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      • CWE: Mapping Your Life Journey
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      • CWE: Storytelling on the Go Chinatown
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  • I’m Moving to Paris!!!

    My entire adult life I’ve wanted to live abroad. In college I sadly dismissed the opportunity as I did not want to double major in a language (present me doesn’t quite understand that choice, but as they say, education is wasted on the youth!) Throughout married life my husband and I have chatted many times about living abroad here or there with our kids, yet the timing has never clicked. Now, over 30 years since college, I’m finally getting my semester abroad! No, not with a college or to study, but with my husband. Our nest is empty and we are ready to FLY! Starting September 1st we will officially…

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Teacher, Illustrator, Author

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Art Teacher, Author, Illustrator
🧑‍🎨 Explore Your World Creatively
🎨 Art Prompts, Tips & Tutorials
🧳 Community of Wanderlust Enthusiasts

Betsy Beier
Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated

I just returned from an easygoing week exploring the cheese, brat and BEER loving midwest state of Wisconsin and visited MILWAUKEE for the first time. 

The question I asked myself before I left, was what are the best ways to explore a new city creatively? I came up with a list of 10 heuristics, but for this trip, I focused on one of my favorites- discover a city's personality - through its history.

You can start your investigation with a simple Google search, “the history of [cityname]” and see what you get. I do peruse Wikipedia, but also love browsing lesser known sites, blogs and/or content local to the area as I find the writing is honest and more insightful (especially when not sponsored by a brand!) It doesn’t take much reading, and in a few articles, I’m amazed at the overall sense of place you can feel through its historic past. With that knowledge, I then love to plan our trip, the neighborhoods and sites to see. My eventual list of possibilities inherently include touristic locations - monuments, famous buildings, etc. - but I always want to put in a few off the beaten path spots to try to see the everyday. 

Touring through any theme can become an entertaining scavenger hunt game. With the key historic points in mind (i.e., MKE = BEER), my creative lens is focused on all thing relating to that topic. So, as we walked around Milwaukee, I was always on the look out for references of the cities long beer brewing history - from street signs named after famous brewers, to beer references or images. It’s amazing how much more you will see when you have just a few historic facts in mind! 

Have you ever explored a city through a historic lens? I'd love to hear about it - let me know in the comments!

#MKE #Milwaukee #wisconsin #beer #brewery #schlitz #pabst #blatz #explorecreatively #creativewanderlustadventure
Bye bye Karl the Fog and hello to MKE via Chicago Bye bye Karl the Fog and hello to MKE via Chicago (no, not Nashville like the song says…)😂

Looking forward to exploring tomorrow. #sfo #ord #mke #milwaukee #wisconsin #explore #thunderstorm
Who's up for a little Creative Wanderlust Open Hou Who's up for a little Creative Wanderlust Open House - this THURSDAY, July 14th from 5:30-7pm, in San Carlos California.

Given my last post, I of course had to continue the French theme-- this month at the open house we will be celebrating by creating art with a little bleu, blanc et rouge + Matisse inspired theme! Come make art or just relax outdoors and enjoy the summer evening with friends!

DM or email me for details and directions. Hope to see you there!

#creativewanderlustcommunity #creativewanderlustlife #creativewanderlustliving #bastillday #france #bleublancrouge #openhouse
I just shared some BIG NEWS in my newsletter today I just shared some BIG NEWS in my newsletter today... it's really happening... I'm moving to PARIS!

My entire adult life I’ve wanted to live abroad. In college I sadly dismissed the opportunity as I did not want to double major in a language (present me doesn’t quite understand that choice, but as they say, education is wasted on the youth!) Throughout married life my husband and I have chatted many times about living abroad here or there with our kids, yet the timing has never clicked. Now, over 30 years since college, I’m finally getting my semester abroad! No, not with a college but with my husband. Our nest is empty and we are ready to FLY!

Starting September 1st we will officially have an apartment in Paris, France and begin our 6 month abroad adventure as Parisians! Yes, this is a dream come true. Of course I’ve heard the stories - it’s grey, it rains, people are not friendly, there is crime, it’s dirty, etc., etc. If you look at any location you can find negatives but I’m not that person. I am confident I will face challenges, but I am up for it all - the good, the bad, yet mostly the EXPERIENCE!

I can’t wait for all of you to JOIN ME on this adventure. In true Betsy style, my goals are to hit the streets of Paris creatively everyday - I want to stare at masterpieces in the Louvre and discover small wonders hidden in corners of my neighborhood. I want to embrace shopping on my local street for meals everyday, and sitting at the cafe people watching. I want to explore the same streets the masters (Matisse, Monet, Van Gogh, etc.) walked upon as well as take a dive deep into understanding the long history and culture of Paris. We of course have plenty of side trips we want to take. It’s clear we won’t have enough time, but again, seeing this as our diving board moment, it’s exciting to imagine what will come next.

I look forward to inspiring you to find these creative details in your own city or where ever you may roam. And, of course, if you happen to be in Paris this Fall and early Winter, please reach out! I’d love to see you in the City of Light!

#dream #paris #france #movingtoparis #creativewanderlustlife
Another day, another walk in the burbs. Being a ci Another day, another walk in the burbs. Being a city girl at heart, I’m always looking for something different… today I ventured out with a hand made view finder. I had trouble without my glasses (which I don’t wear walking 🤣) but otherwise enjoyed the experience. Next time I’m going to head to my downtown to capture a different view.  Give it a try in your neighborhood! I’d love to see what you find. #frameyourview #creativewalk #everydaycreativity #creativewanderlustadventure #theburbs
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
Sketching the scene from the dock with my fav blac Sketching the scene from the dock with my fav black pen and Caran D’Ache water soluble wax pastels. They are my absolute fav art supply these days!!🌈🖍🖌🎨
And the irony is I’m actually having a productiv And the irony is I’m actually having a productive day! Lake life does the mind some good…
My office this week….🚤🏔🛶🌲 My office this week….🚤🏔🛶🌲
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
Retro overnight getaway weekend in progress!!! Retro overnight getaway weekend in progress!!!
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
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