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Live painting has become a vibrant and meaningful part of my artistic journey. I regularly paint at charity galas, where my work is created in real-time and auctioned off to support fundraising efforts. Giving back in this way is important to me and I feel blessed and fortunate to be able to use my art to help others.

Beyond charitable events, I live paint at restaurants, festivals and community gatherings, bringing energy and creativity to the public. My work has also taken me to larger stages, including two live appearances on the ESPN College Game Day set, as well as performances on various local television stations and other regional events.

For me, live painting is more than a performance—it’s an opportunity to connect with people, share the excitement of the artistic process and use my talent to make a positive impact.

Charity Galas & Fundraising Events

Regular live painting at charitable events throughout Harbor Country and beyond creates artwork auctioned to support various causes. These performances combine entertainment with philanthropy, using artistic talent to generate meaningful support for organizations making positive impact.

Watching art emerge in real-time creates a different relationship between artist, artwork, and audience. People see the blank canvas transform, witness creative decisions happen spontaneously, and understand that art isn’t magic—it’s work, skill, and vision coming together moment by moment.

The immediacy of live painting adds excitement to fundraising events, and knowing the finished work will benefit others adds purpose to every brushstroke. Whether painting before hundreds at a gala or creating intimate work at restaurant gatherings, each live painting experience offers something unique.

ESPN College GameDay at Notre Dame

My appearances on ESPN’s College GameDay at Notre Dame in South Bend represent some of the most exciting and high-pressure live painting experiences of my career. I first appeared on September 23, 2023, when Ohio State visited Notre Dame, and returned on December 20, 2024, during the first round of the College Football Playoff against Indiana. Painting in front of thousands of energized Fighting Irish fans, with cameras rolling and the GameDay crew just feet away, creates an atmosphere unlike any other artistic setting.

During my second appearance, I painted the GameDay crew live during the broadcast—capturing Lee Corso, Desmond Howard, and the entire set in real-time as the show unfolded. The challenge wasn’t just technical; it was about capturing the energy, the moment, and the spirit of college football’s biggest stage while working under television production conditions.

The experience taught me that live painting thrives on energy exchange. The crowd’s excitement fuels the creative process, the time pressure sharpens focus, and the knowledge that millions are watching adds intensity to every brushstroke. These weren’t just paintings—they were collaborative moments between artist, audience, and the event itself.

Interested in Live Painting for Your Event?

Chris McLaughlin is available for live painting performances at charity galas, corporate events, festivals, private gatherings, and public venues. Each performance can be customized to your event’s theme, beneficiaries, or atmosphere—with finished artwork available for auction, display, or presentation.

Event types: Charity galas and fundraising events, corporate gatherings and celebrations, festival and community events, restaurant and hospitality venues, private parties and special occasions.

Contact me to discuss live painting for your event, including availability, pricing, and creative direction.