Lucky Number 100

It's the end of 2010, and I'm going out with a bang.  Turns out, this is my 100th post!  In less then 2 years, I have managed to share the in's and out's, ups and downs of Reenie Rose in 100 different blurbs.  I consider this a major accomplishment since I am not an avid blogger in the blog world, nor am I someone that needs to write for writings sake.
Postings for 2011 will continue to be updates of current projects along with additional tidbits of info about all the lovely people I get to work with.  I'm hoping to add some spice to the mix as well with a couple of special, noteworthy findings here and there and (fingers crossed) some more press.

 Speaking of press, the new Chicago Social (CS) Brides just came out, and yours truly has another ad in the magazine (check out page 283).  Bigger news yet is the article that was written up in the "Wed Dossier" section on page 100!  Huge thanks to CS for featuring me in this issue and writing something so perfect about my business that I'm sure brides will start flocking my way.

This will likely be my last post of 2010, so I want to wish everyone a happy new year!  2011 is bound to bring wonderful things....just you wait and see!  Cheers!

Do Not Open Till Christmas.....Nevermind

I've kept quiet about Christmas secrets long enough that I just can't wait anymore!  One surprise was a special gift for a friend, and the other is a gift that can be yours!  I'm just bursting to share them!

I haven't been able to post anything about the first gift until now because I didn't want to spoil someone's Christmas gift.  It is the perfect example of what the holiday season is all about....giving to those we love.  My friend Shelley, gave her boyfriend Tony a gift I love!  Well, it was a painting by me, but there was so much more to it.  Tony is a little tricky to buy for, so Shelley went with a gift he couldn't not like....one that he practically created.  Shelley chose a picture that Tony took on their trip to Paris and asked me to make something that Tony has been asking for forever....a painting by me.  Here is the original photo:

And the painting that Tony was thrilled to finally receive....

Shelley won major brownie points with this gift this year, and I was so happy to be the one to help her out with it.

Now for the gift that you can get to say thank you to all those who gave to you this season:

I've decided to make my paintings available to everyone...in the form of a greeting card.  Any painting can be shared and comes in a box of 25 for only $30.  You'll need to send some "thank you" notes after the holidays have passed, so be ready with something thoughtful.  Send me an email to place your order today (info@ReenieRose.com).

Thank you to everyone that has been a part of building Reenie Rose this year.  I am so grateful and look forward to another prosperous year in 2011.  Happy Holidays!

Santa's Little Elf

I'm on a quest to create Christmas gifts for clients....before Christmas, and I've got one down!  Yes, Stephanie and Russ's painting is finished!  Though I may be the elf that created this beauty, there is a whole team of elves generously giving this painting as a gift.  I always love this idea of a group gift, and this time of year is no exception.  With all the stresses of finding the perfect gift, I think it's great when a handful of people can put their heads together and alleviate each others worries.  No worries this season, only togetherness.

It's the season of giving, but my next gift can't be opened till Christmas!

Tacos for Turkeys

You may have noticed that I took a little siesta from blogging.....well I did, literally.  My family traveled to Mexico for the Thanksgiving holiday where we dined on tacos and tortillas for the very American holiday.  The resort was very generous though and indulged our traditions with a lovely Thanksgiving feast that made us all gracious for this food heavy holiday, as well as, the fact that we could be in such a tropical place this time of year.
So, now it's back to reality which does include snow and work.  I didn't have time to post before I left, so here is the current update on Stephanie and Russ's painting.  It's so appropriate for this post....a little bit of fall color with a burst of the tropics. 
I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday, wherever it was spent, and is as thankful as I am for all that we have.

Flowers are Popping Up

I've been steadily working on my newest painting, and I thought it was time for an update, as well as some more info on this painting.

 

The flowers are slowly starting to emerge on this piece that contains Stargazer lilies, stephanotis, ivory roses and mango calla lilies created by Flowers by Christine located in Bartlett, Illinois.  Christine was such a delight when I met her to take the photos.  Owning her business for 25 years now, Christine prides herself on supplying the Bartlett and Bloomingdale area with quality floral arrangements and personalized customer service.  Her shop is a haven of flowery smells and beautiful gifts for any holiday or occasion.   If you are in the Bartlett area, I highly encourage you to stop by and visit Christine and all the fabulousness in her shop.

Indian Summer

Can you believe that just last weekend it was Halloween?!  We are in the thick of fall where the colors are changing all around us.  This was evident in the bouquet I shot last weekend for my next painting.  I was delighted to see some fall color in a bouquet I am calling a representation of an Indian Summer.  It has the autumn look with the mango calla lilies, but then there is this burst of bright pink from the starburst lilies that remind me of the summer that has past.

The stephanotis have these fantastic large rhinestones in the center of them giving the bouquet a little "bling".

I am so excited to start this painting that I have already sketched it in!  I've got the painting bug, and after my last one, this will be a great breather.

 In my updated posts, I'll let you know who this secret florist is and the generous folks giving this painting as a gift.  Happy weekend!

A Masterpiece!

And, end of day.  Yes, I have finished Katie and Patrick's painting!  55 hours later and this puppy is complete.

I'm very excited about this piece.  For one thing, I love that this painting is being given as a gift to the couple by a group of friends.  I wish more people would do this...not just because it would give me more business, but because I think a gift like this would steer away from the lame registry / awkward cash gift that usually happens at weddings.
Secondly, this bouquet stands out from many of the other pieces that I have done.  It has such a wide variety of flowers and colors that created heavy detail and complexity that I am happy to have in my portfolio collection now.

 A big thanks to the vendors that gave me so much to work with.  Nature's Touch in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan created such a stunning bouquet while Widdis Photography captured it perfectly and provided me with the images to use for the painting.  Since this wedding was in Michigan, and I was not able to attend it, the gift of having such beautiful images of a fabulous bouquet provided for me was priceless.

Congratulations to Katie and Patrick!  I hope your painting is a reflection of the beautiful marriage you will have.  Cheers!

Quicky Update

The start of today...

Growing Flowers

Just a quick update....

See How I'm Fairing

I've been putting some quality time into Katie and Patrick's painting and it's coming along quite well.  What I've noticed about this one is that I tend to be gravitating toward the smaller brushes.  The flowers are so small and the detail is kind of crazy.  It's coming alive though....

You may be wondering what the little blurb is in the bottom right hand corner.  Well, let's just say that was the result of me painting on site at the Lemont Art & Music Fest.  It was a terrible cold and windy day.  Not much painting was done because I was on wind patrol most of the time, and painting in gloves is not ideal.
Thank you to all of you that came out to warm my spirits.  That was the best part of my day!

It's a Doosie!

Now that I've finished Christine and Mike's painting, it's onto the next one, and like my title states: "This one is a doosie!"  A generous group of friends has purchased a Reenie Rose painting for a lovely couple, Katie and Patrick, whose bouquet turned out to be a whimsy of wonderful things....it even has a butterfly!

 I've sketched in this piece though it looks to be a chaotic group of lines that I will have to play detective to.

 Visit me this Saturday at the Lemont Art & Music Fest to watch me paint in person outside in the chilly fall air.  I'll need some warm support to assist me in this piece!

Fall Fair Fun

This Saturday, October 2nd from noon to 5pm I will be participating in the Lemont Fall Art & Music Fest.  My booth is #10, so stop by and see me painting my newest bouquet painting!  My plan is to start it today, so get a sneak peak at the fair.

Happy Anniversary x 3

A year ago today, Reenie Rose experienced something that was a little bit intense....3 weddings in one day.  So far you have seen 2 of these paintings, but today I bring you number 3.  I post this with some embarrassment since it has taken me a full year to complete this final painting from the trio day.  It has been the painting that I work on in between jobs, and since business has picked up, I found myself finishing this painting a day before my 1 year deadline.  Thus, I present to you Christine and Mike's painting.  A big thank you to them for not thinking I was a bad friend that blew off their wedding gift.  No, on the contrary, I've put a whole years worth of love into this piece....wink, wink.  Happy 1 year anniversary to Christine and Mike!

and Happy Anniversary to Natalie and Mike! 

 

and finally, Victoria and Zak!

Hot Off the Press

While at a Sox game last night (where they lost...boo), someone sent me an email that lifted my spirits.  They were complimenting me on an article they had read about me.  Having given the interview a couple of weeks ago, I had almost totally forgotten that an article came out in the Lemont Met/Reporter yesterday featuring myself and Reenie Rose!  At this point in my career, press like this is huge for me.....even in Lemont's little paper.  Click here for the full article.

 It's practically fall now, and in the midst of trees changing color and flowers being reduced down to your autumn mums, I received this lovely gift.  No, someone did not give me an orchid.  Rather, my beautiful little friend here has decided to rebloom for me.  Orchids are a tricky species (and my green thumb isn't as bright as I'd like it to be), so when a rare occurance like this happens, I definitely call it a gift.
Happy weekend!

My How a Town Has Grown

Sometimes it's nice to step back in time and revisit where you've come from and celebrate it.  What brought you to where you are today and how far have you come?
This coming weekend, I am taking a trip down memory lane, back to my hometown and back to some good old art.  After many years, Lemont is opening its very own Art Center, and I am honored to be a part of it.

I invite everyone to attend the Grand Opening reception this Saturday, September 18th from 7pm-9pm where 2 of my pieces will be exhibited until October 2nd.  I'll post pictures of the event and my pieces at a later date, but I'd much rather have you come out and support how far Lemont has come with their appreciation for the arts.  This is where I grew up and first discovered that I had a smidge of talent.  It's kind of funny how things can come full circle......Lemont was the place where I started my art, and now I'm helping Lemont fuel its own Art Center.  Huh.
The Lemont Center for the Arts is located at 1243 State St., unit 101 in Lemont, Illinois.

Tipping Cake

You know the saying "When it rains, it pours?"  Well, that kind of happens with me and blogging.  Either I'm scraping for something to share or I have a pile that's tipping over.  I currently have a pile gathered, but I'm just going to pull a couple of things off the top and spread the rest out for later.

It's Wednesday, and I am just now getting the chance to report on an event I participated in a week ago.  I was lucky enough to be a part of the White Luxury Event at Weddings 826 last week to celebrate their annual event and owner, Suzi's, 5th anniversary.  Champagne and white Russians were being passed around while brides wandered around all of the beautiful items Weddings 826 has to offer and mingled with vendors sharing their bridal services.

Besides myself, there were some fantastic vendors in attendance that are worth mentioning and passing onto those around you....

-Chicago Avenue Salon-  I met Sarah who is not only an incredibly kind and worldly individual, but is also the salons' lead Educator.
-Dilly Lily-  I've been wanting to get in touch with this acclaimed florist for some time now, and it just so happens they provided all of the floral touches at the event.  Gorgeous!
-Poetic Weddings- I was at a wedding this past weekend (more details about that shortly) and one thing was confirmed...a videographer is a must!  Dad's home video skills just won't cut it.
-Sine Qua Non (SQN Special Events)- A hidden gem!  With over 10 years of experience in the event planning industry, Beth Bernstein and her business partner have created some absolutely beautiful weddings worth taking a look at.

Big CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU to Suzi for allowing me to participate in such a special event.  I can't wait to work with her again.

In other news, I've updated my website with Karen and Brandon's painting.  You've seen the painting, and I've thanked Trish at Grapevine Floral many times, so now it's time to mention the photographer.  Wes Craft at Modern Image Studio graciously provided me with some fantastic shots of Karen and Brandon on their big day.  More of his work is likely going to show up on my website here and there, so keep a look out for some beautious images.

And finally, a Labor day weekend filled with love.  My family drove down to St. Louis to attend the wedding of Dani and Michael.... very close family friends.  This cute pair is a culinary delight: Michael is a sous chef and Dani is a baker.  Together they are sweetness that was beautifully symbolized by their four tiered wedding cake that Dani had a hand in creating...lots of flowers were made.

Bouquets tossed aside, can you think of a better gift to give this couple to remember their day?  I know I can.....

The Best Part

One of the best parts of creating a painting for someone is giving it to them.  I'm not usually present when a gift is given, but getting to see the client's reaction is always great.
For Karen and Brandon's painting, I delivered it to Pam and was delighted to see how pleased she was with the final product.
This weekend another painting unveiling took place miles away in Boston.  Pam and her husband went out to Boston to visit Karen and Brandon as they begin their married lives going to grad school in Boston (congrats to them).  I received a wonderful surprise this weekend when Pam text me a photo that made my day....

This is why I do what I do.

Past and Present Events

Summer is winding down, but Reenie Rose is heating up!  I plan on filling my schedule in with lots of events in the next few months to promote my paintings and all of the happiness they can bring to a couple....kind of like the Santa of weddings. 
This past Sunday I participated in a bridal event right in my neighborhood at a super fun place called Flirty Girl Fitness.  I added a twist to this event and attempted to paint live to better illustrate what I do.  I say attempt because one of the fun things to take advantage of during this event were the free pole dancing classes.  I might have taken a few notes.

There were only 2 other vendors working this event with me and they definitely deserve special mentioning.  Be sure to check out their sites:
-Foodie Registry is a great option outside of the typical registry box. 
-at studio features fantastic photography by Amaris Granado.

September 1st will be another event for Reenie Rose at an adorable boutique in Lincoln Park called Weddings 826.  Stay tuned for a post about this White Luxury Event.

Floral Field Trip

Karen and Brandon's painting has been on a field trip this past week back where everything started....Grapevine Floral.  The painting will be on display in their lovely studio through this week, so be sure to swing by and take a look. 

Thanks to Trish for being so supportive of my work.  I can't wait to make her a painting that she can house there permanently!

Summer Painting Finished...

But, no worries, summer is still continuing on.  Yes, I have finished Karen and Brandon's bouquet!  Soon after the painting's showing on this blog, it will be carted off to the florist that originally created the bouquet....Grapevine Floral.  There my painting will sit for a month for all the brides to see.  If you are in the Lake in the Hills area, be sure to stop by and see this colorful piece in person!

Summer job

Is anyone else having trouble working during this lovely summer weather we've been having?  I certainly am, but have forced myself to put down the sunscreen and pick up a paint brush.  It's a good thing Karen and Brandon's bouquet is bright summer colors....a little bit of sunshine in my studio.

Extra Extra, Read All About It

It's time for an update, and I have some fun things to share. Last month I attended the Lemont Art Walk to promote my mural at The Inn at Smokey Row along with some Reenie Rose art.  Turns out it was a very beneficial night for all parties.  Here's a couple pieces of press that where published in our local papers:

Click here for the full article.

In other news, I've started the painting for Karen and Brandon that is being gifted by Brandon's mom.  This is such a summer time bouquet to be working on....the colors are fantastic.

 I got a little excited to paint and forgot to take a "before" photo....see my dabbles of color in the upper left corner.  Oops!

 If you don't remember what the original bouquet looked like, check back to the "Time for Everything" post on May 17th or just check back soon to see the flowers emerge!

Hello Darling Painting Finished!

I just finished the bouquet painting for Hello Darling, and I couldn't wait till tomorrow to post it because it turned out so beautiful.  When I say things like this, I don't feel like I'm bragging....my process is a team effort.  This painting wouldn't be what it is without the artistic talent of Natalie, owner of Hello Darling.  She both created the bouquet and took the photograph with no composition cropping on my part.  I can't wait to see this piece in her lovely studio.  Before it heads there though, it will be on display tomorrow night (Friday, June 25th @ 6:30pm) at the Lemont Art Walk.  Please come out and see this piece in person...it's so much better in person.  Cheers to a finished painting and art walks in summer!

Eventful and Events

Two fun bits of news to share in both of my camps, Reenie Rose and Reeniebeans. 
The first bit is the most exciting for me cause it's a big leap for Reenie Rose.  I've taken out an ad!  In this June's issue of Chicago Social Brides magazine, I have a half page ad featured.  Chicago Social Brides is a local magazine that focuses on the luxury end of the wedding business.  With a very targeted audience, I am hoping to bring Reenie Rose to the attention of readers with an eye for something special.  CS Brides is a free publication and can be found at most wedding related businesses.  If you can't find it somewhere nearby, check it out online at their digital edition (hint: I'm on pg 253 & 264).  Below is the ad, but to actually be able to view it in something that someone else has produced is really something.  Go check it out!


The other good news is that I will be participating in the Lemont Art Walk taking place next Friday (June 25th). My Smokey Row mural will be featured at none other than The Inn at Smokey Row.  I am so excited for the inn to finally receive some public recognition....and if it has to be done at my expense, well, I guess I will deal with that.  If you are in the area or wish to check out good old Historic Downtown Lemont, come by the inn and visit me.  I will also have the Hello Darling painting on display in its finished state (to be completed this week).  This is a great opportunity to see a Reenie Rose painting in person.  I hope I will get a chance to see you there! 

 Enjoy the weekend and the real start of summer!