Hi, I’m Carol McQuaid, aka The Illustrated Vagabond. I love to travel the world sketching, painting and teaching art workshops. I hope my artwork reminds you of your last great adventure, or inspires you to start planning your next one. We are just preparing our book launch for “The Illustrated Vagabond’s World Voyage Sketchbook!” It’s 150+ pages of full colour illustrations that chronicle our recent trip around the world! I was the guest artist, teaching and creating art on a cruise ship for their World Voyage. The book, art prints and cards from that adventure will be available in our soon to launch online shop.

I’ll let you know when the shop is open, and share updates on shows, workshops, new trips, artwork, books and events. All you need to do is sign up below for updates. Thanks for joining me on my adventures!

Carol McQuaid 8/8/24 Carol McQuaid 8/8/24

My Illustrated Packing LIst

How to pack for a cruise on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. This is everything I need for transatlantic New York to Southampton, a loop around the British Isles and a side trip to Bruges, Belgium

Carol McQuaid 7/16/24 Carol McQuaid 7/16/24

Summer in Beautiful BC

Home in BC, sketching at Nighthawk and Tuscan Gardens,getting my online shop set up. Launching soon!

Carol McQuaid 6/17/24 Carol McQuaid 6/17/24

Barcelona and the Dismount

Barcelona and the Dismount. Taking a few days to decompress after our 155 day World Voyage on the Azamara Onward.

Carol McQuaid 6/11/24 Carol McQuaid 6/11/24

Trip Fiction: Adriatic and Med Getaways

Here’s my reading list from this section of our World Cruise 2024 onboard the Azamara Onward

Carol McQuaid 6/10/24 Carol McQuaid 6/10/24

Adriatic and Med Getaways

Adriatic and Med Getaways: Segment 10 of our World Voyage onboard the Azamara Onward. Venice, Slovenia, Zadar and Dubrovnik Croatia, Mostar Bosnia Herzegovina, Kotor Montenegro, Civitavecchia Italy, Monte Carlo Monaco, and Barcelona Spain

Carol McQuaid 6/4/24 Carol McQuaid 6/4/24

Trip Fiction: Repositioning AROUND AFRICA

Here’s my reading list from this section of our World Cruise 2024 onboard the Azamara Onward

Carol McQuaid 6/3/24 Carol McQuaid 6/3/24

Repositioning Around Africa

Repositioning Around Africa Segments 8 and 9 of our World Voyage onboard the Azamara Onward. Dubai, Mauritius, South Africa, Walvis Bay Namibia, Las Palmas Gran Canaria, Tunis Tunisia, Corfu Greece, Venice Italy and the Bienale.

Carol McQuaid 5/9/24 Carol McQuaid 5/9/24

Trip Fiction: Astounding Australia Asia

Here’s my reading list from this section of our World Cruise 2024 onboard the Azamara Onward

Carol McQuaid 4/30/24 Carol McQuaid 4/30/24

Trip Fiction: Ancient Trade Routes

Here’s my reading list from this section of our World Cruise 2024 onboard the Azamara Onward

Carol McQuaid 4/29/24 Carol McQuaid 4/29/24

ancient trade Routes

Ancient Trade Routes Segment 7 of our World Voyage onboard the Azamara Onward. Singapore, Port Klang Malaysia, Sabang Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cochin and Mumbai India, Muscat Oman, Sir Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi and Dubai United Arab Emirates.

Carol McQuaid 4/9/24 Carol McQuaid 4/9/24

Trip Fiction: Vietnam & Thailand Pathways

Here’s my reading list from this section of our World Cruise 2024 onboard the Azamara Onward

Carol McQuaid 4/8/24 Carol McQuaid 4/8/24

Vietnam and Thailand Pathways

Vietnam and Thailand Pathways Segment 6 of our World Voyage onboard the Azamara Onward. Hong Kong, Halong Bay (Hanoi), Danang and Ho ChiMinh City Vietnam, Bangkok and Kho Samui, Thailand, Singapore.

Carol McQuaid 3/25/24 Carol McQuaid 3/25/24

Astounding Australia-Asia

Astounding Australia - Asia. Segment 5 of our World Voyage onboard the Azamara Onward. Sydney, Mooloolaba Queensland, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Alotao, Madang, Koror Palau, Manila Philippines, Hong Kong

Carol McQuaid 3/25/24 Carol McQuaid 3/25/24

Halong Bay to Hanoi and Back

Hello Vietnam. Touring Halong Bay, Hanoi, including the Hao Lo Prison, aka Hanoi Hilton et al. Also, more giant woodcuts.

Carol McQuaid 3/9/24 Carol McQuaid 3/9/24

Trip Fiction: Kiwis & Koalas

Here’s my reading list from this section of our World Cruise 2024 onboard the Azamara Onward

Carol McQuaid 3/4/24 Carol McQuaid 3/4/24

KIWIS and Koalas

Kiwis and Koalas - Segment 5 of our World Voyage onboard the Azamara Onward. Aukland, Tauranga (Hobbiton) Napier, Wellington, Picton, Christchurch, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Hobart Tasmania and Sydney.

Carol McQuaid 3/4/24 Carol McQuaid 3/4/24

Just Another Day At Sea

Our original booking for this world tour was 133 days, and about 50 of those are at sea. That’s a lot of days floating on an ocean.

Carol McQuaid 3/3/24 Carol McQuaid 3/3/24

Mooloolaba

Mooloolaba. How did none of us know about this place?! It’s on the Sunshine Coast here in Queensland Australia. We hit the Wharf, do a canal cruise, visit the beach and enjoy a great meal at Rice Boi.

Carol McQuaid 2/25/24 Carol McQuaid 2/25/24

Hobart and the MONA

The Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart. Amazing.

Carol McQuaid 2/24/24 Carol McQuaid 2/24/24

Arriving in Hobart

Yesterday morning we woke up in Hobart Tasmania. Our storm window was still in place, but Greg went up to deck nine and got some gorgeous photos of the sunrise, pretty enough to get me out of bed. It had been bumpy across the Tasman, but never truly uncomfortable for us. We’re grateful for our sailor stomachs. Time to head out Kayaking.