Pier 5, Baltimore, MD Wedding and Reception Painting

©Patricia Bennett, 2014. Wedding Reception at Pier 5, 24x36", acrylic on canvas.

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom, and to their families!

Pier 5 is adjacent to the Marriott Waterfront Hotel and the Four Seasons Hotel and it has a spectacular view.  There is also a historic lighthouse and grove of trees that can be seen from the windows.  Guests can go onto the balcony and look over the Inner Harbor.

The Wedding Ceremony was on the first floor, I did not paint that live as it was too far to move the easel, but I photographed it and added a small montage later.  The couple's cat is under the table.

The bride has striking red hair, as well as her sister: she is dancing with her husband near center, and her sister is in purple nearby.  The mother of the bride is in red, and the father of the bride is behind her.

The Hotel Staff was very helpful.  And the photographer, Brea, was great.  The servers were also very nice and cared a lot about making people happy.  They gave me coffee, which was great.  The mother of the bride did floral decorations: orchids from Whole Foods in vases with colored glass, and these were impressive.

Greenspring Montessori School Children's House Painting

Miss Emily's class in Children's House at the Greenspring Montessori School, 24x24", painted by Patricia Bennett

December 15, 2014 was my final sitting on this painting.  I was in Miss Emily's classroom at the Greenspring Montessori School from Monday December 8 through Thursday December 11 painting the children and teachers at work.

It was wonderful to see the children working in the Montessori method.  The children were working on vowels, studying geography, building towers, counting, sewing, reading, and getting coats on to go to gym.  (Their snack and dishwashing area was off to the right, and didn't make it into the painting.)

Greenspring Montessori School address: 10807 Tony Drive, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093

Live Watercolor at the Greenspring Montessori School

Miss Emily's class, The Greenspring Montessori School, 11x14", painted by Patricia Bennett

Miss Emily graciously and generously allowed me into her classroom yesterday, where I set up and painted an impression of her and the children at work.

I gave her the watercolor, she is a wonderful teacher.

Limited fine art giclee prints will be available: all proceeds either go to the classroom or to the Annual Fund.

Prints:

Desc: Printed with Claria ink on an Epson Artisan 1430 printer, archival up to 200 years, on Ultra Premium Photo Paper Luster, signed by the artist.

Sizes:

 

5x7"  $55 apiece

8x10"  $85 apiece

11x14" $110 apiece

Painted Wedding Reception at the George Peabody Library

Event Painting of Wedding Reception at the George Peabody Library, painted by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!

The George Peabody Library is one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.  A special thank you to the librarian, Mr. Paul Espinosa, who let me in early so I could get started on painting in this amazing space.  I arrived around noon and painted until 11pm, when the Reception ended.

It is inspiring to see the transformation of the George Peabody Library from a quiet space with a few scholars, to a space filled with beautiful people, sparkling decor, and gorgeous flowers and lots of joy.  I attempted to capture this in the event painting.


Below is one of the greeting cards that I made and gave to the bride.

The artist-signed, giclee greeting card on custard deckled 100% cotton paper, by Patricia Bennett

Wedding and Reception at Temple Oheb Shalom

Live Painting of Wedding and Reception at Temple Oheb Shalom, painted by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!

Temple Oheb Shalom is filled with high-quality art, including portraits of their Rabbis.  The most recent portrait of Rabbi Fink is painted by local great Sam Robinson.  The stained glass windows and tree in the Temple are beautiful and naturalistic and they are carefully included in the painting.  Mr. Kenneth Davidson, the Executive Director, was very helpful and friendly.

I arrived around noon.  As the reception and ceremony were one room apart, it was possible for me to paint both.  The mother of the bride helped me to find the perfect spot to paint the ceremony: the second story, centered.  I was not in the way and had a great view.  Next, I found a place in the reception room with a view of the sweetheart table, cake, and dance floor.  The caterers agreed this was a good spot.  So I returned to the ceremony room and began to paint.

As Baltimore is really Smalltimore, I have painted three weddings with Rabbi Fink as Officiator, and one of "my" brides was a guest at this wedding, with her mother and her husband.  This bride is stunningly beautiful and really cool and it was great to see her.  She said that after her dog, the live event painting of her wedding is what she would take if her house were on fire:)

Flowers and Fancies put the flowers and branches on the Chuppah, which really went well with the striking bronze tree sculpture behind it.  They also made gold, sparkling flower arrangements in the reception room.

Rachel Fineberg, Mango Productions, was the Event Planner and she was excellent: really on top of everything and very helpful.  The pianist came to my rescue with an extension cord for my light, and the photographer was very good.  The food was prepared by Temple staff, I believe, and was delicious.

The bride wanted special portraits added of her walking down the aisle with her parents, her husband walking down the aisle with his mom, her three step-parents walking down the aisle, and her dog (I put him under a table).  From my vantage point, it was impossible to get even reference photos of this, and although a fast painter, I could not paint 8 people walking in two minutes.  Also, they had to be placed spatially: this was a studio project.  After the wedding, the bride emailed me photos that the guests took on their iphones.  This work took three weeks.  I'm proud of it.

In this painting, the bride and groom are watching themselves get married!  In reality, that was the sweetheart table in the reception room, and the two rooms are superimposed.

Four Seasons Hotel Wedding and Reception Painting, Baltimore, October 18, 2014

Wedding and Reception at the Four Seasons, Baltimore, Painted by Patricia Bennett

A gorgeous wedding and reception!  Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!

The ceremony was in the Four Seasons' Cobalt room, and the reception was in the Ballroom.
I arrived at 2:30 as the Chuppah was being assembled.  White flowers, then orchids were carefully added by Victoria Claussens' team, then small candles and flowers hanging from golden threads.  As they worked, I set up to begin painting.

The orchids, especially, when placed in the large balls of roses and hydrangeas created the feeling of a magical flower forest.  The floral trompe l'oeil, a large flat wall of gorgeous colorful flowers: yellow irises, pink peonies, roses, hydrangeas was breathtaking.  Even though this floral creation was in the cocktails area, which I could not see, I added it to the painting afterwards.

Victoria Clausen created the superb decor and flowers, and Lindsey Stone with U3 was the perfect event coordinator, and the amazing photographer was Jennifer McMenamin,  (I linked to her photo-story about the event, it's very impressive) and the videographer was Blue Sky Films.  The Four Seasons did catering, which was impeccable as always. 

Tabrizi's Wedding Reception Painting, October 11, 2014

Tabrizi's Wedding Reception Painting, Baltimore, ©Patricia Bennett 2014

This was a lovely wedding reception at Michael Tabrizi's restaurant located on the Inner Harbor.

The space is very elegant and color neutral.  The chandeliers are blue glass.  Both allow the guest to focus on the most striking thing: the great view of Baltimore's Inner Harbor.  In addition, the area is quiet and safe with an easily accessible parking lot.  As I unloaded my easel, bag, and canvas, the few pedestrians were walking small poodles and jogging.

Michael Tabrizi cooks the food himself; I ate the chicken and it was great.  He saw me painting and compared me to Picasso, which is a huge compliment, one which I will treasure.

The event coordinator was very helpful and we easily found the perfect spot for me to set up my easel.  When I arrived at 2:30, Belle Fleurs was already there setting up lovely flower displays of lilies, roses, orchids...  I needed an extension cord for my light, and the coordinator got it for me.  Later, the DJ, Carl Brashears, offered to tape the cord onto the floor with gaffer's tape so that guests would not see it.  Very generous of him, and very helpful!  

When the reception began, I had a good start on the view, and it was getting dark.  The cake, also made by Tabrizi's, was next to me, so I carefully painted it in.  

Congratulations to the bride and groom!

Tabrizi's address: 500 Harborview Drive, A9 | Baltimore, MD 21230
Belle Fleurs address: 3 Crystal Field Court, Baltimore, MD, 21209
D.J. Carl Brashears:  http://www.mycooldj.com

Another day at Brightside Gardens, Monday September 29, 2014

There were tree trimmers and lawn mowers at Brightside Gardens, so it was not as tranquil as normal.  The tree trimmers are taking down several hundred foot tall dead trees on the property.  

I forgot my stool, so the gardener lent me a bucket to sit on.  

Painting at Brightside Gardens, third sitting at the Pet Cemetery

Today I painted at Brightside Gardens, it was a lovely overcast day.  The leaves are beginning to change to lovely oranges, pinks, yellows and red.  The Pet Cemetery garden will not change, just the trees around it.

Brightside Gardens Pet Cemetary, third sitting, painted by Patricia Bennett

Next I will paint the garden, Acteon's Copse, #33, which Alan Gilbert so breathtakingly photographed, and was the centerpiece of his exhibit at Cylburn Arboretum January 2013.  The pergolas have not changed color yet, so I have time to plan it out.

Brightside Gardens photo of Acteon's Copse, Garden #33, photo by Patricia Bennett

Hillendale Country Club Painted Wedding Reception, September 27, 2014

Wedding Reception at the Hillendale Country Club, September 27, 2014, painted by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the couple!

Their wedding reception was profiled in the Baltimore Sun Life and Travel section, written by John-John Williams IV, Sunday February 1, 2015 , and I was mentioned: "Special Touches: Artist Patricia Bennett painted the evening sunset and first dance live during reception."

The wedding reception was at the Hillendale Country Club where the mother of the bride is a champion golfer.

View at the Hillendale Country Club, 3pm, photo by Patricia Bennett

I arrived before 2pm.  Tables were already set up inside, but country club guests were still using the bar room and on the veranda was a family having lunch.  Elle instructed me to set up on the outside veranda, where the band and dancing and cocktails would be.  There were going to be outside bars, and a fire pit later.

I started painting by 3pm.  The sun was out, so the view was a little bright.  As I painted, the sun descended on my left, and by six, the sun was blinding!  Then there was a lovely sunset.

Vendors:
The band was the "Bachelor Boys".  They sang on-key and were real musicians.
Elle Ellinghaus was the Event Coordinator, carrying everything out with ease and grace.
The Hillendale Country Club staff provided excellent service.
Event Pro did the lighting and the drapery.
La Cakerie did the gorgeous cake.

Cake:

 Tables: designed by Elle

Brightside Gardens, beginning Bull Mastiffs at Elysium, and continuing Hercules at the Aegean Stables

Yesterday I had the pleasure of returning to Brightside gardens in the morning to begin a painting of the two striking Bull Mastiffs guarding the Elysium, garden #15 (where Stanley the beloved pug, and other animals rest).  It was a little chilly, but I had two sweaters.  Lots of chipmunks ran around.

Painting Elysium at Brightside Gardens, Patricia Bennett

First Sitting on Elysium at Brightside gardens, 24x30, Patricia Bennett

 Next, after two hours of painting, I cleaned my brushes, and enjoyed speaking to Mr. Newhall about his gardens and the history of the pug.  The Bull Mastiff was bred into the pug!  Very unexpected!  Then I moved back to Augeas's Stables to continue work on the Hercules painting.  I adjusted the perspective so that more of the frieze on the side could be seen in the painting.

Second Sitting on Hercules in Augeas's Stables at Brightside Gardens, 24x24", Patricia Bennett

Set-up at Brightside Gardens, Patricia Bennett

Then it was time to return to the city!

Elysium at Brightside Gardens

Today I returned to Brightside Gardens.  The tree trimmers were at work taking down 100 foot trees near my previous spot, so I wandered over to Elysium, where the beloved pug Stanley rests.

Along the path at Brightside Gardens, photo by Patricia Bennett

I was struck by the dog on the left.  The entrance to Elysium is between the dogs.

Facing Elysium at Brightside Gardens, photo by Patricia Bennett

One of the guard dogs at Elysium at Brightside Gardens, photo by Patricia Bennett

Along the path, I came to Stanley the pug's resting area.  They had him immortalized in bronze.

Entrance to Stanley's resting place at Brightside Gardens, photo by Patricia Bennett

A closer look at Stanley.

Stanley the pug in bronze at Brightside Gardens, photo by Patricia Bennett

I sat down and drew the dog on the left.  I loved his expression.  Also, there was lush vegetation around him.  The gardener told me that the dogwood is a white version, along with the boxwoods.

Drawing of Guard Dog at Elysium at Brightside Gardens, by Patricia Bennett

                                     

Wedding and Reception at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel, Baltimore, September 20, 2014

Wedding and Reception at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, painted by Patricia Bennett, 24x36"

Congratulations to the couple!  I painted their wonderful wedding ceremony and then painted the reception.

Below is a photo of the view.

View from the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel on September 20, 2014, photo by Patricia Bennett

  The couple's color was purple in honor of the Baltimore Ravens.  The flowers, by Crimson and Clover, were stunning purples and whites.

First I did the sketch below to figure out how to combine the two events, which were in two different rooms.  Sharon Mosley was the event planner, she works for the Marriott, and she was extremely conscientious and helpful.  All of the staff at the Marriott were friendly, helpful, and professional.

Sketch for September 20, 2014 painting by Patricia Bennett

 Below is a photo of the Reception room.  As you can see, it is very purple!

The Reception room at the Baltimore Waterfront Hotel, photo by Patricia Bennett

Painting at Brightside Gardens

Painting set-up for Hercules, Patricia Bennett at Brightside Gardens

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of painting at Brightside Gardens.

Hercules in progress, at Brightside Gardens, painted by Patricia Bennett, 24x24"

Brightside Gardens are privately owned and meticulously maintained and have a wonderful theme of Greco/Roman mythology (along with genuine sculptures).  The gardener showed me around some of the 53 gardens and explained which trees would look like fire in the fall.  There are many maples, some will be orange and some flaming red, and there are the amazing pergolas, which will be a mixture ranging from yellow to orange.  The leaves have not really changed yet, so I have a few weeks to get ready!  On my list to paint is Stiles Portager (even though it doesn't seem to have fall colors, but it's lovely), the River Styxx (which has brilliant maples), and I need to paint the Roman Sarcophagus.

Hercules at Brightside Gardens, Patricia Bennett

Stiles Portager, sketched by Patricia Bennett at Brightside Gardens

September 13 Wedding Reception at the Baltimore Country Club

September 13, 2014 Wedding Reception at the Baltimore Country Club, painted by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the couple!

Painted Wedding Reception at the Antrim at Taneytown, September 6, 2014

Wedding Reception at the Antrim in Taneytown, painted by Patricia Bennett, 24x36"

September 6, 2014: A beautiful day in Taneytown at the Antrim.  The Antrim is a hotel with stunning rose gardens, fountains, a croquet lawn, and a pool.

At 2pm, after coordinating with Elizabeth, the wedding planner, I painted the rose gardens and picturesque landscape from under the overhang at the entrance to the pavilion.  At 3 the skies darkened and there was an hour-long storm with lightening bolts and wind gusts.  I painted through the storm.

When guests finished cocktail hour in the rose gardens, I followed inside to the reception area and set up next to the sweetheart table.

The result is a montage of the wedding event.  Their wedding cake is on the far right, and I got a nice view of the bride dancing with her mom.

Congratulations to the couple!!

Painted Wedding & Reception at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, July 20, 2014

July 20, 2014 Wedding and Reception at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, painted by Patricia Bennett

The Chesapeake Bay Beach Club is located just off of the Bay Bridge.  Throughout the day, the view of the water from the club was stunning.  The staff were really helpful and very pleasant.

The wedding took place next to the water.  Then the guests went up to the deck for cocktails.  I moved into the Tavern Ballroom, painting the couple's sweetheart table and the balls hanging from the ceiling before guests arrived for the reception.

Flowers and decor were by Intrigue, they were lovely deep reds, and the photographers were from Baltimore.

Congratulations to the couple!

List of Vendors:

Flowers and decor: Intrique (based in Annapolis)
Catering: Chesapeake Bay Beach Club
Location: Chesapeake Bay Beach Club
Band: New Solutions Entertainment  from Perkasie PA Joel Chodoroff,
They were great!
Photographers: Belle's Dream from Baltimore MD. Rachel Kim and Steve Lee

Painted Wedding and Reception in Glyndon, Maryland, June 7, 2014

Wedding and Reception, Glyndon, Maryland

Patricia Bennett painting live in Glyndon, Maryland, photo by the Loop band

Congratulations to the couple!!  I had the privilege of painting their wedding June 7, 2014.  I think that the word fairy tale describes it.

Most of the painting was done on location and some was done in the studio.

How the painting was created: People like to know how this was done, and if it was prepared in advance.  So, I'll briefly describe the process.

I arrived at 3:30 pm with a blank 2x3' canvas, and saw the venue for the first time.  I met with the planner (Stephanie Bradshaw) and couple earlier and heard it described.

It was an enormous green lawn with one space for the wedding ceremony, and another lower space with an amazing tent, complete with 12 chandeliers and an grand entrance for the reception.  At the ceremony space, I chose a location that had shade.  Then, I walked to the tent and talked to the planners about where to set up there.  It was crucial that I have access to electricity b/c when the sun goes down I need light.  Luckily, there was a free 50 foot extension cord connected to the generator.  Next, I drew simple sketches in a notepad to design the painting.  Then I covered the canvas with the lovely view: the green grass, the blue sky, the clouds, the trees, purple flowers.  After this preparation, the event officially began, and it was an intense 30 minutes of capturing the ceremony...  This is my favorite part, and most importantly painted the beautiful bride as she stood next to her future husband.  After the ceremony ended, the guests moved to the pool house for cocktails, and I carried my easel, tables, etc... over to the reception tent to begin painting the tables and flowers and chandeliers.  The flowers were breathtaking, especially the blush peonies next to the blue hydrangeas.

How to combine both the reception and the ceremony into one painting, and indicate the amazing tent.  A few strips of drapery over the sky worked well.  Then, I painted the reception below the ceremony, scaling fairly accurately.  The closest tables got the most detail because I literally cannot see other tables when people are sitting down.  I made sure to add the fabulous band.  And the final part of the wedding, the sparklers at midnight, I put in the upper right corner.

There was a moment when the planner rescued me: it was dark, and the extension cord didn't work!  She tracked the cord over to the generator and plugged it back in.

The band, the Loop, was awesome.  Stephanie Bradshaw and her girls were fabulous, and the band was fabulous.  The catering staff was great, and they brought me coffee at the end when I was exhausted.  I make it through the last couple of hours on coffee:)  And I wish the couple every happiness, they are so charming and lovely:)

List of the Vendors mentioned:

Event Planner: Stephanie Bradshaw
Band: The Loop

Painting of a Wedding reception next to Boordy Vineyards!

24x36, acrylic on canvas, painted by Patricia Bennett

This was a stunning wedding reception.  It was on the family property.  I had to choose between beautiful huge trees and the tent.  However, the tent itself was a work of art (it's amazing how they put them up), and had giant lanterns hanging in it.  As it was the solstice, I chose the lanterns: they look like suns or moons, and showed the corn rows and the striking yellow house and some hints of the magnificent trees under the tent.

The cake was carefully constructed by Jason Hisley, the owner of La Cakerie.  He spent several minutes leveling the table and examining the cake from every angle.

Congratulations to the bride and groom!

Wedding and Reception at the Engineers Club, painted by Patricia Bennett May 25, 2014

Wedding and Reception at the Engineers Club, painted by Patricia Bennett May 25, 2014

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!

I arrived at noon to begin painting.  The mother of the bride showed me where the ceremony would be and explained the set-up for the reception: the wedding and reception were in adjoining rooms, so I could paint both, I just needed to move my easel about 50 feet.  The bride wanted the focus to be on the celebration, so I placed the ceremony on the far right, rather than centering it.  We found a nook in the courtyard where I could set-up to paint the ceremony and the coordinator quickly moved a giant potted plant for me.

Next, I did a few sketches in my notebook to decide on composition: how to combine the wedding with the reception space, and how to make the rectangular room fit on the canvas.  Then I began with the reception room: absolutely gorgeous and covered with gold leaf.  An hour before the wedding ceremony, I moved my easel into the courtyard, also stunning, and painted the Chuppah.  After painting the ceremony, I moved my easel back into the reception room and painted through the rest of the evening.

Really really great party and celebration, very joyous, great food.  The Event Planner was Mango Productions, Rachel Fineberg did a great job.  The coordinator for the Engineers Club was also great: very helpful, very efficient, friendly.

The Engineers Club is stunning and used to be someone's house/palace.  The House of Cards TV show is filmed there sometimes.  It has to be seen to be believed!

Wedding Reception at the Sequoia in Georgetown

Wedding Reception, May 24, 2014, at the Sequoia in Georgetown, painted live by Patricia Bennett

Patricia Bennett painting at the Sequoia, photo courtesy of bride's mom

Congratulations to the bride and groom!

The Sequoia is a lovely spot on the water in Georgetown, it has direct elevator access and has a view of Watergate, the Lincoln Center, and a famous bridge...  My favorite things about the space were the gorgeous blue chandeliers, the pillars, and the American flags (they fit so well with the day of the wedding, Memorial Day, and for the groom, who is a Navy Seal).

The staff there was very helpful and nice.  I set up right in front of the concierge desk and used their outlet for my lamp.  I wanted to arrive at 2:30, but got lost, then parked in the wrong parking garage...  However, once in the correct garage, and after a cup of coffee, direct elevator access made it a breeze to bring equipment inside.

Staff and the planner assisted me in finding the best spot to paint.  After a few sketches, it was a matter of putting in the view (stunning), and the flowers, which were placed in vases as I painted.  The flowers were on top of very tall vases and studies in white, quite elegant.  The cake was several layers, so many I had to count twice, and also lovely.

Guests arrived and many were Navy Seals.  I felt honored to paint them.  And I wish them well in their deployments.  The bride was gorgeous, and it was a great celebration.  One guest kept offering me and the staff cocktails, but we had to turn him down!

Celebration of Art Show at Cylburn Arboretum, June 14,15

Farmers Market 1, 24x36, acrylic on canvas, painted live, Patricia Bennett, SOLD

Patricia Bennett, photographed by Oriet Milmoe, in front of her painting of the Baltimore Farmers Market.

Above is my painting for Cylburn Arboretum's juried "Celebration of Art" show, which showcased the work of 40 artists.  This was painted at the Baltimore Farmers Market in June of 2012.  I set up my easel next to a stand of fruit and had a view of the Zeke's coffee line and interstate 83.  All of the watermelons were sold by noon.

 Tickets to the opening reception of the "Celebration of Art" show (June 14, 5-8pm) are 75$, this includes food and wine and live music.  Proceeds support the Arboretum, and help to support their gardens and free programs.

I was the inaugural Artist in Residence at Cylburn in 2013.

Wedding Reception at the George Peabody Library, May 10, 2014

Wedding Reception at the George Peabody Library, 24x36, painted by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!

A beautiful wedding reception!

Wedding Reception at the Four Seasons Hotel, Baltimore April 26, 2014

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!  

Wedding Reception April 26, 2014 at the Four Seasons, Baltimore, painted by Patricia Bennett

sketch for painting of Wedding Reception April 26, 2014 at the Four Seasons, by Patricia Bennett

sketch for painting of Wedding Reception April 26, 2014 at the Four Seasons, by Patricia Bennett

The flowers were done by Victoria Claussen, owner of Romance of Flowers.  They were lovely peonies and roses and white hydrangeas.  She also hung glass balls with candles in them from the chandeliers, and there were little white flowers on the strings.