My Journey into Bottle Painting
I've always had a passion for the arts, and for over a decade, I've been painting on both canvas and wood surfaces. Art became my sanctuary, especially during challenging periods in my life, such as my college years and my time as a registered nurse at a local hospital.
Then, in 2017, I discovered calligraphy when I wanted to add a personal touch to my wedding invitations. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to transform it into a business in 2018, which became known as Juniper Calligraphy. My focus was primarily wedding invitations and signage, along with wooden signs for home décor and ornaments, all while continuing my nursing career.
I was even featured in Hawaii Magazine!
By 2020, the onset of the pandemic had left me burnt out and discontented with the path I was on. I knew I needed a change, so I made the bold decision to return to school to pursue a master's degree in nursing, hoping it would bring me happiness. However, something within me had shifted. When I graduated in January 2022, instead of returning to the hospital, I decided to pursue my business full-time.
Yet, this transition wasn't as smooth as I had envisioned. One day, I received an order for personalizing a champagne bottle. I realized that traditional engraving was not an option due to the risk associated with altering the bottle's integrity. Determined to find a solution, I decided to learn how to paint on glass. I scoured the internet for tutorials and classes, but none seemed tailored to my specific needs. Nonetheless, I decided to give it a try, thinking, "How challenging could it be?"
As it turned out, it was more challenging than I had anticipated. The smooth, slick surface of glass made it difficult for the paint to adhere. Frustration set in, and I contemplated canceling the order. However, instead of giving up, I channeled that frustration into motivation to learn and improve. Over time, I experimented with paint on bottles of varying temperatures, adjusted dry times, tested different sealers, and applied multiple layers. Anything to make it work. This unfamiliar surface pushed me to my limits.
Finally, I discovered the right combination of paint and brushes, along with specific techniques for bottle painting and the client absolutely loved it.
In 2022, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's as their live event bottle painter.
Now I’m on a mission to become to leading resource of bottle painting education for live event artists. In the Fundamentals of Bottle Painting Course, I show you my techniques for painting within 5-10 minutes for on-site events and custom orders. Much of what I know today is a result of trial and error, and I'm here to help you skip those hurdles and reach your creative goals faster.