Live Watercolor Florals at Nordstrom: House of Creed Mother’s Day Activation
On May 10, I had the absolute pleasure of working with Sun Dreams Productions for a special Mother’s Day activation at Nordstrom, featuring House of Creed. Shoppers who purchased a fragrance were treated to a live watercolor experience where I hand-painted florals directly on their gift boxes—and let me tell you, it was such a fun, fast-paced, and feel-good day.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this post:
What the activation looked like (and what I painted!)
Why watercolor personalization makes gifting extra special
How live art drives traffic and brand awareness
Why more luxury retailers should consider experiences like this
About the Artist
Hi, I’m Danison—artist and owner of Bowtie & Brush. I specialize in live event art for luxury retailers, brands, and weddings, offering on-site watercolor, calligraphy, engraving, and custom personalization. As a queer Filipino-American creative and proud dad, I bring a warm, stylish, and intentional touch to every project. If you see me painting behind a table at your favorite store, come say hi!
A Look at the Mother’s Day Activation
For this House of Creed activation at Nordstrom, the goal was to elevate the Mother’s Day gifting experience with something meaningful and personal. I watercolored floral motifs live on-site directly onto the luxury gift boxes. The most requested design? Watercolor roses. Soft, romantic, and totally timeless.
Each box was then finished with calligraphy—usually a first name, short message, or simple monogram. I even did a few early Father’s Day designs, including one box with abstract brush lettering that spelled out "House of Creed" repeatedly in layered watercolor.
Guests were amazed. Some couldn’t believe the boxes weren’t pre-printed. (Nope—all hand-painted in real time!) Others just stopped by to watch and compliment the work. It was a crowd-pleaser for sure, even for those who didn’t end up purchasing a fragrance.
Why Watercolor Elevates the Gifting Experience
Personalized live art transforms any gift into something unforgettable. Especially for holidays like Mother’s Day, it:
Adds a thoughtful touch that turns a store-bought item into a one-of-a-kind keepsake
Makes the gifting feel elevated with handmade, artistic details
Gives the gift giver a story to tell, which makes the moment more meaningful for everyone involved
Plus, guests were snapping pics and sharing their painted boxes on Instagram stories. It’s social media gold, and a subtle boost to brand reach.
Brand Awareness, Foot Traffic, and Why It Works
Not only was this activation beautiful to look at—it was strategic. Some shoppers came over just to ask what "House of Creed" even was. That’s brand awareness right there.
Live personalization creates:
Curiosity and conversation
Extra foot traffic as guests stop to engage with the artist
Another sales touchpoint that adds emotional value to the purchase
More retailers should be thinking this way. It’s not just about selling a product—it’s about creating an experience. Especially around holidays like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and the December gifting season, a personalized live art station adds a human connection in an increasingly digital world.
Learn how to Elevate Your Retail Experience with a Live Calligrapher Engraver!
FAQ: Live Watercolor, Calligraphy, More
1. What kind of items can you paint on?
Gift boxes, packaging, tote bags, paper, envelopes, and more. Each surface gets a unique approach.
2. Do you do calligraphy too?
Absolutely. I can combine watercolor art with brush lettering or metallic ink calligraphy for names, messages, and monograms.
3. Can you do live watercolor guest portraits fast enough for a retail setting?
Yes! I keep my designs simple, elegant, and fast. I average 6–8 guests per hour depending on the complexity.
4. Can you match the brand’s aesthetic?
Definitely. I work closely with marketing teams to align color palettes, floral styles, and packaging needs.
5. Is this only good for holidays?
Not at all! While it's perfect for gifting seasons, it also works beautifully for product launches, store anniversaries, and VIP events.
Let’s Give Your Brand That Final Bowtie Touch!
This Nordstrom x House of Creed activation was a total dream—a mix of elegance, creativity, and meaningful moments for every shopper. Huge thanks to Sun Dreams Productions for bringing me in!
If you’re a luxury retailer or brand looking to elevate your next event, let’s chat. I’d love to bring live art to your space and turn ordinary purchases into unforgettable experiences.
