As an artist, I have always been captivated by the beauty of love and the joy that weddings bring to people's lives. However, If I'm being honest, as a little girl, I never really daydreamed about my wedding, I was too busy trying to talk to animals and getting my hands on any art supplies I could. It wasn't until a few years ago, 2018 to be exact, that I discovered the perfect niche to combine my passion for art with my love for celebrating couples. I started my journey as a live wedding artist, capturing candid moments and creating beautiful paintings that commemorate one of the most important days in a couple's life. I tell myself all the time, I have the best job ever!
In this blog post, I want to share my journey as a live wedding artist. I will highlight the key inspirations that led me to this career path, talk about the growth and lessons learned along the way, and share some memorable moments that have made my career as a live wedding artist truly special.
My journey as a live wedding artist started when I was at a pop-up art show in the Temecula Valley and met another artist who had a beautiful and colorful business card that said, Live Wedding Painter. I was intrigued and asked her, what is a live wedding painter? After our conversation, the idea would NOT leave my head. So I took it as a sign to try something new.
You could call it perfect timing, and not too long after that encounter a group of my sister's childhood friends heard about my "little idea" to start painting weddings and wanted to support my work. So all 7 of them asked me to create a painting of their best friend's wedding as a group wedding gift. I had never created a painting live like this on the spot before, but the idea intrigued me, so I decided to give it a try. On the day of the wedding, I set up my easel and started painting their first dance as it was happening. The experience was exhilarating - watching the moments unfold and capturing them on canvas was incredibly fulfilling and a bit nerve-racking because I was also painting in front of a lot of people I knew personally, so inevitably the pressure was on but I welcomed the challenge.
This first experience opened my eyes to the world of live wedding painting and I started researching more about it. I found that there were not many artists in this niche and it felt like the perfect way to combine my love for art and celebrating others. I started practicing my live painting skills, launched a new website and soon received more inquires for other weddings. The feedback I received was overwhelmingly positive, and I knew that I had found my calling.
One of the things that inspires me the most as a live wedding artist is the opportunity to capture real moments and emotions. Weddings are full of joy, laughter, and sometimes tears, and being able to witness and capture those moments is a privilege. It's a unique way of storytelling that combines art and emotion - creating a painting that tells the story of a couple's special day in a way that a photograph cannot.
As I continued to grow in my career, I also learned some valuable lessons along the way. One of the most important ones is to always be prepared. Live wedding painting requires a lot of planning and preparation, from selecting the right materials to scouting the venue beforehand. I also learned that it's essential to establish a good rapport with the couple beforehand so that they feel comfortable and confident in my ability to capture their special day on canvas.
One memorable moments as a live wedding artist was a wedding that I painted on a yacht in Marina Del Rey. The couple had booked me to capture their whiskey pouring ceremony in front of their friends and family while on the top deck of this amazing ship. It was beautiful and picturesque, but what made it truly memorable was the couple's reaction when they saw the painting for the first time after their reception. They were ecstatic and so excited to see their final painting, and it was a moment that reminded me of why I love what I do. Click here to watch their reaction!
My journey as a live wedding artist has been an incredible one, full of growth, learning, and unforgettable moments. It's a career that has allowed me to combine my passion for art and weddings in a unique and meaningful way. As I look back at my journey, I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way and excited for what's to come. For aspiring artists and art enthusiasts out there, I encourage you to follow your passion, take risks, and trust the journey. You never know where it may take you.