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Creative Wanderlust Community Open House – July 2022 Recap: Bastille Day Collage
As always I loved gathering with friends this past month for a little Creative Wanderlust Community Open House. The theme for July was Bastille Day, as it was the 14th of July, so we collaged together in the spirit of Matisse’s wonderful cutout style and any French theme we wanted. I absolutely love the simplicity of Matisse’s cutout pieces, yet how entertaining, playful and vibrant they all are. I look forward to hosting one more in person Open House in August before I head off to France. Once abroad I will continue to host them online. Mark Your Calendar – Last (in Person) Creative Open House before ParisAugust 18, 2022…
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Explore a New City Creatively through History – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated I’ve just returned from an easygoing week exploring the cheese, brat and BEER loving midwest state of Wisconsin! The purpose of the trip was for my son to attend his orientation program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison where he will be starting this Fall, but being the explorers that we are, we also wanted to check out a few other Wisconsin cities to get a flavor of what summer is like in the dairy state. Our first stop was Milwaukee, a city new to both my husband and I (which is rather strange for my Chicago-born husband, as Milwaukee is only an hour an 1/2…
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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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3 Secrets to a Creative Summer
Summer is a season that represents optimism and boundless freedom. Although I’ve been out of school for several decades and work year round, I always associate this time of year with my childhood summer break from school. When school started in September it only took until about Halloween that I was already day dreaming about those precious 3 months of summer break. Who could I be? What would I do? What could I experience? With June upon us, it’s the perfect opportunity to ask ourselves those same questions, and dream up a summer time filled with creative experiences to fuel us through the long winter months. Let’s ask ourselves those…
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Creative Art Lesson: Use Only ONE Color
When choosing to do an art project, we sometimes can get overwhelmed or feel the necessity to use all the “crayons” in the box- or all the colors we can, since, well, they are there! For this creative exercise, I actually challenge you to do the opposite, and only use ONE color when doing a drawing. Given I decided to draw icons or doodles of summer, I chose the color yellow. I have to admit, it was very hard to not want to go in to the drawing an embellish with more colors. Also, it was hard for me to not want to draw my swimming pool in blue (not…
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Portland Art Party: Design a Portland Food Truck
For my new Wanderlust Portland – A Creative Guide to the City book launch I had the best time getting together online with many of you for an art lesson/art 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. I just…
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What Summertime Means to Me
Creative 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?
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Creative Wanderlust Prompt: Summer Kick Off!
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 season, here are some fun creative prompts to get you ready for those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer ahead! Join me over at @creativewanderlustcommunity to follow along this summer with these prompts and more to learn how to add art and creativity to…
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Community Art Project: Hands Together in the Community
I have recently joined the board of a wonderful local artist community called Art Bias. It is just the perfect fit for me – a chance to build the arts and support artists in my local area. At several local events the past few months, I have had the opportunity to lead a community art project with the goals of bringing everyone together regardless of age or art ability to make a shared art project. The beauty of this is it is less about the end product and more about the process… the goal is to have everyone participate. It is truly magical to watch people dive in and create…
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Portland, Oregon – Beautiful, Historic & Creative
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…
