5/2/2025
| HOPE MURRAY TREMBLAY
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Erin Leigh Boughamer brings a unique, personal addition to any event, especially weddings.
Boughamer is the owner and artist behind Event Paintings by Erin. For over two decades, she has been a full-time artist, starting out selling her original work at fairs across New England. The Southington, Connecticut native, who has a bachelor of fine arts from the University of Connecticut, began offering private lessons to children and later opened Paint Sip Fun in Springfield in 2013.
It was a bachelorette paint party that sparked her to begin painting live at events.
“In 2021, while hosting a paint and sip for a bachelorette party, I was approached by the bride-to-be who asked if I could paint live at her wedding,” said Boughamer. “At that time, I had never heard of the concept. Now, only three and a half short years later, I have a full-time event painting business — along with Paint Sip Fun — that employs two other artists and an assistant to help keep up with the demand.”
Boughamer said the process for a live wedding painting begins with a personal in-depth conversation with the couple about what type of art they want, and why. For weddings, she offers three types of paintings: Live Wedding Paintings, Guest Portraits and Live Guest Collaborative Paintings.
“For Live Wedding Paintings, where I paint the couple on a larger sized canvas, I ask them where it will be hung in their house, which helps them determine what size canvas to choose,” said Boughamer. “I also ask them if they have a specific moment they would like me to paint, is there anything special about their attire, decorations, or anything else that might be important that they want to see in their painting. I want to ensure I include everything they want, even things they may not have thought of yet.”
Boughamer said couples say they work with her because they love her realistic art style.
“I spend 20-40 hours on one canvas making sure every detail is perfect,” she said. “Typically, I will start with a blank white canvas at cocktail hour to which I will draw, then paint the background and work through the reception adding layers of paint, being sure to add the first layers of the couple before the night is done, so everyone has an idea of what to expect. Guests love to look on and talk with me about the process. The comment I hear most often is, ‘I can’t wait to see it done!’ As I know it will be merely impossible to invite all wedding guests to the bride and groom’s home, all my packages include blank notecards with the painting printed on the front, so every guest at the wedding can see the finished painting.”
Live Guest Portraits are small quick pen and ink watercolor portraits on paper, often used as guest favors. Boughamer and the couple discuss how they want the portraits to look, such as a full-body drawing or just head and shoulders. She even asks if the couple wants the guests' faces painted.
“I know that sounds funny, but because of social media, faceless is all the rage. Even with these small watercolor portraits, I am able to capture lots of details,” Boughamer said. “It’s this kind of detail that couples are drawn to and hire me for. I will typically sketch, ink and paint one person in 10-15 minutes, and get through as many guests as I can while I am there. The rest is brought back to the studio to finish. Guests love this idea, love to watch me paint and are always excited to see their finished painting.”
The Live Guest Collaborative Paintings bring a new artistic touch to weddings. Boughamer said as far as she knows, Event Painting by Erin is the only business nationwide to offer the service.
“Together the couple and I design a painting that has a very special meaning to them, like where they got engaged, their favorite hobby together, or even their family pet,” she said. “I take this image and draw it onto a large canvas for everyone at the wedding to then paint a piece of with acrylic paint. I give each guest a mini art lesson, and the correct colors for their spot on the canvas to create the right texture for what they are painting. For example, if the spot they chose is part of the water, I will give them the palette with blue paints and instruct them to move their brush ‘left and right like a minus sign.’ This ensures the water will look like water. I will photograph them while in action leaving their mark on the canvas, then ask them to write a congratulatory note to the happy couple. These are both then put into a small book. A sort of photo guest book. Couples love seeing their painting come to life while reading all the love and well wishes from their guests.”
Boughamer jokes that she was born with a paintbrush in her hands. Her mother is creative and her aunt and grandmother were professional artists, so it was no surprise that Boughamer showed artistic talent from a very young age.
“I have always loved art, and with these kinds of strong influences around me, I was also encouraged to create always,” she said. “When entering college, while I loved art, I didn’t think my parents would agree to an art degree. So, for the first year, I studied psychology, but also took a fun elective drawing class to lighten my load. When my grades came in, my dad sat me down and sternly told me he would not pay for my psychology degree if I was barely passing my classes. He then asked, ‘You got an A in your art class, why don’t you study art?’ It was only then that I gave myself permission to follow my passions in art. I changed my major, and I haven’t looked back since!”
Boughamer could write a book on the role art has in her life. She said through all the good times and the bad, art has always been her safe place, her happy place and her therapist.
“If I don’t do something creative every day I can feel it. Even my family will notice my down mood, and will tell me to go to the studio as they too know when I emerge I will feel happier,” Boughamer said.
She noted that live wedding painting has become more and more popular in addition to traditional wedding photography.
“Couples are interested in not only owning an heirloom keepsake, but also to have a new intriguing form of entertainment for their guests,” she said. “Even on the off chance you have seen a live painter before, the intrigue never gets old watching someone create something in front of your very own eyes. Especially a painting of people you love in a setting you were part of. While the photographer captures the entire day, I focus on just one moment. That moment is carefully curated with the couple ahead of time during one of our phone, in-person or Zoom consultations.”
In addition to her Live Wedding Paintings, Boughamer also paints wedding dress and bouquet portraits and recently collaborated with Bridal Corner in Chicopee to hand paint cascading pink roses on a wedding gown.
Based in Springfield, Boughamer has her Paint Sip Fun business, offers pet portraits and art for the home and exhibits her work.
“I have painted landscapes, lighthouses, fruit still lifes, vibrantly colored endangered animals, whimsical horses and black and white organic and geometric abstracts,” Boughamer said. “Being an empty nester has now afforded me the time to pursue my passion of painting and begin my search for gallery representation. My latest body of work titled ‘Calming Chaos,’ shown recently with rave reviews at the Jorgensen Gallery/The University of Connecticut. This collection celebrates the tranquility and peace that can exist even amidst life’s mayhem and discord. A poignant theme in today’s polarized and chaotic world.”
Boughamer said her art, whether on a gown, canvas or paper, is her passion.
“Whether I am creating a commissioned realistic portrait or an abstract painting from my soul, I feel most at home and at peace with a paintbrush in my hand. I am blessed to be able to share my gift with others, especially on one of the biggest days of their lives, it is simply magical, every time,” she said.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK BOUGHAMER FOR YOUR WEDDING, VISIT EVENTPAINTINGBYERIN.COM.
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