There are unlimited possibilities before, during and after the wedding for what direction it will go in.”

Mark Desilva

We live in a digital age where AI can create anything. In some respect, AI is a collage of sorts — merging reality and fiction in the same moment. Art, in a sense, is the AI of the past, merging elements of reality and imagination to create new meaning — giving it a physical presence on a canvas instead of a digital one on the web.

A local artist from Barrington takes his time using all elements of the wedding to create, recreate and capture what the bride and groom “wish” to remember from their special day, sometimes merging elements that did not appear on the “big day,” creating a magical moment that did occur, but not exactly as it occurred  — the moment is “wished” into existence.

The important part is being a part of the “big day,” for Mark DeSilva, Rhode Island live event artist — which means he needs to attend the live event. He commented on being present on the day of the wedding saying, “All the wonderful elements of the wedding and the efforts put into it, I capture it all in one painting.”

Even though being at the wedding is important, he uses still photographs to assist him in his painting both during and after the event. He cited, “I rely on photographers a lot because they get the lighting just perfect and I use elements of their photos when I take the painting home to finish it,” remarked DeSilva. He uses their photos in his studio, after the event takes place.

The process of a live painting at a wedding does not require the couple to stand or sit still. DeSilva uses photography while he is at the wedding, too — to capture a still image that he then uses to create a portrait of the couple. He often stands behind the hired wedding photographer snapping photos and then chooses one of the couple to recreate into an oil painting while at the wedding. 

The time spent at the wedding doing the live painting is spent mostly on capturing a special moment between the bride and groom. The process of painting them takes about six hours, so DeSilva is very much a part of the wedding. Guests can watch DeSilva paint and interact with him while he works — some guests have even become artists themselves, using his paint brush to add to the portrait.

The important part, however, actually occurs after the wedding is over. DeSilva takes the painting he began at the wedding home with him to create it into whatever the couple “wishes” to see in their live painting.

The “wish” list becomes real

“Paintings are like a collage. I can put anything anywhere,” remarked DeSilva of his experience with the painting after the wedding is over. He went on to say, “I do try to keep it accurate to that evening, but it depends on what the couple wants to see.” He asks the couple questions before he creates, recreates the live painting into something new.

Some couples request to add in loved ones that have passed away or guests that could not make it to their special day. DeSilva remains open to what the couple wants to see, and adds it into the painting. He said he has had people request anything from no guests in the background to images of  “fake” guests in the background.

One new addition in recent years, post-pandemic, has been the inclusion of pets into the portrait. “Often, couples will have their dogs at the actual wedding, but even some who don’t, are requesting to have them added into the portrait later,” detailed DeSilva.

There is one simple question DeSilva asks the couple before the wedding. He asks, “Do you want me to paint a moment from the first dance, the reception or something else?” Post ceremony he asks them to choose what they want in the painting — the “wish list.” DeSilva clarified that the entire process is open from beginning to end. He said, “There are unlimited possibilities before, during and after the wedding for what direction it will go in.”

The oil canvas is a free space to add in what was wanted, but not necessarily present at the wedding.