A Peek into the Studio – Hydrangeas, Garden Roses and Vintage Frames

Happy Birthday to me!  Feeling like I’m surrounded by the prettiest presents ever today since The Momental Girls have been painting their hearts out this week! Seriously though, I am feeling quite blessed today especially as l look around the room and dig into photos from our most recent projects.  We have come a long way and still have so much good ahead.  I’m proud to see what we  have created from the smallest moment of art to the biggest triumphs each season seems to bring.  Thank you ladies for being part of my life and making gorgeous art for our Brides. XOXO

Now onto the art!!  Julie’s Garden inspired Big Bloom Wedding Invitations featured pink lilacs and white hydrangeas in a lavish frame around her classic wording layout.  Her venue sketched simply at the top added a sweet personal touch we adore.  One of our favorites papers from Envelopments was used here, soft and shimmery Sea Shell.

Katie and I painted for the better part of yesterday.  Every square inch of of this big and bold seating plan was hand painted right down to each guests’ hand written name!  We are over the moon with each chalky pastel bloom!

Euna‘s table numbers were a blast to paint with each ruffly petaled bloom.  The best part?  The beauties were painted on glass and we can hardly wait to see them on each celebration table!

I picked up these custom teak buttons on Etsy last week.  Nikki and Jess painted away tiny succulents on each!  More on how we used these lovelies soon!

Lastly but not at all least are Fabiola‘s Vintage Frame Painted Peony Wedding Invitations!  Sea Shell paper is used again in all its textured loveliness paired with gold hand painted details and bold pink brushstrokes on each peony.

So what am I up to?

RSVP’ing to Bridal Market invitations,  I can hardly wait to see all the gorgeous gowns live!

Wrapping up a stunning collection for my friends at Celebrations and shipping it to Grand Cayman later this week!

Launching a new blog  dedicated to just my artwork, visit soon at kristyrice.com!

A Peek into the Studio – Painted Wood and Watercolors

When I first met Heather I instantly knew she was the  perfect client.  With a love for watercolors and a heart for travel, we had so much to draw from when sitting down to design for her wedding.  Heather’s celebration unfolded near the ocean so we created a suite of artwork to communicate their love ocean air and sandy travel.  First was an abstract ocean pattern meant to be free hand painted on wood blocks.

Subtle watercolor textures on various signs in addition to a sketch of the Santa Monica Pier on each menu continued the seaside vibe.

Each menu featured subtle blue hand painted brushstrokes to highlight our breezy sketch.

Table names were designed after Heather and Scott’s extensive travels.  Eloquent descriptions of place were paired with watercolor paintings of everything from picturesque landscapes to exotic critters.

Freshly painted watercolor stripes…

Thanks for following along, enjoy!

A Peek into the Studio – Chandeliers, Hydrangeas and Bougainvillea

The studio is bustling with ideas and projects this time of year.  We love the variety of mid-summer, everything from blooms and feathers to venue sketches and snowflakes are on the painting table!  I pulled a few favorites from the last week to share.  First up is Alyssa’s cheerful and elegant day-of accessories.  Custom wedding programs, wedding seating cards and handmade wedding table number cards all coordinated in shades of pink, gold and blush!

Samantha’s lush and whimsical blooms are perfectly balanced in shades of blue, lavender and periwinkle.  We adore the combination of poppies and hydrangeas with Envelopments iconic Repousse pattern in Dove.  A sweet art tag embellishment for her Pocketfold presents the look as a mindful gift to each guest.

Lastly, but least in no way are Jason and Anne’s SKETCHED Save the Dates.  A breezy drawing of the venue in Acalpulco, Mexico complete with crawling Bougainvillia blooms creates casual drama with every brushstroke.

Susan V.

I had such fun creating the new illustrations!!

Nithda P.

We are loving the combination of lacy and orchids, how unique!

Inspirations – A Yellow and Green Wedding at Homestead Resort in Virginia

A combination of floral watercolors and artful landscape and venue illustrations can will ensure this Virginia wedding  just sings with personality!

Homestead Resort, Snapdragons, Gladiolas, Blue Ridge Mountains

Behind the Scenes – Alchemy at the Barn, The Stationery and Feathers

Thanks so much for following along my behind the scenes look at my Alchemy at the Barn shoot.  If you missed the first two posts, check here and here!  Creepy was a word that continually entered my mind when designing this table.  I know, I know…creepy…for a wedding concept?  Something Colin Cowie said at Engage 10 , replays in my mind and I paraphrase; when planning an event, you want to keep your guests on the edge of comfort.  Now certainly Mr. Cowie did not mean seat guests at rigid chairs and serve cold food.  I think what he meant instead is to shock guests a bit and keep them guessing as to what is coming next.    There is a certain impact that shock, surprise and the unknown hold for event planning and decor.  My thoughts exactly.

My pen and ink illustrations of Scabiosa, ladybugs and pheasant feathers were highly detailed and loaded with textures.  I purposely avoided an overly cutesy or whimsical aesthetic.

I adore this shot.  A weather worn door as low table, complete with doorknob.  The crisp white china and gold (Deerlite) flatware strike a stunning contrast to the stationery decked out in brown paper bag color cardstock against a heavily textured grey stock named Anvil from our friends at Envelopments®.  The Scabiosa bloom and ladybug are contrast painted with a thick white acrylic and then brushed with gold dots and accents!

Brandee from Metro Gypsy came on board to craft several signature pieces for each place setting and the centerpiece.

A palette of silver, rich grey, aqua and gold shone throughout the stationery collection.  Each piece had a unique personality in brushstroke, hue and paper choice.

An old truck at our farm became a lovely prop for many shots.  The table number’s gold, peach and grey palette stands stunningly against the patina of the trucks exterior.

Last but not least is the vintage 7-Up  cooler used as seating card display.  Brandee perched fallen tree branches around the unit and tucked each card amongst the brush.  The result was an eclectic mix of finishes and textures.

A huge thank you again to the team!  Daniel, Dorian and Brandee brought this vision to life with me and I am forever grateful!

Originally posted 7/2010