There’s something special about watching an ordinary object become one-of-a-kind... Add a room full of creative people, colorful paint, and a little hand lettering, and you’ve got my kind of event!
I was recently invited by Roselly of The Inking Rose to join a talented team of artists at a YouTube event in Los Angeles, where we offered live hand-painted personalization on leather bags as part of the YouTube Shopping “Holiday House” guest experience.
A Custom Gift Guests Actually Want
Instead of the usual swag, YouTube gave guests something personal: a leather bag customized with their initials in the colorway of their choosing, making each one a truly unique gift.
Attendees were invited by the YouTube team to fill out cards with pre-selected colors for the bag, main block letter and the corresponding drop shade, which gave us a wide variety of combinations to paint.
Between the four of us, we customized 150 bags in 4 hours!
Live painting is equal parts creativity, preparation, and thinking on your feet. In my studio, I can experiment and refine for as long as I like. At an event, I’m working against the clock while still making something beautiful and personal… and that’s what makes it so much fun!
A live art activation is more than a giveaway – it’s an experience. Guests are typically able to chat with an artist, watch something come to life by hand, and leave with a personalized piece they can’t get anywhere else.
For brands, that means genuine connection, plus a gift that’s beautiful, useful and memorable. And in a world that’s mostly digital, analog art feels refreshing.
Book Custom Personalization for Your Next Event
Want to create an engaging experience for your next event? I offer live hand lettering, custom illustration, hand-painted gifts, foil, engraving and more! I work with brands in Los Angeles, Southern California and across the U.S. on activations, corporate events, product launches, and special celebrations.
Whether your event is a large-scale activation or an intimate experience, I’d love to create something wonderful together!
Artists (left to right): Joanna Muñoz of Wink & Wonder, Roselly Monegro of The Inking Rose, Stacy Moffatt of Stacy Moffatt & Alex Hirsch of Signed by Alex
