How do you know when a painting is finished?

A lot of people ask us this question…. A lot. Every artist has a studio full of unfinished paintings. Paintings often become forgotten there, but on the bright side, it’s fun for us when we rediscover them later.

A painting could go on forever if you have zero intention for the piece. Happy accidents do occur once in a blue moon, but with no plan in mind it’s more than likely you’ll just paint on and on, never knowing when to stop. Usually you’re left with something that is overworked, muddy, & expressionless. Knowing your intentions, understanding your subject, respecting the process, and committing time to practice your art will result in a larger pile of finished paintings and more room in your studio!

We could tell you that we stop painting when we are happy to look at all parts of the painting and there is no little voice telling us to fix something, but it’s more than that. A painting should be more than a great composition or a perfect value or color study. A painting goes through many finales before we consider it finished. Knowing when your work is finished can be a very intuitive and personal process, which can often entail a certain level of anxiety.

For us, a work of art can stand on its own when it encompasses both elements of structure and expression or chaos and control.  When the balance is just right, a painting can take on a life of its own and let you know when it’s finished. Sometimes, it’s like magic.

Our biggest hope is to create an emotional connection between the painting and the viewer. A finished work of art should change the way you feel and stick with you.

Landscape4 -web.jpg
Landscape4 -detail a.jpg

How does Live Painting enhance your wedding experience?

Live Painting captures a moment in time of your wedding day, taking inspiration from the colors and energy of the environment. Because your wedding day may feel like a blur, it is our goal to convey all of the captivating moments on canvas that are distinctive to you! The people and moments that matter most to you will be artfully archived. A live wedding painting not only adds a unique touch to your wedding day, but is also a fine art investment to be treasured for generations.  

Hiring an artist for your wedding day also provides great entertainment for guests at your reception, as they love seeing the different stages of the painting being developed and sometimes even finding themselves on the canvas. Witnessing the creative process unfold, up close and personal, is part of the experience. Fascinating conversations develop around our easel during each event about art, life and so on. We encourage people to peek over our shoulders and we are happy to answer any questions they have about the painting. 

We both take on 25-30 commissions for Live Wedding Paintings each year. The demand for live painting is quite high, so we always recommend you inquire right away if you are interested in booking. Simply send an inquiry to learn more!

REVIEWS!

BIG thank you to everyone who has left us a review! Your kind words mean more than you’ll ever know.

lacey+lillard+final+3+web.jpg

Morgantown Wedding

“Jaison was excellent to work with. I was set on having a live painting of my wedding but wasn't sure exactly the moment I wanted captured. He researched my venue and provided thoughtful suggestions, spent time consulting with me about the process and learning about the flow of the day, and even designed a custom package for me. The end result is better than I ever expected! He was able to include all the details I wanted in the painting, along with varnishing and framing, and he met my budget. We received lots of compliments from guests who were fascinated by his work and were able to engage with him during our reception, and we are so pleased with the finished product: a unique portrayal of our best day yet!”

Live Barn 3 Plain.jpg

Barn ceremony

“I found Jaison on a wedding video while looking for a Videographer. I had never heard of a live event painter, but I thought it was amazing. I did a little research and didn’t think I would be able to afford it. I was so excited to do this for my daughter’s wedding in May. It was such a big Success and we still have guests asking and talking about the paining. It is a must have for your wedding; great entertainment for your guest and a great keepsake to hand down for generations. My oldest daughters husband wishes that they could’ve had that at their wedding, so I talked to Jaison about doing another painting for them. He took four pictures from their wedding ceremony and collaged them together into one scene for their portrait. I will be doing one more when my son decides to get married!”

53478428_547745315717701_989455349968797696_n.jpg

pgh botanic garden ceremony

“I have had two wedding portraits done by this vendor. They were a pleasure to work with, never any hidden costs, friendly and very professional. It is such a unique experience to watch a blank canvas transform into breathtaking moment during one of the best days of a couple’s life. You get to be a part of the experience watching them paint. I highly recommend this vendor; you will not be disappointed.”

OME50177 Shopped.jpg

tuscan mural

“We have commissioned Jaison and Stephanie of Live Event Painting to paint two works of art for us this past year. The first was an awesome Tuscany mural scene. Following our daughter's wedding, they painted a portrait for their one-year anniversary from a wedding photo. Jaison and Stephanie do beautiful work! They go above and beyond to capture that special moment that you will cherish for a lifetime!”

cara ross d Final 5.jpg

cara & ross

“OMG! What an incredible find! These two artists brought a whole new dimension to my nieces wedding photography - they painted a LIVE photo during the wedding! If you haven’t made plans yet for your wedding special events be SURE to contact Jaison and Stephanie first! Worth every cent and memories for a lifetime...”

linz+chris+5+web.jpg

lindsay & chris

“We received this painting of our favorite wedding photo as a gift from our family for our one-year anniversary. WOW is it amazing! I am stunned at the quality of the painting – pictures do not do it justice. It is such a unique gift, and everyone is amazed when they see it hanging in our living room! Not only is the painting beautiful, but their custom framing service was spectacular. There were so many options, and they were so great in helping me choose the best frame that would complement the painting and my style. This painting is not only something that we will treasure for our whole lives, but a piece of art that can be passed on for generations. Stephanie and Jaison are incredibly talented and have been an absolute pleasure to work with. I highly recommend them!”

SARAH & DAVE

We can’t thank Stephanie enough for the exceptional job she did on our live painting for our November 2021 wedding! She captured our first dance beautifully. The precision in which she captured our and our parents’ likeness, our venue backdrop, and the décor is truly amazing. Not only is she an incredibly talented artist but she is also the sweetest person you’ll ever meet. So many of our guests loved checking in on the progress of the painting during our reception. And we were able to share a copy of the final product with all guests as she made our Thank You cards with the painting image as the front cover! We loved this added service option. We received SO MANY compliments on Stephanie’s work. We HIGHLY recommend hiring her to capture a special moment from your wedding day. We are so happy we will have this amazing piece of art for the rest of our lives!

Our Painting Style

An artist’s style is the result of many different choices;  subject matter, medium, process, color decisions, design and value (among many other things). But it is also something that evolves – and that is perhaps never fully defined. We learn something new about ourselves and painting with every brush stroke!

It’s amazing how alike we are when it comes to painting. We both appreciate the traditional ‘rules’ of art. It’s important to always practice the Principals of Design – Composition, Perspective, value organization, and so on. More importantly though, we want to capture what is felt as well as what is seen. We want to find the spirit of the person, place or object and translate it onto the canvas. Our work borders the edge of representational and impressionistic styles. We are not interested in simply creating photographic reproductions; A good Painting is intended to give you something… More!

We study and appreciate artists like John Singer Sargent, Richard Schmidt, Monet, and Sorolla just to name a few.. .

Jacq Wed Final Shop 5.jpg
Detail of painting above

Detail of painting above