Roses are Red, Lisianthus are Purple

Last week I promised on delivering a finished painting.  Well, it happened...and then some.  I finished one painting and began the process of another one.  I'm on a roll!

Christina and Jovan's painting comes away looking like a classic gem that they will cherish for years to come.  Good news...Christina's brother is getting married in May.  Another family heirloom to add to the collection!!

I mentioned that I also got the ball rolling on another painting.  Kelly found my work at Smitten Boutique and just knew that she wanted a painting of her purpley bouquet.

After several compositions and sizes later, Kelly approved the following image to become her painting:

This is going to be a beautiful 24 x 30 inch painting full of spring color to start the season off.

Thank you ladies for allowing me to be a part of your post-wedding celebration of your beautiful marriages by creating lovely works of art for you!!!

Yay Rain!

Inspired by the perfect rain that is coming straight down and allowing me to keep all of my windows open, I thought I'd write my second blog post for the week.

Despite the grayness, I was lucky enough to get some sunshine in my life when I met with Viviana of Petal Play Design in Lemont yesterday.  Having grown up in Lemont and seen the ups and downs of businesses in town, it was so refreshing to sit with Viviana and talk to her about all of her successes.  Her shop is soooo lovely and transported me back to Paris filled with delightful little treasures.  Being so sweet, Viviana gave me a bit of this feeling to take home....

Nevermind that I "won" such a charming vintage arrangement by writing on her Facebook page during Valentine's day about my singledom woes.  I have a feeling she would have sent me home any day with a trinket that gave me the warm and fuzzys.  

Go stop by her store this instant and get yourself something that will take you to a brighter day.

Ok, I'll be honest....I'm kind of liking the rainy weather.  I makes working indoors so much easier.  With rain in the forecast today and tomorrow, productivity should be pretty high.  Expect a finished painting this weekend!

More Michigan Adventures

Have I been m.i.a. lately?  I promise I haven't been continuing to follow the winter clock and hibernating during this early summer heat wave.  Ok, maybe I was shut indoors for extended periods of time while 80 degrees blazed on around me.  I promise though, I was doing it against my will!
Ok, that's another fib.  Let the truth come out....I was working under an alias by the name of Reeniebeans and fooling those around me into thinking I was a mural painter instead of a fine art painter.  Phew.  Feels good to be honest.

All last week I was in lovely Traverse City, Michigan, working on the coolest playroom ever.  I mean, seriously, who wouldn't want their own little cubby to play in.

My good friend Dean, owner of Bay Area Contracting,built this gorgeous house for Sarah, Mike and their daughter Maggie.  As a "thank you", he hired me to give them a little something extra in their home.  A playhouse in a play house for Maggie.

Above the opening of the playhouse are signs that Maggie can interchange when she wants to use her imagination and pretend her house is something else.  Lemonade anyone?

I think Maggie's going to have fun growing up in this playhouse.  What do you think?

New Painting, New Florist

If you didn't notice in my last post, I have started a new painting.  It all began at the event at The Drake Hotel where I was painting on site, and has continued on from there.

Before I get ahead of myself, let me introduce you to this lovely bouquet...and then to the lovely person that created it.


I was so excited to receive the call for this project from Christina's mom.  Both a neighbor and childhood friend of my sister's, I've watched Christina evolve into the beautiful bride she was on her wedding day. 

Isn't she gorgeous!  And the bouquet....I love that it's something different from what I've done already.  Yes, I've painted all rose bouquets, but not all red and with crystals!

This stunning bouquet was created out in Akron, Ohio, by Lori Reilly of Lori Reilly's Originals.  Here's a little of what Lori had to say about her business:

1.  How long have you been in business?

I have been in business 21 years. I am not in the phonebook, nor do I do any advertising...my business has grown from word of mouth alone.

 
2.  Gotta ask...what’s your favorite flower?

I don't have a favorite, favorite flower, but I love the variety and uniqueness of orchids.

 
3.  Toot your own horn....what’s your specialty?

My specialty is using unique textures/fruits/vegetables to add interest to an arrangement.

 
4.  What would be your dream creation?

Dream creations, they occur when a client calls me for no other reason than to say they were extremely pleased with an order--no matter what the event was.

 
5.  Craziest request you’ve had?

Craziest request was to spray paint 50 fresh roses black for a bday.

 
6.  What do you like about working in the wedding industry?

The wedding industry allows me to meet wonderful couples and their families who share with me the most intimate, interesting details  for their very special day.

 
7.  When you are not working, what are you up to?

When not working, I LOVE to play golf, travel, cook, shop and spend time with my husband and kids!!

Thank you, Lori, for creating such a stunning bouquet with exquisite details all the way down to the stems!  Working my way to that pretty brooch!