Painting Louisiana Across the Map: Every City I've Carried This Culture To

People sometimes ask me where I paint. The honest answer is: almost everywhere. Over the years, live event painting has taken me — and a piece of New Orleans with me — into more than 25 states and Washington, D.C. Every canvas I've set up outside Louisiana has been a chance to carry a little bit of home into someone else's biggest day.

Here's a look back at (most of) the places this journey has taken me.

The Northeast

New Jersey has had me back twice, including a stunning waterfront setup at the Liberty House in Jersey City, with the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline as my backdrop, and one of my favorite venues anywhere, The Venetian in Garfield, along with a stop in Brooklyn, New York — including a breathtaking waterfront setup at Giando on the Water — and Buffalo further upstate. I've set up my easel in Philadelphia twice, including a beautiful setup at One Barn Farm, a historic 1754 country estate, and at Drumore Estate, a Georgian mansion in Lancaster County, and made my way through Boston — including the historic Boston Park Plaza Hotel — and Salem, Massachusetts, as well as Hartford, Connecticut. Up in the Adirondacks, I painted at the stunning Sagamore Resort on Lake George, New York, about an hour north of Albany. Down in Virginia, I've painted in Alexandria at the historic, waterfront Cedar Knoll, at Morais Vineyards, a beautiful Portuguese-style winery in Bealeton, and in Annapolis and at Swan Point on the Potomac River in Maryland, as well as Baltimore, including a wedding at the historic Overhills Mansion with Whitehouse Caterers. Washington, D.C. has welcomed me back more than once (I even got to visit the National Gallery of Art on one of those trips), and I made my way to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia — one of the more unforgettable, history-soaked backdrops I've painted in front of. Upstate, I also painted an unforgettable science-meets-elegance wedding at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, New York.

The Southeast

This region might be my second home after Louisiana itself. I've painted in St. Augustine, Florida — the oldest city in the country — including a setup at World Golf Village, as well as Pensacola, including a setup at the beautiful Live Oak Plantation, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, and Miami. Destin, Florida has had me back so many times I've genuinely lost count, including a beautiful setup right on the water at the Destin Bay House, at the nearby Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, at the Henderson Beach Resort, and even a private Airbnb celebration. Birmingham, Alabama — including a wedding at the light, airy Ridge Pointe Events Venue in nearby Alpine — and Atlanta, Georgia — including a countryside wedding at The Venue at Murphy Lane in Newnan — are both on the list, along with Asheville, Charlotte (twice!), and the mountain views of Appalachian View near Linville, North Carolina. Tennessee has treated me to Nashville, including the historic Clementine Hall, Knoxville — with a wedding at the beautiful Whitestone Inn on Watts Bar Lake — and the mountain views of Gatlinburg. And of course, along the Gulf Coast close to home, I've painted in Biloxi, Mississippi more than once — including at the iconic Beau Rivage Resort — as well as Brandon, Mississippi at the beautiful McClain Lodge.

The Midwest

Cleveland, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky both make the list, along with a personal favorite: painting live inside Notre Dame Stadium on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. Ohio has actually brought me back twice more — to Arlington Acres, a historic 1860s barn near Tiffin, and to The Club at Hillbrook, a private estate outside Cleveland. Near Louisville, I also painted a wedding just outside Bardstown, Kentucky, along the Bourbon Trail. Kansas City, Missouri has hosted me for Chiefs game day festivities, plus a beautiful setup inside historic Union Station. Michigan brought me to Holland, Grand Rapids, and Pine Knob Mansion in Clarkston, where I painted twice. And in Oklahoma, beyond two trips to OKC, I painted at Aspen Ranch in Edmond and at the rustic Southwind Hills in Goldsby.

The West & Southwest

Arizona has become something of a second home base out west — I've painted in Phoenix multiple times, plus Scottsdale (including a private home event), Tempe, a mountaintop setup at Different Pointe of View overlooking the city, and a desert-backdrop wedding at The Paseo in Apache Junction, at the foot of the Superstition Mountains. Colorado has taken me to both Denver — including a beautiful Sikh wedding celebration at the Colorado Singh Sabha — and the mountain town of Telluride, and Utah has given me one of the most breathtaking backdrops of my career: painting live against the red rock formations of Arches National Park. On the West Coast, I've set up in Portland, Sacramento, Hollywood — including a wildly unique event at the legendary Houdini Estate in Laurel Canyon — at the historic Carondelet House, a 1928 Italian villa turned wedding venue in central LA, and at the stunning Terranea Resort in California, where I painted an incredible Indian wedding celebration. San Diego has hosted me at the beautiful Paradise Point Resort & Spa on Mission Bay.

Texas & The Gulf

Texas has been especially good to me — I've painted at the luxurious Post Oak Hotel in Houston, an anniversary celebration at the historic Dosey Doe in The Woodlands, and down on the coast in Galveston, including a setup at the historic Grand Galvez (Hotel Galvez). In Dallas, I painted an engagement session at The Joule, and came back a couple of years later for a family's rehearsal dinner at The Adolphus Hotel and, for the sister's wedding, the historic Arts District Mansion. Near Austin, I painted a wedding out in Dripping Springs, in the heart of Texas Hill Country wedding country.

Chicago & the Midwest, Continued

Chicago has been especially good to me: I've painted at the historic Drake Hotel, inside the stunning Chicago Cultural Center with its Tiffany glass dome, at Pazzo's, a striking Italian restaurant and event space tucked inside the atrium of 311 South Wacker, and even at a wedding held right at Chicago City Hall. Richmond, Virginia brought me to The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing on the James River, and I also painted in Oxford, Mississippi.

Home Base: Louisiana

And through all of it, Louisiana is still where it all started and where I paint the most — weddings, events, and celebrations all across my home state, the place that taught me everything I know about color, culture, and capturing a moment.

Venue Spotlights

Some of the places I've set up my easel are more than just a beautiful backdrop — they come with real history. Here are a few standouts (I'll keep adding to this list):

Grand Galvez (Hotel Galvez) — Galveston, Texas Known as the "Queen of the Gulf," this pink Spanish Colonial Revival hotel opened in 1911 as a symbol of Galveston's recovery after the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. It's hosted U.S. presidents, movie stars, and beauty queens for over a century — and it even served as a temporary White House for FDR in 1937. What makes it even more special to me: both the hotel and the island of Galveston are named for Bernardo de Gálvez, who also served as the first governor of Spanish Louisiana. Painting there felt like tracing a thread straight back home.

Arches National Park — Utah Home to more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches — the largest concentration anywhere on Earth — this red rock wonderland was carved over 300 million years by an ancient salt bed shifting beneath layers of sandstone. Delicate Arch, the park's most famous formation, is even Utah's official state symbol. Setting up a canvas in front of a landscape that old and that vast is a humbling kind of magic.

McClain Lodge — Brandon, Mississippi Set on nearly 1,800 acres of Mississippi countryside, this family-owned lodge has a rustic-luxury charm — a stone fireplace, a quaint chapel, and a spot called "Under the Oaks" for outdoor ceremonies. Owners Buddy and Joni McClain were married in that same chapel themselves before turning the property into one of the most beloved event venues in the state. There's something special about painting in a place built on that kind of personal love story.

Destin Bay House — Destin, Florida One of the original homes in Destin, this waterfront venue sits directly on the Choctawhatchee Bay, with a dock that looks out toward Crab Island. It's an intimate, family-run spot tucked into one of the busiest beach towns on the Emerald Coast — proof that some of the best places to paint are the ones that still feel like someone's home.

The Post Oak Hotel — Houston, Texas Texas' only Forbes Five-Star Hotel and Spa, this 38-story tower in Houston's Uptown district greets guests with a three-story atrium chandelier handmade in the Czech Republic with over 15,000 crystals. It also houses Houston's only Bentley, Bugatti, and Rolls-Royce showroom under one roof. Painting somewhere with that level of detail and craftsmanship pushes you to bring your own best work.

The Sagamore Resort — Lake George, New York Built in 1883 on its own private island in the Adirondacks, the Sagamore is one of the great Gilded Age resorts of the Northeast, named after a character from James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. Setting up a canvas on a 70-acre island in the middle of a glistening mountain lake is the kind of backdrop that reminds you why live painting is so special — no two days ever look the same.

Live Oak Plantation — Pensacola, Florida A 22-acre working farm and Florida Agritourism site, this venue is home to the "Cathedral of Oaks," a canopy of century-old oak and pecan trees that forms a natural ceremony space unlike anywhere else I've painted. There's nothing quite like capturing a couple's first look under trees that have been standing for generations.

Appalachian View — Linville, North Carolina Perched at 4,200 feet on Sugar Mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this venue offers sweeping views of Grandfather Mountain to the east and the Roan Highlands to the west. Painting a wedding with an entire mountain range as the backdrop is about as close as it gets to painting the sky itself.

Different Pointe of View — Phoenix, Arizona Perched 1,800 feet above the city on North Mountain, this Phoenix venue offers floor-to-ceiling views of the desert, the city lights, and unforgettable sunsets. Painting "on top of the world," as they call it, is an experience that stays with you.

Dosey Doe — The Woodlands, Texas This one-of-a-kind music venue is housed inside a genuine 1840s tobacco barn, dismantled board by board in Kentucky and rebuilt in Texas for its incredible natural acoustics. Legends like Willie Nelson and Wynonna Judd have played there. Painting inside a barn with that much soul and history in the walls is unforgettable.

A note on the next one — pending confirmation, but likely: the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, the tallest building in the state and one of the most iconic resorts on the Gulf Coast.

Morais Vineyards & Winery — Bealeton, Virginia Built by owners who immigrated from Portugal, this European-style vineyard brings a little slice of the old country to Virginia wine country, complete with a grand ballroom called "the Palacio." It's the vineyard I painted at during that unforgettable Virginia trip — a beautiful reminder that some of the best backdrops come from someone else's love for where they came from, not unlike my own love for Louisiana.

Liberty House — Jersey City, New Jersey Set inside Liberty State Park with the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline all in view at once, this is about as iconic an American backdrop as it gets. Painting live with Lady Liberty over my shoulder is one of those moments that still gives me chills.

Boston Park Plaza Hotel — Boston, Massachusetts Opened in 1927 as the Statler Hotel, this grand hotel was the largest in New England when it was built and the first in the country to put a radio in every room. Nearly every U.S. president since has stayed there, along with Katharine Hepburn and Judy Garland. Painting inside a building with that much star power in its history is humbling.

Cedar Knoll — Alexandria, Virginia Built in the early 1800s and tucked a mile from George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, this historic restaurant sits right on the Potomac River. Setting up my easel somewhere with that much American history practically next door never gets old.

Swan Point Yacht & Country Club — Issue, Maryland Nestled on the banks of the Potomac River with a Carolina-style golf course as its backdrop, Swan Point is Southern Maryland charm at its finest. Painting a wedding surrounded by magnolia trees and water views is the kind of setting that makes the work feel effortless.

Whitestone Inn — Kingston, Tennessee Built starting in the early 1990s by a couple who dreamed of creating a retreat after their own marriage retreat experience, Whitestone sits on hundreds of secluded acres along Watts Bar Lake and has hosted over a thousand weddings. It's known as "a sanctuary for the soul" — and it truly feels that way.

Southwind Hills — Goldsby, Oklahoma A rustic, family-owned barn venue just south of Norman, Southwind Hills features a picturesque rock waterfall and an outdoor ceremony space called "The Enchanted Forest," complete with a 400-foot wooden walkway lit up with twinkle lights. Painting somewhere that magical is a gift every time.

Clementine Hall — Nashville, Tennessee This historic exposed-brick hall has been hosting weddings and gatherings in Nashville since 1889, lovingly rebuilt in 2018 to preserve its original character. There's something special about painting inside a room that's been holding celebrations for over 130 years.

Colorado Singh Sabha — Denver, Colorado A Sikh Gurdwara serving the Denver community, this was the setting for one of the most beautiful and joyful weddings I've ever painted. Getting to capture a celebration rooted in a different faith and culture, with all its own colors, traditions, and music, is one of the reasons I love what I do — every wedding teaches me something new about how people celebrate love.

The Houdini Estate — Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles Built in 1915 by developer Ralph Walker, this hillside estate with hidden tunnels and terraced gardens is famous for its ties to Harry Houdini — though the real story is more legend than deed. Houdini didn't actually own it, but he and his wife Bess are said to have stayed there when he came to LA to make films in 1919, and the name stuck. Painting a wedding somewhere wrapped in that much mystery and Hollywood folklore was unlike anything else I've done.

The Venue at Murphy Lane — Newnan, Georgia An 88-acre countryside estate just outside Atlanta, complete with rolling meadows, a tree-lined drive, and a restored barn with a grand crystal chandelier. It's the kind of Southern-hospitality property that feels like home before you've even parked the car.

Arlington Acres — Tiffin, Ohio A historic 1860s bank barn on a working modern farm in northwest Ohio, hand-built from native timber and surrounded by fields of corn, sunflowers, and pumpkins. There's something grounding about painting inside a barn that old, still standing on land that's been farmed for generations.

The Club at Hillbrook — Chagrin Falls, Ohio A private 50-acre estate just outside Cleveland, known as one of the most sought-after wedding settings in the state. Its colorful gardens and sweeping woods make it a favorite backdrop for Ohio couples, and it was just as beautiful to paint.

Bourbon Luxe Estate — Cox's Creek, Kentucky Set on 22.5 acres right along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail near Bernheim Forest, just south of Louisville and outside Bardstown. Painting a wedding in the heart of bourbon country, surrounded by rolling Kentucky hills, was a beautiful change of scenery.

Overhills Mansion — Catonsville, Maryland A fully restored, century-old Victorian mansion just outside Baltimore, originally built as a lavish gift for a beloved son. With its 1920s-era Grand Ballroom and garden trellis, painting here felt like stepping straight into the Gilded Age.

Rochester Museum & Science Center — Rochester, New York Couples here can marry inside a planetarium under a private star show, or hold their reception surrounded by science exhibits and floor-to-ceiling windows. Painting a wedding somewhere that blends science and celebration like that is genuinely one of a kind.

Ridge Pointe Events Venue — Alpine, Alabama A light, bright barn venue on 40 acres just outside Birmingham, known for its white paneling, exposed wooden beams, and sparkling chandeliers. It's the kind of space that photographs (and paints) beautifully in almost any light.

World Golf Village — St. Augustine, Florida Home to the World Golf Hall of Fame, this golf resort and event destination sits in the middle of America's oldest city. Painting somewhere that honors both centuries of American history and the legends of an entire sport was a fun juxtaposition.

One Barn Farm — Pennsylvania A colonial homestead dating back to 1754, still working as a farm today, with a historic stone farmhouse and timber-frame barn set among ponds and woodlands. There's something powerful about painting on land that's been cared for since before the country was founded.

Drumore Estate — Pequea, Pennsylvania An 18,000-square-foot Georgian mansion built in the late 1930s by industrialist John Frederick Steinman, who once entertained the Eisenhowers and Kennedys on these very grounds. Painting a wedding surrounded by that kind of formal garden history was a true honor.

The Venetian — Garfield, New Jersey One of my personal favorite venues I've ever painted in, period. A grand, old-world ballroom experience that feels like stepping into a different era the moment you walk in.

Giando on the Water — Brooklyn, New York A waterfront gem in Williamsburg with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and the Williamsburg Bridge. Painting with that skyline as my backdrop, glowing at sunset, is a memory I'll hold onto for a long time.

The Joule & The Adolphus — Dallas, Texas The Joule occupies a 1920s neo-Gothic bank building turned boutique hotel, famous for its rooftop pool that cantilevers eight feet over Main Street. The Adolphus, built in 1912 by Anheuser-Busch founder Adolphus Busch, has hosted Queen Elizabeth II and generations of Dallas history in its Beaux-Arts halls. Getting to paint an engagement at one, and years later a rehearsal dinner for the same family at the other, was a full-circle honor.

Arts District Mansion — Dallas, Texas A neo-classical mansion from the late 1800s, sitting right in the heart of downtown Dallas's Arts District, hosting weddings since 1983. Getting to come back and paint the sister's wedding here, a couple of years after her brother's rehearsal dinner at The Adolphus, made the whole family's story feel like one long, beautiful thread.

The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing — Richmond, Virginia A waterfront venue right on the James River, with the kind of open, industrial-chic charm that makes for a beautifully different painting every time.

Paradise Point Resort & Spa — San Diego, California A private, beachfront resort on Mission Bay with lush gardens and tranquil lagoons. Painting somewhere that feels like its own island escape, minutes from downtown San Diego, was pure joy.

Chicago Cultural Center — Chicago, Illinois Home to one of the largest stained-glass Tiffany domes in the world, this landmark building turned wedding venue is one of the most breathtaking rooms I've ever set up in.

Pine Knob Mansion — Clarkston, Michigan Built in 1927 with stone walls, stained glass, and an English-manor feel, this estate sits right on a championship golf course, and I've had the honor of painting there twice. There's something special about a venue that brings you back a second time.

Aspen Ranch — Edmond, Oklahoma A 160-acre family-owned ranch with a whole family of rescue animals calling it home, plus a complimentary Rolls-Royce Ghost that carries the bride to her ceremony. It's the kind of detail-obsessed venue that makes every wedding there feel like a movie.

Pazzo's at 311 — Chicago, Illinois Tucked inside the atrium of 311 South Wacker Drive, one of Chicago's most architecturally striking office towers, this restaurant-turned-event-space has palm trees, a fountain, and a glass ceiling framing the Willis Tower. Painting inside that kind of atrium light was unforgettable.

Carondelet House — Los Angeles, California Built in 1926 as an Italian villa, later home to a prominent LA architect, this venue sits on South Carondelet Street — the same name as Carondelet Street back home in New Orleans. A small detail, but it made painting there feel a little bit like home.

Hill Top House — Harpers Ferry, West Virginia Perched on a bluff above the meeting point of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, this hotel was founded in the late 1800s by the Lovett family, African-American entrepreneurs and graduates of Storer College, making it one of the era's larger Black-owned hotels in the country. It hosted presidents, Mark Twain, and Alexander Graham Bell over the decades. Painting somewhere with that kind of layered American history is something I don't take lightly.

What It All Means

Every single one of these cities got a piece of New Orleans they didn't have before I showed up — a little bit of our color, our rhythm, our joy, translated onto a canvas in a place far from home. I never take for granted that people fly me across the country to bring that Louisiana spirit into their biggest moments. It's one of the greatest honors of doing what I do.

"For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory." — Romans 11:36

Every mile, every canvas, every city on this list — it's all just me trying to give back a little bit of what New Orleans gave me first.

Here's to the next city on the list.