At just about every event I attend, someone will ask me how I got started painting ornaments. Here is my story...
It all started about 25 years ago one Christmas Eve, when
I had lost my job and had little money to buy gifts for my
family. I had been to the store, searched for a parking
space, fought the crowds, and just could not find the
perfect gifts for my family within the budget I had. I
came home tired and defeated. I sat down in my studio
and sighed. There, at the corner of my desk was box of
Christmas ornaments. I had an idea!
Christmas morning came and I will never forget that day. Snow covered the
ground, the tree was ablaze with lights, the fire place was crackling away and
holiday music softly played in the background. It was the perfect Christmas Day.
We were all together around the tree opening presents. My family opened my gifts
and were surprised they each had a personal ornament. Where did you get these?
When I told them I had made them, they were shocked. My father’s fire truck, my
mother’s dog, "Honey Pooch," my sister’s favorite cartoon characters. I also gave
them to my friends who urged me to sell them.
Well, that was a long time ago, almost 25 years and I have been painting ornaments
ever since. Please look through the pages and I hope you enjoy the ornaments I have
painted. I can paint anything you would like, each ornament is made just for you.
They are not decals, made by a computerized machine or made overseas. They are
made here in the U.S.A and personally painted by me.
My name is Mike Riehl and I am The Ornament Guy.