1. What made you starting drawing these amazing pieces?
Weddings are a joyful milestone -the start of a married life. Recreating a scene from a wedding is an incredible experience . I love live painting/sketching - the interaction with guests , being able to create a piece in the moment has its own . I derive my energy from everything around me - the music, the people , the ambience - all of which directly translate into my work .
My clients appreciate art and creativity and like to imbibe as much of it into their wedding day . They are very keen on making sure guests are huge part of their day by creating experiences that'll remember for a long time. Live painting is just one aspect of their wedding day. Once I got the opportunity to paint live at a wedding , I grabbed it . I knew I would be able to bring something extra special to the couple's big day.
2. Can you work with physical photos?
I work with photographs all the time . I create artwork of families, couples and more . Sometimes, I am unable to be present at a wedding to paint live . Sometimes, it works best in the client's budget to be able to get a piece commissioned from me , rather than painting live. In such cases, I work from their favorite photographs and create a memorable painting for them . A lot of times, my artworks are gifts from families for their loved ones to commemorate an occasion - which fills my heart with so much joy .
3. What do you require from the bride and groom for a live painting?
Creating a live painting at a wedding is a very special moment for me - and the couple. The couple envisions a certain moment that they'll like to painted . Sometimes, its the ceremony or the first dance or the reception filled with guests enjoying the occasion . I have phone consultations with my clients to understand what is important to them and what elements of the wedding/reception they would like to see in the final piece.
I ask many questions to fully understand their vision , so I can do my best to create the scene for them. I need a physical space where I can paint from and have an clear view of what needs to be captured at the event. I make sure I have a point of contact at the venue on the day of the event with whom I can coordinate since both the bride and groom will be caught up with the day !
4. Do you prefer to paint images live?
I do enjoy painting live more than working alone at my desk for a variety of reasons. Painting live is like a performance . I bring a vision to life at the venue . People are always curious and stop to chat about what I do . They enjoy watching the process. I like interacting with people. Painting live gives me a better sense of the event . Every couple is unique and so is every wedding . I can fully understand it at the wedding . I take a lot of reference photographs . I finish a bulk of the painting at the venue . Then I take the painting back to my hotel room / studio at home to finish it up . A lot of my detailing and finishing touches happen using the photographs .
5. If our brides want you to live multiple events....is that something possible?
Yes, absolutely ! Sometimes brides request to paint live at the wedding and the reception . A painting that captures the exact moment that is special to a couple is something that my clients cherish . I make prior arrangements with my brides about setting up for multiple events and painting through the events. As described earlier , I take the paintings to finish them up after the event and deliver them to my brides at a later date - typically within a week or so of the events .
6. Can you create custom bags for either bachelorette parties or even welcome bags?
Yes and yes . Handpainted custom bags are a great gift for bridesmaids and guests . We see beautiful images of custom bags with printed images or typography . People love the idea of a hand made gift . What better way to thank your bridesmaids and/or your guests with something thats handmade and personalized?
7. We can see you creating amazing pieces on album covers..do you work on multiple types of materials like leather?
Thank you ! I'd love to do album covers someday !
I work with all kinds of materials . I've worked on leather, cloth , faux leather, bottles and more. If its a material that I have not worked with , I will figure out a way to work with it and create art on it . Try me ;-) So, my lovely brides AND grooms , if you have an idea that you'd like artwork for - custom bags, backdrops, live painting, live sketching , wedding invitations , save the dates etc etc etc , get in touch with me and we will figure out a way to make it happen .
8. Do you have a max on custom orders?
No, so far , I haven't had an order that I haven't been able to fulfill. My clients understand and value my work , because its custom made . The same applies to custom orders for bags. That means, every single piece is unique. Clients are usually aware that I need time to create these pieces . When I see the joy on my clients faces when they finally see the custom orders / paintings , the long hours are totally , totally worth it .
Check out all of her work here: https://lsartillustrations.com/