Live Painting Services


M. J. Star creating artPlanning an event, hosting a convention, or attending a trade show? Enlisting my live painting services will add that special something.

Live painting is similar to live music playing. I entertain your guests by making a new digital painting live at your event. While live painting I not only make beautiful art, but talk to event goers and sell mementos that will help them remember the date.

Live painting works great if you are looking to add a different kind entertainment that will not clash with musicians, dancers, and other noise creating performers. It also can help buster the event profile as the images I draw will make for great promotion for the attending company or future events.

What makes my living paint special?

Reliability

I show up early with all my equipment. All you need to do is reserve my space and, if plausible, provide me with electrical power. If you don’t have power, I can bring my only generator that is good for 4 hours of live painting.

Low stress

I do my own set up and tear down. I have attended dozens of markets and festivals so my booth set up is efficient. You direct me where to go, and how to get there and I take care of the rest.

Experienced at entertaining

I am there not just to draw but to entertain the guests. I have been informally live painting for close to 1000 hours. I’ve drawn at everything from bars, restaurants, flee markets, to outdoor festivals. Consequentially, I know how to respectfully talk and draw at the same time. I'm used to interacting with a wide variety of people with different temperaments, walks of life, and interests.

Pre-approval

I make sure to make a sketch of what I'm going to draw before the event for your pre-approval. This sketch will compliment the theme of the event and subtly incorporate the imagery of the company if applicable.

Affordable prices

Many live painters charge close to $500/hr+ for their services. As a newer comer to this space my rate range to closer to $300/hr.

Clean

I am a digital artist. I create my art by drawing on my iPad tablet. This means that there’s no paint, no paper, and no mess.

File and Speed-paint transfer

When the event is done, I can, for an additional fee, hand over the files and a print of the final image.

Food oriented art

I mostly draw food and drink images. This is great as everyone can relate to food. This works especially well for brewery, wine lover, and cuisine related events and conventions.

Samples of my work

Vapor Cave IPA
Glenwood Springs Brewpub Vapor Cave IPA
Ming’s Cafe Margarita
Ming’s Cafe Moonstone Margarita
Brigit
Taste & Savor Wine Bar Brigit
French 75
Vinca French 75

F.A.Q.

What is live painting?

Living painting is when an artist comes to create finished piece of work at a event. The artist is there to entertain the guests as they create live during the event.

Do you do caricature art?

At this time, no.

Where can I see more examples of your work?

You can see my full portfolio here.

What medium do you use?

My preferred medium is digital art. I draw on my iPad and hook that iPad to a T.V. screen so that people can see what I'm creating.

I can connect that iPad to an HDMI compatible screen if needed.

When is the soonest that I can book you?

I prefer to have at least 3 week of notice. If I have 14-20 days notice my rates increase 50%. If it is 7-13 days, the rates double. I do not do events with less than 7 days notice.

How much space do you need?

For indoor events, My full display fits in 8 feet wide by 5 feet deep and 6.5 feet tall.

If you want me inside your booth, the dimensions are 6 feet wide by 3 feet deep and 6.5 feet tall

For outdoor events my full booth is 10 feet by 10 feet and 9 feet tall.

Do you need help with set up?

I set up my own booth. When I arrive which is usually 90 minutes to 3 hours before the event I will ask you...

  • Where can I park my car for loading?
  • Where can I park my car during the event?
  • Where is my station?
  • If the station is on the 2nd or higher floor, is there and elevator I can take to my station? Stairs? Escalator?
  • Where is the bathroom?
  • Who can watch my booth during bathroom breaks?
  • What is the a textable number of the event organizer?

What is included in your set up?

If the event is indoors I bring...

  • My tables and table cloths
  • A finished piece so that people can see what the final image will look like
  • Projector or T.V. screen so that people can see my process.
  • My silent power generator
  • My iPad
  • Merch and small prints featuring my art for sale
  • Business cards
  • Food and drink
  • Cell phone and Square card reader
  • Framed artist bio & statement

If it I outdoors I also bring…

  • My canopy
  • Wire racks for displaying art
  • Addition tables and clothes for displaying merch

Where do you work?

I work mostly in Colorado's front range. However, I am willing to travel anywhere in the United States so long as travel expenses are covered.

I mostly work as far south as Littleton, as far north as Fort Collins, as far west as Boulder, and far east as Fort Lupton. Outside of this area I charge for travel and gas.

What happens to the final image?

I keep all copyrights to the final image. The final image, and prints of the image, and the speed paint can be purchased and shipped to the client for an additional fee. If you want to license the image for commercial use, I can work that out on a case by case basis.

How many breaks do you need?

I require 1 break every 2 hours for 10 minutes. This allows me to eat, go to the bathroom, and rest so that I can do my best work and be my most sociable. When I do get up for this break I play a speed paint video of me painting previous piece so that the guests are still entertained.

How long do you work?

I live paint for 3 - 7 hours a day. I find that if I work less than that, I can't complete anything worth showing off. If I work more than that, I get too tired and can't do my best work.

What is your pricing for live painting? How do I pay you?

In addition to travel, gas, parking, and lodging, and payment processing fees, I charge the following for my services.

Live painting fees

Up to 3 Hours of live painting $600 + applicable fees
3-4 Hours $725 + applicable fees
4-5 Hours $850 + applicable fees
5-6 Hours $1000 + applicable fees
6-7 Hours $1500 + applicable fees
2+ days $1500/day + applicable fees

Additional fees

Fee Type Fee Rate Notes
Gas $0.50/mi For all events that are more than 50mi from Longmont, CO. So if your event is 120mi away from Longmont that comes out to an additional $60.
Lodging Cost of hotel  I charge for all the hotels that I stay in at the event and the ones I stay to during the road trip to the hotel in question. I usually aim to stay in hotels that are between $70 - and $225/night depending on the location. I will submit my travel cost expenses for approval before booking anything.
Parking Cost of parking at the event If there is no free parking, you pay that cost. Also if you incorrectly direct me to an illegal parking spot and I get ticketed, you pay the cost of the ticket.
Rush 50-100% if I don’t have 3 or more weeks notices

If you book me for an event that is between 14-20 days out I charge 50% extra on top of the above base rate. (e.g. $900 for 3 hours)

If you book me 7-13 days in advance that goes up to 100% (e.g. $1200 for 3 hours)

Payment Processing An additional 5% of the total payment I prefer to paid in cash or check. However, I also accept credit card via Square, Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal. If you are are not paying with cash or check there is a 4% service fee.

The above pricing and fees are to be paid in 2 installments. The first installment of 30% is nonrefundable and is to be paid to reserve the date. The second installment of 70% is to be paid on the day of the event before I do set up.

Extras

In addition to live painting, these can be purchased during or after the event.

Merch $5-70 Merch featuring my art work. Some will be sold at the show.
Museum Quality Print(s) $100 - $1000 per print depending on the size Includes print of the final image(s) and associated files. This is for personal use and two time social media uses only.
Digital File transfer $50 Include just the digital files and the speed paint. Can be used for personal use and on social media twice.
Licensing of the final image(s) Case by Case If you want the temporary rights to the image for commercial use, that needs to be worked out on a case by case basis depending on what you will do with the image.

 

What is your cancellation policy?

After the installment payment is made, I save the date. The first installment payment is consider non-refundable. I might refund all or part the payment on a case-by-case basis but this is extremely rare and my decision to make.

How much does it cost to buy the final image?

That determined on a case-by-case basis and depends on the size of the final print. As of now that prince can range between $250 to $1000. Included are the digital files and recording of the speed paint.

Who can I call for a reference?

TBA. I'm gathering references. Please contact me so I can forward the information.

What is the process for hiring you?

Step 1: Free Consolation I call, zoom, or meet with you in person to find out your who, what, where, when.
Step 2: Agreement & Installment If you agree to proceed I will request the answers to any of my questions and a installment payment to save the date. I also book any hotels if that is needed.
Step 3: Concept Sketch I will create a sketch of what I plan to draw before the event. This allows you and your clients to know what I'll be painting before I show up. You can request changes to the picture as you see fit.
Step 4: Event Prep I prep the image so that it can be completed during the event. When I arrive, the image might already be "inked" or partially colored.
Step 5: Reminder Call A few days before the event I will call you to see if the event is still happening and remind you to have my final payment ready for the day of the event.
Step 6: Final Installment I arrive at the event at the allotted time. Before I begin setting things up, I will request the second installment payment. I will not begin set or any work without this payment.
Step 7: The Set Up You direct me to my set up area and tell me the location of parking and bathroom. I get set up with minimal additional help.
Step 8: The Event I paint at the event and entertain the guests while selling items of already finished work that is appropriate for the clientele.
Step 9: The Tear Down I tear my station down.
Step 10: Purchasing Extra If the event clients want to purchase prints or digital files of the final image, we can discuss this at the end or shortly after the event.

How do I can get started?

Contact me below!

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