Live Bag Painting for Activations and Events

Looking for even more creative ways to bring excitement to your events? Live bag painting is quickly becoming a favorite! I’ll share some details below on what Live bag painting is and how you can book a session for your next event!

What is live event bag painting?: A fun and creative way to customize your guests’ experience and give them a gift they can carry with them (in addition to the memories)!

How does it work?: I’ll create custom illustrated tote bags for your guests live. To get started I’ll chat with each guest about their preferences, favorite colors, and any ideas they have while suggesting some of my own ideas. Then I’ll create their very own bag design based on their likes. The fabric markers I use dry instantly so there’s no wait time.

What are some popular designs?: The NYC skyline, taxis, flowers, and fashion illustrations (of the guest) are some of my most requested designs.

What kind of totes do you use?: I can draw on most light colored types of canvas/fabric bags and can supply plain totes or work with your existing branded totes. *Tote size varies by availability at the time of booking.

Are the illustrated bags waterproof?: I use pre-tested waterproof fabric markers so the bags can safely get wet without the colors running.

How long does it take? That will depend on the tote size selected for your event and the types of designs requested. We’ll work out the details together at the time of booking.

To get more information about booking for your own event fill out the form below!

To see more photos of totes I’ve illustrated live at past events scroll to the bottom of this page!

Two shoppers with their matching totes by Deanna Kei commemorating their twins trip to NYC for the holidays!

Customized shoppers tote for Bergdorf Goodman event

Customized shoppers tote for Bergdorf Goodman event

Here are some photos of totes I illustrated live for Bergdorf Goodman in their NYC store at a past event.

Deanna Kei creating live tote illustrations at Bergdorf Goodman NYC

A shopper holding her custom tote by Deanna Kei inside Bergdorf Goodman

Two shoppers with their custom totes by Deanna Kei at Bergdorf Goodman

GUCCI Beauty takes the floor during the Nordstrom NY Anniversary sale

Gucci turned heads as they celebrated the launch of their brand new beauty counter in Nordstrom’s New York flagship store. The 3 day beauty activation took place on August 4th, 5th and 6th during the famed Nordstrom Anniversary sale.

All through the event every Gucci client who made a purchase had themself turned into a fun fashion illustration by Fashion Illustrator, Deanna Kei. With the gorgeous new beauty counter located in the center of the selling floor adjacent to the elevators, Gucci was perfectly positioned to draw a crowd. Many passing shoppers stopped to watch the illustrator and learn about the event. The artist was happy to explain the promotion and guide them to the Gucci counter on either side of her station, where they were met by the Gucci beauty specialists. Some new beauty clients were already fans of the brand. Others who stopped by to check out the event shared that they were shopping around for gifts when the sketches caught their eye. One woman who asked the illustrator “oh, does Gucci carry anything for men?” later left happily with a fragrance purchase and a sketch of herself. Another passing group who gathered around the illustration table expressed that they didn’t know Gucci had a beauty line and were excited to check out the counter. A family who came over to watch the artist also later left with a bag full of Gucci and their matching sketches.

By day 3 of the event, the entire Nordstrom store was buzzing about the brand. Employees from other floors had come by to shop Gucci and get sketched too after seeing others carrying their sketches through the store. One even brought their client from another brand to make a Gucci purchase. Nordstrom covered the event on the Nordstrom New York instagram page, and social media was buzzing all week as shoppers shared their Gucci sketches in insta stories.

The Gucci Illustration activation was such a creative way to get people excited and talking about the new counter, and to foster a feeling of connection between Gucci and its fans. Long time clients were able to experience the brand in a new way, and first time shoppers will undoubtedly fall in love with their new purchases and become lifelong Gucci clients!

Below are some photos from the 3 day event!

Deanna Kei is a New York based live event illustrator who turns guests into fun fashion illustrations, and also works with brands to create unique and engaging content featuring their products. She’s available to book for both live and virtual events. *To commission illustrations for your brand contact deannakei@gmail.com

Illustrator Deanna Kei draws Gucci clients during their Nordstrom NY event

photo credit: Jared, Influencer @MicahJesse

photo credit: Jared, Influencer @MicahJesse

Also read: Gucci Gives Clients The VIP Treatment.. Gucci’s NJ activation event, May 2021

8 Reasons you should book a live Illustrator for your next event!

Event illustrators are becoming more and more popular in the US and it’s no surprise! They add an element of excitement to any event: public, corporate, or even private!

A live event illustrator is an artist who creates stylized sketches of guests at an event. Each sketch is drawn in just a few minutes, and comes together right before the guest’s eyes. Attendees have fun watching as the artist brings them and their friends to life on paper.

Live artists are perfect for Brand activations, Experiential marketing events, Product launches, Grand openings, Corporate parties, Employee appreciation events, Weddings, Sweet 16’s, Bridal showers and more. *Live Illustrators can elevate virtual events too!

Here are 8 ways booking a live illustrator will take your event to the next level!

1. Your audience will be entertained.

Guest Illustration by Deanna Kei, Tommy x Zendaya Event

This is especially perfect for events where there will be down time. Guests will enjoy being drawn with their friends and will have fun watching themselves be turned into art. There’s always a crowd of spectators around the illustrator’s table.

2. Its an ice breaker.

Guest Illustration by Deanna Kei, Tommy x Zendaya Event

Guests will have fun showing each other their sketches and striking up conversations!

3. It will give your guests the VIP treatment.

Guest Illustration by Deanna Kei, Tommy x Zendaya Event

Your guests will feel like a star as they pose for their sketch and are turned into a unique work of art. They can even be drawn onto the red carpet or a custom background you’ve chosen specifically for your event.

4. Your guests will feel connected to your brand or event.

Guest Illustration by Deanna Kei, Tommy x Zendaya Event

Sketches can be branded with your logo and date. You can even opt to have the illustrations showcase your new product. *For fashion collection launches, consider having guests drawn wearing an item from your new line that they choose! ~ Or at grand openings opt to have your guests drawn with their purchases.

5. Guests will receive their sketch as a take home gift.

Guest Illustration by Deanna Kei, Marriott Bonvoy Event

The illustrations double as entertainment and a party favor that they can frame to remember the event. While other marketing materials from your event may be tossed, this is one your guests will cherish.

6. It will set your event apart.

Guest Illustration by Deanna Kei, Marriott Bonvoy Event

Having live art will really enhance your guest’s experience. Live artists are a unique and interactive addition to any event.

7. A live virtual artist is the perfect compliment to a virtual event.

Guest Illustration by Deanna Kei, Pearl Fisher Virtual Event

Your guests can enjoy chatting with each other while watching as the artist silently sketches them in a side window.

8. You’ll surprise your guests.

Guest Illustration by Deanna Kei, Pearl Fisher Virtual Event

Hiring a hidden illustrator for your virtual event gives your attendees an fun surprise when the artist reveals portraits of them at the end of the chat!

---

Deanna Kei is a New York based live event illustrator who turns guests into fun fashion illustrations, highlighting each of their personal styles. She’s available to book for both live and virtual events and is available for travel.

Deanna has illustrated for Fashion Week Events, Product launches, PR Events, Conventions, Corporate Parties, and Private parties.

View her list of clients here.

View her Live event illustration portfolio here.

Contact deannakei@gmail.com for inquiries, booking, and travel requests.