This post is by guest author, Maria Brophy.  This article has been edited and published with the author's permission. You should submit an article and share your views as a guest author by clicking here.

You can get paid for painting at parties.  At least a dozen times a year I'll line up events for my husband, Drew Brophy, to paint surfboards, live, at corporate events.  It's a fun way to earn an extra buck as well as gain a few new fans.

And you can do this, too.

The trick to being hired back again and again to paint at parties is simple:  Give the host their money's worth and be an asset to the event.  This article will tell you how, but first, the most important question:  How much money can you make painting at events?  In California you can charge $1,500 - $4,000 depending on the length of time.  If the event is farther than 25 miles, we add charges for travel expenses.  (If you are in other states, your pricing may have to drop a little.  Everything costs more in CA.)  If you are a "famous" personality, you can charge $10,000 an event, but usually you won't be hired unless they really need a "draw".  Most companies don't have that much in their budget.

In most cases, we go through an event planning company rather than directly to the company throwing the event.  In this case, we charge the event planner the low-end and then they offer it to their client at about 15-20% higher (this is where event planners make their money).

Payment is for your time only, not the painting.  The painting is optional and in my event contract, I include an OPTION TO PURCHASE ART and give a price for the painting should they decide to purchase it.  Sometimes they buy it, sometimes they don't.  If they don't, then it goes home with us and we sell it to someone else.

Here's how it works:  A corporate entity, like Microsoft or the Accounting Firm of America or a charity will have a meeting at a nice hotel.  They want a party and it will have a theme.   Usually when companies come to Southern California, they want a surf related theme, which is where we come in.  By having Drew paint surfboards live at these events we are contributing to that theme.

The corporate entity will hire a local event planning company to put on their party and make it awesome.  And that's how you can line up these gigs - contact event planning companies and offer your services.  A couple years ago I sent a mass e-mail out to about 20 companies that plan events in my area.  The letter explained how we could make their events more exciting by providing an artist who paints surfboards on the spot.  This artist will create a painting from start to finish as well as engage with the guests where appropriate.  I included photos of other events that we've done and of Drew's surfboard paintings.  I included pricing and my contact information.   I found these companies just by doing searches online.

The key to getting in with the event planners is to let them know how YOU are going to make THEIR job easier by being an asset to their party, by being reliable (this is so important to them) and by being professional.  Once you get a few of events under your belt, than you can give references, which makes it even easier to get in with the planners.  Their biggest fear:  hiring someone who lets them down by showing up late or being unprofessional.  Your goal should be to smooth those fears and prove to be an asset.

HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF AN ASSET TO THE EVENT

Generate excitement in the physical area in which you are placed during the event.  Create a vibe around you that says "Welcome, come see what I'm painting."  Make people feel compelled to watch you paint.  Be open, happy and friendly.  Be interested in the people who come up and talk with you.  Drew is good at this.  He always asks people "Where are you from?" which is a great conversation opener.

Bring extra paintings, finished and framed and placed on an easel.  (Get permission from the host first and make sure there's room for what you're bringing.)  We usually bring a painted surfboard in a stand, which creates a terrific atmosphere.  Also bring a small biography about yourself that can be placed on a table.  A portfolio for people to look through would be nice, too.

Go the extra mile to create the best experience for your host and their guests.  One example is to bring a small giveaway (enough for all guests).  We often will bring inexpensive art prints that look great, and we'll give them away to the guests.  This is included in the price and is mentioned in the contract.

If you are planning to paint something just for this event, paint it in the theme of the party and if you can, incorporate something subtle about the company in the painting.  We often do this, and when we do, it entices the company to want to buy the painting.

If it's a "shy" crowd, get them interested.  Some crowds are fun and lively, but others can be tough.  Just ask any comedian that goes out and tries to make a bunch of accountants laugh right before tax day.  If you find yourself in a group where you're feeling invisible and no-one's coming to see your work, than put yourself out there and draw them in.  After all, that's what you were hired to do - to entertain and be an addition to the event.  One way you can draw people in is when someone's walking by, say "What do you think of the painting?" or "How are you tonight?" or Drew's personal favorite, "Hey, you want to finish this painting for me?"  A little humor helps in every situation.

IMPORTANT DOS AND DON'TS

DO be on time.  (One hour before the event starts.)  This is the most important thing you can do for the event planner.  NEVER BE LATE.  If the event starts at 6:00, be there at 5:00 so that there is plenty of time to figure out where you'll be placed and to solve little problems that always pop up at these events.  One challenge we always run into is lighting - often the
planner will forget proper lighting, which is needed for the artist to paint.

DON'T use a medium that has a strong smell or is extremely messy.  That can create a problem, particularly at high-end black-tie events.  Drew paints with Uni Posca Paint pens, which are non-toxic, no smell and not messy.  He can also paint real fast with them, which allows the guests to watch a painting transform from start to finish right before their eyes
during the event.

DO Dress your Best. Wear nice clothes and shoes and don't forget to shave.

DON'T sell anything directly to the guests at the party without first discussing it with the event planner.  It is standard procedure to offer the event planning company a percentage of your sale.   Discuss it before the event.  Some event planners are funny about not wanting you to hand out your business cards, so discuss this in advance as well.  (I think they should be okay with it, after all, they aren't your art agent.  But, if you agree to giving a percentage of anything you sell that comes from the event, they should be pleased with that.)

DO roll with it.  If something goes wrong, figure out how to improvise.  The last event we did the lights were so dim that Drew couldn't see.  He grabbed a candle and held it up to the painting.  A little inconvenient, yes, but it worked!

DON'T do this if you are shy and can't talk to people.  It's a bummer for the guests to try to talk to the artist when they are not conversational.  You won't be a contribution to the event and you will not be asked back again.

DO have a contract that lays out the particulars of the event, how much you are charging and what they are getting for that fee.  Our contract states that we require 50% up front at least 10 days prior to the event to "hold the date".  The balance is due at the event - the event planner should have a check ready to hand to you on-site.

DON'T eat the food or get drinks at the event unless you are invited to by the host.  You are there to work and you are expected to paint the entire time.

DO refer any questions about how much you charge or if you can be hired at another event to the party planner.  That's the appropriate thing to do.  Make sure that you've given the best "show" you can give - and you'll be asked back again and again for future parties.

If you've done any events like this, please share in the comments and let us know how it's worked for you, how much you've charged and suggestions you may have for someone new at this.

Maria Brophy