Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Haigan Gandy . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Haigan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

I don’t think that I have made a best or worst investment, but I think any money or time that you put into your business is valuable. Investments are gifts that keep on giving. As the saying goes “You have to spend money to make money.” Any money spent to make you more knowledgeable or efficient is imperative. I have also learned that sometimes my time does not have a price. I have discussed life and work balance before, and there truly is no dollar sign on a peace of mind. Your personal life and work life need to be balanced to be your best self.

Haigan , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

First and foremost, I am a visual artist. In my day to day business, I am an oil painter who combines portraiture most often times with plein air to create custom wedding paintings in a live on-site setting. In simple terms, I attend your wedding and paint while it takes place. I entertain your guests and create a one of a kind oil painting of your most special day. I am both a fine artist and wedding vendor in one. Since I have been live painting at weddings since 2016, there have been a lot of changes along the way. Within the past year to two years, this has quickly become a very popular “trend” in the wedding industry. I don’t really like the word trend because art has such deep roots, and I don’t think trendy should be a word used to describe it. I suppose the service itself has become more trendy. What most people don’t understand is that weddings, brides and grooms, etc. have been commemorated with paintings for centuries. It’s actually not new at all. I love going to art museums and seeing how many bridal type paintings I can find. I am actually very upfront with my potential clients that my ideal client likes the idea of the live entertainment but is equally, if not more concerned, with having a great finished product. That might sound like it should be obvious, but some only really want the fun entertainment side, which is totally fine! I pour so much time and energy into these pieces that I want my art to become a treasured heirloom. Art is very subjective and as I become a little more seasoned in the business, I have become more particular about choosing my clients. I want to make sure we are the perfect fit. I have no problem referring an inquiry to another artist who may be able to better match the client’s style, budget, or other desires.

This past year has been a time for me to hone in on my values and how I want to conduct my business. Before, I felt the pressure to mass book and travel all over to paint weddings to keep up with the number of paintings that other artists are producing that finish the night of the wedding. I decided I wanted to limit my traveling and work more on my connection with my clients. I wanted to be available more and offer an even better product. In order to do that, I needed more time. I have now set a limit to how many paintings I take each month and how much I am willing to travel. I feel in order to work at your optimal potential and to be happy you have to find what works for you. As a small business owner who does not outsource any duties, you find yourself answering emails, managing social media accounts, conducting phone consultations, traveling, and doing the actual job, which for me is painting. I also started and moderate a group that has about 125 live artists globally (and growing). This is a space that many new live artists can ask questions and learn more about the business. Working strictly in the studio is quite different than working in a live setting, so many artists are looking for tips and feedback. The artists in the industry are pretty close and there are so many resources available now that weren’t around when I started out.

My process varies quite a bit from the majority of other live painters. I prefer using high quality oil paints over acrylic which is more of the industry standard. There are a few of us across the country that use oils and for those of us that do, the process seems a little more similar. Because of the very slow drying time with oils, I paint in a more alla prima style on the day of the wedding. Some artists like to finish on the night of the event, but I prefer to take mine home and revisit it in the studio. This is where more of a layering process takes place. I honestly like some aspects of painting alla prima and its hard not to lose some of that when working in the studio. Lately, I’ve liked to use that technique for more of the background while using layering and glazing for my figures.

I feel like I ask a lot more of my clients than some other live artists. After so many years of wedding painting and tweaking things along the way, I now ask my clients to have more trust in me. This gives me more artistic freedom which I find helps me to have a stronger composition. I know some artists like to ask what specifically to paint, but I like to walk the venue and let it speak to me. I prefer to have options and not be tied down to an idea. The way I like to explain it is, if I am already locked in to a background, a scene, etc. I may miss the opportunity to make a good painting an outstanding painting. Some things just don’t translate as well on canvas and it is hard for non-artists to know that. I have honestly seen such a change in my work lately since I have started advocating for this more. This isn’t to say that my clients have no say in their painting, but I just ask for them to remain open to different ideas.

I am most proud when my clients are happy. The feedback that I get is really quite touching. I set a lot of personal goals and I am really proud when I can see so much growth as an artist. I always strive to be better. I have books, magazines, videos, and so much more that I like to use to simply study the art of other artists.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Art, in many forms, has been around for as long as time has existed. Being a creative doesn’t mean that you always gain monetarily for what you do. Creative expression can take place in day to day life and can be such a small part that one might not even consider the task to be a creative outlet. That being said, first, we have to choose to nurture our creative drive as individuals. Personally, I am a much happier person when I can be creative in more ways than one. Not only do I want to be creative by painting, I want to express my creativity by working in my garden, making flower arrangements, creating recipes, and the list goes on. We have to actually use our artistic and creative abilities to be able to share them with society. Creatives have to educate non-creatives, and it starts with educating society on the importance of the arts.

As a society, more emphasis needs to be placed on the arts. Appreciation of the arts needs to be taught at a young age. I’m not saying that art appreciation isn’t being taught at all, but I believe more importance was placed on art forms in past centuries because the obsession and convenience of technology and electronics was either non existent or in its infancy. As a society, we are so caught up in technology and social media that we lose so much joy that can be found in more simplistic things or forms of expression. When children or adults have nothing to do, it forces them to use their imagination and be creative.

We need more funding for the arts. Kids need to be sent to art camps. Get out and visit museums. Go watch a play. Immerse yourself in the culture. Chose to invest money in fine art rather than mass produced art that you see in Hobby Lobby or other stores. Art, in all forms, is so therapeutic, and we need to continue to push the usage of art as therapy in schools, nursing homes, rehab facilities, etc.

As a society, we also need to invest in local artists. When I was in school, it was a difficult concept to grasp that someone could be a fine artist and make a living. We all know the term “starving artist”. It always seemed to me that if you were an artist and loved art, teaching was the obvious and safe career choice. The reason that it is so hard to be an artist in our society is because there are so many that do not place value on either art as a whole or the time of the artist. I constantly see artists feeling the need to justify their prices. Artists work just as many, if not more hours, than other jobs and should be compensated accordingly. As artists and creatives, I think we have to value our work and not waiver because someone else may not value our work the same.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect for me as an artist or creative is being able to make people happy by sharing my talent with them. The reactions that I get from my clients are what drives me and keeps me going. It is always a humbling experience to see how much my work means to them, and I am truly honored for each person who decides that they would like to invest in my artwork. To know that my work becomes a cherished heirloom for my clients and that they get to enjoy it everyday in their home is amazing. Many of my wedding clients have lost loved ones and wish to include them or something in remembrance of them in their painting. I have been able to include parents, grandparents, and others in my paintings and that can be quite emotional for my couples. Being able to give that gift to someone is a great feeling.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.eventpaintingbyhaigan.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/eventpaintingbyhaigan.com
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eventpaintingbyhaigan

Image Credits
Sarah Diehl Photography