Amanda is the most talented person I have ever met. We were gifted her painting by my parents as a surprise and I could not believe the finished product. She is the nicest human being and so fun to have at a wedding. Everyone kept going up to her all night to see the progress she had made and how beautiful her work is. We were so happy and impressed with the finished painting, I cannot stop looking at it!!
Introduction
My name is Amanda Hawthorne I'm a Live Event Artist currently based on Long Island. My art studio is located in Lindenhurst, NY, a sacred space where I teach workshops, collaborate, and paint my heart out! I'm most passionate about intuitively capturing magical moments as they unfold before my eyes. I have worked as a professional artist, creativity guide, and designer for fifteen years. My passion for art was born out of my desire to connect and serve through co-creative expression. I receives true satisfaction when sharing my gifts of unbounded creativity and guiding others to find their own artist within.
True Story, I've always wanted to be an artist, since I was three years old, my mom said I always favored crayons, paints, and markers over Barbie and My Little Pony. As fate would have it, my dream as a little girl came true, my career as a Live Event Artist found me! It all started when friend of a friend asked me to paint her wedding at the Bourne Mansion and I truly fell in love with the process. As I was painting her first dance in the grand ballroom, a wave of chills washed over me, and I thought to myself...."This is what my purpose is..." The next day Miriam Aronson (Director of sales at the Bourne Mansion aka my fairy godmother) asked me to be the resident artist at the Bourne Mansion! She said " We've had other artists paint here but your style and the way you capture our venue is truly incredible and unique, we would love you to be a part of our preferred vendor group" This is when I realized we are one choice away from our lives taking a completely different path. After stepping into the unknown and creating one painting, my entire life changed and my career as a full time artist was born!
Not long after, I met Heather, she hired me to paint her beautiful wedding at the beginning of my career as a live event painter. We became fast friends, her inspiring entrepreneurial journey was just beginning and so was mine, it was kismet. We've collaborated on BOLI projects/events and giving back to the community, I taught painting BOLI painting workshops and got to meet soooo many amazing women! I'm so grateful to of met Heather, and I'm truly honored to be affiliated with the Brides of Long Island Group. I have met and worked with such amazing brides and I'm humbled to witness and paint LOVE every weekend, I've now painted hundreds of weddings and it's truly a dream come true. My little three year old aspiring artist self is now living the dream she never thought would actually become her reality.
Education
B.F.A. in Studio Art and Art History from Manhattan’s Hunter College
You’ve Seen Her Work on
TV: NBC, HGTV, and TLC
WEB: Martha Stewart, Style Me Pretty, Kyle Cease, and Entertainment Weekly
Fun Fact
You can see me on multiple episodes of The Celebrity Apprentice!
She’s Worked on Collaborative Projects With
Rachael Ray, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kyle Cease
Charity and Nonprofit Work
North Fork Country Kids, Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, Babies with CDH, Breast Cancer Awareness, Amityville Public Schools, Friedberg JCC Oceanside Seniors with Alzheimers program, Good Grief Inc., Kings Park Art League, Hope for Youth, and many more.
Specialization
I creatively connect to color, movement, texture, and lots and lots of beautiful layers and detail. Throughout my 15 years of being a professional artist, my passion is to serve others by capturing their most heartfelt memories with my humble paintbrush in hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
If we’re taking our painting home the night of the wedding, will it still be wet? No! Acrylic paint is fast-drying and it will be dry for you to take home. A note: only the Couples Only Package clients have the option to take home their painting the night of the wedding; for our other packages, I finish the painting in the studio.
How long does it take to get my finished painting? Couple Only Package clients take their painting home the night of the event. Our other packages have larger canvases and require more detail work, so we finish it at our studio. It takes about 10-12 weeks for the painting to be finished. For NYC and Long Island clients, we’ll be in touch to arrange a date to personally deliver your painting; for clients who live further away, we ship your painting to you for an additional fee. Don’t worry - we get it packaged professionally so it won’t be damaged en route!
How long are you there? When do you get there, and when do you leave? I arrive about two hours before the ceremony or reception starts, depending on the moment you choose for to paint. You can choose ceremony, first dance, cake cutting, or any other moment on your wedding day for us to capture; most clients opt for ceremony or first dance. I generally leave after the cake cutting.
I purchased your Rose Gold or Platinum Package. How do you know which members of my family and bridal party to paint? Ahead of your wedding, I’ll ask for a list of family members/bridal party names AND photos of each person, so when I'm adding them to your painting, I know who to look for in the crowd.
Can my guests watch you paint? Yes - that’s the beauty of live event painting: we’re part of the entertainment for the night. I usually set up in a corner of the room, both so I can get a better angle for painting and so I'm a part of - but not in the middle of - the action. Guests often come by, watch for a few minutes, then get back to mingling, dancing, and celebrating. I love being a part of your wedding, yet not taking attention away from the main event: you!
Additional Info
My truest hope is to create paintings that evoke authentic feelings and emotion. Every original piece of artwork is designed with you and your loved ones in mind. Your uniquely designed painting will be viewed as a priceless family heirloom for everyone to cherish, for generations to come!
BOLI Love!
Amanda was an absolute dream to work with. From the very beginning she was prompt to answer our questions and concerns. She captured our ceremony beautifully and I cannot stop staring at our painting! Our guests were mesmerized watching her paint throughout the reception, and so many people reached out after the wedding to comment on her work and ask for her information for future events.
WOW!!! How does she do it? If you are considering getting a live paining, definitely do it and use Amanda Hawthorne!!! She is so beyond talented and it is an original piece of art that I will always have from my wedding day. I received it as a surprise gift for my shower from my mother-in-law and I’m so glad I did!! Thank you Amanda!
Amanda is the most incredible artist and one of the kindest people in the industry! She does the most amazing job. Having a live painter at your wedding is so unique and leaves you with a wonderful memory from the day that you can cherish forever. Amanda painted at both my wedding and my sisters wedding and we both couldn't be happier with her work! I highly recommend Amanda, without reservation.
