This week on Friends n Mimosas, we had the heartfelt honor of sitting down with one of the most unique artists we've ever met—Lily Luke, a live event painter whose work turns weddings and special occasions into timeless watercolor memories.
Lily joined us for an uplifting and deeply insightful conversation, giving listeners a peek behind the brush at how she transforms fleeting moments into forever pieces. Based in New Orleans, Lily brings more than 15 years of professional painting experience to each canvas. Her calm presence and radiant personality immediately lit up our studio, and we quickly discovered why so many couples across the country are clamoring to book her for their big day.
What makes Lily truly stand out is her gift for presence. In a world that moves fast, Lily paints in real time—capturing the raw beauty of a moment as it’s happening. During the episode, she walked us through her process: from arriving early to observe the scene, to blending into the background as she sketches, to the moment she reveals the finished piece—often moving couples to tears.
We also talked about her journey into live painting. Lily shared that it wasn’t always weddings—in fact, her roots go deep into studio portraiture and illustration. But once she did her first live event, she was hooked. "There’s nothing like the energy of love in motion,” she said. “It’s a feeling you can’t replicate in the studio.”
One of our favorite parts of the conversation was when Lily described painting through the lens of emotion. She doesn’t just capture physical likeness—she taps into energy, warmth, and connection. “I’m not just painting what I see,” she told us. “I’m painting what I feel in the room.”
We were also lucky enough to get some behind-the-scenes stories, including a few wedding day surprises—like painting through a sudden rainstorm, or incorporating a couple’s late grandparents into the piece as a quiet tribute. Her attention to detail and deep respect for each couple’s love story gave us chills more than once.
For those dreaming of a truly custom wedding keepsake, Lily also offers guest portraits, custom invitation designs, and watercolor table placements. Her work has been featured in high-end events, intimate elopements, and everything in between.
As a team, we walked away from this episode not just inspired by her talent—but also by her authenticity. Lily Luke is the kind of guest who reminds us why we created Friends n Mimosas in the first place: to highlight real people doing beautiful work in this world.
If you haven’t heard the episode yet, now’s the time. You can catch it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.
And don’t forget to follow Lily on Instagram @lily.luke.studio to see her latest masterpieces. Trust us—you’ll want to witness the magic.
Stay tuned, stay inspired, and keep sipping with us 🥂
