Feature interview of Reena Ahluwalia and her diamonds.
Editor Marie Feliciano interviews Reena Ahluwalia in May 2017 issue of JNA (Jewellery News Asia).
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.
Heart of Gold - A Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond Painting By Reena Ahluwalia
It’s that heart of gold, and stardust soul that make you beautiful!
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart. Isn't a heart of gold the best treasure of all? Capturing the warm glow of sun rays, 'Heart of Gold' is my yellow heart-shaped diamond painting, one of three heart-shaped diamond painting from the Diamond Portrait Series. I went ahead and added real natural diamond dust with paint in the painting, the diamond dust sparkles when it catches light.
The most romantic of all diamonds, heart-shaped diamonds are often referred to as an extremely popular fancy cut and the ultimate representation of love. I love working with heart-shaped diamonds for my jewelry creations. So much so that I wrote about most Famous Heart-Shaped Diamonds in history.
Here are a few images of the painting and process...
'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond
36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Close-up detail of the 'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
When you shine, the world shines with you! In progress, 'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Be the light in someone's life! In progress, 'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
It’s that heart of gold, and stardust soul that make you beautiful! Making of the 'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Unlocking the heart of gold, one brush stroke at a time! Making of the 'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Let's follow our heart, it leads to our dreams! 'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Setting heart on fire, one facet at a time! Progress of 'Heart of Gold' - Portrait of a Yellow Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Natural Diamond Dust and Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Real diamond dust, a signature of Reena Ahluwalia paintings. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Reena Ahluwalia with her trio of diamond paintings. To see the other paintings of this series, please check out the 'Diamond Portrait Series' by Reena.
Passionate Heart - A Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond Painting By Reena Ahluwalia
Life is short. If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.
Celebrating a heart full of passion, 'Passionate Heart' is my pink heart-shaped diamond painting, one of three heart-shaped diamond painting from the 'Diamond Portrait Series'. Pink diamonds are extremely rare diamonds and are the hot favorite of collectors and connoisseurs. The most romantic of all diamonds, heart-shaped diamonds are often referred to as an extremely popular fancy cut and the ultimate representation of love. I love working with heart-shaped diamonds for my jewelry creations. So much so that I wrote about the most Famous Heart-Shaped Diamonds in history.
Here are a few images of the painting and process...
Live with passion, follow your heart!
'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond
36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Close up detail. 'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Preparing color palette for my pink 'Passionate Heart' diamond painting. Coloration within a pink diamond is highly nuanced. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Life full of passion is a beautiful one! Reena Ahluwalia in her studio working on the 'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Do it with passion or not at all! In progress, 'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Diamond facets are so beautiful and detailed, don't you think? Just like a heart ... you look into its depths, you find so much more to love. Facet details of 'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Reena Ahluwalia at her studio working on the 'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Reena Ahluwalia at her studio working on the 'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Completed and signed! 'Passionate Heart' - Portrait of a Pink Heart-Shaped Diamond. 36 x 36 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Connect with Reena
The Portrait Of Luminosity - An Oval Cut Yellow Diamond Painting By Reena Ahluwalia
'The Portrait of Luminosity' - Portrait of an Oval Cut Yellow Diamond
60 x 48 inches. Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
A bright and luminous oval cut yellow diamond of epic proportions...
Read moreReena Ahluwalia speaks at GJEPC's 'Design Inspirations 2016'
How to stay inspired and how to continue to trigger inspiration in our thinking to sustain creativity. Reena at the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) conference in Mumabi...
Read moreThe Portal of Mystery - a painting by Reena Ahluwalia
The Portal of Mystery
30"x30". Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia
Life is a beautiful mystery! In my green diamond painting, "The Portal of Mystery", I explore the concept of mystery...
Read moreThe 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 moreIn the Name of Halloween - "Sorceress Diabolic"
All in the spirit of Halloween! I present to you...
"Sorceress Diabolic" - is a jewelry design concept by Reena Ahluwalia.
"On a fatal night, at the witching time, the starless sky laments black and unmoving. The shadowy moon floats above. In this forbidden depths of darkness, prowls a diabolic sorceress with magic spells and dangerous enchantments. In her mask-macabre, glimmering like countess diamonds are trapped hopeless enchanted souls."
"Sorceress Diabolic" - a contemporary face-mask, designed to exaggerate and intensify the dark Sorceress’s legend. Concept drawing by Reena Ahluwalia.
Mask components are angular and pointed, recalling the sharp teeth of howling wolves and outstretched wings of ravens. Like a visual warning, a separate mouthpiece mimics teeth and fangs. Concept drawing by Reena Ahluwalia.