Registry for All!

With all this gift giving floating around, it wouldn't be right to not properly introduce you to Reenie Rose's newest website feature....the Registry.

I am so excited about providing this added service to my clients, and it really goes along with the group gift process that's been mentioned this week.  I don't know what your thoughts are about a registry, but when it comes to a group of people going in on a gift together, whether you are the receiver of said gift or the organizer of gathering the group, a registry makes the process so much easier.
Right here, right now, I am declaring my registry open to all individuals (not just engaged couples) looking to make getting a Reenie Rose painting soooo much easier.  Birthday coming up, no problem!  Create your own registry to send out to your guest list.  Going to a bridal shower and want to round up the bridesmaids to go in on a gift together....super!  Create that registry for the bride and make it easier for everyone to contribute to a gift.

Have I used the word "easy" already cause this process is pretty easy.  Choose a painting size, write a sweet message and share the link with all your friends and family.  They will be able to contribute a dollar amount they choose via Paypal.  Secure, timesaving and easy.

So, tomorrow when everyone but this single girl gets engaged, usher them over to Reenie Rose to start off their wedding planning, birthday list or I'm just a great person and deserve an awesome gift registry!!!  I'm thinking of going all Carrie Bradshaw and starting one for myself.

Happy mom received her daughter, Whitney's, painting yesterday. Given by good friends and loved by the family (at least mom so far).  Next wedding....a group gift registry is going to be considered so everyone can have a hand in this keepsake.  Start a tradition!!!

Don't forget to stop by Petal Play Design tomorrow between 11am-3pm to wish me a Happy Valentine's Day and see me get started on my next painting.  First sneak peak at the shop!

February Fundays

It's done!  It's complete!  It's finished!
Whitney and Will's painting took a total of 60 hours and 45 minutes to complete, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome.

This is one of those labor of love paintings that you just can't wait to be finished with, yet when it's done you go, "Now what?"  Well, I have a pile of stuff already banging on my door that is going to keep this painter busy busy busy for the next few months.  Some things to look forward to:

-I'm creating a custom painting especially for FORM: Art + Floral to be raffled off at our fundraising event in April.  I'm sketching it in now, so be ready for a composition post soon.

See this puppy transformed in black and white.

-A surprise painting I can't tell you about until it's revealed in April.  I love these kinds of surprises...the ones where I only know about them.

-A new painting from a wedding I actually worked back in November.  The couple was so sweet that I am so happy to have another hand in there wedding day.

-Get your Valentine's Day flowers at Petal Play Design on February 14th...and by flowers, I mean a painting!  Here's a hint....I will be painting one of the above mentioned new pieces and you will get a first look at it if you come out and visit me!

-Don't forget to rsvp to the Blooms and Brunch event I will be painting at on February 17th at Magnificent Milestones!  Nibbles, drinks and painting....what could be better!

This month is really dishing out some fun challenges.  I'll give you one more hint for something else coming up: radio.

In Case You Forgot...

Hear's my last stitch effort to tempt you into coming to Indie Wed tomorrow....

I'll be painting on site tomorrow trying to fill in all the remaining blanks.  You really should come by and see this painting in person in a near completion state.  Today we setup our booth too....that in itself is worth stopping by to view.  It looks like we took down a ballerina in a retro household...but in a very good way.  Did I mention the pink t.v.?

Our 4th Annual Winter Indie Wed show will be take place on

Saturday, February 2nd, 2013
from 10am to 4pm
at the Ravenswood Event Center
entrance at 4043 N. Ravenswood Ave
Chicago

Plenty of free parking is available along Ravenswood Ave.
Venue is also 1/2 block north of the Irving Park brown line  station

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Indie Wed will feature:

*100+ amazing vendors from the Midwest and beyond
*two full floors of vendors
*food tastings
*musical performances
*wandering models featuring spectacular bridal fashions
*a special Belles & Gents lounge with sweets , food and beer pairings, extra vendors plus more
*and much more

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 Tickets 

* At The Door  = $20 per person CASH ONLY

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Booth #1!!!!  Be there!

Indie Wed, Here We Come!

In less than a week, Indie Wed will be upon us!  Our booth plans are really coming together to feature both mine and Viviana's work in a most fun and sassy style.  The collaboration between Petal Play Design and Reenie Rose is really going to highlight how easy a florist and artist can work together.  Oh, and the colors!!  We love color in booth #1!!!

Here are a couple snippets of what you'll see next weekend...

Don't forget, I'll be working on Whitney and Will's painting live that day!

We can't wait to share our vision with you!  In the meantime, go purchase your tickets here and get ready to enjoy the day among creatives!  The first 50 people in line will also receive a swag bag for special swag items from each vendor.....and we've got great swag in our booth (in more ways than you know!).  Eeee!

Meet the Photographer: Donna Von Bruening

It's time for an update on this crazy beautiful painting I'm working on for Whitney and Will.

I've got the scabiosa filled in nicely and the dahlia coming to life.  World's trickiest coloring book I say.

So, how about the person I was so lucky to have capture all of these tiny details for me since I was unable to be in New York to admire this puppy in person....Donna Von Bruening!  She is so talented, kind and supportive.  Take a look:

1.  How long have you been in business?
     13 years

2.  Toot your own horn....what’s your specialty?   
     I photograph weddings almost exclusively.  I believe my work is sincere and reflects the relationships of my couples as well as is flattering. 

3.  Who or what are your favorite subjects to photograph....your dream photo session?
     I love brides - hands down! And my husband..I love photographing him.  My two sons have my number and immediately pose for me so they aren't as spontaneous now. 

4.  Craziest thing you’ve captured on camera?
     A naked groom who was wearing eyeliner.  Completely true. The image was displayed at the reception.  

5.  What do you like about working in the wedding industry?
      I love my clients and the intimacy I have with them. 

6.  What is something you wish your clients knew about your job?
      I wish they knew that I spend an average of 40 hours on their wedding, before and after. 

7.  When you are not working, what are you up to?
      Cooking, hanging with my husband and boys or with my friends. 

8.  Anything new and exciting coming up that we should know about? (either professionally or personally)
      2013 is a year of focus for me so I am honing what I already have and being forever grateful. 

Donna Von Bruening Photographers

http://www.donnavonbruening.com

• info@dvbphoto.com
 
• 912-898-9282

• Thank you so much Donna!!!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend all!

Winter White : Colorful Summer

Yay it's the weekend!  Have any good plans going on?  I wish I could say I was going out to make snow angels and go skiing and have a snowball fight, but alas, we go another weekend without snow accumulation.  I mean, is anything really going to happen tomorrow?  I'm not so hopeful.  With this disappointing Chicago winter, I will stay indoors and continue painting while waiting for a few flakes.

After my last post about the Clementine ladies, I was notified that the images for a wedding I had worked with Kelly were available to view.  I just had to share these with you!  While we may not have a white winter, we definitely had a colorful summer...and Cher and Nick's wedding was no exception:

Isn't that bouquet amazing!!!!  Pulling off a rainbow colored wedding can be tricky...in order to not come off tacky, but Cher and Nick combined with Clementine Events blended a perfect match of color and style.  It's so much fun to be a part of an incredible day like this.  To view more photos of Cher and Nick's day, jump over here.

And then there's my day job....which gets pretty incredible too...in a different sort of way.

I'm chugging along on Whitney and Will's painting.  It's probably a good thing there isn't any snow for me to play in...I've got some work to do here!

All-star Painting #1

With the new year laid out before us, it's time I introduced you to the first painting up for 2013.

I am pretty thrilled by the crowd of characters involved in making this painting happen.  First up, none of this would be happening without the clients that are playing the role of gift givers of such a lovely wedding gift.  I could lead you down the trail of who's who, but it's just much easier to say thank you Mike and Judy.

Whitney and Will thank you as well....they are our lucky couple.

Photo by Donna Von Bruening

Aren't they just the cutest!  For some of you foodies out there, you may recognize Whitney as a finalist from the Next Food Network Star show in 2011.  Since my mom and sister were regular watchers of that season, they were all to eager to inform me of my new painting owner.  I'll admit, I was a little giddie over the idea of a foodie star, though, no offense Whitney, I was a little more excited about the florist.  I mean, look at this bouquet...

Photo by Donna Von Bruening

Amazing!!!!  I have long since admired Brooklyn based florist Nicolette Camille and her work with Sarah Ryhanen from Saipua.  When I found out that Nicolette was the florist, I was all too anxious to see her magical creation.  She certainly did not disappoint with this wild beauty.  Now I find myself faced with a painting containing many new elements that I have never had before....such veiny leaves, curling tendrils and precious lily of the valley that were so important to the bride.  Thus, the composition:

Anyone out there want to put any time guesstimations on how long this one will take to paint?

How about now?

A big thank you to Donna Von Bruening for her fabulous photography.  When I can't be in New York to take my own photos, you definitely want someone as sweet as Donna to step in and get the job done.  I had so many fabulous images to work with, and she was just a gem at getting them to me.  

Now all there is left to do is paint and get to showing you the next one in line!

No really, anybody want to take a stab at a painting total time...anyone?

Welcome 2013, welcome.

Happy New Year everyone!  I've allowed myself a holiday hiatus this past week and a half to wrap up any end-of-the-year missions which is why things have been pretty quiet over here lately.  The holidays are over and it's time for a fresh start.  One thing I didn't plan on though....a beginning of the year cold.    Not exactly how I wanted to start things off, but at least it allows me to lay on my couch and reach out to you.
While many have been reminiscing about 2012, I am wanting to dive into this new year.  I have so many new things lined up that I am just dying to share with you...

#1 on the list...my new website.  In between writing this post and blowing my nose, I am putting the final touches on my new and improved site.  Stay tuned for a special announcement by the end of the week!

#2-  Have you been on the Reenie Rose Facebook page today?  From now until December 31st, we will be featuring a "Bouquet a Day" from all the admired florals we come across.  I hope you'll enjoy getting to know these talented artists and share them!

Bouquet by Hello Darling

#3-  I have soooo many new paintings on my roster, that this year is starting out feeling pretty good.  Even though I am working on the healthy part of "a happy, healthy new year", I couldn't be happier with the clients I already have in front of me.  There's lots of new art on the way, so get ready for greatness!!!

Composition for my next painting!

I wish you all the best this year and hope that you too make 2013 your best year yet!