Press-Elizabeth Messina, Janie Medley, Momental and friends in Bride and Bloom Part II

Today is a look behind the scenes at the stationery pieces created for the Bride and Bloom shoot featuring Elizabeth Messina, Merriment Events and Janie Medley.  I mentioned in yesterday’s post that the request was for a non-flower centered design that was clean and unfussy.

A look at the collection photographed by yours truly.

You can imagine my shock when I learned our looks were on two pages!  The shot above features Janie’s gorgeous bouquet as seen on pg 131.

The half circles seen on each piece were individually hand painted, freehand.  No guides or template used here, just a decisive stroke using the perfect shaped brush.

The opaque gouache used to paint the half circles has such a pretty milky quality.  I love how the brushstrokes are seen here and there making it quite obvious these pieces were hand painted with love.  A simple scalloped edge on the table number gives the perfect dose of sweet to the look.

I am continually amazed when artists are brought together by a common vision to produce work that is both inspired and harmonious.  A big thank you to Courtney, Janie and Elizabeth for trusting my work to embellish your vision.  Collaboration for me is key in this industry and I am honored to be named alongside such talent.  Of course a big thank you goes to Leila and team at Be Inspired PR.  Your dedication to my work and brand vision is truly priceless.

Press – Elizabeth Messina, Janie Medley, Momental and friends in Bride and Bloom Part I

Many years ago after meeting a client in Barnes and Noble (before I had a studio outside of my home), I picked up a magazine.  The name was Bride and Bloom and I remember being drawn in distinctly because of the watercolor droplets as part of the gorgeous cover.  From the first page, I was lured into a world of tabletop design, real weddings and color palettes all with a distinct artistic edge.  From that very moment on I made it one of my goals, or should I say dreams to one day have my hand painted stationery designs featured in Bride and Bloom.  My dream has come true.

A look at the cover that inspired my dream!

Last October I received a late night email from Leila letting me know that I had the opportunity to collaborate with none other than the amazing photographer,  Elizabeth Messina and Janie Medley of JM Flora and The Bride’s Cafe.  My scream most likely reached octives only animals could hear as I lept from my chair and ran to exclaim the big news to the hubby.  The rest as they say is history.

The design direction from Janie plus a detail of an inspiration board she shared:

“eclectic…..chic…organic….i would prefer not to have the flower motif on the stationery…just something with nice clean lines.”

I went to work on menus, place cards, chair signs and a sweet table number. As I have mentioned before, planning enough time is key when preparing pieces for photography as no detail goes unnoticed by the camera!  Admittedly, the request to refrain from using a floral motif on the pieces was quite intimidating.   After sitting at the painting table  in the studio, experimenting with various concepts, from painted striped, hand drawn border and various other ideas, I finally came to the idea of painted dots.  I loved the look of the sheer white half circles painted with white acrylic, encased with sage green and chocolate hand painted dots.  The look in the end had a certain understated whimsy.

In my opinion, the touch of crimson present in Janie’s lush and romantic bouquet takes this neutral palette to another level entirely.

How about these sweet little menu stands, so perfect fom A Remark You Made. This particular shot really shows the texture I achieved with the painted dots.  Also, Steph’s suggestion of a vellum layer could not have been more perfect.  The layering of papers reminded me of the way a birch tree’s bark peels revealing the lovely smooth wood below.

From Janie:White hydrangea, Belles of Ireland, White Snowberries, white Ranunculus and Burgundy Dahlias

Check back tomorrow for a behind the scenes look at the pieces before they left the studio.  Until then check out Elizabeth’s post on Kiss the Groom!