Mystery Florist

This painting is looking like a mystery trying to be unveiled.  We know we've got calla lilies, but what else?!

Last fall I introduced you to Grapevine Floral.  Well, Trish has done it again and completed another gorgeous bouquet that was found painting-worthy...yes, this is our mystery florist!  You may remember the beautiful bouquet she created for Karen and Brandon last year....

Karen and Brandon's painting

Grapevine Floral is located in the northern suburb of Lake in the Hills, Illinois, where Trish and her team continually produce some of the most beautiful bouquets I've laid my eyes on.  I love her sense of color and texture.  Even an all white bouquet looks exciting!  Check out some of her other creations....

Gorgeous, right!?  I'm hoping to eventually have a whole gallery of Grapevine Floral paintings!  Now, wouldn't that be amazing....

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.

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!

Which project first?

Summertime is just a burst of energy for creative projects.  There's spring cleaning that brings on remodeling updates, wedding season and this urge to think outside the box...fresh and new.  Thankfully, many of these ideas have come my way...all at once.  Between blog posts, I have been trying to organize all of my projects while visiting friends, enjoying the start of summer weather and, a must mention, the Blackhawks winning the Stanley cup (yay!). 

A couple of weekends ago, I took a trip up to Traverse City, MI to visit some old college friends of mine for a girls weekend.  To kill two birds with one stone, I also had a painting project going on.  You may remember my involvement in the TC Parade of Homes last year where my surfer mural and flower baby's room were featured.  This year I am graciously being included again by my good friends, Dean and Tricia Adams of Bay Area Contracting.  The room I worked on was somewhat of a different project for me since it involved a more mature approach while still getting creative.  The homeowner's 21 year old daughter wanted something unique for the wall behind her bed.  After tossing around different ideas about painting on the wall, it was decided to paint on canvases instead to bring some dimension to the wall.  Below is the final product.  I hope to be showing a fully decorated room shot in the future (I'll be back up in TC for another mural this summer!).

On going projects include the Hello Darling painting, Brandon and Karen's bouquet painting, and (new to the list) a portrait for Father's Day.  Stay tuned for full updates on these projects as they progress.

Time for Everything!

Do you ever feel like there is never enough time?  I know I'm not the only one out there that feels like time is never on one's side.  It's amazing that whether you're in the past, present or future, time is always flying by.  Time is the theme of this post.  I'll start with the future, and work my way back.....

For all of those future weddings I am going to book, I am continuing to work on the painting for Hello Darling.  I am approaching a section that I've not quite encountered with my other pieces before.  The succulent in the center has so much yummy texture that I will likely surprise myself with the process and result.  I love surprises!

On to the weddings of today....  This weekend I made another fabulous florist connection.  As luck would have it, I made this connection because of a new painting I will be creating for a family aquaintance.  It's a mother to a son gift, and I couldn't be happier with all of the pieces involved that go into making a Reenie Rose painting come to life.  First of all, let's go back to the fabulous florist. 
This past Friday, I drove all the way up to Lake in the Hills (in traffic) to find some fresh talent in the Northwest suburbs.  Grapevine Floral has newly relocated to a space that covers about 4,000 sq ft where the creativity has room to spread out and grow.  Trish was an absolute gem to work with, and I'm really looking forward to starting a working relationship with her and her clients.  I think this is the start to a beautiful friendship.
The other super great part of this wedding puzzle is the bouquet itself.  It is a gorgeous arrangement of COLOR!  No offense to the all white bouquet brides, but when I get a bouquet with some eye-popping color in it, it is a joyous occasion. 

And, finally...the past.  Today marks the day that my wonderful parents have been married for 35 years.  They are the people in my life that make all of this possible through their encouragement and constant support.  When you are working in the wedding industry, accomplishments like 35 years of marriage make any aspect of the business so much more worth it.  Thank you to my mom and dad for making everything so much more worth it.