Should you have live art at your next event?

August 2, 2022

Want to give your guests a fun little gift that compliments their personal style and makes them feel like a runway model? Having live art is a creative way to keep your guests entertained during your event, and the best part is that they can take theirs with them as a favor when the night ends!

Each sketch takes between 6-8 minutes per person and guests have fun chatting while watching each other’s drawings come to life. My sketches are done in inks and markers in full color. They can be branded with the event name and date, and are the perfect take home pieces!

Guests put so much thought into their outfits for events, so the offer to draw them in their look is usually met with excitement. I often hear things like “This is so cool! I’m going to frame this when I get home!”

Live sketching works well for private events like bridal showers and weddings, and retail events like collection launches alike! This season I’ve worked with a ton of different brands, clients, couples, and event planners. Check out some photos below!

Want to get a price quote for your event? Submit your event request here!

Here are photos from some of the beautiful weddings, store events, birthday parties, and bridal showers I’ve sketched at during the first half of 2022!

Joy & Alex’s Wedding - The Ryland Inn - Whitehouse Station, NJ

Laura Ann and John’s Wedding - June - Westport, Conneticut

Samantha’s Bridal Shower - June - Farmingdale, NY

Lance and Berniece’s Wedding - June - Art Factory - Patterson, NJ

Cassie and Dave’s Wedding - July - Sheraton - Eatontown, NJ

Sydney & Randy’s Wedding - The Foundry - Long Island City, Queens

Jessie’s Bridal Shower - June - Trattoria Diane - Long Island, NY

Alice + Olivia - Mother’s Day Event - Madison Ave, NYC

Group M,The Upfronts - May Event - Nobu - NYC

Mavi Jeans - June Event - Gallow Green - NYC

*Digital Ipad sketches were requested for this event

4th and 41st Birthday Party - May - Time Out Rooftop - Brooklyn, NY

Jenna’s Bridal Shower - May - Quaker Ridge Golf Club - Scarsdale, NY

Shenika and Matthew’s Wedding - July - 501 Union - Brooklyn, NY

Alice + Olivia - July Event - Madison Ave, NYC

Deanna Kei is a New York based live event illustrator who turns guests into fun fashion illustrations at special events. She’s available to book for both live and virtual events. *To commission illustrations for your brand contact deannakei@gmail.com

Live Wedding Illustration : A unique and interactive guest experience!

February 2, 2022

Searching for a unique interactive experience for your wedding or special event? A live illustrator will give your guests the VIP treatment, while transforming them into fashion illustrations on the spot. Think photo-booth, but more personalized!

Having live art at an event is such a special way to thank your guests for coming, while celebrating their personal style. Everyone has a lot of fun posing for their sketches and watching them come to life.

As a live illustrator, my role is to sketch people in the beautiful outfits they put together for the event, and to help them create a lasting memory.My sketches are done in inks and markers. Each sketch’s paper is branded with the event name and date, and is the perfect take home piece.

Live event illustration is becoming increasingly popular and is an creative way to give back to your guests, and provide some extra fun and entertainment for them during your reception.

Submit your event request here!

Here are photos from some of the beautiful weddings, bridal showers, and engagement parties I’ve sketched at in 2021!

Tamsen Fadal and Ira Bernstein wedding illustration by Deanna Kei

Tamsen and Ira’s Wedding, 620 Loft & Garden, New York, NY

Paige and Kyle’s Wedding, The Ryland Inn, Whitehouse Station, NJ

Cindy and Brendan’s Wedding, TPC Jasna Polana, Princeton, NJ

Vanessa’s Bridal Shower, Garden, Long Island, Ny

Brittany’s Bridal Shower, Molos Restaurant, Weehawken, NJ

Jaclyn and Brian’s Engagement Party, Wythe Hotel, Brooklyn, NY

Juliet and Ankur’s Wedding, The Imperia, Somerset, NJ

Lauren’s Bridal Shower, Cock and Bull Restaurant, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA

Now booking 2022 & 2023 events!

Deanna Kei is a New York based live event illustrator who turns guests into fun fashion illustrations and wedding favors. She’s available to book for live events in NY, NJ, and PA, and is also available for travel upon request. *To book live art for your event contact deannakei@gmail.com , or submit an event request here.

Bergdorf Goodman kicked off the holiday season with special in store events

December 14, 2021

Bergdorf Goodman teamed up with special events planner Maria Hedian to treat their clients to two magical days of style and celebration. Fashion illustrator Deanna Kei was invited to sketch guests live in the store during both events.

On November 18th the 5th avenue store unveiled their iconic holiday windows display. It was preceded by a live outdoor musical performance. After the reveal, guests enjoyed champagne and hors-d'œuvres, and were turned into fashion sketches by illustrator Deanna Kei.

On December 11th Bergdorf gifted shoppers some more holiday cheer. Visitors to the fifth floor had fun posing for sketches with their family and friends. Many shared that they were in from other states and countries for the holidays, and were excited to have their sketch as a special keepsake from their visit to Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

Below are some photos from both events!

A musical performance preceded the holiday window reveal; Bergdorf Goodman NYC, Nov. 18 2021

Bergdorf client sketches by Deanna Kei, Nov 18 2021

Bergdorf clients pose with their sketch by Deanna Kei, Nov 18 2021

Bergdorf clients’ sketch by Deanna Kei, Nov 18 2021

Deanna Kei sketching at Bergdorf Goodman, Nov 18 2021

Bergdorf client sketch by Deanna Kei, Nov 18 2021

Bergdorf clients pose with their sketch by Deanna Kei, Dec 11 2021

Bergdorf clients’ sketch by Deanna Kei, Dec 11 2021

Bergdorf client poses with her sketch by Deanna Kei, Dec 11 2021

Santa makes a guest appearance at Bergdorf during the event, Dec 11 2021

Guests who visited the 5th floor were invited to be turned int a Fashion sketch by illustrator Deanna Kei, Dec 11 2021

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