My 25th wedding anniversary to my husband Mike is on June 22nd of this year.  What to buy to commemorate this big day? The perfect answer came to me - an original piece of art commissioned by my favorite Atlanta artist, Kim Schuessler. One of a man and a woman that would illustrate Mike and I and our life together since 1991. 

All the way from Puerto Rico (where Kim currently resides) this special treasure I will cherish forever arrived in the mail: 

In preparation for this special assignment, I emailed Kim lots of ideas including some other pieces she has painted over the years that I particularly loved. Like these: 

 I knew that this piece would go in our bedroom so I emailed Kim a few photos of the room so that she felt familiar with the colors I was working with.

I included my favorite leopard chairs and another commissioned piece by artist Kelly O'Neal. Pink is my favorite color - priority #1!

and the runner on my lacquered grey dresser that I purchased in Guatemala last year on a mission trip...

and this art over my bed that is an original woven tapestry I purchased in Mexico and floated in glass over our bed...

I then emailed her notions of Mike and my life together to incorporate into the painting in her special way.  Things like our love for our daughters Emory and Riley, for yellow lab dogs, for Apple Computer (where Mike has worked for the last 15 years), for the University of Michigan, for my love of yoga, for our favorite song when we first met "Forever Your Girl" by Paula Abdul. 

It's hard to tell from the photo, but all of these phrases and symbols are hidden like magical love letters in the skirt of my look a like in the painting. 

I knew Kim would capture everything my heart desired in this painting. She's the first artist I've ever encountered whose art gave me goose bumps. I went to my first Kim Schuessler art show at Pryor Fine Art back in 2011. 

A few years later, Mike purchased my first piece of original art ever from the Shain Gallery in Charlotte, N.C.  Of course Kim painted it.

Fast forward a few more years and Kim graciously granted my daughter Riley a lengthy interview at her home in Buckhead when Riley was required to interview an Atlanta artist for her high school AP Art class. 

I don't know who was more inspired - Riley or myself!

So you see, it was meant to be that Kim would paint this anniversary piece.  

I encourage anybody reading this to invest in original art that really means something to you. I would rather have a blank wall in my house than a wall that didn't have something meaningful hanging from it. My friend Donna Krueger of DK Galleryin Marietta, GA taught me to never be intimidated to walk into an art gallery. If a piece of art speaks to you, think about why it does. Ask about the artist and the story behind the painting. It becomes a joyful experience. 

Cheers, 

Kelly