Wellington-based
Live Guest Illustrator
From weddings to bridal showers, birthdays, and special gatherings, I offer live guest illustrations your guests can enjoy and take as keepsakes.
I can also transform your favourite spot or landmark into a delicate watercolour artwork that celebrates its story.
chineeswanson.art@gmail.com
Why have a live guest illustrator?
A Unique Experience
Guests love watching themselves come to life in watercolour.
Personal Keepsakes
Everyone leaves with a one-of-a-kind portrait to treasure.
Fun & Engaging
Guests connect and celebrate as each portrait appears.
About Me
Hi, I’m Chinee, a follower of Jesus Christ and I aim to glorify Him through the creativity He’s blessed me with. I am a wife to my wonderful husband and a mum to our two beautiful daughters.
I’m originally from the Philippines and now happily settled in Wellington with our six chickens and a few thousand bees. My other hobbies include board games and a bit of op-shopping, though with a toddler and a baby, I don’t get to do those as often these days.
Food-wise, nothing beats my husband’s cooking. I’m also a big fan of good coffee paired with either spinach & cream cheese muffin or an almond croissant. Yummmm.
Work-wise, I’m currently on maternity leave from my usual work in IT.
I enjoy watercolour painting! I love it for its versatility. It can be delicate yet full of life and colour. I truly find it fascinating about how a painting transforms as it dries, revealing soft blends and unexpected textures that make every piece unique. I’m especially drawn to landscapes and architectural details.
Questions & Answers
Here are simple answers to the things people usually want to know.
Got more questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out via email or message!
It’s a fun and unique experience where I paint your guests in watercolour *live during your event. Each guest receives a hand-painted portrait as a keepsake! What a lovely blend of art and entertainment.
*I take a quick photo of each guest on the day and paint from that.
Pricing varies based on event type, duration, and location.
Weddings, birthdays, and personal celebrations have standard rates, while corporate events are priced separately.
To give you an idea, a minimum 3-hour booking is $600, which typically covers 10–13 portraits (around 20–26 guests). This excludes travel cost.
You can get a more detailed and accurate quote by sending me your event details through my contact form or email.
As a mum of two young kids, I’m currently focusing on events within the Wellington region. If your event is further away, I may need to leave a bit earlier to get home for bedtime.
My availability and travel flexibility may expand around mid next year, 2026.
Yes! I create custom watercolour illustrations of homes, wedding venues, landscapes and more.