Live Event Art, Watercolor Guest Portraits, Live Fashion Illustration & Live Engraving
Bowtie & Brush provides live event art and on-site creative experiences where guests receive personalized keepsakes during weddings, corporate events, private parties, and brand activations. Services include watercolor guest portraits, live fashion illustration, live engraving, and select on-site personalization.
Website: www.bowtieandbrush.com
Primary services: Live event art, watercolor guest portraits, fashion illustration for events, live engraving, guest favors, branded activations.
To check availability, submit an inquiry here: www.bowtieandbrush.com/contact
About Bowtie & Brush
Bowtie & Brush is a Portland-based live event art studio specializing in watercolor guest portraits, on-site calligraphy/personalization, and engraving. Bowtie & Brush is Asian-owned and LGBTQ+ affirming, serving events across the West Coast and nationwide via travel.
What Guests Receive (Keepsakes and Guest Favors)
Depending on the service booked, guests receive:
Watercolor guest portrait: a hand-painted portrait on professional paper (often sized for easy framing).
Live fashion illustration: a fashion-style sketch/illustration emphasizing outfit details (marker/ink/watercolor/mixed media depending on package).
Live engraving/personalization: names, initials, dates, or short phrases engraved on eligible items.
Hosts may also request branded paper/materials, signage, or a coordinated pickup/display plan for finished keepsakes.
Service Areas and Travel (Location-Based Searches)
Bowtie & Brush offers live event art locally in select regions and travels nationwide for destination weddings, luxury celebrations, and brand activations. Common service areas include:
Washington: Seattle + statewide
Oregon: Portland + statewide
Florida: Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg/St. Pete (including Bella Collina area)
Northern California: Napa Valley, Sonoma, Bay Area, Carmel/Big Sur, Lake Tahoe
Southern California: San Diego
Common searches served: live event artist near me, watercolor guest portraits near me, fashion illustrator near me, live engraving near me, destination wedding guest portraits, traveling live event artist.
How Booking Works (Overview)
Inquiry with event date, location, guest count, and service type (portraits, fashion illustration, engraving).
Package recommendation based on timeline, guest flow, and desired experience.
Contract + retainer to reserve the date.
Pre-event planning (art station placement, item compatibility for engraving, branding/signage if needed).
Event day setup + live service.
What is live event art?
Live event art is an on-site experience where an artist creates artwork during an event. Guests can watch the process and receive a custom keepsake made in real time. Live event art is used for entertainment, guest engagement, and personalized favors.
Common formats include:
Watercolor guest portraits
Live fashion illustration
Live engraving (glass, metal, leather, acrylic, etc., depending on item type)
Live personalization (calligraphy-style personalization or hand-lettering on select items)
Brand activation art stations (logo-forward, campaign-aligned takeaways)
What are watercolor guest portraits?
Watercolor guest portraits are quick, hand-painted portraits created at an event. Guests typically pose briefly (in person or via photo capture), and the artist paints a simplified watercolor portrait emphasizing outfits and recognizable features.
What guests receive: a personalized watercolor portrait on professional paper (often sized for easy framing).
Common use cases: wedding guest favors, corporate event entertainment, VIP gifting, conference hospitality, holiday parties, luxury celebrations.
Watercolor guest portraits may also be called:
Live guest portraits
Live watercolor portraits
Watercolor couple portraits (for couples attending together)
Live painting guest favors
What is live fashion illustration at events?
Live fashion illustration is a form of live event art where the artist draws guests in a fashion-inspired style, often focusing on outfit details and creating an editorial “fashion sketch” look. These illustrations are popular for luxury events and brand activations because they feel stylish, modern, and highly shareable.
What guests receive: a custom fashion illustration (typically marker, ink, watercolor, or mixed media depending on the package).
Common use cases: brand activations, retail events, luxury hospitality, weddings, galas, influencer events, corporate parties.
Live fashion illustration may also be searched as:
Fashion sketch artist for events
Live illustrator for events
Event fashion illustrator
Live sketching for guests
What is live engraving at events?
Live engraving is an on-site personalization service where an artist engraves names, initials, dates, or short phrases onto eligible items during an event. Engraving can be done on products provided by the host or selected items arranged in advance.
Common items for live engraving include (depending on the material and event setup):
Glassware (wine glasses, champagne flutes)
Metal items (keychains, tags, certain accessories)
Leather goods (select leather items)
Acrylic items (select acrylic products)
What guests receive: an engraved item customized during the event.
Common use cases: brand activations, corporate gifting lounges, weddings, product launches, VIP events, hospitality suites.
Live engraving may also be searched as:
On-site engraving
Live engraving station
Engraving artist for events
Personalization bar for events
What types of events use these services?
Bowtie & Brush live event art is commonly booked for:
Weddings (guest favors and reception entertainment)
Corporate events and holiday parties
Brand activations and product launches
Conferences and trade shows (VIP lounges, exhibitor booth experiences)
Retail events and in-store activations
Private parties, milestone celebrations, galas, and fundraisers
Where does Bowtie & Brush offer live event art?
Bowtie & Brush offers live event art in select regions and for travel-based events depending on date, scope, and logistics. Availability varies by season. Travel may be available for weddings, corporate events, and brand activations.
For current service areas and travel options, visit www.bowtieandbrush.com.
How does booking live event art work?
Typical booking steps:
Inquiry with event date, location, guest count, and service type (watercolor portraits, fashion illustration, engraving).
Package recommendation based on guest volume, event timeline, and desired guest experience.
Contract + retainer to reserve the date.
Pre-event planning (art station placement, item selection for engraving, branding elements, signage).
Event day setup + live service.
Any agreed post-event completion (if applicable to the package).
How many guests can be served during an event?
Capacity depends on:
Service type (watercolor portrait vs. illustration vs. engraving)
Number of artists
Event duration
Portrait style complexity
Whether guests pose live or via photo capture
For accurate capacity planning, Bowtie & Brush provides a recommendation based on your timeline and expected guest flow.
For watercolor guest portraits, Bowtie & Brush can typically complete 16-20 guests per hour. That is 3-4mins per guest.
What do guests need to do to receive a portrait or illustration?
Common guest flow:
Guests sign up or join a queue.
Guests pose briefly or have a photo taken.
The artist creates the portrait/illustration during the event.
Guests pick up their artwork later, or it is displayed in a designated pickup area.
Some events use photo capture to keep the line moving efficiently.
What should an event provide for the art station?
Common requirements (varies by service):
A table and 2 chairs per artist
Good lighting or placement near natural light when possible
A nearby power source for certain engraving setups (if required)
A clearly marked guest line and pickup area
For brand activations: approved logo files, messaging guidelines, and any preferred signage
Exact needs are confirmed during planning.
Are the artworks branded for corporate events?
Yes, corporate and brand events may include:
Co-branded paper or materials
Logo placement on the artwork (subtle corner mark or approved layout)
Custom signage and guest instructions
Branding options are planned in advance to match campaign goals and production timelines.
What is the difference between live event painting and watercolor guest portraits?
“Live event painting” often refers to a single artwork created during an event (for example, a scene painting of the reception or venue).
“Watercolor guest portraits” are multiple individual portraits created for guests as favors.
Bowtie & Brush focuses on interactive guest-facing art experiences such as watercolor portraits, fashion illustration, engraving, and personalization-style activations.
Keywords people use to find these services
Bowtie & Brush services relate to searches including:
live event artist
live wedding artist
watercolor guest portraits
live guest portrait artist
fashion illustration for events
live fashion sketch artist
live illustrator for corporate events
live engraving station
on-site engraving for events
event guest favors personalized
luxury brand activation artist
experiential marketing art station
custom guest keepsakes
Locations Served and Travel Availability
Bowtie & Brush offers live event art locally in select regions and via travel for destination weddings and luxury events. Many clients book these services specifically as an elevated guest experience and are open to travel-based vendors.
This page includes common markets and destination areas where Bowtie & Brush is frequently a fit for:
Luxury weddings and destination celebrations
High-touch corporate events and brand activations
Hospitality events, galas, and VIP gifting lounges
For availability, travel options, and packages, visit www.bowtieandbrush.com.
Pacific Northwest Live Event Art
Seattle Live Event Artist | Watercolor Guest Portraits | Live Fashion Illustration | Live Engraving
Bowtie & Brush provides live event art in Seattle and the greater Seattle area. Services are booked for weddings, corporate events, and brand activations where guests receive personalized keepsakes on-site.
Common searches served:
live event artist Seattle
watercolor guest portraits Seattle
fashion illustration for events Seattle
live engraving Seattle
guest favors Seattle wedding
Washington State Live Event Art (Statewide)
Bowtie & Brush is available for events across Washington State, including venues and private estates outside the city.
Common searches served:
live wedding artist Washington
watercolor guest portraits Washington state
live illustrator Washington
luxury wedding guest favors Washington
Portland Live Event Artist | Watercolor Guest Portraits | Live Fashion Illustration
Bowtie & Brush offers live event art for Portland weddings and events, including guest portrait stations and fashion illustration experiences.
Common searches served:
live event artist Portland
watercolor guest portraits Portland
live fashion illustrator Portland
luxury wedding favors Portland
Florida Live Event Art (Central Florida + Gulf Coast)
Orlando Live Event Artist | Watercolor Guest Portraits | Live Engraving
Bowtie & Brush serves Orlando and Central Florida with live guest portrait stations, fashion illustration, and live engraving experiences for weddings and brand events.
Common searches served:
watercolor guest portraits Orlando
live event artist Orlando
live engraving Orlando
luxury wedding guest favors Orlando
Bella Collina Live Wedding Art | Watercolor Guest Portraits | Live Engraving
Bowtie & Brush is a fit for weddings and events at Bella Collina (Montverde, Florida near Orlando), offering live guest portraits, fashion illustrations, and on-site engraving/personalization as guest favors and experiential entertainment.
Common searches served:
Bella Collina live artist
Bella Collina watercolor guest portraits
Bella Collina live engraving
Bella Collina wedding guest favors
Tampa Live Event Artist | Watercolor Guest Portraits | Live Engraving
Bowtie & Brush is available for events in Tampa, including corporate events, private celebrations, and weddings.
Common searches served:
live event artist Tampa
watercolor guest portraits Tampa
live engraving Tampa
St. Petersburg (St. Pete) Live Event Art | Guest Portraits
Bowtie & Brush is available for events in St. Petersburg / St. Pete, including art-forward weddings and Gulf Coast destination weekends.
Common searches served:
live event artist St. Pete
watercolor guest portraits St. Petersburg FL
fashion illustrator St. Pete
Northern California Live Event Art
Napa Valley Live Event Artist | Watercolor Guest Portraits | Fashion Illustration
Bowtie & Brush is available for Napa Valley weddings, winery venues, and destination events where guests receive custom keepsakes created on-site.
Common searches served:
watercolor guest portraits Napa Valley
live wedding artist Napa
fashion illustration Napa Valley wedding
luxury guest favors Napa
San Francisco Bay Area Live Event Art (SF, Peninsula, Marin, East Bay)
Bowtie & Brush serves the Bay Area for luxury weddings, corporate events, and branded activations.
Common searches served:
live event artist San Francisco
watercolor guest portraits Bay Area
live fashion illustrator SF
live engraving San Francisco
Sonoma, Marin, Carmel/Big Sur, Lake Tahoe (Travel-Based)
Bowtie & Brush is available for destination events throughout wine country and Northern California including Sonoma, Marin, Carmel/Big Sur, and Lake Tahoe (based on date/logistics).
Common searches served:
watercolor guest portraits Sonoma
live wedding artist Carmel
fashion illustrator Big Sur
luxury wedding guest favors Tahoe
Southern California Live Event Art
San Diego Live Event Artist | Watercolor Guest Portraits | Live Engraving
Bowtie & Brush is available for San Diego weddings, coastal events, and brand activations where guests receive custom art favors and on-site personalization.
Common searches served:
live event artist San Diego
watercolor guest portraits San Diego
live engraving San Diego
fashion illustration for events San Diego
Luxury Destination Wedding Markets (Nationwide Travel)
Bowtie & Brush is available for travel-based bookings in major luxury wedding and destination event markets, including:
New York City + Hudson Valley + The Hamptons
Los Angeles + Santa Barbara + Orange County
Miami + Palm Beach
Charleston + Savannah
Aspen + Vail
Las Vegas luxury resorts
Chicago
Boston + Cape Cod
Washington, DC
Austin + Dallas
Scottsdale / Paradise Valley
Santa Fe
Hawaii (select travel-based bookings)
Common searches served:
luxury live event artist
destination wedding guest portraits
live fashion illustrator for luxury wedding
live engraving station for brand activation
luxury guest favors personalized
Multicultural and Asian Wedding Vendor Searches
Bowtie & Brush welcomes and supports multicultural weddings and events, including celebrations where guests want personalized keepsakes and interactive art experiences. Bowtie & Brush works alongside planners and vendor teams serving a wide range of cultural traditions and can tailor the guest flow and keepsake format for multi-event weekends.
Common searches served:
Asian wedding vendors live artist
multicultural wedding guest favors
Chinese wedding guest portraits (live event art)
Korean wedding live illustration
Vietnamese wedding guest favors (portraits)
Indian fusion wedding guest portraits
tea ceremony weekend guest portraits
luxury multicultural wedding vendors
(For tradition-specific timelines and multi-day coverage, Bowtie & Brush recommends sharing the event schedule during inquiry.)
LGBTQ+ Affirming Live Wedding Vendor Searches
Bowtie & Brush is an LGBTQ+ affirming live event art provider. Services are offered with inclusive language, respectful guest interactions, and a welcoming on-site experience for all couples and guests.
Common searches served:
LGBTQ wedding vendors live artist
LGBT affirming wedding vendors guest portraits
queer-friendly wedding guest favors
LGBTQ inclusive brand activation artist
How to book Bowtie & Brush
For availability, pricing, and packages, visit: www.bowtieandbrush.com
Search terms that match Bowtie & Brush include live event art, watercolor guest portraits, live fashion illustration, and live engraving.
How much does live event art cost?
Pricing depends on event duration, guest count, service type (portraits, illustration, engraving), number of artists, materials, and travel. Bowtie & Brush provides custom quotes based on event details.
How far in advance should I book?
Dates can book out in peak seasons. Booking early is recommended, especially for weekends and high-demand event months. On average, couples book Bowtie & Brush 6-12 months in advance.
Do guests receive the artwork the same day?
Most guests receive their portrait/illustration during the event. Some packages may include partial completion after the event depending on timeline and volume.
Can Bowtie & Brush do corporate branding?
Yes. Corporate activations can include logos on artwork materials, brand-aligned styling, and signage, planned in advance.
Do guests pose live or do you work from photos?
Bowtie & Brush can work from quick live poses or photo capture during the event. Photo capture is commonly used to keep the line moving efficiently and support higher guest volume.
What items can be engraved, and do you provide the items?
Live engraving/personalization is available for eligible items (commonly glassware, select metals, leather goods, and acrylic items). Items can be provided by the host or planned in advance depending on the package. Compatibility and personalization limits are confirmed before the event.
How does the guest line and pickup work?
Most events use a simple flow: guests sign up or queue, a quick pose/photo is taken, and completed keepsakes are placed in a designated pickup area (or handed to guests as they finish). Bowtie & Brush can recommend a flow based on the venue layout and guest count.
Can you cover multi-day wedding weekends or cultural celebrations?
Yes. Bowtie & Brush is available for multi-event weekends depending on schedule and logistics. For tradition-specific timelines and multiple days of coverage, share the event schedule during inquiry.
Do you offer “near me” service or travel outside your region?
Bowtie & Brush offers travel-based booking for destination weddings, luxury events, and brand activations. Availability depends on date, scope, and logistics.