Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Popadich
Hi Stephen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Everyone in life searches for a convergence of two things: What brings joy to my life and others? And would someone pay me to do that?
For anyone under 40, I’d say this—you likely won’t find those two things aligning until you explore countless possibilities.
I truly feel I’m living a blessed life. I’ve discovered two passions that I love, and in many ways, they complement each other.
After graduating with my Art Education degree from Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA, I pursued teaching. Three years in, I continued my education, working toward a Master of Fine Arts. But right in the middle of that journey, ministry and working for a church came into view. I had always loved God, but I never imagined I would one day serve in a church.
Now, 14 years later, as a pastor at Seacoast Church in Mount Pleasant, SC, I realize that life is full of unexpected turns. In fact, I could have never predicted that seven years ago, a local wedding planner would ask me a seemingly random question:
“Do you think you could paint for my daughter’s wedding?”
“Sure,” I said, having no idea what I was signing up for—but it sounded fun.
At the time, I had never stopped painting since leaving teaching, but my work was primarily landscapes. My first live wedding painting took over 45 hours to complete, and yet, I was filled with excitement about the possibilities.
As an artist, I never quite fit the mold of being quiet, introverted, or nervous in front of people. My role as a pastor has been all about communicating and, more importantly, listening.
From my first few paintings to now being booked out a year in advance with over 50 weddings annually, I find myself constantly engaging with people at every event. I’ve painted for famous athletes, government senators, and many incredible couples, and with every interaction, I know I have a purpose—to add value to their lives.
In ministry, I do this through the Gospel of Jesus.
In art, I do this by creating a piece that preserves memories for generations.
These days, I’m seeking new creative heights in the live event painting space. I’m always looking for unique venues—both in the U.S. and internationally. I would love to participate in more events, not just weddings, but also in spaces where art can bring people together.
I believe everyone needs a little more art in their world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes, plenty!
One of the biggest challenges was breaking into the wedding scene in Charleston. Weddings here are truly next level. I knew I needed to build relationships with potential clients, so I focused on that. Little did I know, the true gatekeepers of the Charleston wedding market are the incredible planners.
Another major challenge has been scaling the business. For the past few years, I’ve had to turn down so many weddings simply because I’m already booked. The challenge ahead is figuring out how to expand in a way that allows me to take on more clients without compromising quality.
One of my toughest obstacles seven years ago was that I had never painted figures or portraits before. I had studied them in school, of course, but my work had always been primarily landscapes. It took three years of dedicated practice to develop both the skill and the confidence to paint live figures on the spot—with hundreds of people watching.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I paint live in front of people at weddings, charities, concerts, and similar events. Capturing the energy, color tone, and overall vibe of a space and the people in it requires extensive training. To master this process, an artist must have a deep understanding of space, color, composition, line, shape, and most importantly—timing!
The Artistic Side of Live Painting
Live painting is an ancient practice that dates back to the earliest forms of art. In a way, what we see today is a rebirth of an old tradition. My specialty lies in taking a scene and transforming it into a work of art—not simply reproducing a photograph.
A photograph captures a cropped version of reality, whereas a painting is a carefully composed interpretation that allows for artistic edits and creative adjustments. When I paint a space, I am less concerned with reproducing reality exactly and more focused on leveraging reality to emphasize the couple or focal point of the scene.
My painting style is impressionistic, meaning I focus on how light interacts with the space and how the subject integrates into it. My brushstrokes are loose and expressive, rather than tight and rigid, allowing for a dynamic, emotion-filled result.
The Experience I Create
One thing that sets me apart is my commitment to engaging with guests. While the painting itself requires intense focus and effort, I always make time to connect—listening to stories, explaining my process, and even allowing guests to contribute to a separate painting I set up for them.
Couples hire me not just for the final painting at the end of a seven-hour day, but also because they know I add unique value to the overall event. This is what brings me so much joy and, ultimately, what makes the final piece even more special.
The Lasting Impact
What I’m most proud of is the incredible reviews I receive from couples and planners after each event. I strive to make the process seamless, enjoyable, and meaningful.
In the hundreds of paintings I have created, my hope is that when couples look at their custom artwork, they are transported back to that special day. More importantly, I hope it serves as a symbol of their love, reminding them to hold on to each other—even through life’s challenges.
What are your plans for the future?
I am looking forward to new adventures in painting venues state side and internationally. I would like to paint weddings in Italy and Spain in the next year and build connections with destination planners.
I also aim to build my business to that I have 2-3 artist that work along side me so that I can train them up to be quality artists in this field.
I would like to streamline the business with all contracts and forms to help the client work seamlessly with the process.
Pricing:
- Paintings range from 3k
- To the largest painting I do is 6k
Contact Info:
- Website: https://popadichart.com
- Instagram: @popadichart
