Reena Ahluwalia was recently featured in ADORN Magazine - India's First Luxury Jewellery Magazine (Nov. - Dec. 2016). In an exclusive interview, editor Shanoo Bijlani finds out more about artist Reena Ahluwalia, her art and what drives her to create her diamond paintings.
The Portrait of Innovation - Coronet Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia
"Shine like the whole universe is yours." -- Rumi
This universe is truly ours! You and I are brilliant specks of consciousness in this vast universe. I love this simple idea that has the power to liberate and empower us. To dream freely, to reach within and share our thoughts uninhibited with the universe is a beautiful thing.
A dream with courage is innovation. Innovation is exactly what Aaron Shum of Aaron Shum Jewelry created in his patented diamond setting. Coronet Solitaire has accomplished what centuries of master jewelers have tried - creating a luminous grand solitaire effect - with only 30 points of diamond (and 1/10th the price of its solitaire equivalent). So when Aaron asked me to custom create a diamond painting of the 'Coronet', we both knew instantaneously that it would not just be a copy of the diamond setting. We knew that undertaking this commission will mean that I will be painting not a specimen of the diamond setting but rather a portrait of innovation and telling the story of a diamond dream.
The 'Coronet' diamond painting was a true joy to create and took 45 days and nights. The painting belongs to my 'Diamond Portrait Series'. At 48 x 48 inches (4x4 feet), it's an extremely detailed and precise portrait of innovation. The Coronet setting ensembles seven round brilliants with an elevated center diamond set without prongs, creating effect of one grand solitaire.
The Coronet® Diamond Painting was unveiled on 15 September 2016 in a special exhibition at the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2016. The response was overwhelming! In addition to the Coronet® portrait painting, the exhibition featured seven of my diamond paintings in Hong Kong for the very first time.
Aaron Shum Jewelry and I also announced our upcoming jewelry design collaboration which we launched in Baselworld 2017 - the spectacular CORONET BY REENA AHLUWALIA diamond jewelry collection.
Miss Switzerland, Kerstin Cook radiates in the 'Inner Brilliance' spinning diamonds jewelry from 'Coronet By Reena Ahluwalia'. VIEW THE COLLECTION. Image credit: Abdou HILALI | Baselworld
Below is a look at the making of the 'Coronet' Diamond Painting. Enjoy!
'Coronet' Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia for Aaron Shum Jewelry. 48 x 48 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Close up details. 'Coronet' Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia for Aaron Shum Jewelry. 48 x 48 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
VIDEO: Making of the Coronet Diamond painting by Reena Ahluwalia.
The CORONET Diamond painting by artist and jewelry designer Reena Ahluwalia for Aaron Shum Jewelry Ltd. was unveiled at the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2016. The painting is a 4x4 feet, extremely detailed and precise portrait of innovation. The guests of honour at the unveiling were Jimee Essink, General Manager of UBM Asia, the show organiser; Vicky Chan, deputy General Manager of Chow Tai Fook; and Alex Popov, Chairman of the World Diamond Mark.
The Coronet Diamond painting was unveiled at the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2016.
The Coronet Diamond painting was unveiled at the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2016. L to R: Kent Wong, Chow Tai Fook, artist Reena Ahluwalia, Alice Trinh & Aaron Shum, Aaron Shum Jewelry.
Tremendous response! Press Conference and the unveiling of the Coronet Diamond painting at the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2016.
Making of the 'Coronet' Diamond Painting:
Ever wondered how I create the under-drawing of my paintings? Here's the layout of the Coronet Diamond. Although it takes a long time, I thoroughly enjoy the precision and geometry involved. Being a jewelry designer and professor of technical drawing helps too. Making of the Coronet Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Symmetry, precision and balance! Working on my canvas backgound. Making of the 4-feet Coronet Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Close up detail of one of the seven round brilliant diamonds. Making of the 4-feet Coronet Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Symmetrically beautiful. Seven round brilliant cut diamonds make the Coronet several times brilliant! Making of the 4-feet Coronet Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Magnificent Seven (diamonds) in this painting! To me it looked like a dazzling Kaleidoscope. Making of the 4-feet Coronet Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia. ©Reena Ahluwalia
The sheer brilliance of the Coronet diamond is inspiring. At all stages during the creation of this painting, I was mindful to tease out its powerful positive essence and present it through each of my brush strokes. There, within these magnificent magnified facets lie stories that each of us can individually interpret. That's what makes diamonds special to me, because they are carrier of stories, yours and mine. Making of the 4-feet Coronet Diamond Painting by Reena Ahluwalia. ©Reena Ahluwalia.
The Portal of Dreams - a painting by Reena Ahluwalia
The Portal of Dreams
18"x24". Acrylic on Belgian Linen Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Dreams, are they coloured? Do they exist within the portals of our soul? What if we didn't have the capacity to dream, what would humanity be like...Portal of Dreams - a painting by Reena.
Read moreReena Ahluwalia Launches “Nurture By Reena,” the World's First Lab-Grown Diamond Designer Jewelry Brand
Launched!
NURTURE BY REENA, world's first designer-led jewelry brand that exclusively features lab-grown diamonds and merges it with wearable technology and fashion! http://www.nurturebyreena.com/
Milestone marks the first-ever designer jewelry brand that exclusively features lab-grown diamonds and merges it with wearable technology and fashion.
Toronto, Canada (May 5, 2014) -- Multi-award winning jewelry designer and longtime diamond industry insider, Reena Ahluwalia, today announced the launch of the world's first lab-grown diamond designer jewelry brand – “Nurture By Reena.” The brand is committed to proudly feature fully disclosed, certified lab-grown diamonds that are origin-guaranteed, conflict-free and environmentally sustainable.
“The Moments Collection” is the first offering from “Nurture By Reena.” It combines diamond jewelry with wearable technology and merges style and fashion with deep personal meaning. Using QR Code technology opens the door to a unique ecosystem that allows you to attach your most precious moments to your jewel. The lab-grown diamond pieces flip to discreetly reveal a QR code that is otherwise hidden from view while the jewelry is worn.
Each cutting-edge design unites the beauty of natural shapes with the precision of modern technology and brings to life Reena’s love of discovery. And while each piece embodies the unique vision of the artist, you’re invited to give it personal meaning through the stories you attach to it. Capturing an individual's unique moment and personal messages, the jewel can be effortlessly personalized with content that can be accessed anytime and anywhere. Like the eternal nature of a diamond, your jewel becomes a modern day digital talisman, a time capsule that captures and preserves your moment for eternity.
The Moments Collection is offered in colorless, pink and yellow lab-grown diamonds, with a starting carat weight of 0.40ct. and includes rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets. To date, there are 36 SKUs available in 18k gold, including white, yellow and rose gold. According to Reena Ahluwalia, “I looked at blooming flowers for inspiration and symbolism. For me, flowers are like moments – ephemeral, yet deeply memorable.
Reena said, “Let me take you on a journey one could only imagine before. I am proud to bring to you a collection that celebrates the changing consumer values of today, embodies what real love means and helps you express your deepest personal stories. For retailers, this also offers phenomenal value and choices through layers of differentiation, which is essential to stand out in retail space today.”
The “Moments Collection” from “Nurture By Reena” will be unveiled at the upcoming JCK Las Vegas Show 2014, in the Design Center, booth no. S10519.
For more information, please visit: www.nurturebyreena.com
The “Moments Collection” from “Nurture By Reena” will be unveiled at the upcoming JCK Las Vegas Show 2014, in the Design Center, booth no. S10519.