This past June I had the absolute pleasure of doing a live wedding painting at a lovely outdoor venue near Philadelphia. The sun was shining, a light breeze drifted through the air, and the summer warmth set the tone for the couple's special day. Ready with my canvas, I set up my easel ready to capture the magic of the ceremony.
The ceremony was simple and lovely. Surrounded by their loved ones and standing before the striking stone building at Graeme Park, the couple exchanged their vows and made their union. I captured a photo of them sharing a kiss coming back down the aisle, and I immediately knew the pose would be a fabulous focal point of the artwork. With every brushstroke, I focused on bringing out the colors and emotions of the day... and fought the heat. The paint dried way faster than I am used to and left me such little time to blend! But I was still able to capture all the defining features of the composition: the bright greens of the scene, the warmth of the sunlight, and the soft cast shadows of the newlyweds.
After the wedding ceremony I shifted to the reception space as guests enjoyed cocktail hour in the park. As I continued painting, guests trickled in curious to see the progress. I always love interacting with people during live events—it adds another layer of connection to the art and the experience. Some people stopped to chat, others paused to take a peek, some even snapped photos, but all were eager to see how the painting was taking shape. By the time the couple shared their first dance, I had already painted the background, their figures, and was beginning to dive into the fine detail. Live painting is such an exciting job, but I can imagine it's even more exciting to be a guest and watching the artwork unfold!
By the end of the evening, the painting was in a place where I felt comfortable leaving it on display for a while before heading out. I was able to finish a good portion of the details on-site, leaving only a few sections to complete in the studio later. As the guests danced the night away, I stepped back and gave them space to admire the artwork they'd been anticipating all evening. Getting to see a live wedding painting at the end of the night is an experience unmatched!
Due to the surprise early arrival of my baby, this painting ended up spending more time in the studio than I had planned. But finally, this past week the painting was shipped home to it's eagerly awaiting newlywed couple! It was a perfect day for a live wedding painting, and I’m so grateful I had the chance to be part of such a memorable day.
Looking ahead, I have secured dates for several weddings for the rest of 2024 and into 2025. Since relocating to Lancaster earlier this year, I am looking forward to directing my attention more towards Eastern and Central PA! If you are planning a wedding in Lancaster, Hershey, York, Mt. Joy, Harrisburg, State College, or any areas near to these, I would love to chat with you.
HB
Comments