Live wedding painters share their artistic styles, inspirations, and challenges of painting live.
Capturing your wedding day through photography is a wedding day staple; however, a lesser known way to capture your wedding is through live wedding painters. These talented artists attend your event and paint your most special moments on site, live! Pretty cool, right?
In discovering this new creative facet of the wedding industry, I set out to find and highlight Black artists who are making their mark on the wedding industry one brush stroke at a time.
Keep reading below for an exclusive interview with our very own Muna Coterie member, Pappion Artistry, and guest artists Abiosè MO Haara and Ruth Oneya Illustrations.
Pappion Artistry…
Based in New Orleans, Christina Pappion is a live wedding and reception painter. She has an eye for movement and will capture your first dance and/or ceremony from start to finish.
Why do you love painting live weddings?
“I am an introvert who loves to create. You will see that I create many different things. That is mainly because I am so passionate and love what I do. I hope that it translates in all of my work and that it makes you happy!”
What is your favorite thing to paint?
“My favorite thing to paint is portraits.”
How long have you been in the field?
“In fact I have been painting professionally for eight years now. I will never forget my first wedding, I was so nervous but I absolutely loved it. I am so happy that I am living my dream and fulfilling my purpose. There is nothing better than to be at a big party celebrating love! Nothing better.”
Abiosè MO Haara…
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Abiosè MO Haara is a live event painter (and Medical Doctor!) catering to clients on a global scale. Mostly painting in acrylic or water miscible oils on canvas, her artwork is filled with energy, color, and movement.
Describe your artistic style.
“I offer traditional style live painting, and a style inspired by a letter I received from Michelle Obama; both styles linked by my signature style of inculcating clients’ memories, stories and history into the immediate borders, and body of the canvas. After I started being followed by both the CEO of Sotheby’s as well as my mentor, I realized another level of my potential that caters to high-end clientele to whom I offer an additional experience, inculcating earth’s multi-billion year old memories, stories, and history into their masterpieces.”
How long have you been in the field?
“Believe it or not, I launched by participating in several wedding fairs, on back-to-back over several long weekends… and 2 weeks later the news of the COVID pandemic went viral! It was a blessing in disguise because I honed in on my brand, my positioning, my messaging and my revolution.”
What inspired you to start painting weddings?
“I started creating art at the age of 4 under the tutelage of an architect, and though I kept creating art, I grew up to become a medical doctor. During my maternity leave, I started painting again, which led to a request from a friend to make a painting of her wedding and that is how I discovered live event painting.”
Why do you love painting live weddings?
“In addition to having my encephalon and nervous system experience the happiness of the celebrants, the clinking glasses, the ambience, and atmosphere; what I love most about painting live is that with each painting I am creating the world’s most significant portfolios ever.”
What are the challenges of live painting?
“Live painting is entrepreneurship which as all entrepreneurs know has its challenges, foreseen and unforeseen, all standard. The challenge I find myself most excited over are the possibilities I see in my mind’s eye through live event painting.”
Advice for other artists trying to break into the wedding industry.
“Follow me.”
Ruth Oneya Illustrations…
Originally from Kenya, Ruth Oneya Illustrations is a world-traveling artist residing in Birmingham, Alabama. Working in acrylics for her live paintings, she finds inspiration from the impressionists and adds elements of realism into each piece.
Describe your artistic style.
“I am a huge fan of impressionist artists. I love being able to capture such a special moment with my vibrant, bright technique that combines impressionistic style with a touch of realism.”
How long have you been in the field?
“Ruth Oneya Illustrations started about 6 years ago with a focus on commission-based artwork in various mediums (live painting, watercolor, pencils, acrylics, etc.). However, for the past 3 years, live painting has become the center of my business.”
What inspired you to start painting weddings?
“When I was in college, I interned for a wedding photographer, and I really enjoyed what I saw in the wedding industry. Since then, I have wanted to cater my artwork to weddings.”
Why do you love painting live weddings?
“I love celebrating love and getting to be a part of a day that I know means so much to every one of my clients.”
What are the challenges of live painting?
“For me, speed has been the most challenging part as I was used to painting at home where I could take all the time I needed to create a piece. Painting live has forced me to speed up my process and learn new techniques to continue to deliver high-quality work.”
Advice for other artists trying to break into the wedding industry.
“Be patient with yourself! Not a lot of people know about live painters so there is a lot of educating to do. It’s a career that takes a minute to really be fruitful. You have to build your portfolio and get your name out there, so it may take some time to reach your final goal.”
Looking for more creative wedding ideas?
Click here.
Artists & Vendors:
- Artist #1: Christina Pappion of Pappion Artistry @pappionartistry
- Artist #2: Abiose MO Haara @abiose.rocks
- Couple 1: Sussie & Joel @sussienyman & @jo3lnyman (Långängens gård, Lidingö, Stockholm)
- Couple 2: David & Tatyana – Seaside, Gozo, Malta.
- Artist #3: Ruth Oneya Illustrations @ruthoneya.illustrations
- Photographer: AL Weddings @alweddings
- Painting 1:
- Medium: Acrylic
- Couple: Leila & Micheal
- Venue: 21c Museum Hotel Nashville
- Planning: PLS Coordinate
- Photographer: District Photography
- Floral + Design: Curry & Co Events
- Painting 2:
- Medium: Acrylic
- Couple: Lindsay & Clay
- Venue: Stone bridge farms
- Planning: Kendal Perry Planning
- Photographer: Eric and Jamie Photo
- Photo of Ruth Oneya:
- Couple: Allie & Connor
- Venue: Aldridge Gardens
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