"All My Love" Original Watercolor Painting, by fine artist, Michelle "Shell " Rummel

I am a member of many different art related websites and forums. From time to time, I add my two cents and leave a relevant comment. Here is my latest from a recent post featured on The Painters Keys, in a discussion about one of my favorite painters, Gustav Klimt.

"For my fortieth birthday, all I wished for was a trip to New York City to visit the Neue Galerie to see Gustav Klimt's work with my own two eyes. My wonderful husband granted me that wish and I can tell you that I literally had tears in my eyes as I stood inches in front of Klimt's famous portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I. Aside from the impressive size, what struck me most was the light that seemed to emanate from it. It's a remarkable piece, dazzling really. Standing with my eyes just inches from the canvas, this privilege afforded me a close-up look at each precise brushstroke and I found myself viewing this masterpiece in microcosm for the first time. In reality, the work looks nothing like the mass produced replicas that saturate our marketplace. As a long time (and long-distance) Klimt admirer, it was a joy to realize this and the best birthday gift I have ever had."

-Shell

And two days later, I received this fantastic email from a Painters Keys reader:

"Michelle - I just LOVED your painter's keys entry that showcased "All My Love" Just beautiful! I spend (probably too much time) browsing the internet looking at what other artists are doing - a lot of it starts to looks all the same - and this piece is one of the most original, fun, whimsical, lovely things I've seen in awhile. You must have had so much fun creating it. As I looked at your work and Klimt's, it made me think that you have found a way to admire his work and yet make it totally your own. Keep at it and BRAVO!"

-M. DuVal

Bar & Bat Mitzvah Invitations Even Your Kids Will Love

A few years ago I went searching for Bar mitzvah Invitations for my son, Jordan. We looked at literally hundreds of traditional yet bland designs. Jordan was uninspired and matter of factly asked why I just didn't design his invites myself. And so I did. He specified the colors and I worked up something that was clean and simple that showed off the cool kid he is.

This of course inspired me to create a collection of unique and artistic invitations that would appeal to kids just as much as to their parents. We've spent alot of time in the studio, tweaking the designs and colors so that they would be just right. I think we've got it and I'm so proud to offer these beautiful and very special Bar and Bat Mitzvah Invitations for your celebration.

Take a look, and let us know what you think! http://www.ketubahtree.com/lifestiles_mitzvah.asp

Client Testimonial of the Week

"I have had an extremely positive experience dealing with you, Michelle, & staff. Everyone has been very friendly & responsive & replied in a very timely manner. The website is very user friendly. When Michelle thought there may have been an error in the Circles Abtract II sample (which it turns out there was... III was sent inadvertently, but was marked II) she offered to send another one free of charge. I been planning to order one of Michelle's Ketubahs from other sites, when I happened to stumble upon your site. I am so glad that I did find your website, which offered a more extensive selection of Michelle's works, including the abstract ketubah we ordered. There was more flexibility w/ text and phrase options and a very personal touch. Thank you for the excellent service; we would definitely recommend you!"

Mother of the Bride

Modern Symbolism

Most artists are used to being asked what the inspiration may have been behind a specific work of art. If only I had a nickel for every time someone asked me, "What were you thinking when you painted this?" ...Truth is, I love to share my thoughts about my paintings and I am honored when asked.

My ketubot all originate from my original watercolor paintings. Traditionally, the ketubot that I create have some symbolic imagery incorporated into the design. Sometimes, the imagery comes from biblical visual references such as the beautiful imagery from Song of Songs, although admittedly this is not my first source. More often, the symbolism stems from my own life and love, my own point of reference for what is truly important as two enter into a committted relationship. For instance, I often depict butterflies in my work, not only because they are lovely to paint but also because to me, they represent individual freedom of expression...a quality I personally hold dear. Mine is a more modern approach and I love finding unique ways to symbolically depict traditional, and sometimes not so traditional Marriage and Commitment concepts. We all have our own personal list of qualities that we feel are essential for everlasting love. I take great joy in finding visual ways to depict these symbolic concepts in my art.

Washington Bridal Expo

We Loved meeting the hundreds of brides and grooms who showed up at the Washington Bridal Expo at the Dulles Expo Center last weekend. What a crowd! It was the biggest we've seen at an expo so far.

We handed out over 900 wedding artistree brochures and also met with many Jewish couples who were excited to see our Ketubah collection and to know that we also have a website devoted to ketubot

Lot's of interest in our Wedding Wishing Tree Tags which are a fabulous alternative to a traditional guest book concept. Here are a couple of close up shots of this really fun new product.

Here's some shots of Sarah, Ann Marie and Kari in action. None of yours truly this time...I was the one taking the shots.

Shell's Art Exhibit at Nelligan Gallery

What a night! For those of you who were able to attend my opening night art exhibit at Nelligan Gallery, I hope you enjoyed the wonderful ambience of this beautiful gallery space and the diverse art collection that graced the walls, courtesy of, yours truly, Buck Nelligan and Tia Maggio. Thank you to Buck for hosting such a classy event. I was honored to have my art hang in the company of such extraordinary talent. Special thanks to all of you who purchased my watercolors, and also to those who shared your evening with us.

Here are a few pics from the night:

Shell and her dearest friends

Shell

The front wall of the gallery featuring work from all 3 artists

Shell and Tia's work sharing wall space

Shell and Buck

Shell...a moment of personal pride, caught on film.

The Gallery space filling up. Buck and I estimate that we had over 200 guests throughout the night.

Shell enjoying a moment with wonderful friends

MAJOR art collectors:)

Shell and her guy, a little blurry, but happy at the end of a successful evening

Happy Clients

"Dear Shell,

We wanted to thank you for creating a beautiful ketubah for our celebration! We found your website by looking for "ketubah dance" online because we wanted a ketubah that would capture the grace, rhythm, and movement of a dance, something that we felt would be fitting to capture our relationship. We were thrilled to find your design and were very impressed with your personal response and willingness to customize the wording according to our preferences. The ketubah preparation kit that you offer was particularly helpful, since it made it easy to display it during the event and get it ready for framing. I hope that other couples find a design among your ketubahs that feels true and personal to them, and I wish you much success in the future! Warm regards,"

Inna & Ljova

Visit their band, Romashka's website - http://www.romashka.net

Meant to Be...

"About 2 months ago you completed our ketubah design - the Fulfillment I. We loved the ketubah and it perfectly expressed what we feel for each other and how we envision our destiny together. Thank you for making the process so pleasant, taking care to update us on every step and ensuring a timely delivery for our big event.

I also wanted you to know the shock that came after the ceremony. My mother, who is an artist as well, presented us with a gift - an oil-on-canvas portrait of Gil (my husband) and I. She began this painting when we first got engaged and could not have possibly predicted that the ketubah of our choice would present the same image - of two people embracing and holding each other. It was amazing! It was one of those moments when you just know things were meant to be this way. I've included a link to a few pictures I've uploaded to show you what I mean.

I wanted to write this email to let you know that sometimes your art will touch people in many many ways that are unpredictable and everlasting. Thank you for everything!"

Olga and Gil

Kind words from our clients...

"Thank you for doing such an incredible job on our Ketubah. We were in an awkward situation because our Rabbi had his own personally designed Ketubah. We loved the Life Dance design and wanted to incorporate some of his words into our own Ketubah. Michelle Rummel and everyone at Ketubah Tree were so helpful and designed a personalized ketubah with our Rabbi's words on the top of the tree branches. It looked beautiful and sounded beautiful. My husband and I read our Ketubah together under the Chuppah. Everyone was very touched and we thank you for making the Ketubah such a wonderful part of our wedding experience. "

~Allison and Jason

Client Testimonial of the Week

"Your personal touch was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy worth it!
I received so many compliments on your invitations!"

R. Berman

"Everybody who's anybody longs to be a tree..." Rita Dove

"Wrapture"

Original Watercolor by Michelle "Shell" Rummel

View more original works on Shell's fine art website

www.poetreestudio.com

Client Testimonial of the Week

"Thank you so much for all your work on these( wedding invitations, printed vellum, table cards and placecards)! It has truly been a pleasure to work with you and we are so extremely thrilled to have found you! It's fun (as well as kind of bizarre!) to see our names printed on a wedding invitation and we're so happy that these will be so indicative of our personalities and passions. Greg is an avid painter himself and we are both great lovers of art and nature. These invitations couldn't be more perfect. Best wishes to all of you!"

Steph and Greg

There's nothing quite like a Bridal Expo!

Shell, Kari and Ann Marie represented Wedding Artistree and exhibited at the North Bethesda Marriott Washington Bridal Showcase this past weekend. We met several hundred newly engaged brides, complete with their entourage...bridesmaids, best friends, MOB's and a handful of resigned grooms too.

Shell, Ann Marie and Kari

Our display booth

Wedding Wishing Tree

This was a BIG hit! We launched a new product at the expo...Wedding Wishing Tree Tags. A really beautiful alternative to traditional guest books as well as an innovative new wedding trend, wishing trees are showing up at more and more weddings. It works like this: Your florist provides a beautiful table display with greenery or flowering seasonal branches. You provide your guests with our fine art Wishing Tree Tags. One side features our beautiful artwork with the wedding couples first names and wedding date. The other side is blank and is the perfect place for your wedding guests to write a personalized wedding wish or message of love. Your guests can hang their loving/sentimental/funny words on the branches for all to enjoy. We'll be featuring this new item on our websites in the coming days, but for more information, contact us in the studio.

Meant To Be Wedding Wishing Tree Tag

L'shanah Tovah

Wishing all of our clients, friends and family a sweet, happy and healthy New Year!

From all of us at Shell Artistree,

Shell, Kari, Sarah, Feline, Ann Marie and Victoria

Non Linear Discovery

In most circles, I am known for my organic and abstract paintings of trees and landscapes. But, a few years back I became enamored with another subject. Lines.

It is fair to say that I became obsessed. I painted them vertically, horizontally, skinny, thick, rigid and wavy. I painted them in acrylic and watercolor...some only tiny inch long vignettes and others up to four feet long. I sketched them with pencil and ink. I played with unusual color combinations. I dreamt the colors and images and each day became more and more inspired to paint.

Those that knew and loved me became...um...concerned. "What's with the Lines??" they asked. "I don’t get it!" they commented. "I miss your trees" said my 10 year old. It seemed that everyone but me wished for my return to those trees.

With only my own quiet optimism, I decided to submit a Line painting into a competitive juried art exhibit. I titled it, NonLinear Discovery in honor of my journey outside my comfort zone. Can you imagine my face when I received the phone call saying I had won the Best In Show Urquhart Award? Can you imagine the faces of my doubters when I shared my news?! Oh yeah...that moment was really sweet.

Who can say why that juror chose my painting? A non linear moment in time where my artistic vision resonated perfectly right with that particular viewer. I painted what I loved, and he loved what I painted.

It's as simple and as complex as that.

To see more information about Non Linear Discovery and other artwork, visit my personal online portfolio at http://www.poetreestudio.com/