Wedding Reception - The Corinthian

28x22 oil on linen

Today is somewhat of a recovery day. This party ended very late! Late for me - I am not worth much after 7 pm. But the band was fun, and the wedding coordinator, Ann Whittington, always takes care to have a nice spread for the vendors so I had a good salad, chicken and a couple brownies to sustain me!
This was a surprise for the bridal couple. She apparently had wanted me, but was told I was booked and unable to paint her wedding. I saw her when her mom pointed me out at work - on the upper level. I hope they are as pleased with the final product.

To be honest, I'm still ambivalent about these gigs. Sure, its great exercise for me, its maybe a nod to traditional impressionism, and its very special for the family. BUT, is it good for my career? And I always feel like the work is left unfinished... which is the nature of it, but I wonder if that is best? I could do so much better by bringing the work back and completing it in my studio. Most of the live event painters do not do this. And there are drawbacks to it...when in my studio, I need to be focusing on gallery work. And there are only so many hours in the day. Seeming to be fewer and fewer too. This morning I went to a meeting to learn about being "cookie coordinator" for our Brownie troop. Please, somebody stop me next time I volunteer!
:-)

Oheka Castle Wedding Reception

Took a very quick trip over the weekend to go and paint at a lovely young couple's wedding reception on Long Island. The site was Oheka Castle - a beautiful private home built in the early 1900s by one of those fabulously wealthy "robber-barons." It was a beautiful setting. I am exhausted...and no honeymoon to look forward to!


early stage - the light from the setting sun inspired me, though the party was going to be at night.


ready for populate the scene with some wedding guests


no time for pics in between - this is the final painting. I hope the family is happy with my results!

Wedding Reception - Molly Pitcher Inn

I'm back home after a whirlwind trip to the northeast. Three cities in three days... the rock star lifestyle is not for me! On Facebook, I've posted some pictures from the awards dinner at the National Arts club. Owing to the usual delays that inevitably happen when traveling, I barely got there in time for dinner and was a little damp from a long walk in the rain. But had no trouble getting too and from the city on the trains. Well - I got off at the wrong station on the way back to my hotel, but jumped on the next train and finished my ride.
I met some lovely people at the awards dinner and was warmly welcomed. I was so impressed by the quality of the work in the show, and therefore even more honored and amazed that my painting was chosen for an award.
The National Arts Club is in a gorgeous old home in Gramercy park. Stunning.

Next day (Sat.) I was driving down the New Jersey Parkway heading for the coast for the wedding reception. The fall color was beautiful. I missed my exit... you'll note a theme on my missing exits and getting lost....

Suffice to say, I made it to town and got my canvas and mineral spirits at a local art supply store and then got to spend some time enjoying downtown Red Bank.

The wedding reception was a lot of fun. People talk about southern hospitality, but I have to say, the people there (guests, dj, lighting guy, wait staff, etc.) were all so friendly and fun. Everyone danced! From the youngest to the oldest... to all the music. Its really fun to get to take part in these events as an observer. I'm really honored to be asked to do this kind of work!




That being said, I'm exhausted. I'm in my jammies still and not moving from my sofa today. Its pouring rain too which makes it all the cozier.
I am not traveling the the rest of the year. Soon it will be time to turn our attention to the upcoming holidays and family. But for now, I think I need a nap.

Wedding Reception - The Parador, Houston

I made good progress on this one I think. I do not have much touch up to do in the studio. Though my start was slow! The Parador was a lovely venue. The gardens were particularly nice. Inside, once the band got going, and the guests filtered in for dinner, I got into the swing of things.
Its such a neat experience. Its kind of terrifying as well. lol

Recent Live Event Paintings

Jenkins Wedding - Driskill Hotel


Agrawal Wedding - The Houstonian

I am still doing live event painting, but haven't been publicizing it. I have been debating a lot actually about continuing. Its a really neat thing to do - and so good for me as an artist. It really pushes me to see and paint fast and loose. But it is exhausting. And travel is difficult, esp. with oils.
So I've decided to just do events at locations I can drive to for now. So that means the central Texas area basically. I have not yet been able to paint quickly enough to be completely finished on site. And even if I did, the family or couple don't want to take a wet painting home with them the night of the party. So the process remains the same. I show up about 2 hours early and begin working. I paint during the party, adding people and catching important moments and chatting with all the guests who want to know why I haven't put them in the painting yet.
Then I bring the painting home to finalize it, let it dry and varnish it to deliver later.
FYI - I currently charge $1500 + travel (and tax) for a 20x30 or 22x28. I think those sizes work the best but I can do other sizes. I ask for 50% deposit to save the date. Its fully refundable should plans change - minus any hotel charges/fees. I'm honing my skills each time I do this and hope to finish a painting during an event sometime. Then maybe I can work bigger or travel farther.
Upcoming this fall - painting during the Victorian Gala in Calvert Texas. Its a fully costumed ball and should be really fun.
Besides that, my paintings will be showing in several juried exhibits around the country. But more on that later.
Tomorrow - the monthly challenge group painting!

Steelwood Wedding Reception

I forgot to mention that last weekend, I had a live painting event in Alabama. Flew in Saturday under mostly cloudy skies to paint outdoors at this lovely venue. As you can see, this is not final. I painted until dark and was not in a position to set up a light so did not complete my foreground. I will add a few more people and the grass and plants and be done.

A Taste of the Driskill

A very neat event going on Saturday for those of you in Austin. Its also game day for UT, so likely to be busy downtown. I'm going to exhibit some of my artwork - especially the wedding reception work during this event.

A Taste of the Driskill
Saturday, August 30, 2008
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Open house featuring food and wine tastings, pie bake-off, music, ghost tours, romance stories and children’s activities. A showcase of artwork of The Driskill created by local artists will be in the Jim Hogg room on the Mezzanine level.

Live Event Painting - River Oaks

24x36 oil on linen

Here we have the final event version. I will be making final adjustments and refining the painting, but I wanted to share with you the result of my 5+ hours of painting of the reception for William and Kate. I also set up my video camera and taped at intervals, so when I come back from vacation (which I very much need now) I will play with editing that and posting it to my site. I very much enjoyed this and hope the family will love the final painting. Stay tuned for photos of it in a few weeks.