Watercolor Menus, Table Numbers, and Escort Cards (a look at the extras)

View of the table setting with my custom watercolor wedding menu card | courtney khail watercolors | photo by Elle Golden

The Extras- watercolor escort cards, menus, and table numbers by courtney khail watercolors

Oh the extras. A lot of people forget about these, but it's these pieces that can really tie everything together design wise. You also a little more freedom to play around with pieces like menus or table numbers since there are-usually- less of them and therefore not as visually overwhelming or expensive. Since I've already shared the watercolor wedding invitations I created for the Weddings Unveiled shoot, I thought today would be a great day to share more of the "day of" elements.

For the menus and table numbers, I utilized the same basic designs and artwork as the invitations, but I played with the shapes to give them more visual interest. (If you missed the post on how I created the artwork, you can find that here.) My circular menus fit perfectly inside the (absolutely beautiful) gradient blue plates Raquel chose from Ponce City Market's West Elm, which in turn acted as "frames" for the menu artwork. (Full disclosure, this was actually just a happy accident. I thought circles would be more fun than common rectangle or square menus, not to mention that the artwork really lent itself to the shape so I just went for it and hoped for the best. I had no clue if it would work with the design, but luckily, it worked perfectly.)

my original sketch for the menu cards | via courtney khail watercolors

The table number was also a spontaneous decision. Originally a square, I thought it needed something so the night before the shoot I started cutting away at the white space. In the end, the cut out mimics the border of the painted "bouquet" and ended up blending in seamlessly to the center pieces. Which was pretty awesome if I do say so myself.

Custom watercolor table number by courtney khail | photo by Elle Golden

As for the escort cards, Raquel told me the idea she had for displaying them, so I knew they couldn't be too busy. By removing the line work, the names (handwritten to mimic the invitation) pop from the paper, while the lighter artwork forms a floating garden when all of the names are arranged together.

View of Table | Custom watercolor wedding extras by courtney khail | photo by Elle Golden

Custom watercolor escort card detail | created by courtney khail | photo by Elle Golden

The Invitation Suite (Courtney Khail Watercolors for Weddings Unveiled Spring Inspiration Shoot)

The Invitation Suite (Courtney Khail Watercolors for Weddings Unveiled Spring Inspiration Shoot)

Custom Fine Art Watercolor Wedding Invitation Suite by Courtney Khail | photo by ellegolden

I absolutely love when I'm given free reign with designing. Which aside from sending over inspiration boards to give me an idea for the overall look and colors, is pretty much exactly what Raquel did. She trusted my expertise and ability and just let me create- and in the end she got amazing pieces. (I stress this point to anyone looking to work with an artist- whether it's for commissioned art for custom wedding invitations or for your home. Choose someone whose work and style you love, give them enough information- favorite colors, overall mood, etc- so they know what you want, and then trust them to provide that. By giving people the freedom to really create, more often than not you will be rewarded with exceptional art far exceeding anything you could have imagined!)

The color palette board I made to show the original inspiration (photo by Elle Golden)

But back to this suite. Raquel wanted a natural palette- lots of greens, blues, and whites- that evoked spring. After seeing her inspiration, I immediately envisioned a garden after a spring rain (Wow. Feels like I'm writing copy for the J. Peterman catalog with that one.) Subdued, yet still vibrant colors, with enough contrast for interest, but not so much that anything is jarring. Have you ever looked into a clear, blue lake? How close to the surface the water is barely blue at all- more crystal clear- but as your eyes look deeper, the water gradually darkens until it's almost navy or midnight? (If not, I suggest you go explore the outdoors more because the world is beautiful and you'll get to see things like what I just described.) I wanted my pieces to appear delicate, but strong enough to stand on their own, with subtle color variations like those that occur in nature.

Invitation by Courtney Khail Watercolors (photo by Elle Golden)

Like all of my work, I incorporated handwritten elements as well. With this particular one though, I kept the lines very thin. (The style was inspired by the handwritten notes my grandmothers used to send. Cursive, airy, and always consistent in the width- probably because they were written with a ball point pen. There was always something so feminine about their handwriting and I want to capture that in this suite.)

The design itself was directly inspired by spring time in the South. I'm originally from Augusta, Georgia and for Augustans the beginning of spring is marked by one thing- The Masters golf tournament. Always the first full week of April, the city is full of bright azalea blooms, dogwood blooms so bright they appear to be glowing, and tons of green- in everything from manicured lawns to the famed green jacket. I dialed back on the colors some, but still strived to capture the overall feeling of spring's "fresh start" with the artwork itself.

Watercolor RSVP by Courtney Khail Watercolors (Photo by Elle Golden)

And there you have it- the back story and inspiration of the invitation suite. Does it remind you of spring as well?

courtney khail watercolors | Weddings Unveiled Spring/Summer 2016 Launch Party

Weddings Unveiled Spring/Summer 2016 Launch Party

Last Thursday, I drove over to StudioWed's studio for the launch party for Wedding Unveiled's Spring/ Summer issue. While I most likely would have gone anyway because I'm a big fan of the women behind both StudioWed and Weddings Unveiled, this launch was especially exciting because this particular issue featured a four page spread of a shoot I'd collaborated on! 

Seeing my work never fails to get me all excited, and despite trying to act like a professional, much less a normal functioning human being, I'm pretty sure I just transformed into a five year old who was just found out they were going to Disneyworld. (Maybe a bad example since I can't even look at a roller coaster without getting sick. Okay how about a five year old being told they were getting a puppy? Yep that works. Because if you don't get excited about puppies, something might be wrong with you.) So yes, imagine me first walking in as "Courtney Khail, professional artist" and then moments after being handed the magazine turning into "Courtney Khail, five year old that just found herself surrounded by lab puppies."  (Because labs are my favorite.) 

THEN if seeing the feature wasn't enough, surround me with friends, put me in a photo booth, and hand me a huge cloud of (organic coconut) cotton candy. Which all most definitely happened. 

(Speaking of, way to throw a party StudioWed and Weddings Unveiled. I tip my hat to you.)

Over the next few days/weeks/tbd time frame (I'm just being honest here. I'm not the best at blogging regularly) I'm going to share my work, (as well as some of the work of the other amazing vendors,) behind the scenes moments, and shots that didn't make the magazine. Until then though, definitely go pick up a copy and see the feature in it's entirety for yourself! It's a stunning magazine filled with gorgeous photos, inspiring work, and beautiful ideas.

Courtney Khail in Denver Life

via courtney khail

I meant to share this a little while ago but somehow it got away from me. Either way, exciting news! My invitations were included in this year's spring/summer Denver Life Weddings! (So technically it's not too too late. I mean, it's still summer.) It's such a beautiful magazine and I wanted to make sure I said a proper thank you to DLW. (Thank you!! It is such an honor to be included!)

Also, don't forget (as if I'll let you. I'm going to be such a broken record about this one...) I'm teaching a watercolor course this summer and would love for you to join me! It's completely online so no worries if you don't live in Colorado- and even better you have 6 months to complete it! Because no one wants to feel rushed when it's this pretty outside.

Want to sign up? Just go to http://jeanneoliver.ning.com/ and register (that parts free) then pick Watercolors and Flowers from the course list. It's that simple!

Happy (its december!) weekend

via here

It's December!!!!

So yea, some of you grouch-ma-gees (Wordpress says that's the right way to spell a made up word) out there may dislike December for whatever reason or another, but as for me? I love it. It's cold (and therefore unlike in July or some other horrible hot month, drinking bourbon by a fire  is completely acceptable as is wearing ugly hiking socks "because they're warm" even though we all know it's because they support the best) plus you get to wear cute clothes (peacoats? trench coats? cable knit? tights?! come on people. You get to dress like a bag lady and it's completely acceptable) the world is all lit up with twinkle lights and smells like cinnamon and cookies and people are smiley and whistling Christmas carols. How can you not love it?

Oh. And Elf plays on repeat. You can't not love Elf. *

Speaking of love, the hubs and I also were married in December so there's that awesomeness too. (In case you'd like to celebrate, it's on the 20th. Cards are always welcome.)

Anyhoo, if you can't tell yet, I'm stoked that it's finally December (and that we have a tacky Christmas/SEC Championship party tomorrow night because God knows I love a good overly decked out Christmas outfit.)

and to celebrate that excitement, here are some links.

These glasses are amazing. I claim red.

I knew I didn't like pork rinds for a reason.

You should read this blog. It's great.

You know how I said we had a winter wedding? Well this is a great post about what to wear if you're invited to one.

And lastly, although I fell into the Twitter trap, I still completely agree with Louis C.K. (which reminds me... we have one of his DVDs we still need to watch.)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

*For anyone wondering how I left out Christmas, I didn't. Christmas is my favorite holiday ever so therefore it being one of my favorite parts of December is just understood.