Inspiration Series - Ian Prosser & Zoë Gallina of Botanica

I am often asked how I fight through creative block and what inspires me. So, here is an installment of my Inspiration Series.

I've found that sometimes to break out of a NON-creative funk, it's best I go look at some work of other artists I admire. Being a traditional artist as well, It's fun for me to see what other artists use as their outlet, although I paint, and sketch my primary outlet for my art is through graphics, type and paper.  Sometimes to see how other creative minds put out their ideas, and the creations they create will jostle my own creative juices. All photography images courtesy of Botanica.

Featured in this installement are the unsurpassed talents of Owner Ian Prosser & Creative Director Zoë Gallina. Lose yourself below and be captivated by the Beauty that is Botanica!!

Highly coveted and acclaimed, Ian Prosser is a floral phenomenon having created an array of masterpieces for the likes of Queen Elizabeth, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Donna Summer, Dan Wheldon, & Kirstie Alley.  Yes, we are "dropping names" here... with this repertoire who wouldn't?!  Not to mention his work in the presidential inauguration of President Bill Clinton & his role as "Floral Design Chair" for the inaugurations of President George W. Bush.

However accomplished and with over 30 years experience, Ian still remains personally connected, approaching each creative opportunity with explicit care and inspired artistry.  Having seen his work first hand, it is simply BREATHTAKING.  A leader and mentor in the industry, a worldwide award winning inspiration to be sought after, Mr. Ian Prosser.

A perfect complement to the ambitious Prosser, let us also introduce Zoë Gallina the decorated Creative Director of Botanica.  With unrelenting creativity and a passion for "the feel of the flower", Gallina has gone on to support and uphold the exceptional reputations of this unmatched design studio.  Winning floral awards as early as age 8 and having been featured in various publications throughout her professional career, she is a blooming talent who is continued to be watched and respected by all in the industry.  Not to mention, she is simply a DOLL!

Special thanks to all the creative minds at Botanica for sharing their artistic expression!

With hopes that you continue on your journey towards inspiration, we invite you to browse our entire Inspiration Series on our blog and perhaps become further fueled to create, pulling inspiration from us here at The 2u Collection.

Inspiration Series - Quest Drape

I am often asked how I fight through creative block and what inspires me. So, here is an installment of my Inspiration Series. 

I've found that sometimes to break out of a NON-creative funk, it's best I go look at some work of other artists I admire. Being a traditional artist as well, It's fun for me to see what other artists use as their outlet, although I paint, and sketch my primary outlet for my art is through graphics, type and paper.  Sometimes to see how other creative minds put out their ideas, and the creations they create will jostle my own creative juices. All photography images courtesy of Quest Drape.

I've had the pleasure of interacting with some amazing vendors and it always delights me when a foreign or unexpected medium is translated into a beautiful creation. Check out how Quest Drape takes the simple element of drapery to a level unmatched! The impact alone fires me up...!

 

Inspiration Series - Ronnie Renaud @ RW Chocolate Fountains

I am often asked how I fight through creative block and what inspires me. So, here is an installment of my Inspiration Series. 

I've found that sometimes to break out of a NON-creative funk, it's best I go look at some work of other artists I admire. Being a traditional artist as well, It's fun for me to see what other artists use as their outlet, although I paint, and sketch my primary outlet for my art is through graphics, type and paper.  Sometimes to see how other creative minds put out their ideas, and the creations they create will jostle my own creative juices. All photography images courtesy of RW Chocolate Fountain Rentals.

Featured in this installment is the oh-so-sweetly talented Ronnie Renaud of RW Chocolate.

At The 2u Collection we have been fortunate enough to indulge (inspiration enough) in the simply fantastic creations of this master confectioner & chocolatier extraordinaire. We like to consider ourselves "official" taste-testers, and let me tell you there is nothing to complain about! The only challenge? Putting these delectable dessert treats down! Solution?... We simply refrain from having scales in our creative space..... *wink*

Ronnie sets RW Chocolate apart from other industry professionals with her strong consideration for not only taste but the overall event aesthetic as well. It's not just chocolate flowing down a fountain, it's an adorned focal piece that fits. Truffles and cakes  are carefully arranged to compliment and enhance. You just haven't experienced sinful indulgence, until your lips are glitzed with glitter from her infamous Disco Balls. I'd have to say it's the fun and whimsy of it all that inspires me most. She also does amazing chocolate molds. You can see in the picture below! I had her make these for my best friends baby shower and they were a huge hit!!

I hope that you are lucky enough to enjoy not only these images, but her edible artistry as well.  May her work inspire you to 
break free!

Color Inspiration - A little dust, A little rose.... Enter: DUSTY ROSE!

Although delicate & demure, Dusty Rose begs to inspire!  Perfectly romantic... this color melts hearts with it's allusion to Victorian Vintage.  Such elegance, such tradition.  It's one of those colors that is subtle enough to act as your complete design base, yet also carries enough feeling to suggest a simple accent here and there.  If you haven't already been swept off your feet... a little Dusty Rose is sure to set the tone.   

Images courtesy of Style.com-Elie Saab, CakeCentral.com, UrbanOutfitters.com, DSMeeBee, Joanna Hendrie Events & Fetes, Hatunot, Orange & Blossom

Inspiration Series-Photographer Shira Weinberger

I am often asked how I fight through creative block and what inspires me. So, here is an installment of my Inspiration Series. 

I've found that sometimes to break out of a NON-creative funk, it's best I go look at some work of other artists I admire. Being a traditional artist as well, It's fun for me to see what other artists use as their outlet, although I paint, and sketch my primary outlet for my art is through graphics, type and paper.  Sometimes to see how other creative minds put out their ideas, and the creations they create will jostle my own creative juices. All photography images courtesy of Shira Weinberger

Today's installment is about NYC Expressive Contemporary Photographer Shira Weinberger. I had the pleasure of working with Shira in October of last year on our Gotham Hall wedding in New York City. In a city full of photo opportunities Shira definitely makes the best of them. It takes a special person to be able to capture a couple's most intimate moments and she is able to do that and more. She is able to capture images that really convey the raw emotion of the moment and that is truly a creative gift. 

Enjoy the photos and may you be inspired as well. 

All photography images courtesy of Shira Weinberger

Inspiration Series-Golf of Tantawan Bloom

I am often asked how I fight through creative block and what inspires me. So, here is an installment of my Inspiration Series. 

I've found that sometimes to break out of a NON-creative funk, it's best I go look at some work of other artists I admire. Being a traditional artist as well, It's fun for me to see what other artists use as their outlet, although I paint, and sketch my primary outlet for my art is through graphics, type and paper.  Sometimes to see how other creative minds put out their ideas, and the creations they create will jostle my own creative juices.

For this installment I chose Golf Srithamrong of Tantawan Bloom out of NYC! I recently worked with Golf on wedding we did in October together at Gotham Hall and his and his teams designs truly took my breath away. As you can see in the photos pictured below Golf is not afraid to do much of anything with flowers and he definitely takes the art of floral design to the next level. His versatility continues to amaze me. He can do a traditional centerpiece design for a Martha Stewart-esk Bride and then completely shift focus and do something so imaginative and modern for the cutting edge Bride. His reputation preceeds him and he was even named "The Orchid King of New York" by New York Magazine. To say his talent inspires me would be an understatement. His use of color, texture, and unusual floral variety pairings really expresses his love for what he does and it shows. Enjoy the images and may his work inspire you in the future! (to see some of his amazing creations from the wedding we did together in October. Click here for part 1. Click here for part 2.)

Inspiration Series-Christine Godsey of Engaging Affairs!

I am often asked how I fight through creative block and what inspires me. So, here is an installment of my Inspiration Series to start the new year off right! 

I've found that sometimes to break out of a NON-creative funk, it's best I go look at some work of other artists I admire. Being a traditional artist as well, It's fun for me to see what other artists use as their outlet, although I paint, and sketch my primary outlet for my art is through graphics, type and paper.  Sometimes to see how other creative minds put out their ideas, and the creations they create will jostle my own creative juices.


For this installment I chose Christine Godsey! I recently met Christine through a wedding we did in October together at Gotham Hall!! I loved working with her, and the design from the event (pictured above), was AMAZING! So she has been added to my list of inspiring designers! Her work speaks for itself, and some of these ideas I think are just genius!

Christine Godsey, a native Washingtonian, began her event planning career over seven years ago while working at a corporate real estate consulting firm where she planned a variety of events from holiday parties to incentive outings to offsite meetings.  Christine then attended and completed George Washington University’s Event Management Certificate Program and left the corporate world to work in event planning full time.  

She has worked with the team at Engaging Affairs for over six years and is known for her attention to detail and ability to keep cool under pressure. Christine specializes in large-scale Indian weddings as well as multi-cultural celebrations and has had weddings featured in Washingtonian Bride & Groom. Christine also loves planning weddings in New York City and is a regular at Gotham Hall, her favorite venue. Christine has been educated in international protocol and etiquette by The International Society of Protocol & Etiquette Professionals. 

 

Again!! Love it.. a Girl after my own heart!

I love this idea~ Finger Print Family Tree Guest Book..