The Campaign Trail

Yesterday I went on my own campaign tour to influence the youth of America.  Well, ok, maybe not to that extent, but I'm hoping I at least influenced a couple of Grand Valley State art students.
Every now and then I return to my alma mater in Pure Michigan and speak to an illustration class filled with inquiring minds that is taught by my former advisor and instructor, Ed.  I absolutely love doing these talks and think it is so important for these students to hear from other artists making a living with their talent in the real world.  I am hoping to extend my "teachings" on to other classes and universities in order to make a difference in how students look at life post college and anticipate having a career in an artistic field.  It ain't easy, but it's doable if done right.

The kids were in luck this year for 2 reasons.  #1: not only did I speak, but the other guest of honor was my good friend from undergrad, Kim.  She's an extremely talented medical illustrator for The New England Journal of Medicine that the students (and myself) were just fascinated by....blood and guts to my flora and fauna.
#2: I finished something very special for this talk....Anna and Jason's painting!  Still a tad wet, but finished!

The "kids" loved it (along with some of my other treasures) and asked plenty of questions about Reenie Rose.  One of the key things I pointed on was connections.  Networking and collaborating with others is so essential to having a successful business and career.  It reminded me that I never told you how I actually happened on Anna and Jason as clients.

Anna writes her own inspirational blog, Mint Chevron, that is an adorable collection of fun and beautiful findings.  Well, one fine day, Anna decided to blog about yours truly (without me even knowing this good news).  Lucky for Anna, her smartypants husband looked in to the post and thought, "Maybe my wife is trying to give me a hint as to something she would like."  Smart man I say.  So, Jason contacted me and the rest is history!  Anna gets the perfect 5 year anniversary gift, and Jason gets the Husband of the Year award for being so intuitive.

Lesson learned kids:  Marry a guy that reads your blog.  Are you out there?

I can't wait for Anna and Jason to see their painting in person!

Painting Update: Anna and Jason

While I've been posting willy nilly about all the other marvelous things I do (i.e. playing with stickers and assisting on weddings), you've probably been wondering if I still paint.  How is Anna and Jason's painting going?  Well, I'll tell you....it's a beast.  42 hours in and this is where we stand:

Oooo doesn't this painting just look warmer than what it is outside with all that sunshine coming in on it?!  I'm in the home stretch so watch out for a finished painting very soon!  Who thinks I will break 50 hours?

P.S.  This is my 200th post!  Whoot Whoot!

Snap Shots

Yesterday was an amazing day of progress toward my new website.  I had a photo shoot at my home/studio with the ever amazing Jenn Gaudreau of Jennifer Kathryn Photography.  Though I can't show you any of the photos from the shoot just yet, I do want to share a couple of images of the "village members" that are helping to raise this website child of mine.

Of course, for starters there is Jennifer Kathryn Photography.  There is another post to come with an interview and some images of the shoot from Jenn, but for now, you just need to know her.  She is the sweetest person to spend 5 hours of your day with.  Note that we did a lot of chit chatting and giggling throughout this shoot that may have added to our time, but neither of us seemed to really mind!

Bella assisted on the shoot

You've heard me swoon over Megan Musschoot at Pistil and Vine before....well, I'm doing it again.  Just look at this beautiful arrangement she provided for my kitchen counter to add some color to my images.  Oh, just something she whipped up for me on the spot.  I wish I could bottle her talent up and channel it to my toes...then I'd be painting and floral arranging at the same time.

Finally, with the weather cooling down, and my window boxes looking less than savory, Viviana Grasso of Petal Play Design (aka my partner in crime for next year's Indie Wed) provided some lush greens to improve the view from my windows.

It didn't hurt that she threw in these sunflowers to brighten my day too.

How lucky am I to work with such lovely and talented ladies!?  All I can say is that I'm always so grateful for these opportunities to collaborate.  It makes painting a Reenie Rose so much more than a "simple" painting.  Lots of tlc going into every painting and every part of the business.  Can't wait to show you more!

Thanks ladies!!!!  xoxo

Dualing Paintings

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope the blast of fall air has given you a fresh start to the work week.  I'm feeling pretty motivated and keeping busy.  As a wise woman I know once said, "People are their least productive when they're 'busy', meaning they have a lot going on but not much is happening."  Well Ms. Anne marie, I can safely say that things are "happening".  In fact, two things are happening....I'm dual painting.  
I've been asked before if I ever paint multiple pieces at one time, and the answer is typically "no".  Currently I have taken on this mystery of multi-tasking in order to have a couple of visual options for my upcoming photo shoot with the lovely Jennifer Kathryn Photography.


Here is an update on Argentina and Jesse's ivory bouquet:

I put the brakes on this piece in order to start another with a little more color variation for my website photos.  I introduce to you the composition for Anna and Jason's painting:

Not only is this painting full of spring colors, but it is a doosy of a composition (who volunteered this image?).  This piece reminds me a lot of Rachel and Brian's painting...remember that one?:

I think it's the sunlight, color palette and those coveted peonies that make these compositions look like cousins of each other.  What do you think?

Back to the painting...
So, I've sketched in Anna and Jason's, resulting in a very advanced, oversized looking coloring book:

Lil bit crazy looking if you ask me.  Ah, but there's no time to think about that.  Next week is the photo shoot and I need to have half of this painting finished with maybe a little more on Argentina and Jesse's.  Back and forth I'll go with a few updates here and there for you.

For more extensive coverage on my progress, follow me on Instagram.  Yes, I have added another social media platform to my arsenal of getting the Reenie Rose word out to one and all.  You can find me under the username "Loreen_Rose".  Do you believe "ReenieRose" was already taken?  Who is this impostor and how do they paint?!

Not this crazy way I bet.