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!

Hello Darling Painting Finished!

I just finished the bouquet painting for Hello Darling, and I couldn't wait till tomorrow to post it because it turned out so beautiful.  When I say things like this, I don't feel like I'm bragging....my process is a team effort.  This painting wouldn't be what it is without the artistic talent of Natalie, owner of Hello Darling.  She both created the bouquet and took the photograph with no composition cropping on my part.  I can't wait to see this piece in her lovely studio.  Before it heads there though, it will be on display tomorrow night (Friday, June 25th @ 6:30pm) at the Lemont Art Walk.  Please come out and see this piece in person...it's so much better in person.  Cheers to a finished painting and art walks in summer!

Eventful and Events

Two fun bits of news to share in both of my camps, Reenie Rose and Reeniebeans. 
The first bit is the most exciting for me cause it's a big leap for Reenie Rose.  I've taken out an ad!  In this June's issue of Chicago Social Brides magazine, I have a half page ad featured.  Chicago Social Brides is a local magazine that focuses on the luxury end of the wedding business.  With a very targeted audience, I am hoping to bring Reenie Rose to the attention of readers with an eye for something special.  CS Brides is a free publication and can be found at most wedding related businesses.  If you can't find it somewhere nearby, check it out online at their digital edition (hint: I'm on pg 253 & 264).  Below is the ad, but to actually be able to view it in something that someone else has produced is really something.  Go check it out!


The other good news is that I will be participating in the Lemont Art Walk taking place next Friday (June 25th). My Smokey Row mural will be featured at none other than The Inn at Smokey Row.  I am so excited for the inn to finally receive some public recognition....and if it has to be done at my expense, well, I guess I will deal with that.  If you are in the area or wish to check out good old Historic Downtown Lemont, come by the inn and visit me.  I will also have the Hello Darling painting on display in its finished state (to be completed this week).  This is a great opportunity to see a Reenie Rose painting in person.  I hope I will get a chance to see you there! 

 Enjoy the weekend and the real start of summer!

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.

Hello Painting!

I just started a painting for a wonderful florist I have mentioned at least once before....Hello Darling.  Natalie at Hello Darling has offered to house a painting of mine front and center in her studio.  One of the things that is going to be so special about this painting is that it is a bouquet she created and photographed.  It's really unique.

Here's a look at the painting started.

This painting will be the first thing you see when you walk into the Hello Darling studio.  It will be a great reflection of the beautiful work that Natlie creates...as well as the work that I do.

Stay tuned for additional updates , as well as, a May wedding coming up!