On Location
The best itineraries, trips, travel tips and more from around the world.
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Travel Journal: Meandering on Miyajima, Japan
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Travel Journal: An Afternoon in Woodside, CA
One afternoon I was in desperate need for an outing and headed to the quaint town of Woodside, CA. Just 10 minutes from my house, Woodside feels like a whole other place. Hilly, wooded and rural, yet minutes from Silicon Valley, it’s no wonder it’s a haven for high tech magnets. Yet, even with the mansions, there’s a down-home feel to the town. The windy roads are dotted with horse back riders, bikers and hikers enjoying their area. The first site that greets you as you drive into Woodside is the historic Pioneer Hotel (c. 1885), a classic saloon from the straight out of a Western movie. We headed to…
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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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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!…
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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…
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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…
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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.
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Illustration News: New Road Trip Sticker Pack for Pic Collage App
I’m sure many of you know– I am a huge fan of a good road trip! There’s just nothing like packing up your car and heading out onto the long highway to places unknown (or known!) I’m excited to announce that I’m bringing my illustrations (and love of road trips) to your phones! I’m having a great time working with the app, Pic Collage and licensing sticker pack art for them in various themes. The stickers are used in their app to embellish the photos you take when you are out and about. This road trip theme was my first foray in illustrations for phones, and I’m looking forward to…
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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…