Wedding painter captures life as it happens

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what value do you put on a painting?
For Alex Madden, the answer would be priceless.
Her parents’ wedding gift to her and newlywed husband Matt was a piece of art depicting their wedding reception painted on site by local artist Meredith Piper.
Called live event painting, the practice is catching on across the country for birthday parties, reunions, vow renewals and, especially, weddings.
“A live event painting was one of the things I was most excited about when it came to my wedding day,” Madden said. “I have never been into pictures very much, but I have always admired and had a love of original art. So, obviously, this was a perfect solution to how I wanted to remember such a special day that I would be able to hang with pride and give to my children one day.”
Piper, who grew up in Shreveport and has a degree in art from Louisiana Tech, began booking live art events this summer and has done several weddings.
Her decision to dive into live event painting grew out of a desire to become a full-time professional artist. Previously, she taught art in both Bossier and Caddo parish schools and spent three years leading classes at Painting With a Twist – all experiences that helped prepare her for painting while interacting with people.
“In 2015, some doors opened up. I really prayed about it and I thought I think I can do this full time. It’s a little crazy from our cultural standards, it’s not a very conventional job,” said Piper, who also started doing private lessons this summer as well as her own work and commissions. “I’m kind of piecing together this artist’s life.
“We don’t have kids. Now is the time we can take a risk and take a chance and give it all I got. That was our thought. Now is a chance to give it 100 percent because I won’t ever know if I don’t give it everything.”
Still, the idea of attempting to paint a couple’s special day was daunting.
“I was being asked to paint at weddings, but I thought, oh, no, that’s too stressful. It’s someone’s perfect day and I was kind of was a little nervous and apprehensive. I turned down a few events at the beginning and then I really started to think about it when I was painting at the house or painting outside live. And I was like, wait, I’ve been doing this my whole life, this is kind of what I’ve been trained for in college. I have the experience at Painting With a Twist of painting on a stage. I can do this. And then I just started to book.”
And while she can’t say her nerves have totally disappeared, she’s learned to use them and says it’s more like excitement jitters now than worry.
‘After the first one, it was just so much fun, I’m able to turn that anxiety into energy to just keep going and pushing through.”
Piper said she does a consultation with the bride and groom before the ceremony about the feel and scene they want. Most ask for a reception scene, although she’s booked for a ceremony next year.
“I wanted my wedding and the mood of my painting to simply reflect such a fun and exciting day where we were surrounded by our closest friends and family,” Madden said. “I wanted it to reflect a sense of happiness and contentment, which was exactly what Meredith was able to do.”
Piper arrives on the scene about four hours beforehand so she can set up and paint in the still aspects, such as the architecture and tables. She usually waits to start adding people until the bride and groom get there. She’ll watch their first dance and the cake cutting, noticing how the light hits the dress and other details.
“Once I have them blocked in, I can start adding. Some people say get as many as you can in there and some paintings I have 35, almost 40 people. Of course, you don’t see eyes and teeth. It’s very color blocked in the faces, very abstracted, but it’s recognizable. Then some people care more about getting the bridal party in there and mom and dad. They’re more focused on that.”
Because the scene changes constantly, she or her husband will take a few photographs to use as references, but the beauty of a painting is being able to edit in elements that wouldn’t be seen in a single photograph.
Not that Piper is advising against having a wedding photographer.
“You definitely need a photographer. My stuff is not photo realistic, so it’s not going to give you the true form and detail and lines that a photograph has. This is a different vision. It kind of captures the emotion of the night and the colors and it’s a little more whimsical.”
Piper says she usually finished about the time the reception ends, but doesn’t rush out as soon as she’s done.
“I stay and keep painting, touching up details, painting the sides of the canvas, just to make sure to see the bride and the groom off. I’ve been hired as entertainment.”
And she says guests love it.
“They will come back every 10 minutes and check. It’s just fun because they feel a part of it, they’ve been a part of this creating of a piece of art.”
Madden said her guests enjoyed watching and talking with Piper.
“The live event painting is such a dynamic and interactive part of the wedding reception. So many people were able to watch it come to life, and I’ve had countless people comment on what a cool idea and wanted to see pictures of the final project. I feel certain it will be a great conversation piece in my home as people come to visit.
“I think as the years go by this will mean so much to me for several reasons. One, it was the wedding gift my mom and dad gave to Matt and me, so I know in the future I will never be able to look at it without thinking of them. Secondly, the painting will symbolize a time when we chose to no longer be two but one. It will serve as a joyful reminder of the commitment we made to one another.”
Piper considers it a privilege to play a part in such a joyous occasion.

“There’s just something really special about being there in the environment with these people creating something. The experience is very different from being at home and painting from a commission. I feel very blessed to be a part of such a special day for someone. I jokingly say it’s the happiest work environment I’ve ever been in when I’m painting live at a wedding because I’m feeling so happy and there’s cake!”