Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julie Rieutort. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Julie, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?
I had almost began my career as a painter early on but had decided to pursue the pastry arts instead. I was worried about becoming a “starving artist” and feared that I would not be able to support myself through my paintings. I do not regret this decision however, because this path led me to creating wedding cakes and through the wedding cakes I discovered live wedding painting. Without this experience I may have never come across such a perfectly suited career.
Julie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I grew up in Pennsylvania where my parents instilled in me a passion for the arts. I loved drawing, painting, sculpting, photography, baking, you name it. I eventually decided to pursue the pastry arts and went to Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island. After college I became a wedding cake designer at a high end bakery in West Palm Beach, FL. I discovered live wedding painting through the wedding industry and decided to make a huge change and start my business.
I provide live painting entertainment at weddings. The couple receives it later on as a keepsake to commemorate their special moment. During the planning process the couple will choose the moment they would like captured in the painting and specify any additional design preferences. I begin on site at the venue and take the painting home for touchups later on.
I am most proud of my painting skill and speed growth that has evolved naturally as I continue to gain experience. I really try to listen to my client’s preferences and I aim to always exceed their expectations.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Although my online audience is not large in terms of followers. I have been able to grow an online presence that provides my business with consistent work. I post my finished paintings and share some of the stories behind them. I am truly grateful for the vendors in my industry that are generous and share my work with their clients. Vendor recommendations are vital when building from scratch. I make sure to properly credit and share other vendor’s work as well.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Along with the challenges, there are many rewarding aspects to being an artist. The main one is creating something that provides enjoyment to others. Whether it’s the guests watching me work live at a wedding or the look on the couple’s face when they see their finished portrait, I truly enjoy those moments the most.
I would like to create more personal artwork in the future and share it with the world and see what kind of connections will form there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eventpaintingbyjulie.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventpaintingbyjulie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eventpaintingbyjulie/
- Other: Wedding Wire: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/event-painting-by-julie/4de5e01ca2cffca7.html The Knot: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/event-painting-by-julie-west-palm-beach-fl-2043096
Image Credits
The photograph of myself painting – Lena Howard of Content Wayfarer Photographs of my art – taken by myself