Live Wedding & Event Painter
I am an Aussie living in the USA (Minnesota) with my husband, and three beautiful children. We have been living in and remodeling an old school house for the last 14 years! (It’s almost done)
I met my husband, Jerry, on the east coast back in 2001 while traveling. By 2004 we were hitched!
Growing up, I was that kid who doodled all over their homework and always got A’s in presentation--even if it wasn’t a criteria to grade. Art, for me, came naturally and I always love to show my work to others. So when it comes to Painting live at weddings, it’s the perfect chance for me to share my creative space and wow a crowd! After receiving a BA in Studio Art from the University of Minnesota, Morris, I had the drive + determination to make Art not just a career but my lifestyle.
My very first Live Wedding Painting happened spontaneously graduation year Fall of 2012. Instead of a gift (yeah, I procrastinated), I grabbed my easel, a canvas, the kids, hubby and booked it up to the Avalon in Fargo ND. With no idea what was I was going to paint, I set up my easel and began by covering the whole canvas the same color purple as her bridesmaids dresses. By the end of the night I had painted her flower bouquet & the entire head table! There was no doubt I was in my element! Since that day, I have painted LIVE at many Weddings, Events, and Fundraisers throughout the Midwest and Beyond - including a fun destination wedding in the USVI.
My Style has evolved into a soft and impressionistic approach. I freely capture the energy and mood of each event by utilizing color, lights plus fast paint techniques. I love to share my painting process as I connect with spectators and guests. By the end of each event I paint at, I will have a finished masterpiece to be cherished forever.
In addition to Painting Live at Weddings, I stay busy with commissioned paintings and teaching classes. I offer custom Portraits, Landscapes, Pets, and pretty much anything that comes my way. (Yes, I may have painted a Pug dressed as King tut in front of an Egyptian Pyramid with a moon)!
In the Summer of 2014, I founded Art Bar 39 LLC --a creative events company--based out of Alexandria, MN. Art Bar 39 is now a hip little Studio/Wine Bar & Cafe and offers social painting and craft events both in studio and traveling parties. I have a fantastic team of local Artists who also love to instruct in a fun and creative atmosphere. It is the perfect option for Bachelorette parties, date nights and more! I also have an additional branch in Chicago IL
​Check it out sometime!
When time permits, I continue to build my ongoing series I call Recollections. Recollections is a visual biography about my own experiences and feelings of my past and how i relate them in the present. My work is collected in both public and private collections in Arizona, Australia, throughout the Midwest and in two public collections at the University of Minnesota, Morris.
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When I am not painting, teaching or creating, I am spending time with my Family. I love the outdoors, camping, traveling and beach trips. Our summers here in MN are short so we are outside as much as possible. In the winter I just try to survive and hope for snow ;)
I am also a cat lover - We have 4 cats and a new puppy named STORM - He came home in a Tornado- true story!
Cheers!
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Links:
Minnesota: www.artbar39.com
Illinois: www.artbar39il.com
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More Work + Recollections Series:
