Painting Gina & Alex Wilson’s Beautiful Farmington Country Club Wedding
There is something profoundly magical about a summer wedding in Virginia, but Gina’s and Alex’s June 2023 celebration at the historic Farmington Country Club took breathtaking to a whole new level.
My goal is always to capture more than just a visual likeness of a wedding day; I want to trap the feeling of the moment on canvas. With the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains as our backdrop and a love story this vibrant, it was easy to create all the wonderful feels from this wedding.
The Setting: A Mountain-View Masterpiece
If you have ever stood on the grounds of Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, you know the views are nothing short of iconic.
When I set up my easel on the lush green lawn, the sky was a crisp, clear blue. By the time the ceremony commenced, the sun began its slow descent, casting a warm, golden glow across the landscape and painting the distant mountains in soft shades of lavender and blue.
The Process: From Blank Canvas to Family Heirloom
Every live painting is a race against time and a celebration of the unfolding day. Here is a look behind the scenes of how Gina and Alex’s painting came together:
The Sketch: I started early in the afternoon, blocking out the grand landscape, the arrangement of the white ceremony chairs, and the stunning mountain topography.
The Magic: As the guests took their seats and the ceremony began, the canvas truly came alive. I captured the crowd, the stunning floral pillars framing the altar, and the most important detail of all—the bride and groom.
The Special Guest: No wedding portrait is complete without the whole family, so I made sure to include a very special, furry, four-legged bridal party member right at the front of the aisle!
By evening, the final piece captured the ultimate crescendo of the day: Gina and Alex hand-in-hand, glowing with happiness, surrounded by their favorite people and the timeless Virginia hills.
"To stand at the edge of the lawn, watching a blank canvas transform into a lifelong memory while the real-life love story unfolds just yards away... it's an honor I never take for granted."
A Toast to the New Mr. & Mrs. Wilson
One of my favorite moments of the night is always the reveal. Getting to stand with Gina beside the easel—her looking absolutely radiant in her stunning, off-the-shoulder gown with a glass of rosé in hand—and seeing her reaction to the finished piece is exactly why I love what I do.
Gina and Alex, thank you for letting me play a small part in your unforgettable day. May your life together be as bright, beautiful, and full of color as your wedding day canvas!
Venue: Farmington Country Club, Charlottesville, VADate: June 10, 2023Artist: Courtney Sievers