Should you have live art at your next event?

August 2, 2022

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 art at Boss Soho: Celebrating the Boss X Russell Athletic drop

October 12, 2021

The Boss Soho store celebrated the drop of it’s new Boss X Russell Athletic collaboration with live art on Friday, October 8th. Soho shoppers were invited to pose for a sketch and were drawn onto Boss x Russell Athletic branded papers, framed to look like baseball cards. Illustrator Deanna Kei was on site sketching Boss shoppers from 12-4pm.

An impressive Boss x Russell Athletic mannequin display styled in the new looks faced the main door, greeting customers as they entered the Soho location. Visitors were immediately drawn to the new line and took their time excitedly browsing the racks.

Below are some photos from the event!

The Boss Soho Store, Photo from the outside

Boss x Russell Athletic display at the front of the store

Boss visitors hold sketches of themselves

A family shopping in the store posed for their sketch

Deanna Kei is a New York based live event illustrator who turns guests into fun fashion illustrations, and works with brands to create unique and engaging content featuring their products. She’s available to book for both live and virtual events. *To commission illustrations for your brand contact deannakei@gmail.com

8 Reasons you should book a live Illustrator for your next event!

April 16, 2021

Event illustrators are becoming more and more popular in the US and it’s no surprise! They add an element of excitement to any event: public, corporate, or even private!

A live event illustrator is an artist who creates stylized sketches of guests at an event. Each sketch is drawn in just a few minutes, and comes together right before the guest’s eyes. Attendees have fun watching as the artist brings them and their friends to life on paper.

Live artists are perfect for Brand activations, Experiential marketing events, Product launches, Grand openings, Corporate parties, Employee appreciation events, Weddings, Sweet 16’s, Bridal showers and more. *Live Illustrators can elevate virtual events too!

Here are 8 ways booking a live illustrator will take your event to the next level!

1. Your audience will be entertained.

Guest Illustration by Deanna Kei, Tommy x Zendaya Event

This is especially perfect for events where there will be down time. Guests will enjoy being drawn with their friends and will have fun watching themselves be turned into art. There’s always a crowd of spectators around the illustrator’s table.

2. Its an ice breaker.

Guests will have fun showing each other their sketches and striking up conversations!

3. It will give your guests the VIP treatment.

Your guests will feel like a star as they pose for their sketch and are turned into a unique work of art. They can even be drawn onto the red carpet or a custom background you’ve chosen specifically for your event.

4. Your guests will feel connected to your brand or event.

Sketches can be branded with your logo and date. You can even opt to have the illustrations showcase your new product. *For fashion collection launches, consider having guests drawn wearing an item from your new line that they choose! ~ Or at grand openings opt to have your guests drawn with their purchases.

5. Guests will receive their sketch as a take home gift.

Guest Illustration by Deanna Kei, Marriott Bonvoy Event

The illustrations double as entertainment and a party favor that they can frame to remember the event. While other marketing materials from your event may be tossed, this is one your guests will cherish.

6. It will set your event apart.

Having live art will really enhance your guest’s experience. Live artists are a unique and interactive addition to any event.

7. A live virtual artist is the perfect compliment to a virtual event.

Guest Illustration by Deanna Kei, Pearl Fisher Virtual Event

Your guests can enjoy chatting with each other while watching as the artist silently sketches them in a side window.

8. You’ll surprise your guests.

Hiring a hidden illustrator for your virtual event gives your attendees an fun surprise when the artist reveals portraits of them at the end of the chat!

Deanna Kei is a New York based live event illustrator who turns guests into fun fashion illustrations, highlighting each of their personal styles. She’s available to book for both live and virtual events and is available for travel.

Deanna has illustrated for Fashion Week Events, Product launches, PR Events, Conventions, Corporate Parties, and Private parties.

View her list of clients here.

View her Live event illustration portfolio here.

Contact deannakei@gmail.com for inquiries, booking, and travel requests.