Intro to Speed Painting & Me (:

I get asked all the time what speed painting is, how I got started, or how I can even paint live in the first place.

Picture this: You've got a blank canvas, a handful of colors, and just a couple of minutes to make something awesome. Talk about an adrenaline rush! For me, speed painting is like being an artist-athlete-entertainer all rolled into one. Every time I step up to that easel, it's game on - kind of like being in the final seconds of a tied game, but with paintbrushes.

Now, I didn't just wake up one day and decide to be a speed painter. This journey's been a mix of art school know-how, theater kid energy, and a whole lot of "let's see what happens!" I mean, the first time I tried this, I was in high school, painting upside down (yeah, you read that right) with a jazz band backing me up - and NO practice. Talk about diving in headfirst!

But here's the cool part - speed painting isn't really a solo gig. It's me, the audience, and this crazy energy we create together. It feels like a lifetime since I was crowned Miss Kansas in 2019 and placed in the Top 15 at Miss America, but that experience taught me so much about connecting with people and performing under pressure. Now, I bring all of that to my paintings. Every stroke tells a story, and we're all part of it.

You know those moments when everything just clicks? When the whole room goes "Whoa!" at the same time? That's the magic of speed painting. The final picture is important, but it's also about the journey we take to get there. Sometimes it's messy, sometimes it's surprising, but it's always an adventure.

So yeah, speed painting has become my "thing" - and I love it so much. It's where art meets showbiz, where precision dances with spontaneity, and where I get to share a little bit of magic with everyone watching. Whether I'm painting at a charity gala, a halftime show, or on national TV, my goal is always the same: to create a moment that sticks with you long after the paint's dry.

Ready to add some speed-painted sparkle to your event? Let's make some magic happen!