Baltimore Bride 2016 Aisle Style Wedding Event at the Four Seasons Hotel, Thursday March 24, 2016

As a preferred Vendor of the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore I was invited to participate in this.  I'll have a table at the Four Seasons Hotel March 24, 2015, and would love to meet future brides and show them samples of my work, and explain the process of hiring a live event painter.  

Thank you to Baltimore Bride Magazine for inviting me to participate and for making the process easy, and especially thank you to Jacqueline Hamilton who designed my ad.  She has an amazing eye, and really created a striking ad.  I highly recommend Ms. Hamilton for this, she is herself an artist, and is also highly trained in graphic design.

My ad is in the 2016 Baltimore Bride issue on page 95.  I'm also mentioned on page 126 under Live Event Painters, along with my favorite live event painter Katherine Gressel.

Four Seasons Baltimore Hotel Wedding Reception, December 19, 2015, painted by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the bride and groom and to their families and friends!

Four Seasons Baltimore Hotel Wedding Reception and First Dance, December 19, 2015, painted by Patricia Bennett

End of the night...

Four Seasons Wedding Reception, December 19, 2015, painted by Patricia Bennett

This is a preparatory sketch for adding the first dance, also the sunset view:

Little Sketch for First Dance to add to Live Painting, by Patricia Bennett

Process: We were unsure which room to set the painting in, as the view from the Cobalt room is spectacular but the Grand Ballroom was to be the focus of Victoria's Floral Creations.  It was decided that I would paint the view from the Cobalt room and incorporate it into the Grand Ballroom, then return to the Cobalt Room after dinner to paint the dancing.  I painted the view (which will be sunset after I add some rose tints to it and the Domino's Sugar highlighted sign) until 3pm in the Cobalt Room, then returned to the Grand Ballroom until 10:30pm, then returned to the Cobalt room until 1am.

Kate Taylor was event coordinator, Victoria Clausen and her team created the amazing florals, the band was from Atlanta.

Lord Baltimore Hotel Wedding and Reception!

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom and to their families!

Lord Baltiomore Hotel Wedding and Reception, 24x36", painted by Patricia Bennett

Lord Baltimore Hotel:

20 W Baltimore St

Baltimore, MD 21201

Catered by: Classic Catering

Planner: Elle Ellinghaus design, Jillian

Belmont Manor Wedding and Reception Painting October 4, 2015

Belmont Manor Wedding Painting, painted by Patricia Bennett October 4, 2015

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom and to their families!

Thank you to Lydia Hartnett of Lydia Jane Photography for kindly letting me use some of her beautiful photos as reference.

Belmont Manor Address:

6555 Belmont Woods Rd, Elkridge, MD 21075
(410) 313-0200

Sequoia Wedding Reception Live Painting October 10, 2015

Sequoia Wedding Reception Live Painting by Patricia Bennett, October 10, 2015

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!

The Sequoia in Georgetown is so lovely, they are famous for their brunch and there is an incredible view that includes the Kennedy Center (on the far left).


Address of the Sequoia: 

3000 K Street NW Washington, DC 20007
202.944.4200

University Club of Washington D.C. Gatsby Gala Painting

University Club of Washington D.C. Gatsby Gala, painted by Patricia Bennett, October 3, 2015

I was hired by the University Club of Washington D.C. to paint their Great Gatsby themed gala on October 3, 2015.

I thank Krista Long for her generous hospitality and for showing me the Club's wonderful 19th century art collection and Wyeth room.  I watched Pedro, their engineer, carefully construct the tower of champagne, a masterpiece of circles of glass stacked with glasses.

William Howard Taft founded the University Club before he became President of the United States.

University Club of Washington D.C.'s address:

1135 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 862-8800

Grand Hyatt Denver Wedding and Reception

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!

Grand Hyatt Denver Wedding and Reception, November 14, 2015, painted by Patricia Bennett

George Peabody Library Wedding Reception

Congratulations to the bride and groom and to their families!

George Peabody Library Wedding Reception, painted by Patricia Bennett

A big thank you to Paul Espinosa, librarian at the George Peabody Library, for letting me set up at noon.  

Vendors:
Wicked Willow created gorgeous flowers, and somehow managed to get pink peonies out of season.
Chef's Expressions prepared all of the food in the librarian's office in the back.  Very impressive.
Bachelor Boys did a great job making music.
Lemon and Lime were the event coordinators, and were very organized.

Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore Hotel Wedding and Reception November 6, 2015

Congratulations to the beautiful bride and groom!
I just delivered their painting to them, this is the final painting:

Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore Wedding and Reception, November 6, 2015, painted by Patricia Bennett

Below is the painting at the end of the night:

Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore Wedding and Reception, November 6, 2015, painted by Patricia Bennett

About the painting process: the wedding couple were married in one room, and then their reception was in the Whitehall Ballroom.  The Whitehall Ballroom was occupied with a conference when I arrived at noon, so I set up in the other room (which is structurally identical), and began to paint the background.  During the couple's ceremony, I painted their ceremony live.  After the lovely ceremony I moved into the Whitehall Ballroom and set up to the right of the entrance.  I painted through the evening.  The night scene was chosen by the bride.

Thank you to Jay, event coordinator of the space for all of his help and support.  And all the staff, who were wonderful.

The Bachelor Boys were the band and Flowers and Fancies did the flowers and ceremony space, very nice!

Address of the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore Hotel:

550 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 234-0550

Baltimore Museum of Art Sculpture Garden Wedding Reception Painting

Baltimore Museum of Art Sculpture Garden Wedding Reception Painting, painted by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!

Wythe Hotel Wedding and Reception Painting

Wythe Hotel Wedding and Reception, painted by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!

First Dance Painting

First Dance in New Jersey, 24x24", painted by Patricia Bennett

A romantic first dance.  Congratulations to the lovely couple.

I was hired by a good friend of the Groom's father to paint this as a present to the couple.

Me and my client met at Starbucks and perused the thousand photos on the photographer's website.  We decided to use a design based on Live Artist Katherine Gressel's Paintings: the first dance centered, their cake on the left, and family members depicted behind them.

Using the thousand photos as reference and with the client's guidance, I painted in the parents of the bride and groom, their respective siblings, and a few bridesmaids and groomsmen.  The florals on the right are from the Chuppah, I thought that was a nice touch.  And the Groom had to have checkered socks.

This took a few weeks to complete.  The couple can use the image for cards if they wish, or even a coffee mug.

Portrait of Two Boys

Portrait of Two Boys, 11x14", painted by Patricia Bennett, 2015

I was hired by the boys' mother to make this very sweet painting based on her photograph.  The scene is in Massachusetts.

The painting is 11x14", on paper, and will be 16x20" once it is framed.

Sketch of Two Boys, by Patricia Bennett

It is painted in an impressionistic style, with most of the brushwork focused on the center of interest, the two boys holding hands.

The finished painting was mailed last week, flat, with a cardboard backing enclosed in a lucite sleeve.  Enclosed were also a couple of handmade greeting cards with the image attached to them.

Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore Wedding and Reception Painting June 27, 2015

Painted in June, 2015

Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore Grand Ballroom Wedding and Reception painting by Patricia Bennett

A beautiful Wedding and Reception at the Four Seasons, congratulations to the bride and groom.

There are many specific family members in this painting, added afterwards, and a Chagall-inspired floating bride and groom.  

Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore Wedding Reception Painting, August 1, 2015

Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore Wedding Reception Painting August 1, 2015 by Patricia Bennett

This was such a beautiful wedding reception, flowers were done by Victoria Claussen.

The bride loves coral, so that became the theme color of the painting.  There is a Star Wars cake on the left, it was a gift to the Groom.

Robert and Anne at the Carolina Inn!

Robert and Anne at the Carolina Inn

Painted in Chapel Hill, North Carolina at the Carolina Inn.
Congratulations to the couple!

Evergreen Museum Carriage House Wedding Reception Painting

Congratulations to the couple!

Evergreen Museum Carriage House Wedding Reception Painting, by Patricia Bennett, 24x36"

Below is the beginning of the wedding reception painting at the Evergreen Museum Carriage house.

Evergreen Museum Carriage House Live Painting in progress, by Patricia Bennett, 24x36"

I arrived at 2pm, and this what I had by 6pm, as the caterers Zeffert and Gold placed tables around me.  Thanks so much to Judy Moskowitz, Event Coordinator for the Evergreen Museum for letting me in early and for finding me a great spot to set up.

The band Rolex was fabulous, one member in an outrageous black tutu made it into the final painting.

Palden Hamilton's Opening Reception Friday, August 8, 2015 at the Zoll Studio Gallery

Palden Hamilton's Art Show, "Travel Sketches, A Collection of Recent Works from Sikkim, India, and Bhutan" Reception Friday, August 8, 5:30-8pm at the Zoll Studio Gallery, 15 W. Aylesbury Rd, Timonium, MD, 21093. A must see! A cultural experience!

Piney Ridge Golf Club Wedding Painting

Piney Ridge Golf Club Wedding Painting, by Patricia Bennett, June 24, 2015.

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom and to their families!

Painted at the Piney Ridge Golf Club in Upperco, Maryland, the staff took care of everything and were very helpful.

Many of the band members were friends with the bride and groom and the officiant was among the best I have ever heard.

The couple were married in an outdoor structure reminiscent of an open white barn.  It was simple and pretty, and protected everyone from weather.  After the ceremony everyone, including me, moved into the main building for the reception.

Piney Ridge Golf Club: 5301 Trenton Mill Rd | Upperco, Maryland 21155 | 410.239.7114

Walters Art Museum Live Painting Wedding Ceremony

Painted a magical wedding and reception at the Walters Art Museum in the sculpture court, June 6, 2015.

Patricia Bennett painting in the sculpture court at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, June 6, 2015, photo taken by Robert Mintz

Walters Art Museum Live Wedding Painting by Patricia Bennett, copyright Patricia Bennett 2015

Jessica Maskell, of JEM Events, calmly organized the event, and lovely florals were provided by Amanda Schlissler of Stylish Occasions.  The bride designed a lovely sea-green layered cloth effect on a frame to stand in front of the central fountain.  Stylish Occasions created an A-frame garland to drape over it, filled with pale pink peonies and pale orange roses.  Pastor Michael Belt officiated.

D.J. Mark Maskell did a wonderful job entertaining guests on the dance floor.

It has been at least a decade since an artist painted in the sculpture court, if ever, so the Walters Art Museum, at the initiative of their event coordinator Heather Poff, arranged for me to meet with several key museum staff, including the head of security, to describe my materials and technique.  Luckily, my materials satisfied them, and after I signed an agreement, I had permission to paint in the stunning and unique space.  Stanchions were placed around me for further security.

In order to capture the architecture of the space, I visited a week earlier to sketch and take photos and began the painting in my studio.  To fit the vertical space onto the horizontal canvas, I compressed the second floor by 50%, but included the ceiling.  No one even notices!

Betsy Robinson Bridal Boutique Live Painting

Betsy Robinson Bridal Collection live painting, by Patricia Bennett

Betsy Robinson's salon is voted #1 in the Mid-Atlantic Region of Brides’ Magazine, and many brides whose weddings that I paint purchase their gowns from Betsy Robinson.  The mother of the bride whose wedding I was to paint that Saturday came into the store to pick up her gown while I was painting at Betsy's, by coincidence.

Betsy Robinson asked me to do a painting of her store.  This was a great honor for me.  She wanted, "a day in the life of" her store.  She especially wanted the seamstresses to be in the painting and her longest employees.  The seamstresses are in the back of the store, diligently fitting dresses.  They do extensive work by hand, including beading.  It is highly skilled work.  

The painting was begun on May 2, 2015 when Betsy Robinson's store had a trunk show of Waters and Thomas Knoell.  Thomas Knoell was there, a very nice person.  In the center of the painting is his display of jewelry for brides.  That day I put in the store and established a color harmony.  I returned several times to clean things up.  I also photographed the key people to add.  Betsy got permission from a future bride who was being fitted to be photographed by me, and she was added to the right corner, with Rose "pinning" her.  

The painting has taken almost two months to complete.  It is very complex, with figures added to the foreground and recognizable faces.  I got advice from my artist friends Jackie and Palden Hamilton and Brandon Flye at the Zoll Studio for composition and color.  

William Paca House and Garden Painting for the Paca Girlfriends Party in Historic Annapolis

Yesterday I painted the annual 2015 Paca Girlfriend's Party at the William Paca House and Garden in Historic Annapolis, June 17, 2015.

William Paca House and Garden painting for the Paca Girlfriends Party, June 17, 2015, 24x24", painted by Patricia Bennett

Patricia Bennett painting at the Paca Girlfriends Party for the William Paca House and Garden, June 17, 2015

William Paca House and Garden painting on easel for the Paca Girlfriends Party, 2015, painted by Patricia Bennett

The Paca Girlfriends' committee contacted me a few months ago and asked me if I'd like to paint their party.  I love gardens and parties, so it was an enthusiastic yes.  They made me welcome and it was a lovely party to paint.  I enjoyed meeting the guests and other vendors, as well as the head gardener, who described pruning the five impressive American Holly trees depicted in my painting.

There was a silent auction for my artwork (a piece of paper where people could bid); proceeds partly went to the Paca House.

Address of the William Paca House and Garden: 186 Prince George St, Annapolis, MD 21401
Website for the Paca Girlfriends: http://www.pacagirlfriends.com

Waters Edge Wedding Reception Painting, June 13, 2015

Waters Edge Wedding Reception, June 13, 2015, Patricia Bennett

This was painted at the Waters Edge Event Center in Belcamp, Maryland.

Intermediate stage: Waters Edge Reception, June 13, 2015 by Patricia Bennett

Below is the painting at the end of the night, fresh from the easel:

End of night: Waters Edge Wedding Reception Painting, June 13, 2015, by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom and to their family and friends!

Waters Edge Address: 4687 Millennium Ave, Belcamp, MD

Gramercy Mansion Wedding Painting, 2015

Wedding Celebration at Gramercy Mansion, painted by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom, who celebrated their marriage in front of family and friends at Gramercy Mansion, on May 9, 2015. 

Heidi Hiller, owner of Innovative Party Planners, was the coordinator.  

She created striking blue and sage green table settings in the Gramercy Mansion's dining room, and collaborated with the bride's mother and the caterer to create a celebration of

the Moroccan and Jewish cultures.  The food was a delightful blend of the two cultures, and the D.J, 

Carl Brashears masterfully entertained the guests.  

I arrived by 2pm and painted the scenery as they set up the Chuppah, which had birch logs, 

a special organic touch.  After painting the ceremony, I moved into the reception area and painted there for the rest of the night.

Coincidentally, the mother of the bride and her in-laws, just arrived from Morocco, were at Betsy Robinson's Bridal Boutique to pick up her dress three days prior to the wedding celebration, when I was painting at Betsy Robinson's.  So we got to meet in advance!

Gramercy Mansion is a sumptuous bed and breakfast at 1400 Greenspring Valley Rd, Stevenson, MD 21153, (410) 486-2405.

Commissioned Wedding Painting

Wedding Day Allegory, painted by Patricia Bennett, 24x24"

The uncle of the bride and groom commissioned me to paint their wedding day from photos.

He told me who the important people were, and explained things, and from there I did a sketch, and then this painting.  There were over 1800 photos, so plenty of material.

The following scenes are in the painting, starting on the left of the painting, then going clockwise:

1. The Bridal Bouquet with ring
2. The signing of the Marriage Contract.
3. The groom with his parents
4. The bride and groom relaxing in a tree
5. The bride and her parents
6. The Horah
7. The cake
8. The First Dance
9. The marriage.

Although the ceremony took place at night, I set it in daytime as the view was beautiful.

This is the first time that I have painted a wedding day without being there.

This is a gift to the bride and groom from their uncle.  He is going to give it to them during Seder, April 4.

Four Seasons Denver and Denver Center for the Performing Arts Live Painting

Painted by Patricia Bennett at the Four Seasons Denver and the Denver Center for Performing Arts.

The painting at the end of the night, well, actually at 9am the next morning:

First Look: Wedding & Reception at the Four Seasons and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, painted by Patricia Bennett

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!

I painted this gorgeous wedding and reception February 28 in Denver, Colorado.  Their wedding ceremony was at the Four Seasons Denver in the Grand Ballroom and their reception was at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts in the Seawell Ballroom.

The cake, designed by Janusz Zrodlowski of Elegant Bakery to reflect the bride's dress, was extraordinary.  It was topped with a foot of spun sugar, which looked like glass.  The flower arrangements and decor were also extraordinary, created by Design Works, led by David Squires and Michael Roffino.  The band, flown in from New York, also fantastic.  The Event Coordinators for both the Four Seasons, Katie Kelly, and the Denver Center for the Performing arts were extremely helpful.  And of course Lisa Cook and Leslie Hines from Event with Flair coordinated everything and made it work flawlessly.

Getting to Denver from Baltimore: I flew Southwest, the airplane had a broken part, which needed to be flown in from Texas, so me and the other 200 or so passengers waited four hours at BWI.  (I used this time to plan out the painting and discuss my composition ideas with other passengers.)  Getting back to Baltimore from Denver: All flights to Baltimore were cancelled due to an ice storm.  This was relayed to me and the other 200 or so passengers 20 minutes before boarding, furthermore, no return flights available for two days.  So I flew to North Carolina, where I stayed with family, then returned to Baltimore a day later.
   
Design Works: 3869 Steele St # D, Denver, CO/ Telephone:720.941.7440/ web: http://designworksevents.com

Elegant Bakery: 3278 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Unit 3 • Lakewood, CO 80227 • Phone 303.322.7708 web: http://www.elegantbakery.com/aboutus.htm

Event with Flair: web: http://www.affairwithflair.com

Carnegie Institution of Washington Live Painting of Wedding Reception

Carnegie Institute of Science, Live Wedding Reception Painting, 24x36" by Patricia Bennett

Yesterday I painted this lovely wedding reception at the Carnegie Institute of Washington in Washington D.C.  Congratulations to the bride and groom and to their families!


Process:
As the building would open at 3:30pm and the architecture was complex, I visited the space a week in advance, thanks to permission from Ana Lojanica, without whom this would not have been possible.  I took numerous photos and drew sketches to discover how to depict the space on my canvas.  After emailing the bride my version, and getting an okay, I painted a practice sketch to see if my vision "worked" (In order to fit the space on the canvas, along with the dome, I vertically compressed the ceiling.)  And then after a more detailed drawing sketch, I painted that directly onto the canvas.  When I arrived, the architectural structure was in place, and I added to it from life, adjusted colors and so on.

Address of the Carnegie Institute of Washington: 1530 P St NW Washington DC 20005

Four Seasons Hotel, D.C Staff Party Live Painting

Four Seasons Hotel, D.C. Staff Party Live Painting, painted by Patricia Bennett, 24x36"

Sunday I painted this at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown.  It is such an amazing hotel, where dignitaries like to lunch and service is impeccable.  So of course the staff party was beautiful and entertaining, with their own talent show and judges.

I arrived around 11am, to make sure there would be enough time to paint their distinctive chandeliers.  There was already a platform set up for me.  After I did a few sketches in my notebook, I began painting by noon.  The staff spent all day setting up lights, tables, candelabra, the D.J. Booth.  They were friendly and deceptively casual: experts at what they did.  

I painted almost without stop until the event ended at 11pm.  Really great party!  

Four Seasons Baltimore Lobby Painting

Painting of the Four Seasons Baltimore Lobby, ©Patricia Bennett 2015

This painting was created for the General Manager of the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore.  He asked me to paint something symbolic of this beautiful, modern hotel as an image to use for cards for guests.

The Four Seasons Baltimore's lobby flowers are designed by J.J. Cummings Floral Design.

I painted on location several times in the lobby and worked on the painting in the studio.  The entire process took over a year.

Many hotel guests stopped to look at my painting and speak to me about it and their love of art.  A Prince showed me a beautiful photo he'd had taken of the lobby and he gave me a piece of chocolate.  The staff were really friendly and helpful, too.

J.J. Cummings Floral Design address: 500 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21202
The Four Seasons Baltimore address: 200 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 U.S.A

Baltimore Country Club Painted Wedding Reception

Wedding Reception at the Baltimore Country Club, painted by Patricia Bennett, 24x36"

This is the final version of the painting of the wedding reception of Devin and Will at the Baltimore Country Club.

Through the generous permission of the photographer, Jessica Haley, I was able to use several of her photos as reference to fine-tune figures that were already in the painting and to add the mother/son dance.  Thank you Jessica!

The band, Jon Goska's group, was also great, Hero Entertainment.

The Baltimore Country Club is a very special place, full of tradition, and this particular room, wood-paneled, is gorgeous.  Also, I love how the bride's white dress lights up the whole room.

Congratulations to Devin and Will!

Baltimore Country Club address: 4712 Club Road, Baltimore, MD, 21210
Hero Entertainment: www.heroentertains.com