Behind the Art with Rise and Earthshine

Do you love nature and are you a fan of art? Well, rise and shine! It's time to take a dive into some incredible art centered around nature!

We were thrilled to get the chance to speak with Reina Waller of Rise and Earthshine about her art, her business, and how rubber stamps have helped her cultivate her brand!

Rise & Earthshine is a nature-centric art business known for pressed flower art and what I've coined as "flower flags". I started picking & pressing wildflowers in those first few months of the 2020 pandemic lockdown, simply because it brought me sheer joy during such unprecedented times.

In the blink of an eye, I had a tremendous collection of pressed flowers and leaves and, organically, I started making art with my findings. I forage for almost all of my own materials - wildflowers, leaves and even bugs! I've recently branched out into experimenting with cyanotype (solar) printing, and am always brainstorming new ways to incorporate and utilize nature and all that it has to offer.

One of the first flower flag designs I ever created was in the shape of a crescent moon, and it was in that particular moment of completion that I absolutely fell in love with botanical art. I'm constantly inspired by the moon and celestial elements, so incorporating that into my work is second nature to me. Part of my business name, "Earthshine", by definition, is the dull glow that lights up the unlit part of a crescent moon.

This phenomenon is caused by the Sun's light reflecting off the Earth's surface and back onto the moon. Furthermore, Rise & Earthshine is a play on the common term "Rise and Shine", which speaks to the outlook that I try to cultivate for myself every day (especially during those early pandemic days).

I designed my logo myself, which is based directly off of my very first moon flower flag that I spoke about previously! I'm reminded of the beginning stages of Rise & Earthshine everytime I see my logo; recalling where it began and how far I've come in the last two years is such a special gift that I hold dear to my heart. All of the elements of my logo - the flowers, the moon and the play on the classic "Rise and Shine" phrase really embody who I am and what my business stands for.

I have a few different stamps that I use, literally, daily! I use a small stamp of my social media name (@riseandearthshine) to brand the back of my stickers and smaller products so that my in-person customers (local art markets or purchased from a wholesale carrier can easily connect with me after a purchase.

I also use my moon logo stamp in a variety of sizes to brand all of my shipping packaging and art market sale packaging. I've been brainstorming a couple new stamp designs to brand my art prints with as well; we'll see where that goes!

Stamps are a far more sustainable product than promotional stickers, pamphlets, etc, and will last me years if taken care of properly. On top of that, an ink stamp has a genuine, authentic feel to me; I just really enjoy that last little connection it gives me to my art and to the customer.

To shop, get in contact with, and see more from Rise & Earthshine check out their Etsy Shop and Instagram page!