I heart NY...and Jersey City

This past weekend I was galavanting about New York and Jersey with one of my bestest friends.  Ok, so at age 31 we no longer galavant nor find a need to go out and live it up as we use to.  It also should be noted that this bestest friend of mine is 2 weeks away from giving birth to her first baby.  We more or less trudged around when we did get out and had to dodge rain drops.  All this being said, it was such a lovely trip.

Here we are dripping wet at the Columbus Circle Christmas Market and loving it.

It's an amazing thing to be around someone that is about to enter into a game-changing stage of life that neither of you can give advice about... yet are constantly vacillating over.  Instead, we sat while sipping perfect Nespressos and reflected on life as we know it and all the dreams and aspirations we have for things to come.  The holidays can do this to you too, so we went out and shopped the the holiday markets to feel that holiday spirit while sipping on hot cider this time.  Everything kept leading back to how gracious and thankful we are to have each other and the life that surrounds us....so much so that we were already reminiscing 6 hours after our parting.

The 911 Memorial will also put a few things into perspective.

This is deep, I know, but I can't help start to get in a refresh mode by reevaluating life, taking things a bit slower, prioritizing a bit wiser and working on thinking more positively.  Before I left, I was in an anxiety ridden state that left me disappointed that I hadn't blogged all week even though I finished my painting.  Post zen weekend, I'm ok with my blogging break and giving you this beauty of a painting to start your week out.  See, eventually things all just fall into place.

Saturday Bonus!

Just a reminder for tomorrow...plus a bonus!

From Smitten:

**Custom Order Saturday is this Saturday!** 10-20% off all Custom Orders! Offer includes all custom lines including Alexander & Co. prints, Sugarboo frames and Michelle Rubin Jewelry! Can't make it in? Give us a call to order over the phone! PLUS, Loreen from Reenie Rose will be here painting live!

Stop by between 10am-4pm and see the progress I've made on Argentina and Jesse's painting!

Smitten Surprises!

Have we all come up off of our tryptophan low?  I hope everyone celebrated a plentiful and gracious turkey day....I know I did.
Of course, we are now full force into the holiday season where engagements and gift giving are at the top of the list.  Start the season off with a Countdown to the Holidays at Smitten Boutique (1041 W. Madison, Chicago) this coming Saturday, December 1st from 10am-4pm as I work on completing Argentina and Jesse's beautiful painting.

Special surprises are in store, so stop by to visit me and receive your special offer!

Small Biz Saturday

We've stuffed ourselves with gluttonous amounts of food, woken up at the butt crack of dawn to get a deal, and now it's time to support your small, local businesses for Small Business Saturday.  I will be working a wedding all day, but you should get out there and support some of my favorite peeps.  Here are some fantastic deals not to be missed:

Visit Viviana and her little dog, Louise, to be transported to a magical land in Lemont.  I often say that I'm going to just come by Petal Play Design and hangout for the day because I love the atmosphere and everything that surrounds me there.  When you purchase a Reenie Rose painting, receive a Petal Play bridal bouquet for free (up to $200)!
Don't forget that Viviana and I will also be sharing a booth together at the 2013 Indie Wed.  Double the fun!

Next Saturday I will be starting off the holiday countdown at Smitten Boutique in the West Loop where I will be painting on site.  From now through next Saturday, mention SMALL BIZ SATURDAY when booking your painting, and you will receive $200 off painting + 50 notecards.  If you stop by December 1st, you can get an even better offer on my new 2013 calendars!

So go out and continue to shop shop shop till you drop drop drop!!!

Day of Coordination

Friday afternoon I swooped in like MacGyver to assist a wedding.  I've been doing a lot of this lately.  No, not MacGyver moves, but day of assistance for weddings.  I'm actually totally loving working with different planners and vendors.   I'm going to start a series of interviews with all of the wonderful people I've worked with so far, but to start, here's a visual introduction to some of the work I've assisted on:

Place card table with City Girl Weddings

Umbrella backdrop I created for City Girl Weddings

Place card tree for Clementine Events

Lollipop place cards for SQN Events

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!