Our Story
Welcome to Faith and Grace Design Studios, based in Warwick, Rhode Island. Together we author and design positive, supportive and uplifting greeting cards, postcards, stationery and fine art prints that are aesthetically pleasing, printed on select premium paper stock and accompanied by Euro-flap envelopes that are luxurious in look and feel.
Co-founded in January 2022, now with over 100 original designs.
The two native Rhode Islanders and University of Rhode Island alumni share a love of many things including all things flowers (the pair met over flower gardening), coastal Rhode Island, the ocean, sunrises and sunsets, their faith, their Italian heritage, food, cooking, and the list goes on…
Shirley’s words, inspirations, and
art direction are catalysts for the process of creating these
compositions which bring together so many areas of Kristina’s artistic
work. We are so
proud to share these works with you.
Kristina is the visual artist, graphic designer, photographer and marketer while Shirley provides the inspirational words, floral and garden expertise, visual planning and business strategy of our duo.
The two women, seen above attending the January 2024 annual Three Wise Women Epiphany event at Cafe Nuovo for the National Organization of Italian American Women RI Chapter; they are both members. Kristina's photos of the event can be see here »
Read more about our story in the Rhode Island Catholic »
More about our custom work and creative services »
Shirley E. Medici
As a little girl growing up in the 1970’s, I spent my days after school at my father Sam and uncles Frank and Sal’s flower shop and greenhouses called Wanskuck Greenhouses, located in the Wanskuck section of Providence, Rhode Island. Being that my Dad’s business was a wholesale flower growing business and a retail flower shop I learned all about planting and design.
I spent my days after school with my brother, sisters, cousins and some local kids running through the many greenhouses taking in all of the sights and smells that growing flowers has to offer. It was a family business so I was so lucky to have my aunts and uncles around me during my formative years. I treasure those moments to this day.
Piano is another love of mine. As a lucky little girl would have it, I got the opportunity to take piano lessons and I am still tickling the ivories in many ways today. The opportunity to take piano lessons led me to become a music teacher. I earned a BM in Music from Rhode Island College, and a Master of Music from the University of Rhode Island. For over 30 years, I have taught tens of thousands of students.
But now, I have come back to my roots and am spending my days combining my love for flowers and my love for the music of the English language through Faith and Grace Design Studios. Kristina’s artwork speaks to me and I find the words to accompany her beautiful visuals.
Kristina M. Petrilli
My love of art started at a young age. In second grade art class, I created a Van Gogh-style drawing with Crayola markers and crayons inspired by “Starry Night” … my father Paul still has this piece. The vivid colors and the process of creating it are still fresh in my mind. My love of flowers began at an even younger age, walking through my Grandma Nina’s backyard and touching every tulip come Spring time. As a teenager, I worked at my aunt’s bakery in North Providence and hand-painted the sign that stood out front. I was part of the art club which afforded me the chance to help paint a mural of historic 1900’s Centerdale which is still hanging at North Providence High School. As a high school senior, I was excited to become editor of the yearbook and truly enjoyed the layout and design process…so much that I believe it was one reason I went on to become a graphic designer.
I followed these passions and went on to earn a BFA in Studio Art from the University of Rhode Island. Over those four years, I painted with acrylic, illustrated with pastels, pencil & charcoal, and designed digitally in 2D and 3D. As an undergrad, I observed many sunset skies over Kingston and Narragansett, and am continually inspired by the way sunlight can paint the clouds and surrounding landscape. I was fortunate enough to have brought my 3D design skills to Germany to work with the National Science Foundation in Darmstadt. Ever since, I’ve been putting my energy into graphic design, fine art, photography, branding, advertising and marketing. Now I get to teach my two young boys how to mix paint colors and love watching them make artistic discoveries of their own.
I'm continually inspired by Shirley's musical and floral design talents, and her ability to cultivate the gifts and abilities of others.
My artist website can be found at kristinapetrilli.com.