We recently connected with Erin Micozzi and have shared our conversation below.
Erin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
A career as a live-event artist is unlike any other; the only way to learn to be a live-painter is to experience it first hand. Having a background as a trained artist is imperative, but there are many aspects to this career that one won’t learn in art school. Unlike most artists, who have full control of their studio space, time management, progress and deadline; a live-event artist paints in unique locations with unforeseen variables. This form of painting is known as ‘en plein air’, a French term that means “in the open air”, which translates to painting in new locations, climates, and physical spaces with each unique event. Although this can be exciting and exhilarating for some artists, the unpredictability can certainly impact the artist and the painting progress if one is not experienced in this unique industry.
The most essential skills for being a live-event painter include painting confidentiality and decisively, with the ability to focus in a space full of distractions. A live-painter is creating a work of art in a set window of time, with hundreds and sometimes thousands of guests, watching the painting come to life. The ability to keep calm and focused under pressure is crucial as an event artist. In addition to those attributes the ability to pivot and adapt to change is critical – there are many times when the planned painting location does not work, or the weather does not cooperate – all of the scenarios are out of the artist’s control and require a quick decision to pivot and remain on task.
Although I have been painting as a live-event artist for many years, in front of thousands of people, I still learn something new at every event I attend. This growth mindset gives me the confidence to continue to hone my craft as a painter, and my years of experience provide a strong foundation for an elevated guest experience for all of my clients.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
10 years ago, if you would have tried to describe to me what my life would look like today, I most definitely would not have believed you. I never really thought it was possible to create a career as an artist, and honestly, I had no idea where to begin. I was a new Mom, just trying to figure out how to carve some time in my day to paint; creating small works of art during nap time or late in the evenings. I had always hoped I would get back into creating meaningful artwork, but like many caretakers, I put those desires in the “someday” category while I focused on raising my small children and showing up at my steady 9-5pm everyday. Art school seemed like a distant memory as I focused on family and stability.
That was until a Boston wedding planner saw my work and approached me to inquire if I would consider painting at her clients wedding. That one question has changed the entire trajectory of my life. With no experience, and very little knowledge of the industry, I immediately said “Yes!”. Although I had no idea what to expect, somewhere deep down I knew this was the push I needed to step into a new version of myself as an artist. I researched, practiced, and showed up to that wedding with shaky hands and a smile – ready to deliver the best painting and experience I could provide. It was incredible, and more fulfilling than I could have ever imagined. From there, I updated my social media handle to “Event Painter”, and never looked back.
Since that first wedding, I have painted in front of thousands of people, for hundreds of clients. As a full-time artist, I paint traditional wedding paintings on canvas, small watercolor guest portraits, and I also create meaningful commission work in my studio. My studio time is focused on creating paintings that reflect each client’s specific vision – from venue and home portraits, to family portrait paintings from photographs, I take on a number of commission requests each year to bring joy to people who may not have a live-event painting opportunity on the horizon.
Over the years my wedding painting has expanded to live-painting for corporate events, galas, universities and concerts. I embrace the diversity of projects and clients, and truly feel the variety is what keeps me nimble as an artist. I work with each client individually, to discuss their needs and desires, and ensure that I customize each experience for them. If a client is looking for a new idea that has never been done before, I am the person for the job. I see every new challenge as an opportunity to stretch my creativity and further my growth as an artist. No two projects are the same, and I offer a range of options to ensure I can serve each of my unique clients.
As I reflect back on the growth of my business, I am most proud of the relationships I have built over the years. The majority of my inquiries come from referrals and recommendations from previous clients, and that is something I am quite proud of. I understand that as an interactive event artist, I not only have to deliver the best possible artwork for my clients, but I also need to ensure that guests and clients find a meaningful connection to the experience. The addition of a live-painter is one of the most memorable enhancements that a client or couple can add to their event, and it is always my goal to ensure that my clients and their guests are entertained and amazed by this elevated experience.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
As an artist, I put a piece of my heart in everything I create. It can feel very vulnerable to create something for another human being to respond to, especially because art is so subjective. An event-painter has to come to terms with the uncomfortable feeling of putting yourself on display with unfinished work. All artists know there is an “ugly phase” of a painting, which means that somewhere between a blank canvas and a fully finished masterpiece there will be some strange looking progress snapshots. It is extremely vulnerable to put your entire process on display, from start to finish, and you have to quickly become comfortable with feeling uncomfortable.
Being a live-event artist is the definition of “trusting the process”, and having the confidence to know it will come together. It is quite common for a guest to come to my easel at the end of an event and say how shocked and impressed they are with the progress from the beginning of the event. For someone who is not familiar with the painting process, it can be hard to see the vision come together when the painting is in its early stages. As a live-event artist, I need to stay focused on my journey, have the confidence to push past doubt, and create to the best of my ability.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a live-event artist is being a part of each client’s story. When I create a live-wedding painting, I am not only invited to be a part of one of the most intimate milestones of a person’s life, but I am also invited to connect with all of their closest family and friends while creating a treasured family heirloom. This is a role I take so much pride in, as I know the significance of my role and I understand the meaning behind this milestone event. With every wedding I work, my faith in humanity is restored and I am reminded there is so much love in the world. My paintings have brought people to tears, and the connections I have made will last a lifetime. These experiences have shaped me as a person and as an artist, and I am eternally grateful to the clients who have put their trust in me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.erinmicozzi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin.micozzi_artist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074020842062
