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    • Online Courses & Classes
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    • Book – Illustration on the Go
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  • Art School: How to Draw a Taco

    Who doesn’t love a good taco? I make them every week on Tuesday (yes, my weekly meal plan is pretty repetitive) and still never tire of them! There are just so many taco options- beef, chicken, pork, fish, vegetarian– they are all so good. In celebration of this tasty food, I’ve created a simple taco tutorial! Enjoy.

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    Type in My Town No.1 by Wanderlust Designer

    Art on the Go: Typography Photoshoot in Your Town

    April 23, 2013
    Bucket List Map of the World by Betsy Beier, Wanderlust Designer

    On Location: Dream Trips – Bucket List World Map

    May 17, 2017
    Art Tutorial: How to Draw a Prickly Pear Cactus by Betsy Beier

    Art School: How to Draw a Prickly Pear Cactus

    January 29, 2019
  • Art School: How to Draw an A Frame Cabin

    I love the coziness of an A frame cabin in the woods! I can’t think of a better place to be snowed in than a small A frame with a small living room, kitchen and bath on the bottom floor and a loft bedroom up a ladder. With plenty of food and fire wood, I would enjoy spending hours reading and sketching with a nap somewhere in between! Here’s a simple drawing tutorial to create your own A frame cabin in the winter. Here’s a process video to watch the drawing in action.

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    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

    January 30, 2014
    Italian Tile Illustration by Wanderlust Designer featured in Flutter Magazine No.14

    Illustration News: Italian Tile Illustration Featured in Flutter Magazine

    August 21, 2017
    Rocky Mountain High in Fairplay, Colorado by Wanderlust Designer

    On Location: Rocky Mountain High – Solitude at 10,000′ in Fairplay Colorado

    June 3, 2013
  • Art School: How to Draw a Historic Home – Betsy Ross’s House, Philadelphia

    If you are ever in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a visit to the House of Betsy Ross, famed seamstress of the first American flag is a must see. Located on Arch Street in Old Town Philadelphia just a few blocks from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the house is a classic Pennsylvania colonial style. Historians still debate is this is the actual home where she resided, but even if it is not, it is still a gorgeously maintained example of a home from early American history, 1740. Vary the details of the house slightly and draw several in a row to create your own colonial street scene.

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    Custom Illustrated Map of Napa Valley by Wanderlust Designer

    Illustration News: Custom Map of Napa Valley for the ACCP Conference

    September 26, 2017

    My Favorite Art Supplies

    June 3, 2020
    Apple Watercolor Wash Tutorial by Betsy Beier

    Art School: Apple Template & Watercolor Wash Tutorial

    November 9, 2018
  • Art School: How to Draw a Box of Chocolates

    When did a box of chocolates become synonymous with Valentine’s Day? Valentine’s Day has a long history, yet it wasn’t until the mid-1800’s when British chocolatier Richard Cadbury was trying to perfect his drinking chocolate when he inadvertently created what he called “eating chocolate.” He cleverly put his new found confection in a decorated box that he himself designed, and seized the holiday with his treats! Enjoy this “how to draw a box of chocolates” tutorial and Happy Valentine’s Day!

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    Creative Inspiration from Sara Midda

    February 21, 2019
    Irish Pickling Spice Mix Recipe by Wanderlust Designer

    Culture: A World of Flavors – Irish Pickling Spice Mix Recipe

    March 18, 2015
    Bauhaus Design Seen on the Streets of Munich, Germany by Wanderlust Designer

    On Location: Bauhaus Design on a Random Munich Street Corner

    October 21, 2013
  • Art School: How to Draw a Lantern

    I absolutely love lanterns. Whether zig zagging across a street in San Francisco’s famed Chinatown, or softly illuminating the front doorway to homes in Gion, Kyoto, lanterns are simply festive! Here is a simple tutorial on how to draw a lantern. Below is a time lapse video to watch the process of drawing a lantern. Be sure to tag your drawing with #everydaycreativeadventures so I can see your festive lantern!

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    Finding Inspiration: Tips for Using Pinterest Effectively

    March 9, 2019
    9/11 Memorial Reflections by Wanderlust Designer

    On Location: 9/11 Reflections

    September 10, 2014
    Bouillabaisse in Marseille, France by Wanderlust Designer

    Culture: Bouillabaisse in Marseille, France

    February 13, 2014
  • 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…

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    My Favorite Art Supplies

    June 3, 2020
    Art on the Go: Create Scribble Sketches to Capture Your Trip

    Art on the Go: Scribble Sketches Capture Your Trip

    April 15, 2013
    Art on the Go: Map Sketch of My Visit to Paris by Wanderlust Designer

    Art on the Go: Make a Map of Your Stay

    February 15, 2014
  • Art School: Blind Contour Exercises by Wanderlust Designer

    Art on the Go: Art School: Line Basics – Blind Contour Drawings

    A blind contour drawing is where you only look at the object you are drawing, and not at the paper you are drawing on. The purpose of this type of drawing is to have your brain focus solely on the object – to really look at it and see it for all it’s details. Obviously, since you are not looking at your paper, it doesn’t always translate like you expect, but sometimes these haphazard drawings can be quite fun. Blind contours also have the benefit of improving your eye hand coordination. It’s a simple art exercise that does not take much time, but can build your drawing skills and  produce…

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    Summer Creative Adventure No. 1 - Picnic Time

    Summer Creative Adventure No.1 – It’s Picnic Time

    June 3, 2019
    Keeping WWII History Alive - the Betty Jane by Wanderlust Designer

    Time+Place: Keeping WWII History Alive

    February 24, 2014
    Where in the World No. 8 by Wanderlust Designer

    Where in the World: No.8

    May 3, 2013
  • 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…

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    The Textures of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico by Wanderlust Designer

    Textures+Place: Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

    April 17, 2013
    Over 35 Fonts Inspired by Italy by Wanderlust Designer

    Type+Place: 35+ Fonts Inspired by Italy

    April 4, 2014
    Tropical Memories Art Project Inspired by Matisse Cut Outs by Wanderlust Designer

    Art on the Go: Tropical Memories Inspired by Matisse Cut Outs

    May 9, 2013
  • 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

    One of my goals this year is to kick off a new Art on the Go series called “Art School.” Although I attended art school many, many years ago, like any profession, it’s always great review to go back to the basics and brush up your skills. I hope in going through my journey I can also inspire you to pick up your pencil, pen, or brush and join in. There are so many wonderful things to draw either at home or on a trip, so time to get started! Today’s “Art School” lesson will be studying 3 basic types of line drawing; contour, gestural and implied. These lines are the basis…

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    It's Bar Time - Bar Sign from Skylark in San Francisco by Wanderlust Designer

    Type+Place: Bar Time!

    June 8, 2013
    Colorful Kente Cloth From Ghana by Wanderlust Designer

    Pattern+Place: Colorful Kente Cloth from Ghana

    January 23, 2014
    Type in My Town No.1 by Wanderlust Designer

    Art on the Go: Typography Photoshoot in Your Town

    April 23, 2013
  • 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.…

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    Vancouver: An Urban City Surrounded by Nature by Wanderlust Designer

    On Location: Vancouver – An Urban City Surrounded by Nature Part 2

    May 23, 2013
    Colorful Havana Cuba (Drawings and Story by Wanderlust Designer)

    On Location: The Dilapidated Grandeur of Old Havana

    June 8, 2016
    Bauhaus Design Seen on the Streets of Munich, Germany by Wanderlust Designer

    On Location: Bauhaus Design on a Random Munich Street Corner

    October 21, 2013
12

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To this magical place called Earth, Thank you for To this magical place called Earth, Thank you for always inspiring me with your beauty! #earthday
59 years ago today, the 1962 World’s Fair called 59 years ago today, the 1962 World’s Fair called the Century 21 Exposition opened in Seattle. The goal was to showcase science and technology of the United States in a Jet Age world, and Seattle being the center of airplane and jet innovation was the natural host. The fair sported futuristic designs, most notable being Seattle’s famed symbol, the Space Needle. Like all great designs, the original proposal for the structure was first drawn on a placemat. The crude drawing was then taken by architect John Graham, Jr. and his team and was significantly revised into the 605’ needle seen today. It was built in less than a year and remains one of the top attractions to see in the city. For more information about the Space Needle, Seattle Center and the Century 21 Expo, check out my Wanderlust Guide Seattle book! @westmarginpress @spaceneedle #seattle #spaceneedle #funfacts #history #century21expo
A new book and a cup of coffee... perfection! Can’t wait to dive into this new release #worldtravel #anthonybourdain #irreverentguide #newbook #coffeetime #sketchbook #minisketch
somewhere on 1-80 in the middle of Nevada... Some somewhere on 1-80 in the middle of Nevada... Some may find this stretch of highway incredibly tedious-  but for some reason I find it bubbling with wonder. The puffy clouds, the dancing tumble weed, the stark mountains, the long ribbon of highway, and the the subtle color palette that slowly changes as the sun moves across the sky-  Driving through northern Nevada really gives a perspective of just how empty, vast and wild the west really is. Have you driven this stretch of road before? What did you think? #roadtrip #wanderlust #wildwest #nevada #nevadadesert #painterlypainting #roadtripmemories
My monthly free online art class starts in an hour My monthly free online art class starts in an hour!!! Join me to have fun celebrating spring and let’s paint whimsical birds and blossoms. Sign up now with link in my profile to get zoom details! #freeonlineartclass #artclass #birds #watercolorclass #blossom #celebratespring #everydaycreativeadventures
It’s tracked down to the day, even hour when it It’s tracked down to the day, even hour when it is at its absolute peak. People travel for miles, if not around the world to see them. There are live webcams, parties, picnics and milestone events planned for this event. What am I talking about, you ask? Cherry blossom season of course!

There is something quite charming that in this day and age people can work up such a fevor for something as simple and natural as cherry blossom trees in bloom. It’s not as if it won’t happen… every year… it is guaranteed! Yet, I find this enthusiasm is so refreshing! 

Washington D.C. and Japan are definitely top of mind when I think of cherry blossoms, but did you know that on the University of Washington’s campus in Seattle, there is the same celebration going on? 30 Yoshino cherry trees were brought to UW in 1939 and initially planted in Washington Park Arboretum. They were moved to the Quad on campus in 1962. The number of trees in the quad has more than doubled since then, and truly is a spectacular site up against the gothic-style architecture.

Be sure to head to the internet and google one of the live webcams so you can see the show! And, of course, make sure you have a copy of my Wanderlust Guide Seattle book to tell you more creative details about the beautiful UW campus and U District in Seattle. @westmarginpress
@uofwa 
#cherryblossoms #inbloom #washington #seattle #universityofwashington #UW #thequad #wanderlustguide
I miss creating daily art. Not sure why this habit I miss creating daily art. Not sure why this habit I love has disappeared for awhile but going to start to work on bringing it back- even if it’s just a 5 min sketch! I found this site called randomstreetview.com that basically just shows exactly that - a random street in the world. Here’s a quick painterly landscape I created of Ordino, Andorra! Do you know of other sites like this that give different glimpses of the world? #dailyartpractice #painterlypractice #wanderlust #streetsoftheworld #andorra
Join me this Saturday, Mar 20 @11am Pacific Time a Join me this Saturday, Mar 20 @11am Pacific Time as we head to Ireland and paint a layered landscape of the Wild Atlantic Way!!! Link to sign up in my profile. #ireland #irelandtravel #wildatlanticway #dinglepeninsula #virtualtravel #artclass #landscapepainting #layeredlandscape #takemetoireland #inspiredbytravel #wanderlust
It was so fun to create a rainy day story in my on It was so fun to create a rainy day story in my online art class today. I loved seeing everyone~ and of course creating art together. Definitely the perfect way to kick off the weekend! If you missed the class- you can catch up anytime at your own pace by watching the videos. See link in my profile to sign up and gain access. #artclass #freeartclass #storytelling #rainyday #illustration #selfpacedclass #yellowslicker #rainboots #rainbow

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