompt: New Orleans
New Orleans or NOLA as many like to call it, is a city full of vibrancy, energy, color and personality! It’s hard to find a city that embodies so must creative spirit, diversity and fascinating cultural aspects; music, food, religion, history, architecture, nature, traditions and so much more. Each one tells an inspirational story that can prompt endless amounts of creativity. Like most of the cities across the United States, NOLA is a true melting pot of people and traditions dating back to before the nation was even formed. Its proximity to the Caribbean as well as its French roots gives it an individual flavor unlike any other location in…
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Draw on a Photograph: Adding Murals to Buildings You See (Digital Art School)
Painting a mural on a building is quite a feat! I am friends with a few illustrators who take on these projects and I’m always in awe! Not only does it take buckets (and buckets) of paint, equipment like a ladder or lift and time, it also takes a lot of training. It’s one thing to paint or illustrate an 8″x10″ image, and quite another to tackle the side of a twelve story apartment building in, say, New York City! The perspective one needs to view their art from a distance while painting it up close is a skill of its own. Perhaps it is a dream of yours to…
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Discover Mural and Street Art While Traveling: Uncover History, Stories, and the Personality of the Location
I love mural art. Whenever I travel, I make a point of wandering neighborhoods and cities seeking out the districts or areas where mural artists have made their mark. Melbourne, Australia; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Bergen, Norway; I can’t tell you how many cities embrace and celebrate this incredible art form! Not only does it brighten up an urban landscape, but the subject matter can be so indicative of the personality of the location. One may find a quote that is being expressed. Is this a saying or belief strongly held by locals? One may see a portrait of a person. Is this person of historic importance or significance to the city?…
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Explore Cincinnati, Ohio with Creativity
The Queen City, Cincy, The ‘Nati, The City of Seven Hills – Cincinnati, Ohio is known by many names, and has a long history in America, yet we never hear much about it as a place to visit let alone in the general national news. During the 1800s, Cincinnati remained one of the top 10 populous cities in the United States, yet as time went on, other midwestern cities such as Chicago, and St. Louis surpassed it in population, most likely garnering Cincinnati less national attention. Despite this fact, there is much to know and love about Cincinnati. In celebration of the Cincinnati Bengal’s appearance in Super Bowl LVI, I thought it would be fun to…
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Creative Wanderlust Prompt: Cincinnati, Ohio
In celebration of the upcoming Super Bowl, I thought it would be fun to highlight some facts and details that make Cincinnati a creative city to know and love! Knowing details about any city, I find, makes me even more curious to learn more and explore! Below is a list of creative prompts to get you thinking about Cincinnati in a whole new light. Be sure to stay tuned for more posts and information. Daily Creative Wanderlust Prompts: Cincinnati Monday – The Queen City, Cincy, The ‘Nati, The City of Seven Hills – Cincinnati is known by many names. Pick one and letter the nickname that embodies the feeling of Cincinnati. Tuesday –In…
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Creative Wanderlust Prompt: Las Vegas
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas… well not true this week. Let’s use this glitter town as inspiration to get creative! This week we are heading to Sin City to be inspired by all things Vegas! For those who have never been, Las Vegas, Nevada is quite a sight to see. Not just for all the things we think about when we hear of Vegas (lights, gambling, night clubs, show girls, partying) but what I find most fascinating is a how a trading post along the Spanish Trail in the Mojave Desert (Vegas in Spanish means “the meadows”) turned into one of the world’s top tourist destinations and has…