Live Bag Painting for Activations and Events

Looking for even more creative ways to bring excitement to your events? Live bag painting is quickly becoming a favorite! I’ll share some details below on what Live bag painting is and how you can book a session for your next event!

What is live event bag painting?: A fun and creative way to customize your guests’ experience and give them a gift they can carry with them (in addition to the memories)!

How does it work?: I’ll create custom illustrated tote bags for your guests live. To get started I’ll chat with each guest about their preferences, favorite colors, and any ideas they have while suggesting some of my own ideas. Then I’ll create their very own bag design based on their likes. The fabric markers I use dry instantly so there’s no wait time.

What are some popular designs?: The NYC skyline, taxis, flowers, and fashion illustrations (of the guest) are some of my most requested designs.

What kind of totes do you use?: I can draw on most light colored types of canvas/fabric bags and can supply plain totes or work with your existing branded totes. *Tote size varies by availability at the time of booking.

Are the illustrated bags waterproof?: I use pre-tested waterproof fabric markers so the bags can safely get wet without the colors running.

How long does it take? That will depend on the tote size selected for your event and the types of designs requested. We’ll work out the details together at the time of booking.

To get more information about booking for your own event fill out the form below!

To see more photos of totes I’ve illustrated live at past events scroll to the bottom of this page!

Two shoppers with their matching totes by Deanna Kei commemorating their twins trip to NYC for the holidays!

Customized shoppers tote for Bergdorf Goodman event

Customized shoppers tote for Bergdorf Goodman event

Here are some photos of totes I illustrated live for Bergdorf Goodman in their NYC store at a past event.

Deanna Kei creating live tote illustrations at Bergdorf Goodman NYC

A shopper holding her custom tote by Deanna Kei inside Bergdorf Goodman

Two shoppers with their custom totes by Deanna Kei at Bergdorf Goodman

Should you have live art at your next event?

Want to give your guests a fun little gift that compliments their personal style and makes them feel like a runway model? Having live art is a creative way to keep your guests entertained during your event, and the best part is that they can take theirs with them as a favor when the night ends!

Each sketch takes between 6-8 minutes per person and guests have fun chatting while watching each other’s drawings come to life. My sketches are done in inks and markers in full color. They can be branded with the event name and date, and are the perfect take home pieces!

Guests put so much thought into their outfits for events, so the offer to draw them in their look is usually met with excitement. I often hear things like “This is so cool! I’m going to frame this when I get home!”

Live sketching works well for private events like bridal showers and weddings, and retail events like collection launches alike! This season I’ve worked with a ton of different brands, clients, couples, and event planners. Check out some photos below!

Want to get a price quote for your event? Submit your event request here!

Here are photos from some of the beautiful weddings, store events, birthday parties, and bridal showers I’ve sketched at during the first half of 2022!

Joy & Alex’s Wedding - The Ryland Inn - Whitehouse Station, NJ

Laura Ann and John’s Wedding - June - Westport, Conneticut

Samantha’s Bridal Shower - June - Farmingdale, NY

Lance and Berniece’s Wedding - June - Art Factory - Patterson, NJ

Cassie and Dave’s Wedding - July - Sheraton - Eatontown, NJ

Sydney & Randy’s Wedding - The Foundry - Long Island City, Queens

Jessie’s Bridal Shower - June - Trattoria Diane - Long Island, NY

Alice + Olivia - Mother’s Day Event - Madison Ave, NYC

Group M,The Upfronts - May Event - Nobu - NYC

Mavi Jeans - June Event - Gallow Green - NYC

*Digital Ipad sketches were requested for this event

4th and 41st Birthday Party - May - Time Out Rooftop - Brooklyn, NY

Jenna’s Bridal Shower - May - Quaker Ridge Golf Club - Scarsdale, NY

Shenika and Matthew’s Wedding - July - 501 Union - Brooklyn, NY

Alice + Olivia - July Event - Madison Ave, NYC

Deanna Kei is a New York based live event illustrator who turns guests into fun fashion illustrations at special events. She’s available to book for both live and virtual events. *To commission illustrations for your brand contact deannakei@gmail.com

Live Wedding Illustration : A unique and interactive guest experience!

Searching for a unique interactive experience for your wedding or special event? A live illustrator will give your guests the VIP treatment, while transforming them into fashion illustrations on the spot. Think photo-booth, but more personalized!

Having live art at an event is such a special way to thank your guests for coming, while celebrating their personal style. Everyone has a lot of fun posing for their sketches and watching them come to life.

As a live illustrator, my role is to sketch people in the beautiful outfits they put together for the event, and to help them create a lasting memory.My sketches are done in inks and markers. Each sketch’s paper is branded with the event name and date, and is the perfect take home piece.

Live event illustration is becoming increasingly popular and is an creative way to give back to your guests, and provide some extra fun and entertainment for them during your reception.

Submit your event request here!

Here are photos from some of the beautiful weddings, bridal showers, and engagement parties I’ve sketched at in 2021!

 

Tamsen Fadal and Ira Bernstein wedding illustration by Deanna Kei

Tamsen and Ira’s Wedding, 620 Loft & Garden, New York, NY

photo credit: Meg Smith Photography

photo credit: Meg Smith Photography

photo credit: Meg Smith Photography

 

Paige and Kyle’s Wedding, The Ryland Inn, Whitehouse Station, NJ

 

Cindy and Brendan’s Wedding, TPC Jasna Polana, Princeton, NJ

 

Vanessa’s Bridal Shower, Garden, Long Island, Ny

 

Brittany’s Bridal Shower, Molos Restaurant, Weehawken, NJ

 

Jaclyn and Brian’s Engagement Party, Wythe Hotel, Brooklyn, NY

 

Juliet and Ankur’s Wedding, The Imperia, Somerset, NJ

 

Lauren’s Bridal Shower, Cock and Bull Restaurant, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA

 

Now booking 2022 & 2023 events!

Deanna Kei is a New York based live event illustrator who turns guests into fun fashion illustrations and wedding favors. She’s available to book for live events in NY, NJ, and PA, and is also available for travel upon request. *To book live art for your event contact deannakei@gmail.com , or submit an event request here.