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!