New Projects for the New Year

It's week two of 2011, and now that new year's resolutions have expired, I am ready to get back in the blogging game and start the new year out on a positive note.  Big plans are in the works for Reenie Rose this year, but in the mean time, I'm keeping busy with a variety of other projects.

This weekend I found myself in Chesterfield, Missouri painting among bottles and bottles of liquor.  Yes, I said liquor.  Good friends of my family have started a new venture in their lives and opened up the Saint Louis Wine Market and Tasting Room.  With all of the wine bars around Chicago, I have yet to be in an establishment that gives me the same feel as I have in this shop.  Maybe it's because the owners are like family to me, but there's something so warm and welcoming that is going to have customers becoming regulars.
Since the wine bar has only been open for about 6 weeks, it is still a work in progress.  I was brought in this weekend to spice things up a bit with my handy painting skills.  Besides adding a few key phrases to the shop, I also took their bathrooms to a new level by painting some faux stonework.  Check out my work and the beautiful space...and if you are in the area, definitely go grab a glass or two of wine.

 

 

My mom applied her eye for design by adding the vintage display to the top of The Cellar.

That's a nice looking bathroom.


Happy new year and may 2011 be your best year yet!

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!