Sketching the World One Drawing at a Time

Sketching the World One Drawing at a Time (illustrations by Betsy Beier/Wanderlust Designer)

I've been a busy bee this last month over on my other site, Wanderlust Designer. I'm so excited to have many of my travel sketches and designs I've been working on posted in one central location.

This past year, besides designs and drawings of various locations I've traveled, I've been working on two different sketch series; "Eat Drink Travel" sketch series and "Scenes from..." sketch series. Many of these illustrations have stories associated to them as well, like a story about drinking Turkish coffee in Istanbul and enjoying a churrasco BBQ feast in Rio de Janeiro.

Head on over to my travel sketches and take a peak, I'd love to hear your feedback.

Brainstorm Session: Following My Artsy Passion

Diagram of an Artist's Brain - Illustration by B.Nute productions

My brain has been on artsy overdrive lately. This summer, when I took a little time off,  I rediscovered my artsy self. Ever since I've been full of ideas and can't stop drawing. I've been focusing mainly on my travel sketches, but every now and again add some other whimsical drawings in the mix. I've joined up with several different sketch-a-day (#sketchaday) efforts on Instagram, including a 30 day sketch challenge in September and an #inktober drawing challenge this October. I've even been taking a fabulous online storytelling sketch class from Sketchbook Skool.

I must say, I've definitely been feeling a little scattered, though. My desires to continue to produce art has left my blogging in the dust. I did a little brainstorming this week and came up with a plan to help this nagging problem. I've decided to follow my passions, and do what I'm enjoying at the moment-- illustrations and design.

What does this mean-- Well, you'll be seeing a lot more of my illustrations and drawings here on this blog. As with any thing, I'd love to hear your feedback. Leave a comment below, or send an email anytime!

Gettin' Crafty: Free Printable Creativity Quote 8x10 Sign

Free Printable "Creativity Makes Life More Fun" 8x10 Sign from B.Nute productions

"Creativity makes life more fun." It's as simple as that!

I've really been trying to step up my creative game lately-- doing more sketching, more drawing, more watercoloring, more creative projects - I've even picked up my dusty guitar to strum a few chords. I truly believe creativity makes my life more fun.

To get you inspired, I've created a free printable quote. I had fun playing with type on top of one of the color abstracts I painted. After I printed it out, I put it in a simple 8x10 frame and put it on my desk. It's bright, cheery and the perfect reminder to greet me in the morning when I begin work. I hope you find it inspiring as well.

Free Printable Creativity Quote 8x10 Sign

Free Printable Creativity Quote 8x10 Sign from B.Nute productions

Instructions for Making Your Creativity Sign
1. Select the link above, and print out the page on an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper. Print on white cardstock to give some weight to the image.
2. Cut out the 8"x10" image, and place in a frame.

Printable items are copyright protected, and provided free of charge by B.Nute productions for personal use only. B.Nute's printables can not be sold, altered, or provided for download on any other site. For questions or inquiries, please contact B.Nute productions.

To Blog or Not to Blog

When I left the high tech world several years ago, blogs were just beginning. Babies, diapers, bottles, etc. kept me quite busy for the next several years. I could barely keep up with email, let alone couldn’t fathom having the time to write in a blog. And, besides, who on earth ever reads a blog, and why on earth would anyone read mine?

I’ve thought often about keeping a journal. In fact, I’ve started many. I could go around the bookcases in my house and probably pull down at least 10 just started journals. Perhaps this blog will be the same. Perhaps not?

I’ve indulged myself with a little babysitter time this summer. It’s given me a chance to peek into the outside world... outside of my house, my kids lives, etc. There is so many talented, energetic and creative artists out there, sharing their work, and their stories. It’s a bit voyeristic, but also really fun to read their blogs. What are they up to? Are they doing similar work to what I’ve been doing? Do they have just as little time as I do to do anything for themselves, let alone be creative? It’s refreshing and many times inspiring to read their tales.

I hope my stories can be as uplifting or spark some creativity. Perhaps they’ll just give you a little laugh. Perhaps they’ll be read by no one? Either way, this will be another one of my attempts to try to capture time and memories since time surely does fly by!

Note: Picture is of the clock tower at the Peter Pan park in Kennsington London, taken by me earlier this summer in London, England.