Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Kuhn.
Hi Maggie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a live event wedding painter. I show up to people’s most important days and paint the scene as it is unfolding.
I started live painting in high school – I would bring my sketchbook to house parties and paint my friends. It was good practice for me and a way to entertain people. I liked the attention and the happiness it brought to everyone.
By college, people were asking how much I charged. And then when everyone started getting married, they asked me to try painting their weddings and I just loved it. Here I am, 13 years later, with my dream job.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The hardest part of live painting is the physical toll on the body. I’m typically standing 7-9 hours, hauling my gear for miles, using my arms all day, and then sleeping very little when I have to travel in tight schedules. During the week, I am a complete homebody because I need extra rest. I also do lots of stretches and workouts specifically tailored to keep my shoulders healthy.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a live artist. I create all of my artwork onsite, taking in the moments around me and documenting those moments in paint.
I always loved working live. I am a quite social person, working alone in the studio has never appealed to me as much as working around people. Plus, my family was always around growing up – if I’m not creating in the middle of total chaos, I don’t feel at home,
I’m known for my particular impressionist style. I like for paint to look like paint, but I also add elements of realism to my work. I am obsessed with capturing moments that are already weighted with nostalgia as they happen.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Painting from life has given me so many lessons. Take in the present, take in the moment. Painting requires that you pay special attention to every single little gesture and color, and it is so calming. Life is very beautiful when we are paying attention.
I have also learned to let expectations go. Wedding vendors have to be adaptable, and wedding artists even more so! I don’t sweat changing plans, I just adapt and overcome.
Contact Info:
- Email: book@watchmaggiepaint.com
- Website: watchmaggiepaint.com
- Instagram: watchmaggiepaint
- Facebook: watchmaggiepaint
- Twitter: iamnotmaggie
- Youtube: iamnotmaggie
