MY SWEET PRINCE DOUG ~ IN HEAVENT AT LAST . . .

A LITTLE HISTORY ~ We shared 25 amazing years, 23 of them as husband and wife. These were the happest of my life and went by too fast. After being told he had six months to live, Doug fought another six years, most of them rewarding for us. But his camcer finally took him this September. Words cannot describe how much I miss him.

FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON ~ There are no perfect couples, but there are couples that are perfect for each other. That was our life and I am grateful. Thank God for cards, photos and videos of all the memories, starting with this one (left) 23 years ago.

TWO DREAMS REALIZED . . .

PEBBLE BEACH DREAM TRIP ~ In Autumn 2022, the last item on Doug's "bucket list" happened when we joined friends at Pebble Beach. Perfect weather, perfect friends, perfect golf in the low 70s followed by a Scottish bagpiper at dusk. Who could ask for more?!? Memories . . .

BIRTHDAY / ANNIVERSARY GIFTS ~ After plans were dashed by COVID twice, we were back in Hawai, spending two days at our Kawaii resort, three in Maui at Doug's high school pal Jim and Debi Gordon's cottage, then four more in Kawaii with our niece and nephew who were visiting their aunt and uncle who lived near us in Princeville. Bliss . . .

 

CELEBRATING AGAIN . . .

It's all in the little details, but after two years of COVID, wearing masks, the rising costs of weddings, and other roadblocks to ceremonies, weddings are happening again. I've shared some ideas on this page to help make your once-in-a-lifetime event truly special.

 

 

THE PROPOSAL AND WHAT FOLLOWS ~ Engagement is a magical time, from the moment your sweetheart pops the questions until you celebrate the day of your dreams with your friends and family. After the proposal, it's the start of the process that brings you two to choices about your special day. As you go through the process of planning details, remember to breathe and take time to appreciate all the good moments. Best wishes for not only a joy-filled future, but the courage to become a team to meet the issues that life will inevitably bring your way. A good marriage is everything.

Everyone wants a beautiful invitation. These are easy to find online and at stationery shops, but it you want something truly unique and completely personal, my work may be a good fit for you. As an award-winning fine artist, professional graphic designer, and art director with decades of experience, I can create almost any type of invitation to suit your taste. However . . .

MY UNIQUE SPECIALTY ~ My specialty is one-of-a-kind invitations featuring your portrait. Months prior to your event, I can creare fine art for use as cover art on invitations and other materials. It's so personal, many clients prefer these lovely detailed works to photographs as the ideal mementos.

 

 

STEP 1 • THE INITIAL CONSULTATION ~ We'll plan a complimentary consultation to go over the details. It's best to do this in-person where I can share samples of art I've created for others over the years. A FaceTime meeting is also an option. You may have found an invitation you love. This is the perfect time to share it.

YOUR HUSBAND-TO-BE ~ If your fiance is with you and you're sticklers for tradition, this can bring up him seeing you in your gown before the ceremony. You may wish to order the art without him and give it to him as a wedding gift. A little planning, plus cooperation from friends and family, can go far toward helpng you decide.

AM I THE RIGHT DESIGNER ~ All my work is custom and much of it hand-made, so smaller orders work best. We'll discuss quantity, timeframe for completion, collateral items, and whether my work is the best fit.

COPYRIGHT ~ All my work is copyrighted (©). You will notice the (©) icon on all my art. Please respect it. After I create your art, I reserve the right to use it to promote my business on my webite and product i.e. calendars, etc. Copyright means you may NOT reproduce the image in ANY manner without written permission.

Highlight ~ The art (left) I did of our wedding party was a gift for my husband on our 4th Anniversary. NOTE: I've shared 10 other paintings below in the "Examples of my Wedding Portraits"section.

 

STEP 2 PLANNING YOUR PORTRAIT

THUMBNAIL SKETCH ~ At this stage, you will have chosen your setting and shared images of it with me either onlline or in-person. If not, in some cases I can do an small photo shoot of the church, grounds, gardens or whatever you've selected. At this time, we'll address the specifics of your portrait.

 

STEP 3 THE FEE, CREATIVE PROCESS, AND DELIVERY OF YOUR WEDDING "MASTERPIECE"

A SIMPLE FORMULA ~ I charge by the number of hours I estmate it will take to complete the artwork using all the details gathered in our complimentary planning meeting. We'll sign an agreement and I'll receive your deposit of 50% of the total estimated amount. The balance of 50% plus any additional incurred expenses by changes or additions to the art is due upon receipt of the finished piece. At that time, sales tax (City of Spokane @ 9% and Spokane County ~ 8.95%) for the entire amount is also due. I accept VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, AMERICAN EXPRESS, and in some cases, personal checks.

POSSIBLE SECOND LOOK ~ As the project progresses, sometimes we'll schedule a second consultation to ensure all your details correct. When your "Mastepiece" is finished, you may wish to order prints for members of your wedding party and / or family.

 

STEP 4 & 5 • Find these at the foot of this page.

 

 

TEN WEDDING PORTRAITS MANY CREATED OVER THE YEARS FOR BOTH AND CLIENTS AND FRIENDS

 

WEDDING PROGRAM FEATURING FINE ART

ADDING MY FINE ART OF THE DAVENPORT FOUNTAIN TO CREATE A MEMENTO

FINE ART TOUCH ~ Although the young couple chose text-only invitations and collateral items from another designer, one evening before their ceremony, the bride-to-be went online to find images of the fountain at Duncan Garden. This iconic Manito Park garden setting was where the couple planned to exchange vows. My website popped up and shared my portrait of it.

IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY ~ Nicole reached out to me to for a meeting as she was "enchanted by the artwork." When we got together at the Manito's Park Bench Cafe, she shared her wedding invitation and some other collateral items with me.

The one last-minute item the couple wanted for their wedding day was a program for guests to keep as a memento. In addition to being a fine artist, she was thrilled to learn that I was an accomplished graphic designer as well. We put our heads together and I sketched out a sample program on a napkin, using details from her invitation for the border and color-matching the Pantone ink colors. "Bernhard Modern" was part of my font library for the cover and interior, so this project was a seamless match to their other materials. My portrait, "DAVENPORT FOUNTAIN AT DUNCAN GARDEN" went on the cover.

SUCCESS! ~ The wedding was a short week away, but the ducks lined up as the guest list for the vows was small. Add to that, my art studio had everything I needed to complete the design and produce the charming memento (left). It was a dream come true for the bride and groom.

 

 

ELEGANT TEXT STYLE INVITATION

FINE ART OR ELEGANT TEXT STYLE WEDDING INVITATIONS

Click on the invitation image (left) or on Wedding Invitation pdf to see a collection of sample coordinated wedding items. I created these for our son Kevin's wedding at the historic Thornewood Castle by American Lake near Tacoma, WA. Highlight ~ See the painting above in the "Examples of My Wedding Portraits."

COLLATERAL ITEMS

To make your once-in-a-lifetime event even more special, consider adding one or more of these items. An invitation packet for family, wedding party members, and guests can consist of as many as seven items. We'll discuss what works best for you.

 

 

STEP 4 • FINALIZING DETAILS ~ By now, you and your fiance will have finalized the text (and colors, if any) for your project. You may consider adding ribbon, scalloped edges to soften your presentation. At this point I create samples for you to review.

When everything's finalized, I'll estimate the cost and completion date. We'll sign an agreement and I'll receive your deposit of 50% of the total estimated amount. The balance of 50% plus any additional incurred expenses by changes or additions to the art is due upon receipt of the finished piece. At that time, sales tax (City of Spokane @ 9% and Spokane County ~ 8.95%) for the entire amount is also due. I accept VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, AMERICAN EXPRESS, and in some cases, personal checks.

 

STEP 5 • MOCK-UPS, SIGN OFF, PRODUCTION, AND FINAL DELIVERY ~ As soon as your sample items are complete, you will review and sign off on them so production can begin. NOTE: Proofing is your responsibility. I am not responsible for ANY typographical or content errors. Upon deivery, the remaining balance plus Washington State sales tax is due. If you wish to order other items, we can discuss it at this time.

SUGGESTED TIME-FRAME FOR MAILING ~ Often couples mail "Save the Dates" six months to a year prior to their ceremony. Your invitations should be mailed two months before your wedding.

 

If you've commissioned a wedding portrait for your invitations, you and your sweetheart will be the proud owners of a very special memento of the most important day of your lives ~ plus your friends and family with have copies the image as a remembrance as well.

 

 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FINE ART OR CONTENT ON THIS PAGE?

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