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Culture: Shopping – Holiday Window Shopping Traditions
One of my favorite memories during the holidays growing up was getting dressed up and going to “the City” or San Francisco with my mom and sisters to see the holiday windows! I’d have to wear a dress, tights and my mary janes, so I knew it was a big event. Peeking into these imaginative window displays was like entering into a different world – glittery trees, toys, lights, clothes, dressed up manaquins, trains, music and so much more. The windows with animatronics or moving elements were the best! I even had the opportunity to see the holiday windows in New York City one year. How magical! As my kids…
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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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Art on the Go: Countdown to Christmas Free Printable Art Project
I always find that Christmas creeps up on me faster than ever, so this year, I decided to create a fun art project to countdown the days to Christmas and I’d love for you to join along! This countdown is all about playing with art. I’ve created simple holiday icons for each day and it’s our job to decorate each day however we like — watercolor, crayons, color pencil, markers, glitter, collage, paint, doodle — whatever medium, however you’d like! This project is all about being creative and exploring. There’s not need to worry about staying in the lines, just create and have fun. Be sure to share your countdown…
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Art School: Apple Template & Watercolor Wash Tutorial
There are so many delicious varieties of apples in the stores these days, some are crispy, some soft, some sweet, some tart. There’s really an apple for everyone. Apples also make a great prop for practicing watercolor washes as they come in so many colors as well. Washes are one of my favorite techniques to use when painting with watercolor. The inherent properties of the paint make for beautiful bleeds and unexpected results. Below is a free printable tutorial to practice your watercolor washes making apples. I’ve also included an apple template page if you want help getting started. Free Printable Apple Template Once you’ve completed the exercise, be…
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Culture: Food – Gulliver’s Corn Illustrated Recipe
One of my family’s favorite Thanksgiving dishes is Gulliver’s Corn. It’s a creamy, cheesy corn dish that is always scraped clean by the end of the meal. I first learned about the recipe from a Thanksgiving cooking class I took with my sisters and mom. I had no idea the origin of the recipe, but that Thanksgiving, we cooked the dish and it hasn’t left the menu since! It turns out the recipe originated from a restaurant in Southern California called Gulliver’s. It’s an old fashioned prime rib house, modeled after an old English roadside inn, one that would have been the perfect spot for someone like Lemuel Gulliver (from…
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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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I Am Creative – An Affirmation for All
We live in a world where fears and anxieties can many times overwhelm our own creativity. How many times have you heard, “Oh, I’m just not creative…” or “I can’t seem to come up with any ideas, I must not be that creative…” Our own fears many times preclude us from being the creative person we want to be. Fear of being judged, failure, or not being able to come up with an ideas at all can many times stop us from even trying. It’s really too bad since inherently everyone of us is creative, brimming with ideas and imagination! I recently read a chapter in a book about creative…
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Culture: Food – Holiday Foods from Around the World
Yes, there are the decorations, the presents, and the holiday get togethers… but by far one of the best parts of the holiday season is food! There are so many food traditions surrounding the holidays. Many cultures and countries have specific traditions surrounding holiday food– for instance, in Germany, when wandering through the famed Christmas markets, it’s essential to have a glühwein in hand to keep your spirits warm. A holiday party in England wouldn’t be complete without serving mince pie! Below are just a few of the holiday foods I illustrated from around the world. What’s your favorite holiday food tradition? Pumpkin Pie (America) – Although pumpkin pie can be…
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Culture: Food – Ethiopian Injera
If you haven’t had Ethiopian food, you are in for an incredible treat. Not only is it rich with flavors and spices and but often it is served with (or on top of) a spongy bread called injera. This slightly sour bread is filled with holes, so the sauces and flavors from the stews and dishes soak into it for added deliciousness. And the best part, injera is also your utensil for eating your meal! You just rip a piece off from the large platter and scoop up the various dishes served on top. Injera is made from a grain called teff. This small, round grain is found throughout Ethiopia and…
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Illustration News: Custom Map of Napa Valley for the ACCP Conference
I was so excited to be commissioned to create a custom map for the Association of Club Catering Professionals a few months back. They held their annual conference in Napa Valley and they wanted a fun way to represent all the locations they would be visiting during the conference. Once I created the map, they had the illustration printed on canvas bags to hand out to all conference attendees. The bag would then be used throughout the conference as the attendees went from event to event, and gathered notes and goodies at each spot. I loved getting the positive feedback from the association that map and bag were well received!…
