September 29, 2020
This blog post is going to be a little bit different. This painting wasn’t actually a live wedding painting! Instead, it was a very special custom anniversary gift painting. A little over a year ago, Kerry and Austin married at The Spring Lake Bath & Tennis Club in New Jersey. The Bride’s Mom had originally reached out to see if I could live paint their special day but, sadly, I wasn’t available. Fast forward a few months, Mom reached back out with an amazing request to create an anniversary painting that would include a ton of special people. Of course I said yes!
Mom selected a 22×28″ canvas and sent along the Bride and Groom’s lovely wedding photography gallery by Lily Szabo for me to reference. I ended up needing every reference image I could find because Mom ultimately asked if I could include an additional 22 people in the painting! WHEW! She really wanted the painting to capture the couple’s first dance, but feature a variety of special people standing around watching the dance in a way that actually didn’t really happen on the wedding day. In reality, the wedding party members and parents were all sitting at various different tables, and the adorable flower girls didn’t make an appearance until later.
The perspective of the room also underwent a change. In reality, the wall that would be behind Kerry and Austin was rather blank. Instead, I chose to feature a wall of french doors that actually laid behind the head dais. I thought the doors and their reflection of the chandelier light would add a bit more interest to the painting. The perspective flip also allowed me to feature a little likeness of their wedding cake, and even allotted a bit of space to feature the Spring Lake Bath & Tennis Club sign that is actually outside! A bundle of their centerpiece florals then helped bring some color to a very cool painting.
For as sad as I was to not be able to be with everyone live on the wedding day, I’m thrilled I was still able to be a part of their love journey! This custom anniversary painting will hang on their wall for many happy years to come. Congratulations, Kerry and Austin! Happy First Anniversary!
DON’T FORGET! I’m still on a mission to live paint a wedding in every state! Message me today to tell me where I should head to next!