The Back Story
Hello, and welcome to my brand-new blog! My name is Ronni Brashear, and I’m the owner and artist behind RonniPaints, a live painting business based in Atlanta, Georgia. I wanted to take a moment to share my story with you, from how I made the move to Atlanta from Jackson, Mississippi to building a business from scratch, one wedding at a time.
I moved to Atlanta about four years ago, completely on my own and without knowing anyone. It was a huge risk, but I was determined to make it work. With a passion for capturing beautiful moments on canvas and a commitment to building something meaningful, I got to work as a live wedding artist and event painter.
In 2019, a friend asked if I would paint her wedding, and while I had seen live artists at events, I had never tried it myself. Despite that, I felt confident in my abilities, drawing on my background in plein air and figure painting, which I realized was a perfect foundation for live event painting. I agreed, and from that moment on, I was in love. The experience was incredibly fulfilling, and I knew right away that live wedding painting was my dream career.
Hail State! I graduated with my Bachelors of Fine Art in Painting at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The world was adjusting to the changes brought by the pandemic, and opportunities seemed more limited. However, I started applying to any art-related job I could find in a larger city that offered more opportunities.
This journey led me to a painting job as an embellisher at an art company in Midtown Atlanta, where I worked for a year. I’m grateful for that time because it allowed me to build new friendships and connections within the local art scene in Atlanta. After a year in that role, I decided to take the leap and paint full-time.
Where to begin?
I began by reaching out directly to wedding venues and coordinators, sending cold emails to introduce myself and get my name out there. It was intimidating at first, but I quickly realized that taking initiative was ESSENTIAL. To increase my visibility, I also listed myself on popular wedding websites—every small step made a difference in the beginning. I invested time in creating a website on Squarespace, built an art-focused Instagram, and uploaded the few pieces I had to showcase. I ordered business cards from VistaPrint and enlisted the help of my talented graphic design friends to create a logo and branding. Starting from scratch can be daunting and discouraging, but I embraced the "fake it 'til you make it" mentality and there was no turning back.
The breakthrough moment came when a bride-to-be was looking for a live wedding painter in Atlanta to paint her wedding reception at Park Tavern Bar in Midtown Atlanta—a popular venue with a fantastic reputation. That one wedding led to another. I happened to start painting when the timing was ideal. I started when many weddings were postponed due to COVID-19 in 2020, and the fall of 2021 turned out to be a whirlwind of events.
Networking has been another key factor in growing my business. I’ve been intentional about attending events for young professionals and wedding industry gatherings. These opportunities allowed me to meet other entrepreneurs and wedding vendors who helped me grow, share knowledge, and find new clients.
The Hard Truth
Let me pause and say—while it might sound like there’s a clear path to success, this journey has been just as much a mental challenge as it has been a professional one. I had no idea what I was doing at first, and it was all trial and error. This has been a deeply personal journey of learning to trust God and relying on Him to open doors. There were plenty of moments when I would panic, wondering if I’d ever get another booking, but somehow, each time, things always fell into place. What keeps me going is the deep sense of security I have, knowing this is where I’m meant to be. That faith and certainty are what continue to fuel me forward.
What I’ve learned over the years is that building a business isn’t just about having skills—it's about perserverance, networking, organization, knowing how to talk to people, and the willingness to learn and adapt.
Thank you for following my journey and for taking the time to learn about how my live wedding painting business came to life. I’m so excited to continue serving couples and creating lasting memories through art. Stay tuned for more updates, stories, and tips for couples planning their weddings!