Today we’d like to introduce you to Danison Fronda-Tietz.
Hi Danison, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in New Jersey, where I lived an everyday life. Ever since a young age, I have been artistic and have excellent penmanship. I doodled in all my notebooks, made my headers pretty, and always liked to draw. When I got engaged in 2018, I started getting into art. Although my handwriting was fine, I wanted to learn more about calligraphy and lettering. This was so I could DIY my invitation suite, hand-address my envelopes, and create beautiful wedding signage. When the day came, I fell in love with all my wedding vendors and became pretty close with a few. They would ask if I did this on the side, which, at the time, I didn’t. This planted a little seed in my head. After asking them a few questions and researching more, Bowtie & Brush officially became a wedding service-based business. I registered my business, took on my first clients, and never turned back!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For the most part, it’s been a smooth road! I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and my CPA license, which played a big part in understanding the business side of running a business. I’ve learned that not all creatives have that background, so it sets them back when it comes to taxes, looking at analytics, and all the other so-called boring business things. I love that. In terms of just being a part of the wedding industry and trying to get my name out there, I was also. The Central Florida wedding industry has been nothing but welcoming. I went to just 2 networking events before connecting with other professionals looking for what I had to offer. Most of my clients are based on referrals, so I need to continue networking and fostering those genuine connections. Since my early days, I’ve created a close group of ‘friendors’ who I constantly go to with questions on continuously improving myself and my business.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I like to describe my work as an artistic wedding and event service to create art, signage, and stationery that is unique to every person. I specialize in three spaces: live watercolor guest portraits, live calligraphy, and day-of signage & stationery.
With live watercolor, I capture the essence of guests with stunning watercolor portraits. My style is minimalist and faceless. I focus on the guest’s attire, hair style/color, & skin tones. Figures are drawn with fashion proportions, generally longer and leaner than real-life proportions. It makes guests feel like runway models, and it’s a great favor that guests are more likely to keep and frame once they get back home.
With calligraphy, I elevate items such as perfume bottles or leather journals, adding a touch of sophistication to any occasion. As a calligrapher + hand lettering artist, I’ve spent countless hours of practice developing my calligraphy and lettering styles. I take pride in the work my hands create and refrain from using pre-made script fonts in my services.
Lastly, I also provide day-of signage and stationery. In other words, I don’t do invitation suites. Welcome signs, seating charts, signature drinks signs, and place cards are more of my speed. It’s all of these day-of bespoke details that set the tone for your special day.
I am most proud that I try to do everything I can with my own two hands rather than a machine. Being an artist with my unique style already distinguishes me from other artists. This became evident when I booked a wedding for a client in Napa, CA. I’m based in Florida, so there had to be other live watercolor painters who were more local, which would be cheaper. Surprisingly, they wanted my style and couldn’t find anyone close to it. It’s moments like these when I realize that no one else can create the art I make with my own hands.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
My desire to connect with people has been the most important to my success. Weddings are the most intimate and significant day in people’s lives. Each story is unique, with its ups and downs, and that’s what’s so beautiful. It should be every wedding industry professional who wants to enhance that story and get to know the couple. All the vendors are working to ensure their wedding is the best day ever. That’s why I’ve done so well. Aside from connecting with my couples, I also make it a point to be as welcoming and helpful as the other vendors in my industry. I love learning about their personal lives, why they do what they do, and more about them as individuals. Creating those personal connections has helped me work harder and grow my company to be where it is today.
Pricing:
- Live Watercolor Guest Portraits. $325/hour. 3 hour minimum.
- Live Calligraphy. Starting at $150/hour. 3 hour minimum.
- Signage & Stationery. $450 project acceptance minimum.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bowtieandbrush.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bowtieandbrush
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bowtieandbrush
Image Credits
Joanna Moore Photography, Kindle and Grain
