Behind the Canvas:
Inside Annika Wooton's Speed Painting World

September was a month of contrasts -painting in chilly Michigan under sherbet skies and explosive fireworks, then jetting to sunny Orlando for Miss America finals. Back home in Kansas, I dove into the whirlwind of prepping for Ballet Wichita’s Dracula after a sudden venue change, while gearing up for a packed October of conferences, travel, and performances. Cozy fall vibes, a little magic, and a lot of momentum carried me through.

August was one of those months that felt like a blur. I’d been gearing up for this month for a while, prepping mentally for basically a marathon, and it flew by so much faster than I expected. It was stacked with travel, shows, and some really fun firsts; the kind that make you pause, look around, and realize, wow, Little Annika could only dream of this.

I’ve been speed painting since I was 18, but until recently it was my side hustle squeezed in between Zoom calls and late nights. Now it’s the thing I do—the only thing. Quitting my full-time job wasn’t reckless; it was the leap I knew I had to take. With freelance clients, a part-time role, and a safety net I built, I finally went all in on my dream. And for the first time, I feel exactly where I’m meant to be.

I landed back in the US from Greece with sand still in my shoes and a painting due in five days. No time to ease back in—this is the part of speed painting that feels like an elite sport. I prepped on my honeymoon, ran rehearsals through jet lag, and locked in the design before hitting the stage. People ask how I pull it off with so little time, but the truth is: I’ve already put in the time. This is the thrill of it all. This is what I train for.