We moved into our forever home (that we spent a year remodeling) last summer, and my office / studio is as good as finished now! I'm just so grateful to have this space, and thought I'd share with you how I've organized and set up the place! This is where I work, paint, create my illustrated journals, and comics!

Fun fact that I forgot to include in the video: the room was designed by the architect to make sure there was exactly enough space for the drawing table! (Meaning our bedroom is a bit smaller, haha)

We had a hectic summer. Instead of our usual summer travel, we stayed home in favor of beach trips and lots of DIY. But there have been good moments. Good moments with little boys’ sandy legs and tousled hair, and good food, and friends you’ve know for but not seen in forever.

And then there was a lovely impromptu meetup with my sketch crew. My friend Ellen Vesters (talented artist and serial entrepreneur who set up her own art academy, Venster, like HELLO) had heard rumblings of Nishant Jain of the amazing SneakyArt podcast being in town and organized an Urban Sketchers meetup.

As small group of us met up in the shade of the Dom church in Utrecht, and we talked and sketched and talked, and attracted strangers from all over the globe along the way. Fellow artists out for a stroll, eager to join the conversation about art and life. Bits of our conversation have ended up in the podcasts (here).

Achter de Dom, Utrecht

Part of our group having lunch at De Rechtbank, Utrecht

Results and feet!

Some of us then went to have lunch, just around the corner, where I did another quick sketch. We all* left that day feeling exhilarated by the sense of adventure and possibility.

*All being: Nishant, Ellen, Vera, Jason, and Emma

Dude on the terrace of De Rechtbank

This past month, every Tuesday evening after cooking dinner, I would quickly grab a plate and run upstairs to my studio desk (now also my office) to take an online course with the University of Arts London on illustrating books taught by Leni Kaufmann. Aside from it being a wonderful escape in the middle of a busy week of work, family, and chores - it also was incredibly productive! I created three new pieces, that have gone straight into my portfolio (see menu), I love them so much!

I’ve created:

A travel illustration for my hometown of Utrecht, which I adored. I so love drawing houses and adding historical information and insights to my drawings! It’s the art history major and history minor in me!

• A character study using different poses and emotions. This lady popped out from my sketchbook a few weeks back, and I decided to give her more space

• Finally, a book illustration featuring a piece by Cyrano de Bergerac on traveling to the moon using morning dew - something I came across in a science museum and was just delighted by, as it’s been heralded as the first piece of science fiction and description of rocket power (that latter one seems like a stretch to me, but hey).

In short: aside from the lovely teacher, wonderful inspiration and information - the key takeaway for me was that a few hours a week go a long way in creating some of your best werk!

Something different this time. A narrated sketchbook tour of my latest sketchbook. Not sure if this is better or worse, listening to my rambling - so let me know which kind of video you prefer!

The Netflix series I mention in this video are:

• Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker

• Casa de Papel Would highly recommend both!

Materials:

• Seawhite of Brighton travel watercolor journal

• Bic mechanical pencil

• Winsor & Newton watercolors

• Pentel calligraphy ink pen

• Caran d’Ache Luminance 6901 colored pencils

Music:
Daily Beetle by Kevin MacLeod used under a Creative Commons Attribution-licence, Source, Artist.

Boo! Yes, I'm still here. 
You probably thought I was too busy partying and enjoying summer to draw or blog much. And you would be right if by 'partying' you mean 'sitting in a corner crying' and by 'enjoying summer' you mean 'living through this sh*t show of the summer'. 

It has taken me a while to get back to blogging and uploading my scans because a) I don't want to complain too much when there's so much trouble in the world today that's way (waaaaay) worse than what we've gone through, but also b) writing it down just brings it all right back, and I fear I've got a slight case of PTSD. 

I managed to keep a journal through some of it, though, which you'll find below. Enjoy and do let me know what you did this summer in the comments. For larger versions, please check out my Flickr account (I'm old school like that).

I've got this thing for doors. Especially brightly colored doors can just make my day. Fortunately for me (but unfortunately for anyone in my company trying to get somewhere quickly), I can't seem to turn a corner here in London without encountering another snap-worthy specimen. 

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I seriously can't wait to one day own a house with an actual front door to lovingly scrub down and paint. A nice soft green, perhaps?

But London isn't the only city with great door action. Below are some doors from Brooklyn (US), Utrecht (The Netherlands), Safed (Israel), and Brussels (Belgium).

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More doors coming to my Instagram feed, I'm sure. Let the obsession flourish. 

Oh hai. What's up? Cool, cool. Me? Oh, well, it looks like I've got manflu, so I'm not sure I'll make it. Thanks for reading my last words, in case these are indeed them. You see, I was in Berlin last week, and my boss was there too, and he had the manflu, and then I got sick. I may actually be on the mend (and in London!), but probably not. It's probably lethal, as most cases of manflu are.

Anyhow. I had this whole fun weekend planned with dates, parties, and dinners, but alas. Every time I try to be Little Miss Social, I either get some kind of semi-terminal illness, or all of my two friends are busy (or don't pick up their phones, probably because they don't recognize my phone number). This weekend it was the former, though, so we took it easy. Bed, park, bed. Bed, garden, bed. We picked up a few plants from my dad and stepmom's garden (Mr. Floor did the digging, I did the pointing) and relocated them to our garden. The fern in particular is very special to me, as it's been in the family for as long as I can remember, was specifically mentioned as an exception in both the deed when my parents sold their house, as well as in the notary agreement when they got divorced. Pretty funny stuff, as far as divorces go. 

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© Anna Denise Floor - Click to enlarge

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© Anna Denise Floor - Click to enlarge

Yellow and Green or Black and Blue?

March was a productive month for me (on Instagram, at least). I snapped pictures of pretty much everything from the view from the top of the stairs coming down from the bedroom one morning to my beautifully crafted (really) lunch. Behind those pretty pictures, however, much less romantic stories can be told, as I recently plummeted down those stairs to something that wasn't death, but was definitely painful, and the pretty little lunch box nearly bankrupted me (€15,-? Un-bah-lie-vah-bah!)

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It's Alive (for now)!

You know how I am with plants right? Or rather, how plants are with me. I give them all my love and attention, and they die on me. I'm not going to say that this time around that won't happen, but with capable help (Mr. Floor), I am perhaps going to admit that gardening is kind of a lot of fun.

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All Play and No Work?

Ha, far from it. Even though you wouldn't say so from my Instagram feed, March was actually kind of stressful. Both Jochem and I were away for work a lot and I think we saw each other a total of 5 days this month. Fortunately, we managed to grab a coffee at Blackbirds in Utrecht this month (very hip and happening), and we got some much needed family time in, because MY BROTHER GOT MARRIED!!! Yay! 

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The Mothership

For my 30th birthday, I went to hang out at the Mothership, aka Etsy HQ in Brooklyn. Ok, maybe that wasn't the reason, I went there for work, but it still was pretty awesome. My colleagues threw me a smashing party, and I got lots of work done and met colleagues I had previously only seen via Google Hangout. Also, I had about 2 hours to stroll around Brooklyn before heading back, and came by these pretty doors!

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And that's all folks! Was your month as busy and colorful as mine?
Let me know in the comments, or follow me on Instagram (and I may follow you back!).

Laetitia from the popular French lifestyle blog Vert Cerise asked me to put together a small city guide for my hometown Utrecht (the Netherlands), and share my top ten tips with you, which I happily agreed to do. My tips and illustrations are now live on her blog, and you can read it here in French, or here in plain old English (or just skip ahead below and read all about my city)!

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Utrecht city guide © Anna Denise Floot

STRAND WEST
Oudegracht 114
Utrecht Strand West is design paradise. Situated in the age old city castle of Drakenburg (12th century), this beautiful concept store sells both expensive, brand-name design furniture and work by young and upcoming designers, a lot of them local. Upstairs you’ll also find a design agency, and an exhibition space. Worth a visit, but leave your wallet at home.
www.strandwest.nl

LEVEBVRE
Neude 2, Utrecht
Being nearly 30, I’ve reached this sad place in life where I can’t really afford great wines, but I’ve certainly grown out of supermarket plonk. Fortunately, there’s Levebvre. Located on the big ‘party square’ of Utrecht, this stylish winebar is fun and affordable, but has a great selection of wines. My friends and I love to meet up here after a long week, drink wine, nibble on the vegetarian kroketten (!), and pretend we’re all grown up.
www.wijncafelefebvre.nl

STAN & CO
Ganzenmarkt 16a, Utrecht
Stan & Co is popular amongst local bloggers, and as soon as you walk in, you’ll understand why. The decor is hip, in a New York kind of way, and they serve any kind of lattefrappomacchiato thing you want. They also have good food, though, and it’s a relaxing and informal place to just hang out with friends, or by yourself with a book. The staff will take care of you.
www.stan-co.nl

MENEER SMAKERS
Nobelstraat 143, Utrecht
Everyone knows that simple yet stylish Meneer Smakers has the best burger in town, and the place is always packed, especially on Saturday night. The burgers are named after the fictitious family Smakers, and my favorite is the Mevrouw (Lady) Smakers – tasty tasty! Also, if you can handle it, order some fries on the side, with mayonnaise, of course. PS: There is a delicious vegetarian option on the menu as well.
www.smakers.nl
 

EMMA B
Oudegracht 218, Utrecht
Emma B is a cute little store along the Oude Gracht (the main canal), home of Scandinavian Design. Every time I walk in there, I want to just rent a truck and buy everything there. Another place to go into sans wallet, but oh so pretty. Also – once you’re on the canal, take a look ‘downstairs’, where the old store houses along the water have been turned into houses, shops, and cafes. Makes for a fun, cool, walk in summer and a romantic stroll in fall.
www.emma-b.nl

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© Anna Denise Floor

LEPELENBURG
Lepelenburg, Utrecht
When the old city wall was torn down (for the most part), the area was turned into a city park. My husband and I love running along the many footpaths, but even more than this, we enjoy hanging out in the bit of the park called Lepelenburg. What was once home to Utrecht’s main defensive towers, now is a lovely sun-flooded stretch of grass in the middle of the city and in summer you’ll see students, families, and circus folk (no kidding) light up their portable BBQ and sip on beer and rosé.
Google Maps
 

HOOI
BurgemeesterReigerstraat 25, Utrecht
Local, fresh, and organic – that’s what’s on the menu of Hooi. A great place for breakfast or lunch, I personally absolutely adore their high tea menu full of home made sweets, glutenfree bread, great coffe, and salty little pastries. A great bonus is the fact that much of the art on the walls, and fun interior design details, were done by local artists!
www.hooiutrecht.nl

CENTRAAL MUSEUM & NIJNTJE MUSEUM 
Nicolaaskerkhof 10, Utrecht
Even though I could do an entire city guide on Utrecht’s cultural wealth, I just couldn’t go without mentioning the Centraal Museum and, the adjoining, Nijntje (or Miffy) Museum. Whereas the Nijntje Museum mostly draws in kids and Japanese tourists (and ok, me), the Centraal Museum has a fascinating collection of historical art (and especially Utrecht masters), and a great variety of contemporary exhibitions on fashion and industrial designers.
www.centraalmuseum.nl

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© Anna Denise Floor

LOUIS HARTLOOPER COMPLEX
Tolsteegbrug 1, Utrecht
Most Friday nights, you’ll find me here. The Louis Hartlooper Complex, named after a local guru in Utrecht film history, is my favorite art house cinema in town. I love having a quick bite inside the remarkable building (the old police station), or if weather permits, outside overlooking the Tolsteeg Square, before heading off to see a movie. Don’t rush finishing that beer, as you’re allowed to take your drinks with you into the theater, where one of the staff will give the audience a quick introduction about the film you’re about to see (questions are allowed).
www.louishartloopercomplex.nl
 

URLAUB
Briljantlaan 5, Utrecht
Urlaub is a concept store by Ellen Vesters, illustrator, entrepreneur, and all-round inspiring lady. Though located just outside the city centre, this illustration and art-filled walhalla is worth the detour. She’s filled the place wall-to-wall with work by young designers and artists, and you’ll see creative folk sprawled about, working on their latest project. Urlaub also hosts workshops (www.immerurlaub.com) on illustration, screen printing, design, and on how to set up and run a creative business. PS: Klein Berlijn downstairs offers refreshments and food in a great, Berlin-esque atmosphere.
www.immerurlaub.nl

A big thank you to Laetitia!
Be sure to check out her blog here, and follow her on Facebook here!