Creativity Tell All // Karina Puente

Ever since her beautiful, hand-cut backdrop graced Ashley & Greg's wedding, we have had a total crush on Karina Puente. Her work is unique, delicate and stunning. We were so excited to get the inside scoop behind this artist. 

How do you continually stay inspired and creative?

My creativity and inspiration hinges on self-care. I am my best when I am rejuvenated and centered. I then ask myself questions such as: what epic artwork do I want to see in the world? What excites my inner child? I subscribe to the notion that the inner child is our highest creative power. I make my studio space colorful, fun and full of treats; pleasing and welcoming. 

Is there anything special or unique about your morning routine?

Gratitude and tea. For the month of May, I am a Women's International Study Center (WISC) Fellow-In-Residence. During this residency, I am sharing a Santa Fe historic home with the chief curator of the Tucson Museum of Art, Julie Sasse. We enjoy early morning walks, discuss contemporary Latinx artists, and explore. 

If someone wanted to break into your industry, what advice would you give them?

I am a visual artist working adjacent to the event and wedding world. My advice for artists looking to break into a new industry is to identify the needs or a space within the industry that can be improved. If an artist can make her work fit that need, photograph it and release it into the world, she will attract the right people. 

Did you always know this career path was ‘the one’?

I always knew that I wanted to help people and that I love making art. Over the past few years, I have fortified my art making practice into a business as a way to help others.  My commissioned artwork makes people feel confident in their brand or proud of their event. My personal artwork amplifies visibility for Latinx artists and people of color in the art world. Both art processes are equally satisfying. 

What season inspires you most?

An east coast winter.

Do you have any funny short stories or embarrassing moments from when you first got started?

Amber Moon Design and I often collaborate and are committed to helping our friends get the perfect photo. A few years back, we crawled hands and knees on the floor of a 400-year-old hacienda in Mexico,  fanning smoke, all so Jose Villa could nail his moody and atmospheric shot!

What is the best advice you have been given?

Do one income producing action daily. 

What is your dream project?

To gather mermaid stories from women around the world and paint a mermaid mural as a reminder that we are brave and magical. 

If there was a song that played every time you worked on your craft, what would it be?

"Caught a Light Sneeze" by Tori Amos. 

Is there anything in particular you are obsessed with these days?

Haute Couture and Netflix. I am currently watching "A Different World" for the first time even though it was popular in the early 90's. The storyline is set against a fictional, historic black college inspired by student life at Howard University.  I appreciate how the show addresses topics like race, gender, and equality. 

What would you do if you had $40,900 for a vacation?

I would tell my mom to take three months off of work and get ready to spend the summer in Maui with me!  

Short Biography

Karina Puente is a Mexican-American artist of fine art paintings, charcoal drawings, and modern

Papel Picado installations. Her internationally-recognized work is infused with luminosity and

cultural heritage. Her work has been exhibited in national galleries and institutions such as Miami

MoCA and the Corcoran National Gallery.

xoxo

Suzanne, Mike and the Wanderers 

Creativity Tell All // Ashley Noack, Coastyle Events

We love working with amazing vendors. So naturally, we love the ladies at Coastyle Events and their magical weddings. Ashley Noack, the self proclaimed Diva of Details, loves running weddings and also just running as part of her happy and balanced lifestyle.  

How do you continually stay inspired and creative?  

We get the majority of our inspiration from our clients and their style, personality and unique love stories.  We don't like to do the same design twice, so we try and get fresh ideas from places other than just Pinterest and wedding blogs.  Restaurants, stores, home design magazines and travel all inspire and spark creativity that we can translate into something beautiful and special for our couples.

Is there anything special or unique about your morning routine?

I go on a run every morning to clear my head.  It really is my meditative time and gets me centered for the day.

If someone wanted to break into your industry, what advice would you give them?

Find your own unique niche and don't try to do what others are doing.  If you stay true to yourself, you will attract like-minded couples.  When you work with people you truly love, it makes you better at your job and more successful.

Did you always know this career path was ‘the one’?

I always knew I was meant to be an event planner.  When you are doing what you really love and are naturally good at it, everything just feels right.  When I planned my first wedding I knew I had found my passion and calling. 

What season inspires you most?

Fall. This is often when wedding season is coming to an end, and I get to spend more time with family and friends.  I often take a trip this time of year with my husband.

Do you have any funny short stories or embarrassing moments from when you first got started? We did a wedding at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad while it was still open to the public. Tourists began to gather on the hill right behind the bride and groom's ceremony arch so they were in all the pictures and distracting the guests.  I literally went way off to the side where I thought no guests would see me, hiked up the steep hill and hopped the picket fence in my dress and heels to tell the tourists to move out of the way.  Afterwards, the bride's parents came up to me and said they saw me and couldn't believe I did that but were so grateful that I had!

What is the best advice you have been given?

Come from a place of gratitude for everything in your life and it will bring you more blessings.

What is your dream project?

I would love to plan a destination wedding in another country.

If there was a song that played every time you worked on your craft, what would it be?

"I Choose You" by Sarah Bareilles makes our heart so happy.  Jill and I play this in the office all the time. We are obviously sappy romantics. ;)

Is there anything in particular you are obsessed with these days?

Game of Thrones and Mexican food.  I am also a huge movie buff and LOVE going to the movies, especially the luxury theatre!

What would you do if you had $40,900 for a vacation?

I would spend several months traveling throughout my favorite cities in Europe. 

Thank you, Ashley, for giving us a spoonful of insight into your bright world. 

xoxo

Suzanne, Mike and the Wanderers

Creativity Tell All // Courtney Cole-Arlidge // The White Flower

The White Flower is a gorgeous wedding gown shop in San Diego with the most amazing team of women that help brides find "the dress". We loved hearing from Courtney Cole-Arlidge, the boss lady, and her experience at The White Flower and in the wedding industry.

How did you get in to the wedding dress business?

By accident.  During my Sophomore year of college, I went for an internship interview at Ebay. After my interview, I went across the street for lunch and there was a bridal store called Trudy’s.  I had never seen a store like this before and I had been dating my boyfriend (my future husband) for a couple years so I thought I should go check it out.  So I did, and the lady at the front desk convinced me to work there.  That’s how I got my start.  

What makes The White Flower so wonderful?

I think it's the people who work here, and the love and friendship we have for each other.  We have so much fun working together and this shines through when we work with our clients. 

What is the most thrilling aspect of your job?

I love helping a bride find the perfect dress, especially one who believed that she would never have “that moment” when trying on gowns.  Brides are often nervous when they come to try on gowns, but when they work with us, we have so much fun.  It's even more exciting when we have the right dress, and everyone knows it as soon as the bride puts it on.  It's a magical moment.

If you had a different job, what would it be?

I would want to be a food critic.  I would travel around and eat at different places, telling people how to make things better.

What are three things you can't live without?

My fuzzy Ugg slippers, Yogurtland yogurt, and the ocean.  I have to live close enough to see or get to the ocean.

What is your piece of advice for brides-to-be?

Trust yourself.  Don’t let outside opinions convince you to wear something that isn't you.  Be yourself and you will choose the right dress. 

What do you love to do to unwind and recharge?

I like to curl up on the couch and watch movies.  I love my pajamas and my fuzzy slippers.  A big bowl of popcorn makes it all complete. 

What is something brides often don't think to ask about when picking out a wedding dress?

That someone in the bridal party or attending the wedding needs to learn how to do the bustle for the train.  It is a crucial part of the look and many times, no one is properly trained on how to do it. 

If you had $40,900 to spend on one trip, where would you go and what would you do?

I would want to backpack around the world and plan the entire trip around food.  I would travel near and far to eat everything and anything.  I don’t think I would use the full amount, but would save it for when I got back to get into shape after all that indulgence. If I did use the full amount, hopefully I walked a lot on the trip!

Thanks Courtney, we love you and your beautiful gowns. 

xoxo

Suzanne, Mike and the Wanderers

Creativity Tell All // Laura Beulke of Vertical Printing

The talented Laura Beulke from Vertical Printing shared her best and brightest about the printing industry, including some interesting client requests. 

What makes VPG so wonderful?

VPG is wonderful because we still put customer service first. We prioritize face-to-face meetings with our clients and make sure that we are always available to chat on the phone.

How did you get into the graphics and printing business?

I always had a passion for art and color, but my hand drawing skills were not as advanced as my ideas.  Focusing on graphics was the best direction for me and that is what led me to the printing industry.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

I draw inspiration from literally EVERYTHING. I am so inspired by the ever-changing trends in color.

Who is your most interesting client request?

A client once asked for edible labels. We also have had some pretty unusual photoshopping requests.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I love the "WOW’s" we get from clients, whether it's because we got their job done so quickly or because we designed something beyond their expectations. 

If you weren't in the printing business, what would you do?

I would love to be an event planner. I love connecting people and showing them great resources.

What color pallets have you been loving lately?

Coral & Aqua / Brown & Pink / Chartreuse & Gray

What is something a lot of people don't know about you?

I love pigs (I have always wanted a mini pig for a pet).

If you had $40,900 to spend on one trip, where would you go and what would you do?

It's on my bucket list to travel to Europe and see as many of the world wonders as possible. I hope I can see it all with my husband and daughter someday.

Thanks Laura, we love you.

xoxo

Suzanne, Mike and the Wanderers