Sources of inspiration: Sri Lanka // Elephant island // Sunshine, palm trees, elephants and smiles // Top 5 travel tips

Sri Lanka. You have stolen my heart. I just got back from a three week trip through this amazing green island. While uploading photo's to my personal Facebook page I cannot seem to get over the fact that once again I have come home with lot's of memories and stories to share. Usually after traveling I will make a top 5 of places to see. But first I will start with some of the stories about the warm and welcoming people I have met.

Sri Lanka has been on my bucket list ever since I traveled to India for the first time. The country always intrigued me. It is a small island south east from India. It adopted some of it's quirkiness and cultural customs but is very different from any other Asian country I experienced so far. The economy is growing rapidly and it is noticeable, the northern part of the country still is recovering from the war and you can still see some damaged homes but the area has been built up again.

I fell in love with it's inhabitants while I was visiting Chilaw. It was a hot and sunny day and me and my travel buddy decided to go and walk through the village and the rice fields. Tourists are not very common in most places except for the area's around the National Parks and beaches that attract surfers from all over the world. We walked for an hour or so and were continuously invited to come have a coconut and look around people's homes. We were taking a break in a families sitting room and chatted with the locals. It strikes me time and time again how welcoming people can be. People can be so open and curious to meet you. It is the best feeling in the world when you come from a place where everyone is in a rush not paying attention to the bigger things in life. A simple smile from a toddler, kids playing in the mud. With so little money they are living such a rich life and don't even know it. All right, before I get all preachy let's talk about all the high lights of the trip. I have seen wild life, gorgeous Buddhist temples, tea plantations and met some amazing individuals. Here is a top 5 of things you should really experience, can't miss! I fell in love with life all over again.

1 // The wild life
Sri Lanka is the island of elephants. You can see them in one of many National Parks or you can visit an elephant orphanage. I am so intrigued by these amazing animals, I remember seeing a wild animal for the first time while traveling through India and I fell in love with those creatures right away. Don't expect to be close to the elephants though, you may be able to find elephant rides but these are not very common, locals hate to see you jump on an elephant for a ride. As do I. Just enjoy them from a distance, take your time to watch the baby elephants at an orphanage and watch how they are getting to know the world, step on their trunks and try to keep balance with crossed legs. They are magestic and funny at the same time.

Sri Lanka has a very divers wild life and you can visit one of the numerous parks to spot not only elephants but also leopards, crocodiles, buffalos, birds and those pretty quirky peacocks... You can go either on or in the water, enjoy sea life, spot whales. There is so much to see! But be conscious, try to share your Jeep with other tourists and think about the environment, go for a sailing boat instead of one that runs on kerosene. Ask before you go. The parks can be very crowded and traffic jams in parks are actually a thing nowadays. Sri Lanka is not very much used to big crowds of tourists yet and has some maturing to do.



2 // The people
This is probably the main reason why I travel. Meeting up with people from different countries, they have different costumes and habits and make you rethink your way of life. They often rely on their families and communities, they think in 'we' instead of 'I'. Nothing is more healing and triggers personal growth more than a different perspective and an open attitude toward the unknown. I fell in love with the people in Sri Lanka right away. They are joyful, welcoming and very curious and eager to know what it is that attracts you to come and visit their country. Feel free to have a tea or a coconut with the locals. They will welcome you in their homes and will be happy to talk about their way of living, their family. From the big city of Colombo to the smallest little villages, people welcome you with a smile and a touch. When a smile approaches you, say yes. Let them take you along on a little peek inside their lives. Personal encounters will touch your heart. It is lovely to experience a country this way. I came home with a little stack of papers containing addresses of the people I have met. I made photo's and captured their way of life. Made selfless with the kids in Colombo, made portraits of a lady and her new born. Such precious moments. Now all I have to do is print them and send them. I cherish those little moments.

3 // The sun
Of course! Nothing is more healing than the sun. Sri Lanka is a tropical island and I had visit the country after the rainy season, everything was so green and lush. The island has some great beaches where you can wander around all by yourself. In the south/west there are lot's of tourist hotels if you need some easy comfort this is the place to be, you can also travel alone and stay away from the crowds easily if you visit the north/eastern parts. Enjoy a coconut, watch the locals play in the water under the hot tropical sun. It is a great getaway during our European winter. Relax, leave all stress behind and recharge in the sun.

4 // The Ayuvedic treatments
Most doctors in Sri Lanka have a degree in both western and ayuvedic medicine. I was talking to a doctor in Sri Lanka while visiting a spice garden and asked him if he knew anyone that suffered from rheumatism. He laughed and after a good minute he said "of course not." The entire Sri Lankan lifestyle and climate is a great place to have a break from my pain. The sun, but also the spices that are part of their every day meals, make me feel so much better. Go to a spice garden and have a chat with a doctor. Not in need of medical treatment? You can take an relaxing ayuvedic massage or detox body treatment depending on what you need. For me it does make a difference.

5 // The temples
There are lot's of places that are worth a visit. Dutch remains our VOC history, Portuguese architecture, but of course Sri Lanka has a lot of genuine heritage of it's own. Amazing temples with crazy high buddha statues located on the most breathtaking places on earth. The Dambulla cave temple, the Temple of Tooth, the detailed and colorful local Hindu Temples, the remains of Anuradhapura, Each and every temple has it's own story. Each and every temple is magical. Do take your time to enjoy as many as possible. Lot's of locals visit temples each day so be respectful and try to blend in. Locals visit temples in white colored clothes. If you want to fit in, dress in white while you visit a temple and cover your knees and shoulders.



I completely fell in love with Sri Lanka and it's people. There are so many things to do and see and taste. I could write a book. I personally felt Sri Lanka was a relaxing and safe place to travel by myself. If you have questions feel free to ask! If you'd like to see more photo's of my trip check out @littlesmilemakers on Instagram too. But this place on your bucket list!

Happy Holi // Spring is on it's way!

It has been one year. One year ago I came back from an amazing trip through the Backwaters of Kerala India and I just missed out on celebrating Holi in this amazing colorful country. But luckily I live in a neighborhood where a lot of Hindu people live. The Hague is THE city to celebrate Holi when you live in the Netherlands. I am very excited to be part of this amazing celebration again this year.

Of course you might all know that I adore India. So I had to post a little something about this celebration of spring and India's most crazy festival of the year. A few snaps I took on my trip last year when I traveled through the beautiful lush Backwaters of Southern India. Where I met some amazing inspiring people. Where a Holy man told me to never wait for a man while visiting the temples of Madurai. Where a another woman at the temple told me I would be having 6 kids. Where I visit a little village where some never saw white men before. Where I spotted some amazing wild elephants. Where I spend the night on a little island, listening to the animals until I fell asleep. Where I encountered some strange looking yellow cows, they were cleansed with turmeric. Where I enjoyed an amazing train ride through the foggy mountains of Ooty. And there was so much more...

But back to the reason I am typing this. Tomorrow the Holi festival will be celebrated. A festival without borders. Hindi people all over the world will play with colors, sing, dance, light bonfires and celebrate the victory of good over evil. It is a way to bring people together, it still binds them in their roots. I love the Holi tradition and wish you all a happy Holi festival this year!

Sources of inspiration: Rotterdam // a day on a bike // Top 10 little gems and modern architecture

In 2014 the city of Rotterdam made the top 10 in the list of 52 Places to go to in 2014 according to the New York Times. And I would have to agree on that one. Rotterdam is a city worth to explore. When I was a student I lived in the old Northern part of this city and in 10 years a lot has changed. I can still miss being there to witness it all.

My first introduction to a creative future was in Rotterdam. A place where I could lose myself, things were happening. When I moved from a typical Dutch city with canals and old architecture to this very modern place for my studies I felt home instantly. Everything was diverse. People, food, architecture, art. It still to this day is one of my favorite cities to find a boost of inspiration. I would just get my bike and camera and my little Bill Cunningham comes out.

Rotterdam has a very complex history. The beautiful old city was bombed in 1940 and had to be rebuilt from scratch. Only a few old buildings were left after the city stopped burning. Imagine the possibilities if you have an entire downtown city as your canvas as an architecture! All though a lot of places had to be built efficiently and cheap to house people as soon as possible, nowadays the city center is a place in which you can see the old and the new, built around water, a new balance. And where ever you go the city never feels like a busy crowded place. The streets are broad and open and there is something to see, something to explore around every corner. They successfully created a city for people, to live in, to be in.

This week I spent Christmas on a bike, cycling through the city. I love photography but never seem to have enough time to actually go out and capture those moments through my Nikon lens anymore. So on a day where everyone would stay in to eat and celebrate I decided to hop on my bike again. I have made a list of interesting places, architecture and historical sights. My personal favorites. If you get the chance to visit this city look beyond the new modern architecture. Get to know the less obvious little gems.



1 // Onderzeebootloods
This submarine pilot is part of the immense port of Rotterdam. This old historical sight is now a place where history and culture come together. In 2010 Museum Boijmans van Beuningen started a collaboration with the city port (RDM) and ever since they have held art exhibits during the summer. In 2013 the port decided to renovate the building and it now is a place where musical and theater performances, fairs and short exhibits are held. You can reach this place over water with the Aqualine ferry that stops under the Erasmus bridge. If you want to see the place, check out what's happening.

2 // De Hef
This industrial bridge, officially named Koningshaven bridge, was built in 1878 and was part of the railway connection to the Southern part of Holland. The construction of the bridge was not a very practical and well thought out one. Since the bridge is a part of the city Port you can imagine there was a lot of water traffic back then. The bridge was not built high enough, modern, bigger ships could not reach the other side without getting stuck so after a serious accident in 1918 the port decided to turn the middle part into a lift (hef). The metal construction over the Maas river still is a reminder of the old city infrastructure and is now part of it's skyline. Every time I pass this bridge it reminds me of how much the city has changed over the years.

3 // Markthal
The new market building is Rotterdams most recently finished architectural highlight. The building has a central hall with a food market, shops, bistro's and restaurants. The Markthal is Holland's first indoor market. I am not a big fan of the hype and this place is a little too trendy for me to actually do my food shopping, all organic, farmer's market style, no plain banana's or Rotterdam spirit here, but well, as an artist myself I do love the architecture and the overwhelmingly gorgeous art on the roof. It sure is worth a little peek.

4 // Streetart
Rotterdam is a city where everything is constantly changing. Housing conditions definitely have improved over the years but there are still some area's in the city that will have to wait their turn. Social projects pop up in problem area's. Little urban gardening, sport initiatives. Small home made markets bring people from other places into a neighborhood they would have never visit. But improvements in a district also means empty homes and squatted houses. A great atmosphere for street art to blossom. Entire apartment blocks get painted in one color, remember the blue houses on Beukelswijk, or Hofboogjes? It doesn't matter what happens to there buildings, until they are just waiting to be torn down they serve as a blanc canvas for street artists. Making the city a colorful open air museum.


(Photo source unknown)

5 // Hotel New York
Back in the day while I was living in Rotterdam, this place was my regular stop for a sunday coffee. Hotel new York was opened in 1993 and in 1996 when the Erasmus Bridge was finally connecting the city center with Wilhelmina Pier it started to be a popular place among the people of Rotterdam. When you visit Rotterdam during summer the walk from the city center to this part of town is definitely worth the effort. But you can also take a water taxi from the other side of the Maas. The Hotel has a great menu and during spring and summer you can have a drink on the terrace and enjoy the river view.

Hotel New York used to house the Holland America Lines headquarters. The near Cruise Terminal is part of that international history. The Cruise Terminal is now a place to celebrate and great NYE parties are held there. A great place to celebrate the new year. From here you have a spectacular view over the city and the Erasmus bridge fire works show. This area of Rotterdam is a mix of modern Architecture and old industrial buildings. From this pier you can watch the sunset and see the city skyline light up. If you are in need of a romantic getaway this is the place.



6 // De Maas
The water is a great part of the city. The water forms a break from busy roads and heavy industry. I love to sit down by the water and feel the breezy during a hot summer day but you can also travel from one neighborhood to another over water by ferry. There are numerous boat restaurants that will give you a tour while you are eating and you can enjoy a quick water taxi ride from the park at the Euromast to Hotel new York. The river and the connection to the rest of the waterways of Europe is why this city is the city it now is. A melting pot of different cultures with a strong steady economy. So go see Rotterdam from the water.

7 // Laurenskerk
This church is the only building dating back to the middle ages and was one of few remains after the bombing of the old city of Rotterdam. Because little was left of the old city this places seems a bit odd, surrounded by new modern architecture and close to the cubic houses. Every old Dutch city structure has a central church with a market surrounded by old canal houses and victorian architecture. In Rotterdam the only piece left of this original old part of town was this church. It now is a great place to enjoy a classical music performance and feel part of what once was.

8 // Maastunnel
This tunnel is the oldest you can find in the country. I love the bike and pedestrian area. The steep stairway to enter the tunnels, the tiles, the signing, the colors and the old urban industrial non-nonsense built but also beautiful exterior. The pedestrian and bike tunnel are similar to the one built in Antwerp in 1933 and both have been built in Art Nouveau style.

It feels a bit futuristic if you enter this tunnel. If you go visit this place on an early sunday morning, good chance you will be the only one there. The Tunnel first opened up for traffic during the second world war. The tunnel connects the Northern part of Rotterdam with the Southern part of the city and was a direct connection to the provinces of Brabant and Zeeland. If you want to visit the Southern part of the city you can enter the tunnel from the Park near the Euromast. I can tell you it feels a bit strange cycling through a massive empty tunnel.



9 // Rotterdam Metro
Some of Rotterdam's Metro Stations are definitely worth checking out. Blaak, Central Station and Wilhelmina Pier for instance. You can bring your bike along too so you can just hop on and hop off and find your way back to the city on your bike. I always love to take public transportation while I am visiting a new city. It is a great way to 'feel' where you are. Watch where the eccentric peeps get off on saturday nights or feel the buzz of the city during rush hours.

10 //Oude Haven
All right, if you are driving around on your bike all day you will probably be quite thirsty. The Oude Haven is an old part of the city center that was still intact after the war. It is a little area where you can find numerous pubs and restaurants. If you are coming from the shopping district it might be quite hard to find. It is located near the cubic houses and it is somewhat hidden. Take the stairs from on your right and suddenly you will see a small harbor with old boats and the 'Witte Huis' monument. Sit down, relax and reflect on a great day in the city.

Of course there is so much more to this city. These are just a few high lights. I can go on and on about this place to if you want to read more about Rotterdam keep following the blog.

Little Smilemakers Studio // 3 year anniversary

Another celebration in the studio today. Happy birthday Little Smilemakers Studio! I started Little Smilemakers Studio 3 years ago on a cold and rainy November day in 2011. Now three years later, after working long days, it is time to say goodbye to the first toddler years. We've been growing strong with a great client base and it is time to reflect on a great start.

In three years so much has happened. I quit my safe but non-inspirational office job in a design studio and it seems like ever since I decided to work as an independent designer life seems to have fallen in to place. This way of life fits like that favorite pear of jeans. I have the luxury doing what I love: making illustrations and surface patterns for clients all around the world. My work has never been so fulfilling and is completely different every day. I am able to travel. I always carry a camera, just to make little visual notes. These impressions are translated into my work. In my portfolio, my travels come together in illustrations and patterns inspired by all the places, moments, encounters, and colors that stimulate my creativity. It has been a great ride so far. I am looking forward to what is to come.

Photo by Kaponia Aliaksei

Jeff Wall // A day at the museum // Explore cultural differences all over the world

How often do you visit a gallery or museum? I was just in time to visit the Jeff Wall exhibition at Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. Holland has some great art galleries and museums and I love to see all these different artists and skills come to life. I often visit the Pulchri Studio close to my home in The Hague where they have new art up on the walls every few weeks & I love Foto Museum Antwerp - FoMu where I have seen so many talented photographers show (off) their work. I try to visit museums during my traveling. It is lovely to see cultural differences, there is a different way of expression in each part of the world. What museum would you recommend in your country/city?

> New design | Alkaloid EP Cover design

As a photography lover at heart I was able to put some of my own work into a great new design for Alkaloid's new EP. They will be releasing their new work later this summer and kick of with a little European tour. Congrats to you guys!

> Typography and photography travel inspired art | christmas presents | Little Smilemakers online shop

It is that time of the year again! Decorating the house for the winter season and it's holidays. A while ago I was working on some travel inspired postcards. Designs containing both photography and typography. All telling their own personal story of a country, a culture or a moment. If you are a travel addict yourself or if you are just looking around the internet for a fun christmas present, check out all travel inspired artwork that is available now at society6. Place your order before cyber monday and enjoy free worldwide shipping.

Available on: iphone case, ipad case, laptop skin, tote bag, baby onsie, t-shirts and pillows for your home. Enjoy shopping for the holidays!

> Travel typography & typography designs | only for one of the best...

Some new typography designs are coming. I have been working on a new project for which I was able to make more typography related designs. Also I was able to include some of my travel images. One of my passions: photography. I would love to see my travel series in shops. I can not say much about the entire thing yet but it will be an amazing road ahead with the company for.

> Happy autumn | new postcard designs

Happy autumn! A time of new beginnings. Enjoy the seasonal changes, changing colors of nature and a nice fresh breeze. Working on some seasonal postcards this week and some fall inspired illustrations and typography.

> Travel the world and make your work all about travel | Zazzle designer spotlight

I have been working on a few more typography cards for Kaartje2Go. New designs for several occasions. So wish your friend or family a nice holiday trip with this one! Travel the world! A beautiful postcard in polaroid style. With an amazing sun shining over the clouds. A view from the airplane. Showing amazing lens flare.

Also my Zazzle interview is up. You can read all about my work and the travels that inspire me to design. My trips have left me with a big pile of inspiration. Let me know what you think! Read about it on Zazzles blog!

by Maaike Boot

> Raspy Stone video & photo shoot

by Maaike Boot

Busy week at the office. Time for a quick post! Just wanted to share this one with you. I was on the video shoot for the new Raspy Stone song this monday. The result of this will be released soon. But here are a few photo's for you all to just have a quick peek! I love the background art. Some people really worked their asses of to make this video work. If you would like to see how it all turns out. Go visit the Raspy Stone facebook page and like!

> Eat meat - book design

by Maaike Boot

> Istanbul blue

by Maaike Boot

> Nicoletta Tavella - Book design sketch

by Maaike Boot

> Costa Rica colorsmash

A very colorful impression of everyday Costa Rica.
by Maaike Boot

> Nepali man sitting in front of his tire shop

by Maaike Boot

> Memories of Nepal, a wall of inspiration

by Maaike Boot

> How i miss Rotterdam

by Maaike Boot

Five years ago i decided i wanted to move out of my Rotterdam apartment. It was falling apart, the rent was crazy and i was working and studying in The Hague. I thought it would be really nice to move again after living in this amazing city and the room with the view. I have been missing my little cozy apartment everyday for the past five years. Today i miss it even more.

> Berlin berlin

by Maaike Boot

> Berlin Church

by Maaike Boot