Live Event Painting is a powerful medium in its own right, with distinct advantages over photographs and videos. With photography you will have hundreds of photos sitting in an album, whereas a video requires screening equipment to view … however neither is able to capture the whole in one image, but only in segments.
As a painter I can capture elements happening at different times and put them into the same composition. Also, I have a unique flexibility to add to and subtract elements from the painting, which makes Live Event Painting a very powerful medium, with distinct advantages over the camera. For example, this 911 Freedom Tower painting This beautiful Bride's father was a firefighter who was killed in 911. Her mother asked me to incorporate in the painting a photo of the bride as a little girl with her father, and also a wedding portrait of her deceased grandparents who helped the family survive their 
tragic loss.
The painting shows the whole of Freedom Tower, the ceremony site, and I put the photos on the table at the front - the photo of the father and daughter is an adaptation of 2 photos, and the fireboat went by after the ceremony and not during the reception... Also, I placed the bridal party, floral arrangements and cake where you could see them ... my job is to capture the culmination of all the hard work planning of this occasion and to put it all in one place where you can see it every day and at a glance.
It was also important to incorporate the Freedom Tower which means a lot to the family and was the gorgeous view from floor to ceiling windows in the Ballroom at Liberty House. As a poignent tribute to the couple, just after the outdoor ceremony in Liberty Park, a fire boat from Marine 9 cruised by with full sprinklers, against the backdrop of Freedom Tower and the Manhattan skyline on one side and Liberty Park on the other ... it was a magnificent sight on a perfect June afternoon... see closeups.The painting shows the whole of Freedom Tower, the ceremony site, and I put the photos on the table at the front - the photo of the father and daughter is an adaptation of 2 photos, and the fireboat went by after the ceremony and not during the reception... Also, I placed the bridal party, floral arrangements and cake where you could see them ... my job is to capture the culmination of all the hard work planning of this occasion and to put it all in one place where you can see it every day and at a glance.
"Joan, I wanted to thank you for such an exceptional painting! You are truly a talented and gifted painter! You were able to capture the highlights of the evening and the emotions we were experiencing! I am so happy I made this decision to hire you. People are truly amazed when they see your work! Is it possible to get prints of this? I love it so much I would like to frame a copy! We have only corresponded a few times and met once and yet because of this shared experience I consider you a dear friend!" ~ Bride's Mom