About Me
Hey there! My name is Annabelle, and I’m a freelance artist and full-time traveler! I have been able to travel the world while supporting myself through my art, which is so unbelievable and incredible to think about! Little Annabelle would be over the moon! Read on for a little more about me and why I wanted to start this blog!
Over the last two years, I’ve spent time traveling through Iceland in a camper van and cozied up in a studio apartment in Amsterdam. I’ve bopped all over Mexico and lived more van-life adventures cruising around New Zealand. I’ve had more oat-milk lattes than I can count and have spent many late nights working from the road, and have plenty of things to share from these experiences. A travel blog seemed like an inevitable next step!
Graphics and Grain
My artist persona online is called Graphics and Grain. I started sharing my art on Instagram in April of 2020, first as just a fun little quarantine hobby, but now graphics and grain has grown into more than I could have ever imagined, with such a lovely community of people who enjoy and interact with my art.
Most of my work consists of graphic illustrations inspired by the outdoors and the natural world. I love including uplifting messages paired with natural imagery to evoke a positive feeling and sense of calm for those who stumble across my work! It has been such a joy to watch myself evolve as an artist and develop a real personal style and way of creating that feels unique to me.
Why Start a Blog?
I share so much of my life and work on Instagram, but have found that my travels sort of slip through the cracks, only serving as a backdrop to the art I create and share. After starting a YouTube channel earlier this year, and finding so much joy in documenting my travels through video, I learned that such a prominent part of my life deserves a more permanent home than the casual IG story.
So I decided to start sharing my adventures and the places I find (ha, get it!) in a new space, and from there the travel blog was born.
Other Things About Me
Aside from the art and the travels, which seem to be all that I think and talk about these days, I also really love music, reading, and photography! I’m very passionate about creativity in all forms and I love expressing myself through various outlets! I tend to dive deep into different hobbies and creative pursuits, only to abandon most of them – but the ones that stick truly are here to stay! So while I may not be a master crocheter or a professional cookie decorator yet, I have developed my skills in other areas through persistence and lots of trial and error.
While traveling, my favorite things to do are explore new cities and try and find the best coffee and cutest stores stocked full of independent makers and creatives. I love walking for hours and hiking in nature. Most of all I love connecting with people and making friends in new cities and countries and really cherish all the connections I’ve made over the last few years.
That’s enough about me, but I’m so excited to share more of myself and my experiences through this blog and I hope you’ll join me on the journey!