Painting "live" is not for the faint of heart. People love to watch you.  You have to be quick!  It is like taking shorthand.  Capturing the essence of the moment is of utmost importance.  There is nothing like being present at the scene to grasp an innate creative concept that you as an artist will carry out both onsite and back at your studio. 

Last weekend I attended a bar mitzvah for a wonderful young man named Robert.  Several years ago I painted for his sister Sarah's bat mitzvah.  I was honored to be invited back to paint for Robert's.  

I will post the final painting after I finish in my studio.  I will add the main characters to the painting including the parents, grandparents and other family members plus Robert's best friends. They will be doing the Horah dance and having a good time.  I had my camera to capture these moving images. I have some great ideas to make this painting a special painting he will cherish and pass along to his children's children!  One thing I'll mention but I don't want to ruin the surprise of the final version for the family so won't divulge too much, however, Robert likes NASCAR.  His parents got Jeff Gordon to do a video a personal message to Robert. A scene from when Jeff Gordon spoke to him is going to be painted on the TV screen I have blocked in on the left side of the painting.  I am so excited.  This is the benefit of attending the live event. You get the WHOLE flavor of event, not just a snapshot of an event to paint from.

Someone asked what I charge for this. I initially charge $75 which basically covers my fee to attend/paint "live" at your event for approximately three hours. Then, depending on the size of the painting, I will charge you the balance when the painting is complete.  The average painting is 2 feet high by 3 feet wide whereby the balance is $475.  A smaller painting of 18' x 24" is $400 and 16' x 20" is $375.  Many hours are spent in the studio finishing the final painting. It is truly a joy to bring the memories of the event to life.

Be blessed!

Laura