Please choose from drop down menu in Event Painting and in Weddings above to find out how I work, to see examples of my paintings
“Live event painting” is a unique way to capture your special event in a beautiful fine art painting which lasts forever… My name is Joan Zylkin, I am an academy trained fine artist and I come to your wedding, parties - from sweet 16’s and bar/bat-mitzvahs to anniversaries - as well as to corporate events through to retirements. I set up my easel, and create a unique painting of your event as it unfolds, capturing special details, people in motion, and the energy of the event ... in other words, I am painting a very special day in your LIFE for you to enjoy forever, and for future generations to look back on this moment in family/corporate history.
When I first had the idea to paint live at events some ten+ years ago. I decided to call myself a "wedding painter" and "live event painter" and then saw how puzzled people were when I tried to explain what I do, never really understanding until they saw me actually painting a live event.
Since then I have painted all kinds of weddings, private and corporate events, stage performances including, Shakespeare, Broadway Shows, Gilbert and Sullivan, Rock Bands, Blues Festivals, Jazz Festivals, Orchestras and more ...
What event painting IS and is NOT …
Live event painting is a way to capture the life and enegy of your celebrations, in the moment, as they are happening. Beforehand we will discuss the most important elements of the party and decor and I will ask who you would like me to include in the painting, along with other guests.
I will do my best to capture your VIP's and make them recognizable - and I don't think anyone can paint people faster than I do - but live event painting is not about painting lots of detailed portraits. After all, the more time I spend painting specific people the less time there is to paint the spontaneity of the rest of your party.
What to look for:
Always ask to see photos of closeups of paintings an artist has done. This will show you how they handle paint and whether they can perform on the details. Look at the brushwork and consider wether the “drawing” is fluid or stiff and amateurish, especailly on people and faces. What you see on a website is a very scaled down image which can hide weaknesses and often the color has been manipulated. Most artists use acrylic paints but when you see the actual artwork an oil painting will have a richness which acrylics simply cannot equal, which is why it is the medium of the classics.
When I take a booking, I research the venue and work with you to understand what is important to you, and how to get the best painting possible, and most importantly, I am able to improvise and come up with creative solutions to create your painting. I am also flexible and can to work around venue limitations or unexpected problems.