Culture
Cultural facts, history, traditions, events, festivals, foods and more from a location.
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Illustrated Interview: Julie Tulba – The Red Headed Traveler
Meet Julie – a librarian, avid traveler, author, foodie and sweet friend! I met Julie more than 3 years ago through my Etsy shop and we realized very quickly we had a lot in common – we both love exploring new locations, eating delicious foods & reading books! Her blog, the Red Headed Traveler, is filled with amazing photos of her travels, reviews, advice and loads of delicious recipes! Besides her day job as a librarian and extensive travels, she is also an author of the book, “Full Circle,” a story of self-discovery from around the world. Be sure to head over to her site to get inspired!
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Illustrated Interview: Betsy Beier – More about Me!
Over the years I have met so many amazing people in my daily adventures, whether it be at home, traveling or online. To celebrate these friends, and all that they do, I thought it would be fun to create an illustrated interview to provide a snapshot of who they are. To kick off the project, I created this illustration of myself with some little tidbits. Enjoy!
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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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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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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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Wanderlust Patterns: Alluring Istanbul Collection
Istanbul, Turkey is one of my most favorite cities in the world. The “East meets West” concept is so incredibly alluring. By just driving over the famed Bosphorus Bridge, one can be transported from the continent of Europe to the continent of Asia! This bridging concept runs much deeper than just the driving across a river, though. The East/West connection can be seen in the art, architecture, culture and warm hospitality of its inhabitants. I enjoyed creating these Istanbul illustrations and patterns and capturing this spectacular city. From the signature Turkish tile seen throughout the buildings and mosques to precious floral details, I’ve highlighting the vivid colors, motifs and architecture…
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Wanderlust Patterns: Paris Floral Collection
Paris is so iconic. From the Eiffel Tower to the cafe chairs, I love how a city can be represented by just a few simple line drawings. How in the instant you see the drawing, you know exactly where you are. I created this Paris Floral collection with this notion in mind. When ever I’ve visited Paris, I can spend many days just wandering the streets, snapping pictures of decorative windows, lamp posts, mansard roofs and gargoyles. Add some fanciful florals that you might see in Luxembourg Gardens, at Marché aux Fleurs (Paris Bird Market), or in a simple window box and voila, beautiful Paris! If you are interested in…