Renee Leone – The Goods

Design

Invitation Introductions: Meet Our American Valley Wedding Stationery

March 31, 2017

We know planning a wedding can feel both sweet and stressful, but we’re here to help you put the focus on the former. The invitations you choose are like a little preview of the big day, so finding just the right style, colors, design, etc., can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’re so excited to announce our collaboration with the absolute wedding invitation experts: Crane Stationery.

As a result of joining forces with Crane, our product development team has made five complete wedding suites available to our customers, each with a distinct aesthetic and production details that make them extra special. Follow along on the blog as we introduce you to each of these suites, and find the design that’s a perfect match for your own uncommon nuptials.

Earlier this week we gave you an inside look at our Anniversary Journal Wedding Stationery, and next up is our final suite of the series: the American Valley Wedding Stationery. It features an artful design that’s customized to reflect the natural scenery surrounding your wedding.

Maker Stories

Watercolors of the United States: Renee Leone’s Paintings

July 8, 2016

Renee Leone’s perfect world is a natural one. “I love landscapes and vast panoramic views and being able to see to the horizon,” the Chicago-based painter says. “Being outside with nature invigorates me and truly inspires me.”

Happily for the rest of us, Renee translates that inspiration into vibrant watercolors. Her geometric yet playful renderings of everything from redwood forests to desert cacti to urban seasides delight viewers — which is exactly why Renee creates. “I love hearing from people who have purchased or admire my work, and having them tell me they enjoy it,” she says. “When I see art that moves me, it’s a very cool feeling. I love knowing that my work does that for other people.” She colors in the rest of her story for us.

Desert Cacti of the Southwest (left) and Renee’s filing drawers (right)

When did you first realize you were an artist?
I’ve loved art since I was a child and won awards in elementary school for my art. I always had this feeling inside I was very creative and artistic, although I didn’t really think I was good enough to be an artist. My self doubt kept me from pursuing a creative field. But I couldn’t shake the fact that I needed to do something more creative, and I wanted to learn to “really” draw. [After earning my bachelor’s in communications], I enrolled in design school. When I finally did learn to draw technically, I realized this is truly what I should be doing and I couldn’t believe it took me so long to realize I was an artist and needed to follow this path.

The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: OUTSIDE YOUR WINTER WINDOW

January 27, 2016

The next Instagram Challenge theme is OUTSIDE YOUR WINTER WINDOW. We did a little something different when deciding which photo to use to promote this contest. I tried to picture what winter looked like outside the windows of my past, but as a native Floridian turned New Yorker, my mind kept shifting between palm trees and piles of dirty city snow. We talked about snow globes, snow gauges, and starry landscapes. We imagined deer roaming through a winter wonderland. Ultimately, these abstract perspectives of what this season looks like inspired us to use artist Renée Leone’s vibrant piece Blizzard. This image illustrates her perspective on winter in Chicago, specifically from North Avenue Beach and Lake Shore Drive. Through geometric patterning, she created a personal portrait that not only depicts what she saw in this particular location, but also what she felt.