Meet Live Wedding Painter - Kim Karnes

“It is a documentation of time, an old form of art placed in a new environment.” Kim shares, “Your life is a story, and this is an opportunity to tell it in a different medium.”

Jun 13, 2023

Kim and I met at a wedding showcase in January of this year. We had the most wonderful conversation as she shared with me how she became a live wedding painter. She explained that she is embarking on a new journey with her wedding work as she is already a very successful artist. As I worked my way through the show, I remember noticing that Kim's smile shined bright from across the room; I was intrigued, and as I made my way back, I asked, “Why the smile, Kim?” She glanced at a group of women walking away and said that one of the bridesmaids had just purchased a wedding day painting as a gift for the bride. I smiled and hugged her. Kim’s passion for her work is so inspiring.

Kim, I am grateful you trusted me to photograph you and your studio. It is a privilege to write and share your story.

Kim began painting in 2016 at a local San Francisco painting studio. As Kim reminisced about her experience at the studio, she smiled as she said, “It was fun; you just got thrown in there without much instruction.” Once she found her desire as a painter was deep, she began taking more in-depth painting classes at the local community college; Kim claims her experience there was so moving and truly impacted her work as an artist. She moved from California to be near her beloved family and began to share her work with the Austin community.

Kim pondered, "I have always loved art. I have done many things." Her background varies from poetry, ceramics, drawing, and painting.

As she made her way to Texas from California, she knew her work would begin to take on a new life, and she was ready for the new season that Austin had to offer. She stayed open to change and started looking for new ways to express herself through her work. As she continued to meet local artists, she came across the idea of live wedding painting. She was encouraged by the art community around her that this could be the new direction she had been waiting for. “I started putting my efforts into it!” Kim said, smiling. She explains that the wedding industry is a very friendly community, there are so many young business owners, and it is a young community with savvy businesswomen who have all started independent businesses. She is thankful for the community that has come alongside her and encouraged her to begin her journey as a wedding painter.

Kim began painting weddings in 2022. I asked Kim about the outcome of her first paid advertising endeavors. She smiled and shared that she didn't quite get the response or results she hoped for right out of the gate. As she grew with the community, she realized the pivot she needed; Kim explained, “I started going to all the open houses, and people were very friendly.” Attending the open houses helped educate her about local wedding venues. She met several vendors and other business owners who came alongside her and encouraged her by saying it was just the beginning of the journey. Kim gushed, “It’s fun; it gives you a bit of a buzz when you are there and you are with people who have great energy,”

When I asked Kim why people should have a wedding painter at their wedding, she said,

“It is a wonderful way to have an original art piece for your new home. It's not a detailed portrait of you; it just reminds you of who you were then. You have not aged in this painting. It is just you, in this gown, in this moment, in this time.”

Kim shared that she also enjoys painting small memories as gifts for her clients. She loves that commission work allows her to paint something new. She shared that she was fortunate to be asked to paint a series of water lilies last year. She smiled as she said that the beginning of the journey with commission work was difficult initially, but as she began to find her rhythm in the work, it became much smoother. “They turned out beautifully; the water lilies were the first real series I had done.” Kim loves the challenge of a new project and enjoys getting to help her clients find their match when it comes to their vision for an art piece. Kim shared one of her favorite memories from last year, saying that a bride whose wedding she will be painting in 2024 bought an original piece from her website several weeks after she had booked Kim for her wedding.

“My work really spoke to her, and I was like, wow, and it's funny because it is so hard to see them go. The paintings become a part of the family, but selling an original is always a wonderful experience.”

Kim says to the up-and-coming artists,

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. I remember being almost in tears at times, trying to make something work and being just so frustrated. I couldn't understand why it would not do what I wanted it to do." She laughs and says, “I tell you to look at it a couple of days later, and it's not so bad. Give yourself a break.” She encourages artists to take a step back and look at the whole picture, explaining that it is easy to get caught in one spot, but there is a whole painting to look at and work from.

“Take a step back and give it some perspective.”

At the end of our conversation, Kim took some time to thank the wedding planners in Austin and the surrounding areas for being the heartbeat of connecting vendors in the community.

To all the couples and family members who have received her paintings, Kim views each piece as a timeless gift, and she is grateful to everyone who joined the artist community by having local painters document their ceremony and wedding day celebrations.

“It is a documentation of time, an old form of art placed in a new environment.” Kim shares, “Your life is a story, and this is an opportunity to tell it in a different medium.”