A Timeless Moment at The Foundation House: Abby & Calvin’s Live Wedding Painting
There are celebrations that linger long after the last candle has been extinguished—gatherings shaped by artistry, intention, and months of thoughtful planning. Abby and Calvin’s wedding at The Foundation House in Greenwich, Connecticut, was one of those rare moments in time when every element felt carefully considered and beautifully placed. Under the direction of Sofia Crokos and her extraordinary planning team, the day unfolded with a quiet magnificence that honored both the couple and the space.
To be invited to capture such a celebration on a 30 x 40″ canvas was an honor—one that began nearly a year before the wedding day itself.
Watch this painting and experience come to life
The Early Stages of the Painting’s Story
Abby first reached out about twelve months prior to her wedding, full of warmth and clarity about the experience she hoped her guests would have. Not long after, we met again—this time with a member of Sofia’s team—to confirm the scene, timeline, and artistic approach.
Then, in the spring of 2025, their design deck arrived. Receiving this glimpse into the aesthetic direction is always a moment that fills me with anticipation. It is where I begin envisioning the composition—how the architecture, florals, lighting, and color story might harmonize with the couple’s moment on the dance floor. Understanding these details ahead of time allows me to prepare with intention, so the final painting speaks to the event’s true essence.
A Day That Unfolded Like a Tapestry
July welcomed us with warm air and rich summer light. As I arrived early at The Foundation House, the property was already alive with the quiet movement of a dedicated team bringing months of planning into being. Tables were dressed, florals were placed, candlelight was tested, and the distinctive birdcage lanterns that would later glow against the trees were hung with care.
Watching the space transform while beginning my preliminary drawing is one of the most cherished parts of my process. There is a stillness before guests arrive that allows me to take in the atmosphere, the palette, the textures—all the elements that will later shape the painting.
A First Look at a Newly Transformed World
After their ceremony, while guests mingled outdoors for cocktail hour, Abby and Calvin stepped into their reception space for the very first time. No one else had yet crossed the threshold. The moment was theirs alone—a private unveiling of the world that had been shaped just for them.
Their joy was unmistakable. They walked slowly through the room, seeing each detail with fresh eyes before sharing a soft, private practice dance on the empty floor. I recorded this moment, along with their formal first dance later in the evening. We also created a short video capturing the day’s atmosphere and the unfolding of the painting—an intimate behind-the-scenes look at how this memory came to life.
These recordings, along with dozens of carefully chosen reference photos, guide me long after the wedding ends. I study the lift of their shoulders as they move together, the subtle curve of their smiles, the gestures that reveal who they are when surrounded by the people they love. These nuances shape the heart of the finished piece.
A Celebration Watched in Real Time
Throughout the evening, guests paused at my easel—curious, delighted, and eager to watch the scene grow beneath my brush. There is something timeless about witnessing a painting unfold during a celebration. It becomes a point of connection, a quiet moment amid the festivities where guests can reflect on the beauty around them.
Later in the night, Abby and Calvin visited the easel to see the progress and add their own small touches to the canvas, a gesture many of my couples treasure. It is a way of signing the moment together.
Bringing the Vision Home
Once back in my studio, I began the slow, thoughtful process of refining the painting. With all the reference images and video clips beside me—and the design deck close at hand—I polished the details that give the piece its atmosphere: the soft glow of candlelight reflecting into the branches, the pattern of tables arranged with intention, the sculptural lanterns suspended overhead, the gentle rhythm of the trees framing the dance floor.
One by one, the details revealed themselves again, just as they had that July evening.
A Legacy on Canvas
Today, the finished painting hangs in Abby and Calvin’s home—a visual heirloom that preserves not only their first dance but the entire atmosphere of their wedding day. Like all the paintings I create, it is more than a depiction of an event; it is a living memory, meant to be revisited, cherished, and passed down through time.
The Foundation House offered a breathtaking stage. Sofia Crokos and her team brought the couple’s vision to life with unmatched grace. And I was blessed to stand quietly among it all, brush in hand, preserving a moment that will continue to speak long after the day has passed.
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