Ketubah Artists – find the one you love

When I started marketing my art and Ketubahs, I didn’t really know what I am getting into. I started twitting, and then learned about the Search option, so my obvious keyword to search was “Ketubah”. Through the search I started finding several amazing Ketubah artists and business owners, who sells their art all over the Internet. My first reaction was “how do I compete with that?”

So I just decided to be friendly, and see what happens. What eventually happened is that I completely change my old way of thinking. This is not competition, it is collaboration, networking, friendship, and the end result for that can only be good. That means – better designs for our clients, and more business to everyone.

Here is the analogy – hundreds of artists in art fairs are all competing with each other to sell their art to art buyers. But art is a personal subjective decision for the art buyer, and even with all the artwork around, zooming in to the art you really love is the key. A lot was written about what is art, and how one chooses an art piece. The same applies to choosing your Ketubah. And the more options are out there, the more Ketubah artists are available, the more chances that the bride and groom will find just the right piece, the art that speaks to both of them, and will move with them throughout their entire life together. And sometime you fall in love with the artist ‘s style, but would like to commission a unique and one of a kind Ketubah to your specific needs.

So in this spirit, I wanted to write about few of my new Ketubah Artists friends. These are still virtual friends, as I yet to have met any of them in person. But I have already learned so much from each one of them, and I must give them the respect and thanks they deserve.

The first is Melissa Dinwiddie    , aka Ketubah Diva. Ketubah artist by day, jazz singer by night, Melissa is first and foremost a really nice person. I had the chance to talk with Melissa several times and she is always so patient and with open ear to new ideas and opportunities. And you can see it throughout her artwork and music as well. Unfortunately her Ketubah site is under construction, but I was able to grab couple of nice examples from her blog, and you can see it there too, along with other very useful information related to Ketubahs as well as self publishing music CDs. Melissa also offers other wedding products, such as stationary and invitations with the same design as the Ketubah, and even hand crafted Chupahs! Make sure you read Melissa’s blog and stay tuned to her new website. I am sure it will be awesome!

Left: Mackintosh Roses Ketubah. Right: Soul's Delight Ketubah-opal. By Melissa Dinwiddie

My second Ketubah artist and businessman virtual friend is Daniel Sroka of Modern Ketubah. I love everything that Daniel does, from his amazing photography art that lends itself so well to Ketubahs, his website which is professional and exactly how I think an art business online should be, to his recent addition of fine art Judaica which includes contemporary collection of Judaica artists handpicked by Daniel after listening to his clients and their wishes. Daniel is also very involved in blogging and writing Ketubah related advice in different blogs. I am not sure which of Daniel’s Ketubahs is my favourite… I love this one, “The Sun Daisy Ketubah” maybe because I love the orange/yellow color and the design’s abstract effect of the bigger-than-life petals, but if you see his other designs, I think it will be hard to choose…

The Sun Daisy Ketubah by Daniel Sroka

The Gold Ketubah by Daniel Sroka

Last but not least, is artist Michelle “Shell” Rummel. Michelle was the first Ketubah artist that I started following online, and in the beginning I must admit I was quite intimidated… Once you see her sites and the level of business she has developed around it, you will understand how I felt as a new comer in this business. But then I learned to know her and she is the nicest and most approachable person. Doubling as an online DJ on Blip.fm, and reading her musing, both in words and in colors and lines, you learn to know and love her. Her Ketubah artwork is very popular and beautiful. Other than her stylish watercolors, Shell recently developed with Nolan Everitt Designs, the Bashert Etched-Glass Ketubah, for the Gallery Judaica in Los Angeles. This is a very unique product which combines Shell’s art etched into the glass, and the Ketubah text printed and lying flat under the etched glass.

Bashert Etched Glass Ketubah by Michelle "Shell" Rummel and Nolan Everitt

Hamsa Ketubah by Michelle "Shell" Rummel

You should check these fine artists’ sites. And if you are in the market to buy a Ketubah, look at all of them, you won’t be disappointed. At the end of the day, it is one of your most important pieces of art you will ever buy in your life, so make sure you buy it from an artist you love.

All the best,

Moshe

 To contact the artists:

• Melissa Dinwiddie     visit www.ketubahdiva.com and www.ketubahworks.com . Also on twitter @ketubahdiva
• Daniel Sroka visit www.modernketubah.com. Also on twitter @danielsroka
• Michelle “Shell” Rummel visit www.ketubahtree.com and www.shellartistree.com. On twitter @shellartistree

Related posts:

• Ketubah, Art, Love, and the “Moshe Was in Our Wedding” Lifetime Promotion
• Ketubah Connections – Join us on LinkedIn

If you are interested in my Ketubah designs, you can view them too Who knows, maybe my art will be the one you fall in love with…

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