In the Studio

Announcements, In the Studio
Build Your Wedding with Authenticity and Love
- December 8, 2015
- by Allison
It is the end of the year, and around this time I get really reflective about my life and my business(es). In the wedding world it is easy to get swept up in the beauty of it all, and there are groups of people in the world that actually hate on weddings (and styled shoots for that matter). They argue that it isn’t authentic or real. I’m very intuitive to these concerns and took a moment to reflect on why I’m attracted to the wedding industry, and why I think weddings are authentic and valuable. This is why I’m in the wedding industry…

I believe that weddings are a public display of a couple’s promise to love one another through the ups and downs of life. This is a big deal, and it is why a couple’s wedding is one of the most monumental days of their lives. It is also a joining of one’s closest friends and family members to support the partnership.

Every wedding is different because every couple is different. The things that attract them to each other and the way each person sees the world and has chosen to align with another person in a supportive relationship is unique. This is where my creative juices get flowing, because an artist can help bring these unique aspects of a wedding into a visual story.

Because every couple is different, they have the freedom to display their marriage promises in any way that suits them. They can do this with a handful of close family members and friends in their backyard or along a pier on a beautiful lake. Or they can choose to make it an elaborate affair and invite hundreds of people to celebrate with a multi-course meal in a grand space. There really are numerous options, but the important part is that this couple is choosing to make these promises public, and that friends and family are there to celebrate this courageous moment.

We live in a world with a lot of hate and fear, and I believe it is important to cherish ceremonies and public expressions of love, no matter what form they take place in. This is why I’m attracted to weddings, and why I feel I have something to contribute to them. I will not judge your ideas around your wedding—they are what makes you human and unique. I will encourage you to build your wedding with authenticity and love.
In the Studio
Introducing Hand-Painted Yoga – Art inspired by yoga
- November 16, 2015
- by Allison
Blogging has been a little quiet for the last two weeks, and there is a very good reason for it. Behind the scenes I have been working on a very new, exciting project focused around one of my passions, yoga. I launched this new venture, Hand-Painted Yoga, at the beginning of November in front of holiday shopping, and have been working on setting up Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

Hand-Painted Yoga is an online shop featuring abstract art inspired by yoga philosophy. While I have geared the artwork towards yoga, the messages resonate with all humans in a very real, raw way. This is a very personal project for me, because yoga has and continues to impact my life in a deep way.

You might be wondering why I chose to open up a yoga art business since I already have a wedding business, and what do the two have to do with each other. Well, the funny thing is that I was actually drawn to both yoga and weddings at the same time, 7 years ago. I started yoga while planning my own wedding as a stress relief as well as for physical posture reasons (frankly, I wanted to look good in my dress). While I was drawn to yoga for physical reasons, I have been fortunate enough to have teachers along the way that have instilled the philosophies of yoga alongside the physical sequences, and it is those spiritual connections, yoga philosophies that have kept me coming back and growing to a daily practice. More on what drew me to opening up a wedding business here.

In collaboration with my yoga teacher I created abstract watercolors to express visually the phrases my teacher uses throughout class that inspire me far beyond the mat. My wish is that these expressions will inspire others as much as they have inspired me. In this world of ambition and aggressive work ethics, these messages are a breath of fresh air, encouraging the reader to live with intention and naked awareness.

Go on over to the Hand-Painted Yoga website to learn more, and to shop for your loved ones this holiday season.

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In the Studio
Behind the Scenes at Hand-Painted Weddings
- February 17, 2015
- by Allison
One of the most amazing things about having a partner is when you see glimpses of how he/she sees you. On Valentine’s Day my husband Carl graciously took some Hand-Painted Weddings behind the scenes photos for me. He is one of the few people who can capture my true essence on camera. It is remarkable when your partner sees you better than you see yourself sometimes.

I’ve wanted these photos for awhile so couples can see the person behind the paintbrush and behind each detailed email conversation. What shines through these photos is the excitement I have for Hand-Painted Weddings and couples’ ideas, as well as the zen, quiet moments I spend sketching and painting. I have realized recently that I adore these quiet moments and have really embraced some of my more introverted tendencies with my art.

Another thing you might notice in these behind the scenes photos is that I paint multiple designs on one sheet of watercolor paper. I have this tendency to being very detailed in how I paint but liking to work on a big sheet of paper. I think this little tendency also contributes to a greener production, which is aligned with my morals. Another subtle thing you may have picked up on is that I don’t work at a desk all day. I’m constantly moving around my home studio, the studio outside my home, as well as local coffee shops. I adore this flexibility of changing my environment throughout the day. I believe it promotes creativity.

I’m working on incorporating these photos into the Hand-Painted Weddings website, but I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek! If you would like to see a close-up of the eucalyptus painting, check it out on Instagram here.