Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan France.
Hi Megan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! Thank you for inviting me to do this interview.
I’ll start by saying that I’ve always been a creative person, -from drawing, painting and sewing to theatre production I was always creating. But I always felt that my creative skills were just not “enough” on their own. Or maybe I felt like they were all that I had to offer the world and that that was not enough? Either way, for a long time, I struggled to see art as a financially sustainable career. In fact, I deliberately chose a university that didn’t have an art program, hoping to avoid the temptation! Instead, I fell in love with the humanities, particularly anthropology, and spent much of my time working in the theatre department’s costume shop.
By graduation, I had accepted that art was probably always going to be part of my life, so I decided to lean into it and pursue an MA in Theatre at Villanova University, focusing on costume design. I learned so much during that time, but I also poured so much of myself into the program that I came out burned out. I was struggling to find the balance between doing what I was passionate about and building a career that was sustainable, both financially and emotionally.
After taking some time away from theatre and art, I fell in love, got married, and moved to West Virginia. I eventually found my way back to creative work, taking on costume design projects for a local college and high school while experimenting with other ventures. I developed a line of children’s products and greeting cards that I sold at local craft fairs, and even wrote and illustrated a children’s book. I’ve always loved exploring different ways to create, but underneath all those projects was one constant: I really just wanted to draw people.
Portraits were what I kept coming back to, especially expressive portraits that captured someone’s personality. But I had convinced myself that if I was going to call myself an artist, my work needed to serve some greater “good”. I felt almost guilty admitting that what I really wanted was to simply draw beautiful pictures of people and make them smile. Somehow, that didn’t feel like enough- just like how I struggled with a similar feeling as a child.
It took becoming a mother and going through the pandemic for me to finally confront that struggle. I realized I needed to stop trying to justify what I loved doing and give myself permission to pursue it. My big, slightly ridiculous epiphany was that I just wanted to draw pretty pictures of people! When I finally admitted that to myself and shared it with my loved ones, they were wonderfully supportive. It turns out I was the one making it complicated! (Typical over thinker – that is me!)
Not long after I finally gave myself permission to pursue what I loved, an unexpected opportunity came along that changed everything. My parents attended a fancy birthday party where two live guest portrait artists were creating illustrations for the guests. They immediately called me. I had never even heard of live guest portrait art before, but the moment they told me about it, something clicked. Here was a way to draw people, work with watercolor and ink, connect with others, and make people feel special—all at the same time.
I began researching the industry, developing a business plan, and registering my business. A few months later, I booked my first event: a neighbor’s baby shower, where she wanted to give her guests something special. I was officially a Live Guest Portrait Artist and I loved it!
Today, through Megan France Designs, I create live watercolor and ink portraits at weddings and events, along with commissioned portraits and other illustration work. What I love most is the connection that happens when someone sees a portrait I created of them and sees themselves in it. I get to create something beautiful for them to take home, but I also get to help them feel seen and celebrated.
It took me a long time to realize that art didn’t have to change the world in some grand, sweeping way to matter. Sometimes, making one person feel beautiful, appreciated, or simply happy is more than enough. In fact, it’s become my favorite reason to create.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, absolutely not! I think one of the biggest challenges has been learning how to trust myself (my gut) and my work, especially when it comes to building a business around something so personal.
For a long time, I struggled with the idea that being an artist was a practical career choice. Even after I started Megan France Designs, I had to learn that creating art wasn’t just something I loved to do; it was something that had real value and that people were willing to pay for. Pricing my work, putting myself out there, and believing that I had something special to offer have all been learning experiences.
Another challenge has been figuring out where I fit in the art world. I have a background in costume design, and I’ve explored so many different creative avenues over the years. I love experimenting with different mediums and projects, but that can also make it difficult to focus! Discovering live guest portrait art was such a turning point because it brought together so many things I love: drawing people, working with watercolor and ink, and connecting with others. It finally felt like the pieces were falling into place.
Of course, there’s also the less romantic side of running a creative business: marketing, bookkeeping, managing inquiries, setting boundaries, and trying to balance work with family life. I’m still learning how to build a business that allows me to do meaningful work without burning myself out in the process. Having experienced burnout earlier in my career, that’s something I take seriously.
I think the biggest lesson has been that building a creative career isn’t just about becoming better at your craft. It’s also about learning to trust your instincts, recognize the value of what you do, and give yourself permission to build a business that works for you rather than trying to follow someone else’s idea of what success should look like.
I’m still figuring things out, but I feel much more comfortable now embracing what makes my work different. I don’t have to create art that changes the world in some grand way. If I can make someone feel seen, celebrated, and a little more beautiful through something I’ve created, then I’m doing exactly what I set out to do.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Oh wow! Ok, let me try to answer all of this succinctly. (Ha, which is not always a strength of mine.) I create watercolor-and-ink portraits for events and special occasions. My specialty is painting live guest illustrations with faces (as that is not always included) at weddings and special events, where I paint guests as they arrive, giving them a one-of-a-kind piece of art to take home. I also create commissioned portraits, custom venue illustrations, and other personalized artwork.
My work stems from my background in costume design and my love of drawing people. I have always been fascinated by the little details that make someone who they are, from their expression and personality to the way they carry themselves. I love creating portraits that feel recognizable and personal rather than overly simplified or generic. I want someone to look at their portrait and immediately think, “That’s me!” Of course, drawing quick portraits doesn’t allow for a large range of detail, but I try to add something true to the person in each portrait.
What sets live guest illustration apart from many other event experiences is that it combines art, entertainment, and a personal connection. (Just to clarify, what I do goes by many different names: live guest portraits, live guest illustrations, live portrait art, guest portraits, etc. They are interchangeable but most people google search “live guest portraits” the most.) Guests get to watch their portrait come to life, chat with me while I work, and leave with something made just for them. I love that my little corner of an event can become a place where people slow down for a moment, have fun, and feel special. I get to hear fun stories, moon over gorgeous gowns and outfits, and get small impressions of the people I am drawing. I love it! My goal is for the experience to feel just as meaningful as the finished artwork.
I’m also proud of the way my background has shaped my approach. My training in costume design taught me to pay attention to clothing, silhouettes, and the details that make an outfit distinctive. That perspective carries into my portraits, where I love capturing not just a person’s face but also the personality and style they bring to an occasion. I want my work to feel artistic and polished while still being approachable and fun. It’s a tough balance, and I admit that I am my own worst critic. But that keeps me practicing, getting better, and keeping up my own standard of excellence. The reactions of the guests help me too.
In fact, what I’m most proud of, is the reaction people have to their portraits. It is incredibly rewarding to watch someone see their finished illustration and light up because they recognize themselves in it. At weddings especially, there’s something lovely about creating a keepsake that reminds a guest not only of what they wore or how they looked, but of being part of a celebration.
I think what makes my work distinctive is that I care about both sides of the experience: the quality of the art and the connection with the person sitting across from me. I want to be diligent about my craft without becoming so focused on the drawing that I miss the person I’m drawing. For me, the best part of being an artist is getting to make something beautiful for someone, and I hope that care comes through in every portrait.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think the event industry as a whole is moving toward experiences that feel more personal and memorable. Couples and event planners are looking for ways to make their celebrations feel distinctive and meaningful rather than simply checking items off a more traditional wedding checklist. I think that is what has brought live art as a whole into the event industry. Live portrait art is not new, for years artists have captured fashion sketches of outfits off the runway, cartoons of big events for newspapers, and caricature portraits at festivals or on city streets. Live Guest Portraits are a combo of all of those and fits beautifully into that shift in the event industry because it gives guests something they can participate in, enjoy in the moment, and take home as a lasting keepsake.
I also think we’re going to see an interesting contrast between technology and handmade art over the next five to ten years. As AI-generated imagery and digital personalization become more common, I suspect there will be an even greater appreciation for work created by a real person, especially when there’s a human connection behind it. There’s something special about watching an artist create a portrait by hand, talking with them while they work, and knowing that the finished piece was made specifically for you. It’s not just the artwork; it’s the experience of being part of its creation.
I expect live illustration will continue to evolve, too. Artists are already finding different ways to serve events, from detailed watercolor portraits to quicker, more stylized illustrations for larger crowds, as well as personalized artwork created before or after an event. I think that flexibility will help make live art appealing to a wider range of celebrations, corporate events, and brand experiences.
At the same time, I hope the industry continues to value artistic skill and individuality. As live illustration becomes more visible, I think what will distinguish artists is not simply how quickly they can produce a portrait, but the quality of their work, their unique style, and the experience they create for the people they meet.
Ultimately, I’m excited about the possibilities. I think people will continue to want ways to make important moments feel personal, and art has a wonderful way of doing that. Trends will come and go, but the feeling of being seen, celebrated, and given something made just for you is something I don’t think will ever go out of style.
Pricing:
- Live Guest Illustration: Live wedding and event portrait experiences start at $1,400, with final pricing based on the length of the event, guest count, and portrait style. Each experience is tailored to the event, with the goal of creating a personal, one-of-a-kind keepsake for guests to take home.
- Custom Portraits: Watercolor and ink portraits are individually commissioned and priced according to the number of subjects, level of detail, and project scope.
- Venue Illustrations: Custom watercolor paintings of wedding venues and meaningful locations, created as personal keepsakes or gifts. Pricing varies based on size and complexity.
- – Custom Place Cards: Hand-illustrated portrait place cards are available starting at $17 per card, offering a personalized touch to wedding receptions and special events.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meganfrancedesigns.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganfrancedesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Megan-France-Designs-61552895464369/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@meganfrancedesigns
