My fiance and I have formed our own business called "X&R CREATIVE" and some of you may know from other work that we have done that we go to concerts with a gift for the artist and produce pictures and video from the night.

Feb 13th Xavier and I were in Chicago to see Mos Def, I brought a 24x36 portrait (posted on my profile) to give to him at a concert. Unfortunately, the concert didn't go so well, the main talent came after midnight and the crowd was being disrespectful so Mos Def left very suddenly and I didn't get a chance to give him the portrait. But Mos Def still rocked it the time he was there.

The good news from the night was the video Xavier filmed and uploaded on youtube was found by Kanye West and he posted the vid on his blog!!! Here is the link:

http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/?em3106=244383_-1__0_~0_-1_2_2010_0_0&em3298=&em3282=&em3281=&em3161=

02/17/10, 11:59PM PST

I feel honored to have my work appreciated by others on the site. Two of my pieces are being featured and I just wanted to say, Thank you so much!

As a thank you, Imma do a portrait of Pharrell. hahaha, since he is the creator of the site!!!

peace out,
expect the portrait soon!

01/10/10, 9:46PM PST

Check it out:
http://datnewcudi.com/2010/01/08/video-kid-cudi-signs-a-fans-portait-in-milwaukee/#more-5180

I was jumping for joy when I found out Kid Cudi had posted my fiance's video and pics plus my portrait on their website!!

Or views are almost to 1000 within hours!! This is a very happy day for Xavier and I!!

01/08/10, 10:08PM PST

I feel bad for not coming to this site and updating it more often but I'm happy to say I will be making more visits now that school is out of the way!!! Yes, Yes, I have recently graduated with a BFA in Illustration from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design MIAD. And I am excited to move onto a new chapter in my life.

Yesterday I went to the Kid Cudi concert in Milwaukee and it was an awesome show. Kid Cudi is someone I am really inspired by and a love large amounts of his music :) so it was a no brainer for me to want to connect with him somehow while he was in town, so I did what I normally do and created a portrait.

The portrait (that you can see on my page) is a digital painting, so that allowed me to print multiples. I came with two, one for him and one for me. When we got there we quickly got in touch with a stage manager to deliever the portrait to his prep room. So that was great!

and then to top the night off, at the end I was hanging onto my copy and a pen, with the help of others, got the attention of the crew on stage to take it from me and get it signed by Cudi. And unexpected they came, got it, brought it back stage to Cudi and brought it back to me. So I'm so happy.

I hope many more experiences like this one will happen this new year. 2010!!! lets make it a good one!!

Peace!

01/07/10, 11:44PM PST

Yesterday I did two things. Did a portrait of Rhymefest, barely getting it done in time, before making my way over to the Stone Fly venue in Milwaukee to watch him perform live.

It was an outstanding show. I got to meet Rhymefest and when I gave him the portrait he was so appreiative, saying that it was the best thing a fan has ever given him and that he wanted to give me something special, so he runs to his car that is 4 blocks away and he comes back with a CD. signs that, signs a copy of my work, gives me some contact info, then after the concert brings my on stage to introduce me and give me a hug.

haha! it was a pretty amazing night. Couldn't have asked for a better reaction from Rhymefest. Take a look at my profile to see the finished piece.

Thanks,
Risa

09/05/09, 4:54PM PST

About week ago I met Chester French and gave them two portraits they asked me for! It was an awesome day!

Find the video here:

http://blog.xavierruffin.com/2009/08/risa-does-portraits-for-chester-french.html

Thanks,
Risa

08/14/09, 12:44PM PST

Thank you everyone for commenting on my page!!! I appreciate it!

The past couple days I moved into my own gallery and studio, and I met Chester French and delivered two portraits that D.A. requested a couple weeks ago. It was a surprise for me to show up there with them done!!! Made me really happy to see there expression and give them a copy to go home with.

Please visit my fan page on Facebook that I just started to know more and become a friend! or fan! whatever you want!!!! Thanks!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Risa-Marie/121867134680?ref=ts

peace,
Risa Marie

08/04/09, 7:25PM PST

Hi there, Its Risa Marie.
I'm happy I found this site, its a first of its kind!

Big things happening in my life right now. I have decided to pursue my art career full time here in Milwaukee, fresh out of school. I am also in the process of renting my own store front and turning it into a gallery and studio.

I hope to meet other talented artist and get some feedback on my work. I just added some of my portraiture and will be sure to add more art soon.

Thanks,
Risa

07/26/09, 10:06PM PST