Kate gets an early start on painting the backgrounds so that by the time the festivities are over she’s finished painting. never imagined herself in that line of work. Turns out it was kismet. Word began to spread, and she booked a few more weddings, but they were sadly canceled because of Covid. In July of 2020, she made a few valuable connections, and soon more bookings were flooding in. Each wedding experience was educational for Scrivner, and she became faster and more precise. She quickly learned to complete the portrait during a wedding so the bride and groom could take it home that night. Soon, word of her talent had spread far beyond Columbus, and she was traveling all over for weddings. So, what does it actually look like to have a live wedding painter? After booking with a couple, Scrivner discusses the venue with them and tries to get to know the bride and groom a little bit better. Typically, before the day of the wedding, she has an idea of what she would like to paint and the pose the couple prefers. On the wedding day, she arrives two hours early to set up her station and begin painting the backdrop. This is the most time-consuming part of the portrait, and once guests arrive, they prefer to see her painting the bride and groom. Starting early enables her to focus more on the couple while the wedding guests mill around her. She paints throughout the entire wedding, taking short breaks to recoup her strength. A few must-haves for her to maintain stamina are comfy shoes since she stands to paint, good lighting, and a special varnish she uses. Hiring a wedding painter like Scrivner not only means January February 2024 swgaliving.com / 73
Southwest Georgia Living January-February 2024: Page 73
