Explore Your World Creatively

  • Home
  • Classes/Wkshps
    • Events Calendar
    • Online Courses & Classes
    • In Person Experiences
    • Events, Workshops & Retreats
      • CWE: Mapping Your Life Journey
      • CWE: Storytelling in a Japanese Garden
      • CWE: A Camp-Inspired Morning
      • CWE: Illustrate Your Adventures
      • CWE: Storytelling on the Go Chinatown
    • Free Art Classes
    • Printable Lessons
  • Books
    • Anywhere, Anytime Art Illustration
    • Wanderlust Portland
    • Wanderlust Los Angeles
    • Wanderlust San Francisco
    • Wanderlust Seattle
  • Community
    • Travel Journal
    • Free Printables
    • Wanderlust Stories
      • Neighborhoods to Wander
      • Cities to Explore
      • Countries to Experience
      • Road Trips
      • Dream Trips
    • Wanderlust Art & Design
      • Color Palettes
      • Patterns/Textiles
      • Textures
      • Typography
    • Wanderlust Culture
      • Books and Films
      • Entertainment
      • Food
      • History
      • Interiors
      • Shopping
      • Spiritual
  • Portfolio
    • Portfolio Website
    • Work With Me
    • Latest Projects
  • Shop
    • Puzzles
      • American Road Trip
      • Foods Across America
      • Route 66
      • Blue Ridge Parkway
      • North Carolina Coast
      • South Carolina Coast
      • Georgia Coast
      • Florida’s 30A
    • Book: Anywhere Anytime Art: Illustration
    • Wanderlust San Francisco – A Creative Guide to the City
    • Wanderlust Seattle – A Creative Guide to the City
    • Zazzle Shop
      • Phone Cases, Skins & More
      • Postcards
      • Stationery & Paper Goods
      • Travel Gear – Bags, Tags & More
  • About
    • About Betsy
    • About the Blog
    • Contact Me
  • Home
  • Classes/Wkshps
    • Events Calendar
    • Online Courses & Classes
    • In Person Experiences
    • Events, Workshops & Retreats
      • CWE: Mapping Your Life Journey
      • CWE: Storytelling in a Japanese Garden
      • CWE: A Camp-Inspired Morning
      • CWE: Illustrate Your Adventures
      • CWE: Storytelling on the Go Chinatown
    • Free Art Classes
    • Printable Lessons
  • Books
    • Anywhere, Anytime Art Illustration
    • Wanderlust Portland
    • Wanderlust Los Angeles
    • Wanderlust San Francisco
    • Wanderlust Seattle
  • Community
    • Travel Journal
    • Free Printables
    • Wanderlust Stories
      • Neighborhoods to Wander
      • Cities to Explore
      • Countries to Experience
      • Road Trips
      • Dream Trips
    • Wanderlust Art & Design
      • Color Palettes
      • Patterns/Textiles
      • Textures
      • Typography
    • Wanderlust Culture
      • Books and Films
      • Entertainment
      • Food
      • History
      • Interiors
      • Shopping
      • Spiritual
  • Portfolio
    • Portfolio Website
    • Work With Me
    • Latest Projects
  • Shop
    • Puzzles
      • American Road Trip
      • Foods Across America
      • Route 66
      • Blue Ridge Parkway
      • North Carolina Coast
      • South Carolina Coast
      • Georgia Coast
      • Florida’s 30A
    • Book: Anywhere Anytime Art: Illustration
    • Wanderlust San Francisco – A Creative Guide to the City
    • Wanderlust Seattle – A Creative Guide to the City
    • Zazzle Shop
      • Phone Cases, Skins & More
      • Postcards
      • Stationery & Paper Goods
      • Travel Gear – Bags, Tags & More
  • About
    • About Betsy
    • About the Blog
    • Contact Me

Home

Classes/Workshops

Books

Community

Portfolio

Contact/About

  • Art School: Line Basics Hatch Lines by Wanderlust Designer

    Art on the Go: Art School – Line Basics: Hatch and Marks to Imply Light and Dimension

    Hatching or adding hatch marks is a technique used to add dimension and tonality to line art. It adds dimension to a simple line drawing by implying light and shadow. The hatch marks are used to indicated the shadow. It also adds tonality (or a range of tones) to a simple line drawing creating more interest. Hatch lines or marks are a simple and easy way to add pop to your everyday line art. Examples of Different Hatch Marks There are several different ways to create hatch marks. Below are 9 different examples, yet don’t let this list limit you. These are just some of the basic hatching marks, but…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Art School: How to Draw a Box of Chocolates

    February 15, 2019
    Death Valley, California: 10 Tips for Visiting by Wanderlust Designer

    On Location: 10 Tips for Visiting Death Valley, California

    March 28, 2014
    Art on the Go: Art School Line Basics - Contour vs. Gestural vs. Implied by Wanderlust Designer

    Art on the Go: Art School Line Basics: Contour vs. Gestural vs. Implied

    January 6, 2015
  • Art on the Go: Art School - Lesson in Line Weight by Wanderlust Designer

    Art on the Go: Art School – Line Weight

    Experimenting with line weights in your sketching can open up a world of possibilities to your drawings. There’s something quite clean and straightforward about a line drawing that is created using one single line weight. It’s one of my favorite go-to styles when creating a travel sketch. But playing with different line weights can also allow for a whole host of effects (subtle or bold) to enhance that same sketch. So, how does one achieve a varied line weight in a drawing. Well, it’s quite simple. You can use varied weight pens, or a brush pen. Just as pencils have many different types of lead that vary in softness (that change…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Seattle's Gum Wall - Abstract Art or Just Gross? by Wanderlust Designer

    On Location: Seattle’s Gum Wall – Abstract Art or Janitor’s Worst Nightmare?

    June 27, 2013

    Discovering What Truly Lights You Up

    June 9, 2022
    The Colors of a Sunset at Lake Tahoe by Wanderlust Designer

    Palette+Place: Sunsets at Lake Tahoe

    January 9, 2014
  • Art on the Go: Sketching on Foreign Newsprint to Add Character to Your Drawings by Wanderlust Designer

    Art on the Go: Sketching on a Foreign Newspaper

    Whenever I travel, I love to buy a newspaper or two in the country I’m visiting. Although I’m not much of a linguist, I enjoy browsing through the articles, photos, ads and editorials to try to decipher what is being said. My other reason for picking up a local newspaper is for the paper itself. Foreign newsprint can make a great background to a travel sketch. It adds dimension and a hint of context to the location you are sketching. The process for sketching on newsprint is pretty much the same as sketching on paper. You can easily just tear out a part of the paper and start to sketch.…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Holiday Foods from Around the World by Wanderlust Designer

    Culture: Food – Holiday Foods from Around the World

    December 7, 2017

    Do Process Videos Mesmerize You?

    January 18, 2022
    Discovering the Traditions at the Shrines of Japan by Wanderlust Designer

    Culture: Spiritual – Discovering Traditions at a Shinto Shrine in Japan

    July 9, 2015
  • Sketching in the Country - En Plein Air by Wanderlust Designer

    Art on the Go: Sketching en Plein Air in the Country, Sebastopol, California

    I love it that my daughter loves art as much as I do! Ever since my kids were little, I’ve always tried to do some art project or another with them– making salt dough, collaging with paper scraps, painting on big paper. Whatever the outcome, they both have loved the experience. So, when I went on a weekend trip to the country with my daughter, we of course had to incorporate an art outing to our plan. We stayed at a lovely Bed and Breakfast in Sebastopol, a small artsy town in Sonoma County. The B&B was located 3 miles out of town, so we definitely got the country experience…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Creative Prompt: Take a Seat at the Kids Table

    December 20, 2021
    Everyday Creative Adventures: How to Draw Out the Airplane Window by Wanderlust Designer

    Art School: How to Draw – Out the Airplane Window

    January 22, 2019
    Free Travel Inspiration Wallpaper: Live Each Day NYC by Wanderlust Designer

    Free Travel Inspiration Wallpaper: Live Each Day NYC

    February 28, 2014
  • Art on the Go: Create Scribble Sketches to Capture Your Trip

    Art on the Go: Scribble Sketches Capture Your Trip

    You’ve always loved the idea of sketching sites while on your trip, but you’re not an artist. You’re drawings will just look like scribbles. Perfect, I say. No more “I can’t draw” excuses– here’s the perfect Art on the Go assignment for your next trip, Scribble Sketches. One of the best parts of this assignment is not only the wonderful sketches you get to take home, but most of these take well under 5 minutes. Definitely an on-the-go art assignment! Everyone knows how to scribble, right? It’s one of the first things we get to do in preschool… and, frankly, it’s easy! Well, this assignment is just that – very…

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Seattle's Gum Wall - Abstract Art or Just Gross? by Wanderlust Designer

    On Location: Seattle’s Gum Wall – Abstract Art or Janitor’s Worst Nightmare?

    June 27, 2013
    Reflecting Pond at Filoli Country Estate, Woodside, CA by Wanderlust Designer

    On Location: Sketching at Filoli Country Estate

    October 27, 2014

    Wanderlust Patterns: Exotic India Collection

    May 19, 2020

Teacher, Illustrator, Author

Get inspired by the world around you and come join me in learning how to add creativity and art to your everyday!

Newsletter

Get creativity in your inbox every month!

Follow Me

wanderlustdesigner

Illustrator/Author/Teacher
Your guide, flight attendant & airline captain to exploring your world creatively. Wheel's up!

Betsy Beier
For over 30 years I’ve had a fascination with ca For over 30 years I’ve had a fascination with capturing water in my art. I spent much of my undergraduate fine art degree painting it in some way or another, and today I found myself once again trying to capture the nuisances, this time with watercolor. As I was painting this and getting more frustrated by the moment I recalled the advice my senior year thesis professor gave me in regards to capturing water—
He reminded me that much of what I wanted to capture had to do with the movement, the feeling and ultimately my impression. A photograph of water is a snapshot in time. Still and not moving. I inherently was more fascinated by the motion, thus I needed to let go of what a photo of water looks like and try to embrace the process… and the impression. Such sage advice that now 30+ years later I’m still needing! #advice #artadvice #impression #water #laketahoe #fascinationwithwater #artistlife
Let's get creative inspiration from the sun! Here Let's get creative inspiration from the sun! Here are 3 simple activities to do today now that summer is here.

1. Get mesmerized by heat waves on the horizon. Find a cool vantage point and spend a few moments just watching the heat rise and create a distorted view of the world. How could you artistically capture this effect? A quick video? A wet-on-wet simple watercolor of wavy lines and colors bleeding together? 

2. Photograph your shadow. I always forget about shadow play-- remember making shadow animals when you were young with your hands and a flashlight. What other fun gestures and movement can you do to create interesting shadows on a sunny day? Start with abstract shapes, and then see what comes next.

3. Write as many quotes as you can think of that talk about the sun. Put them in a jar and save them for a grey day. There are so many song lyrics and sayings about the sun. Spend a few moments on a sunny afternoon, sitting on the grass and jotting down all that you know. Tear into little sheets and place in a jar to warm you up on a cold or grey day!

#creativeinspiration #creativeactivities #sun #sunactivities #creativeprompts #creativity #buildcreativity #artprompts #artideas #summerideas #summeractivities #wanderlustdesigner #creativewanderlustprompt
Does the sun give you creative energy? I can defin Does the sun give you creative energy? I can definitively say YES, it does for me. A sunny day fills me with loads of fuel - to explore, get outside, make things, and PLAY. This is not to say a grey day doesn't provide me creative energy it's just a different type, a different mood. So, now that summer is here, let's harness those rays and share our creative endeavors.

Happy Summer everyone!!

#summer #creativity #sun #creativeenergy #suninspiration #getcreative #maker #summersolstice
I shared my 3 secrets to a creative summer in my n I shared my 3 secrets to a creative summer in my newsletter today… check it out over at wanderlustdesigner.com ! And DM me if you’d like to get on my mailing list! I send out weekly creative tips and artsy info to inspire you to be creative everyday. 🧑‍🎨👩‍🎨 #explorecreatively #creativelife #3secrets #summer
How will you add creativity to your weekend? Let m How will you add creativity to your weekend? Let me know in the comments below!!

#friyay #theweekend #bonweekend #creativity #dosomethingcreative #creativewanderlustweekend #creativewanderlustcommunity
Photo Prompt: Create a photo collage of what summe Photo Prompt: Create a photo collage of what summer means to you…. 

Water, beach, strong shadows, the sound you hear in the distance of fun at an amusement park, long sun burnt days and warm nights.  I took these photos in Santa Monica, CA when I was there last year. They truly say summer to me. What about you? #summer #summervibes #summerphotos #santamonica #santamonicapier
A drawing prompt I offered this week was to only u A drawing prompt I offered this week was to only use a yellow marker to sketch some fun summer icons (think beach ball, bathing suit, ice cream cone, etc.) I picked yellow as I find it to be one of the most UPLIFTING, CHEERFUL colors out there! 

Yellow just makes me happy! I love spotting it on my walks (a front door? a yellow center of a daisy) as well as wearing it - in a sweater, scarf, t-shirt! 

We only moved once during my childhood, and my parents selected the yellow bedroom to be mine before I had seen it. The room had yellow checked wallpaper. It was so cheery! Perhaps that is where my love for yellow started!

If you wear yellow, do you feel a bit happier?

#creativetip #arttip #yellow #psychologyofyellow #colorpsychology #wearyellow #childhoodmemories
I'm here to say that it is officially the unoffici I'm here to say that it is officially the unofficial start of summer! 😂 Ever since I was a little girl, I've always considered early June to be summer, as it is typically when school ends and summer break begins. Those first few days of summer break are always the best- no need for an alarm, no structure to the day and no care in the world. 

To celebrate summer, I'm rebooting my weekly Creative Wanderlust Prompts with a summer theme to get in the mood. I'll also be posting more of my own creations using these prompts! The last month and 1/2 I fell out of my daily art practice and I've been missing it terribly, so my summer goal is to get back to creating art every day- even if I only spend 15 minutes doing it.

Join me here and over at @creativewanderlustcommunity to follow along this summer and learn how to add art and creativity to your everyday!

#arteveryday #creativeprompts #creativewanderlustcommunity #creativewanderlustlife #creativityeveryday #creativewanderlustprompt #artprompts #creativeprompts #drawingprompt #paintingprompt #collageprompt #writingprompt #liveacreativelife #creativeenergy #healthbenefits #happiness #getcreative #behappy #creativityiscuriosity #embraceyourownartist #youarecreative #wanderlust #wanderlustlife #wanderlustdesigner #exploreyourworldcreatively #explorecreatively #everydaycreativity
I had the best time getting together online with m I had the best time getting together online with many of you for my Portland book release art lesson/party and coming up with an imaginative food cart celebrating Portland's food truck scene! My favorite part was working together to brainstorm a food truck theme, and then designing it as we went along! 

For those who could not make it, we decided to go with a Japanese/French themed food truck that specialized in Japanese teas and French patisseries! We named it Pa-TEA-sserie, and decorated it with sakura flowers, fleur de lis, tea cups and of course treats! 

Thank you to all how came to celebrate the occasion - and make art together - your support means EVERYTHING to me!🥰

If you were to start a food truck, what would your theme be?🌮🥗🍡 

@westmarginpress @ingram.publisher.services 
#booklaunch #wanderlustguide #wanderlust #portland #oregon #pdx #explorewithcreativity #exploreyourworld #creativewanderlustcommunity #creativewanderlustliving #everydaycreativity #explore #creativewanderlustadventure #betsybeier #wanderlustdesigner #foodtruck #portlandfoodtrucks
I am so proud to announce the 4th book in my Wande I am so proud to announce the 4th book in my Wanderlust Creative Travel Guide series is here!!! Welcome, Portland, Oregon to the club. 

With summer almost upon us, it's time to grab one of these guides (Portland, Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco) and explore your world with creativity! 

Head to your favorite online book retailer or local book store and grab a copy.

Thank you to all the incredible people at @westmarginpress who helped make this book and this SERIES a reality. This is truly a dream come true! 

@ingram.publisher.services 
#booklaunch #wanderlustguide #wanderlust #portland #oregon #pdx #explorewithcreativity #exploreyourworld #creativewanderlustcommunity #creativewanderlustliving #everydaycreativity #explore #creativewanderlustadventure #betsybeier #wanderlustdesigner #losangeles #sanfrancisco #seattle #wanderlustguide #wanderlustguidebook #travelcreatively #creativetravel
Creative Portland, Oregon!! #booklaunch #wanderlu Creative Portland, Oregon!!

#booklaunch #wanderlustguide #wanderlust #portland #oregon #pdx #explorewithcreativity #exploreyourworld #creativewanderlustcommunity #creativewanderlustliving #everydaycreativity #explore #creativewanderlustadventure #betsybeier #wanderlustdesigner
Historic Portland, Oregon #booklaunch #wanderlust Historic Portland, Oregon

#booklaunch #wanderlustguide #wanderlust #portland #oregon #pdx #explorewithcreativity #exploreyourworld #creativewanderlustcommunity #creativewanderlustliving #everydaycreativity #explore #creativewanderlustadventure #betsybeier #wanderlustdesigner
Beautiful Portland, Oregon! #booklaunch #wanderl Beautiful Portland, Oregon! 

#booklaunch #wanderlustguide #wanderlust #portland #oregon #pdx #explorewithcreativity #exploreyourworld #creativewanderlustcommunity #creativewanderlustliving #everydaycreativity #explore #creativewanderlustadventure #betsybeier #wanderlustdesigner
Please come to my free online Portland Art Party c Please come to my free online Portland Art Party celebrating Portland's food truck scene - next Tuesday, May 24th from 5:30-6:30pm (Pacific Time)! 

We are going to have so much fun together creating a one-of-a-kind food truck and chatting about Portland. Be sure to DM me and I can send you the Zoom link to the art class as well as a free printable to join in the fun!

Can't wait to see you there!

@westmarginpress @ingram.publisher.services 

#booklaunch #wanderlustguide #wanderlust #portland #oregon #pdx #explorewithcreativity #exploreyourworld #creativewanderlustcommunity #creativewanderlustliving #everydaycreativity #explore #creativewanderlustadventure #betsybeier #wanderlustdesigner #freeartclass #onlineartclass #freeonlineclass #onlineartclass #artclass #foodtruckscene #foodtruckpdx
For anyone who has been watching the news this pas For anyone who has been watching the news this past year or two, Portland, Oregon has had a rough go, image wise… but I’m here to dispel any myths or thoughts you may have. This beautiful Pacific Northwest city is amazing for countless reasons but my number one reason is for the sheer CREATIVE ENERGY and fodder it can provide. 

“Portland is a town of rugged individualists sprinkled with weirdness. It commends uniqueness and praise all types of entrepreneurs and creators, yet also has a strong commitment to community. The city embraces its industrial past, while also promoting progressive environmental ideas and sustainable practices. Portland exudes a strong sense of place that can be seen from its renowned food scene to its passionate maker culture.

If there is ever a town that is made to be explored creatively, Portland is the place!”
-excerpt from Wanderlust Portland: A Creative Guide to the City

Have you been to Portland? What was your favorite part?

@westmarginpress @ingram.publisher.services 
#wanderlustportland #newbook #booklaunch #Portland #Oregon #portlandtravel #pdx #wanderlusttravel #creativetravel #creativebook #wanderlust #illustrator #author #wanderlustdesigner #pdxtravelguide #creativetravelguide #keepportlandweird #portlandhistory #pdxhistory #makerculture #creativetown #creativeenergy #community
OK folks-- as you probably guessed -- in celebrati OK folks-- as you probably guessed -- in celebration of my book launch, let's dive into some fun PDX inspired creative prompts!!! From bridges to roses, there is no shortage of artsy adventures. 

Follow along this week and let's get creative!
@westmarginpress @ingram.publisher.services 
#booklaunch #wanderlustguide #wanderlust #portland #oregon #pdx #explorewithcreativity #exploreyourworld #creativewanderlustcommunity #creativewanderlustliving #everydaycreativity #explore #creativewanderlustadventure #betsybeier #wanderlustdesigner
The countdown is on!!!! In just 8 days the 4th boo The countdown is on!!!! In just 8 days the 4th book in my Wanderlust Guide series will launch... PORTLAND, OREGON!!!

This city is the epitome of creativity! I can't wait to share with you loads of details about PDX as well as inspire you with ideas on how to explore with creativity - whether it be Portland, Oregon, your next destination or your hometown! 

Stay tuned as I will be posting all week to get you inspired. 

What is your favorite thing about Portland?

@westmarginpress @ingram.publisher.services 
#booklaunch #wanderlustguide #wanderlust #portland #oregon #pdx #explorewithcreativity #exploreyourworld #creativewanderlustcommunity #creativewanderlustliving #everydaycreativity #explore #creativewanderlustadventure #betsybeier #wanderlustdesigner
Saw this on the sidewalk the other day... just a s Saw this on the sidewalk the other day... just a simple black rubber glove, tossed to the side...

I can't even tell you how many stories started running through my head about this glove! Of course, being the crime story junkie, I won't lie, the stories were pretty troubling. 🤣

What about you? What do you think the story of this glove is??

#explorecreatively #creativeliving #blackglove #crimejunkie #storytime #exploreyourworldcreatively #creativewanderlustadventure
It's been a hot minute since I've been over here - It's been a hot minute since I've been over here - I was going to post my taco tuesday menu from last Tuesday, and here it is a week later! As you can guess, Mexican food is on the docket for tonight as well (I go in fits and spurts with creativity in the kitchen - I'm definitely in a routine right now, most likely due to what's been happening this last couple weeks over here...)

Let's just say that COVID has come to town in my household and has decided to stay for a little longer than I hoped. I recovered (as of a couple weeks now), but now my husband and son are dealing with symptoms, as well as my 85 year old parents (they do not live with us, but a few towns over.) 

Long story short, they are all thankfully fine as severity goes (thx to vaccines and boosters), yet laying low with the symptoms and letting their immunities build.

I hope you are all staying healthy and hopefully inspired by this illustration to concoct a delicious meal infused with Mexican flavors! 

#layinglow #recovery #covid #mexicanfood #spices #mexicanspices #illustratedrecipe
Happy Cinco de Mayo! This image is from the way ba Happy Cinco de Mayo! This image is from the way back machine- almost 10 years old when I was transitioning my business from stationery/invitations to Wanderlust Designer. 

It's amazing to me to realize that this simple illustration of fiesta items was one of the catalysts for changing my whole business and direction! Perhaps it's because it's just such a festive theme.🎉

#cincodemayo #fiesta #randomcatalyst
Load More Follow on Instagram

Events

July 2022

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

Recent Stories

  • 3 Secrets to a Creative Summer
  • Creative Art Lesson: Use Only ONE Color
  • Portland Art Party: Design a Portland Food Truck
  • The Psychology of Yellow
  • What Summertime Means to Me

Archives

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
2022 © Betsy Beier, Wanderlust Designer
  • Home
  • Classes/Wkshps
  • Books
  • Community
  • Portfolio
  • Shop
  • About