Almost exactly one year ago, I set a goal that within one year, I would be doing live event painting. If you're not sure what that entails, it's exactly what it sounds like; painting by invitation in front of event-goers as part of the entertainment. Most often, it's done at weddings and fundraisers, especially when the venue has significant charm, like at the Henry Ford Museum in historic Dearborn, Michigan. The staircases at the museum are beautifully ornate and well suited for getting amazing photographs of the bride and groom in full wedding attire. A live event painter might paint that scene or a sweeping panoramic view of the reception ballroom as the bride and groom enjoy their first dance. The artist chats with onlookers while they paint and answers questions about their methods and life as an artist. The painting might include good likenesses of the couple's parents and that eccentric spinster aunt or the zany cousin everyone seems to have. I don't think I have the courage for painting that intense just yet. Good grief! I can hardly chew gum and walk at the same time! My most successful pieces are done with nobody around,.. no music even. And besides, my style is somewhat minimalist, focused in on one to three items in a painting. Still, I am deeply intrigued by the concept.
Until I'm ready to go that large, there are other ways to do live event painting that are more suited to a recluse like myself. My first big opportunity came when The Artist's Society Of Dearborn members were invited to participate in "Arts In April", a month-long event where artists are scheduled to paint in or near participating businesses and historic locations around Dearborn when foot traffic is expected to be heaviest. It gets the public out after a hard winter and gives artists a chance to showcase their skill. When I was invited, I calmly indicated that I would indeed be interested while inwardly doing the happy dance. So On April 26, from 6-8pm, I will be painting in front of the prestigious Padzieski Gallery at the Ford Performing Arts Center. I'd love to see you there if you're in the area.
Now...here's where it gets good. Having procured that gig, I was emboldened to check out other events in Michigan where I might be able to paint and came across the Traverse City Chocolate Festival. My immediate thought was how would they use a live painter at an event designed to sell chocolate? Probably wouldn't. Still, what did I have to lose? It was worth asking. Long story short, I will be painting something dark and decadent on this coming Sunday afternoon in Traverse City with the smell of fresh warm chocolate wafting about. I'm gifting whatever I paint as a door prize for festival goers and I'm being gifted with two tasting tickets, so Wes can walk around and sample chocolate for two hours while I paint. Now this may seem to some like a let down after getting invited to paint at the Padzieski Gallery. But when chocolate is involved,.......all bets are off!
