Culture
Cultural facts, history, traditions, events, festivals, foods and more from a location.
-
On Location: Artist Homes – Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul in Mexico City
Located in the Coyoacan neighborhood of Mexico City, Casa Azul (the Blue House) is the birthplace of famed Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. It is also the home where she grew up and spent many years with her husband Diego Rivera, and eventually died. The home is now a museum containing artworks from both artists as well as many personal items and memorabilia as well as Mexican folk art. One would say the home is as colorful as it’s inhabitants were. Frida led a somewhat tragic life with a horrible accident as a young woman that left her with a lifetime of pain, yet she continued to fill the world with…
-
Wanderlust Patterns: Bella Italia Collection
I have yet to meet someone who has traveled to Italy and hasn’t fallen in love with the country. Whether it’s the incredible Italian food, the enchanting piazzas, the historic sites, the Mediterranean cypress blowing in the breeze, or just the earth-toned patina that graces every wall and building, there is lots to love in Italy. Here is a collection of patterns and illustrations I created, called Bella Italia, that celebrate the good life in Italy! If you are interested in licensing the illustrations or patterns in this collection, please contact me for details.
-
Wanderlust Patterns: Swedish Folk Collection
Before we went to Sweden, I took in as many books and stories as I could about Swedish culture. Immersing myself in all-things-Swedish really got me excited to explore the country and see if what I had read had merit. One book I read talked about some Swedish folk traditions that I couldn’t wait to draw, the dala horse, love spoons and the traditional folk art style known as kurbits. I loved learning the history of these Swedish art forms. Here are some high level details of each folk tradition I drew below. Kurbits is a form of folk style ornamental painting originating in Dalarna, Sweden. Initially Kurbits motifs were…
-
Wanderlust Patterns: Camping Adventure
Summertime is made for camping! I’m lucky enough to have grown up and lived in some amazing areas in the West coast that offer incredible camping experiences. From sleeping under the tall redwoods of Northern California, to camping by a lake in the Sierras, there are just too many camping opportunities to list! To share my love for camping in the outdoors, I created this camping collection – a playful, hand drawn group of patterns and illustrations filled with iconography of the camping world, from wood textures to topo maps. If you are interested in licensing the illustrations or patterns in this collection, please contact me for details.
-
Illustration News: Italian Tile Illustration Featured in Flutter Magazine
I was so excited to receive my copy of the gorgeous magazine, Flutter, and see my illustration featured! I was asked to design at vintage inspired Italian tile pattern to complement a dreamy wedding shot in Lake Como, Italy. The wedding palette was a mixture of greens, blues, greys and rusts and shot at a grand home in the lake setting. Their invitations had a vintage appeal, so the tile artwork fit in perfectly. Be sure to pick up a copy of this magazine while it’s on news stands to see more details!
-
Wanderlust Patterns: Coasta Italia Collection
The towns along the Italian coast are unforgettable. Houses in a harmony of pinks, corals, rusts and golds dot the hillsides and overlook the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. How absolutely dreamy! I created this Coasta Italia collection of illustrations and patterns to celebrate the uniqueness and beauty of this little part of the world. If you are interested in licensing the illustrations or patterns in this collection, please contact me for details.
-
On Location: June Packing List – Trekking through Thailand and Free June 2017 Wallpaper
Although monsoon season is just beginning in Thailand in June, it is still the perfect time to visit. The weather isn’t too stifling hot, and with an umbrella in hand and somewhat light crowds, you will be able to trek through Thailand and see amazing sites. From the sparkling Wat Arun along the mighty Chao Phraya river, to Wat Phra Kaew in the Grand Palace with the 66cm tall Emerald Buddha carved from jade, there is a bounty of sacred sites to explore in urban Bangkok. When you are ready to head to the wilderness, hop on a plane north to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai for plenty of incredible treks through…
-
Culture: Food – Foodie Map of the World
As you can tell with my many Eat Drink Travel illustrations, I love to illustrated different foods of the world. Of course, I first want to be in the country trying the dish first hand, but if I have yet to visit, I still enjoy researching different recipes from around the world and exploring new flavors and cultures. To celebrate my love for international food, I created a Foodie’s Map of the World. What’s your favorite cuisine? If you are interested in commissioning or licensing an illustration, please contact me for details.
-
Wanderlust Patterns: Mexican Florals
I just love Mexican floral embroidery. The patterns are always so colorful and playful. It almost feels as if the patterns mirror a fiesta! I enjoyed creating this Mexican floral pattern inspired by all those colorful embroidered blouses and dresses. I added a few Aztec-like symbols for added amusement. I could see these patterns strewn across a couch to brighten any room! If you are interested in licensing the illustrations or patterns in this collection, please contact me for details.
-
Culture – Food: Chakalaka from South Africa
Chakalaka is a staple vegetable and bean dish from the townships of South Africa. I read that this dish was developed by men working in goldmines. It is now practically a required dish to serve at a South African barbecues called a braais. Chakalaka Recipe Below are a few links to different Chakalaka recipes. Each of them vary just slightly, but in general remain consistent with the main ingredients of tomatoes, carrots, peppers, beans, chilies, onions and curry powder. Chakalaka Recipe on Immaculate Bites Chakalaka Recipe on South African Promo Magazine Chakalaka on Whats4Eats (International Recipes and Cooking Around the World) Chakalaka on Cooking Channel/Siba’s Table