Illustration

Fun with lettering by Esther Loopstra

The more that I get into my 100 day project of sketching food and lettering on Instagram, the more I am blown away by how doing something so very simple like drawing food and practicing lettering is changing and invigorating my illustration. I tell my students that drawing in your sketchbook every day is a good way to refine your style and get new ideas and this is proof! Simply having to come up with different ways of seeing and creating something new every day is helping me to think outside the box and I can see my hand lettering taking on a whole new life. 

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Local food love by Esther Loopstra

I decided to take on the 100 day project by Ella Luna in which you choose to do something, anything creative for 100 days. I thought that since I've already started trying to sketch what I eat every night, that this collaboration would help. And it definitely has. And I've realized something... social media is friendly.

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Visiting Starbucks Roastery and Tasting room by Esther Loopstra

I've been hearing rave reviews of Starbucks new Roastery and Tasting Room in Capitol Hill, Seattle for a little while now. We had some friends come into town to visit, so we thought it would be a fun thing to check out since we all love coffee. 

Starbucks has restored this beautiful 1920's warehouse near downtown and turned it into an elegant housing for a "multisensory experience". You can watch the beans being roasted, the unique ways that they brew, talk with experts about the different coffees, taste drinks that are only served in that location and try some of the many blends brewed in different ways.  There is also well designed merchandise that you can peruse as well as Tom Douglas' pizza restaurant, Serious Pie.

If you are a coffee nerd or just enjoy a good cup once in a while, you definitely need to check out the Tasting Room and the entire experience!

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Tempeh Fajitas! by Esther Loopstra

I'm not sure why, or when it started, but we have a tradition in my house of having tempeh fajitas on Friday nights. This tasty meal has also improved since aquiring a cast iron skillet! It's an easy, vegetarian and vegan option when you don't want to cook much. I just brown the tempeh and then set it aside while I cook saute the onions, peppers and tomatoes. I add the tempeh back in and then add some seasoning (usually salt, paprika, garlic salt and cayenne pepper). Serve it with tortillas and any toppings you want! 

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New free wallpaper for spring! by Esther Loopstra

I've been creating a lot of patterns that are inspired by all of the spring that's happening around my house. When I take walks I see so many patterns in nature and I want to get out my sketchbook and draw them! I've been putting a lot of these on instagram and I thought I'd give everyone a new free pattern that you can use as wallpaper for your computer or phone. You can get it by clicking on the image below.

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