Meet Lizzie Reinthal | Artist & School Programs Coordinator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lizzie Reinthal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lizzie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have always been a creative person in one way or another, though I really didn’t embrace it until recently. I occasionally do commissioned paintings, and I was showing a coworker some of my work. She was impressed, to say the least, and she asked what I was doing working at an elementary school instead of working as an artist. So that was really the impetus for me starting The Bumbleberry. I still do commission work, but it’s expanded from just painting into stationery design, wax seals, and calligraphy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My background is in paleontology and education, which don’t really sound like a “normal” route for someone who does art. Though, I suppose a background in science has helped me with my painting style. My watercolor paintings of animals are very realistic–I’ve never been able to do soft, artistic renditions of things. Realism or bust, which is hard with watercolor. It’s one of the most unforgiving media, which is probably why it’s so satisfying to get a photorealistic image. I rediscovered painting in the beginning 2020, right before the pandemic hit. The pandemic really allowed me the opportunity to focus and hone in on making art, which I never would have been able to do previously. So COVID brought some good things into my life. It’s not an ideal way to launch a new career, but everyone has to start somewhere. I’ve improved significantly since I first started two years ago, my techniques are getting better, and for someone who is self taught, is a big deal for me. I’m still discovering things I like and dislike about making art for money, but it’s a fun adventure.

I think I’d want the world to know about my brand is that I love color, a challenge, and I love the unusual. Give me a pug in a tutu, or a dog in a mailbox to paint (no really, those are commissions I’ve done for people in the past). Give me something out of the ordinary, and I’ll make it beautiful for you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Yes! I love when people come to visit us in Boulder!

If I were to take people out for food in the metro/Front Range area, I’d take them to:

-Nepal Cuisine, off of Table Mesa in Boulder. They started doing a buffet to go box during the pandemic, and their Friday buffet is fantastic.
-Dark Horse for burgers and beer. The atmosphere is fun and eclectic. It’s a great dive bar!
-Lucile’s for brunch. Beignets are the best way to start the day.
-Sweet Cow for ice cream
-Cured for picnic fixings, or for one of their pre-made picnic baskets. If you like charcuterie, this is the way to go.
-Black Belly for breakfast burritos

If I were to take people out for activities in the metro/Front Range area, I’d take them to:
-visit the Denver Zoo. My husband and I take my mom there whenever she visits.
-visit the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
-go on hikes at the Chautauqua
-visit the Museum of Boulder
-Estes Park. Aspens, elk, touristy things. What’s not to like?
-Rocky Mountain National Park. Hikes, scenic drives.
-strolling around Pearl Street. It’s a great spot to people watch
-seeing some dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The person I want to shout out to are my friends, Emily, Tara, and Zoë, who are always cheering me on in my artistic endeavors. I also want to include my husband, Franklin as well, because he’s the one that pushed me to start my art instagram page to get my work out there.

Website: (coming soon) thebumbleberrycreativeco.myshopify.com/

Instagram: @the_bumbleberry

Other: email: hello@the-bumbleberry.com Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/TheBumbleberry