How I started painting weddings live

Going back to the very beginning

Before I was a live wedding painter, I was a painter, and before I was a painter, I was an artist— and I was always an artist. My mom loves to share the story of how hard she struggled to stop me from scribbling on the walls as a child. When she at last managed to get me to stop, she was shocked to discover upon moving the furniture that I had been hiding my masterpieces behind the couches. I never did grow out of it, but she appreciates my work a bit more now.

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” -Picasso

The mural I painted in my mom’s house in 2018

I got my first easel for my 10th birthday and started painting landscapes inspired by the late great Bob Ross. Just like Bob, I found painting to be joyful, and eventually went on to get my BFA in painting from the University of North Florida. It was around this time that I discovered the field of arts in medicine. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my art, so my painting professor recommended me for an internship with Art with a Heart in healthcare— a program at Wolfson Children’s Hospital that provides arts experiences to children and families in group and bedside sessions. I fell in love all over again. Seeing how much joy the arts could bring led me to pursue my MA in arts in medicine from the University of Florida. Here I studied the many ways in which the arts enhance our wellbeing, bring us together, and add meaning to our lives.

Healing Journey, Nadiana Art Gallery, Greenfield, WI, 2025

It’s been 22 years since I started painting on my first easel. Though my focus is now in portraiture and figure painting, I still find time for some happy little landscapes.

Painting reference photo by Ben and Katya Photography

So the question remains, how did I start painting weddings? Truth be told, it wasn’t my idea. My cousins are documentary wedding photographers in Madison, WI. They shot a wedding with a live painter and wondered “Nina, why aren’t you doing this?” I was initially a bit skeptical. The live wedding paintings I saw online didn’t seem to fit my style. But of course, there’s no need to paint in anyone else’s style. I’ve come to realize that there are many ways to paint a wedding live, and it’s important to play to your strengths. As a portrait artist I’ve started to lean into those skills and focus on capturing the essence and emotion of my subjects.

My first live wedding painting setup

I painted my first wedding live with Ben and Katya in Chicago, using a photo reference they shot of the first look. Despite some initial hiccups and troubleshooting (like forgetting to bring lights), it turned out to be an amazing experience.

Painting such a joyful moment allowed me to witness once again the power of art to delight and bring us together. As a live artist I could share the process and the joy of painting, just like my first inspiration. It was a privilege to capture such a beautiful memory in a way that could be revisited and cherished for a lifetime and beyond. What could be better than painting love?

My first wedding painted live in Chicago, IL. First look photo reference by Ben and Katya Photography