Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Chau
Hi Amy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a live illustrator, specializing in creating real-time illustrations at weddings, corporate parties, and other events. My work allows me to combine my passion for art, storytelling, and connecting with people in a meaningful way.
My journey began with a small Etsy shop where I created personalized items such as digitally illustrated house, pet, and people portraits on plates, custom key hangers, custom pet toy basket, personalized wedding items, and invitation cards. Each piece was carefully designed to celebrate my customers’ special moments, from weddings to new homes. Of all the items I created, I found the greatest joy in the painting process. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about turning someone’s story into art and knowing that the piece would serve as a cherished keepsake for years to come.
I also loved the interaction with my customers. Many of them shared their beautiful stories with me, and I found so much inspiration in hearing about their lives. This connection with people made me realize that I wanted to go beyond online interactions and experience those moments in person. I wanted to be part of their celebrations and events, meet their guests, and see their reactions as they received their illustrations.
This realization led me to launch my live illustration business. Today, I attend weddings, corporate parties, and other special events to create one-of-a-kind illustrations for couples, clients, and their guests. The energy of a live event is something I truly enjoy—it allows me to capture the joy, connection, and excitement of the moment in a way that feels deeply personal and memorable.
Whether it’s creating illustrations for a couple celebrating their wedding, guests at a holiday party, or team members at a corporate gathering, I love how my work brings people together and provides them with a lasting memento of the occasion. Many of my clients tell me that the illustrations are more than just art—they’re timeless keepsakes that evoke joy and preserve special memories.
Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for the journey that brought me to where I am today. Starting with personalized gifts on Etsy helped me discover my love for connecting with people through art, and transitioning to live illustration has allowed me to bring that connection to life in a unique way. It’s an honor to be part of so many special moments—whether at weddings, corporate parties, or other events—and to create art that celebrates love, connection, and joy.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to becoming a live illustrator has been anything but smooth, especially in the beginning. Live illustration is a unique and demanding art form—it requires traveling to different locations, often staying late into the night until the event ends, and carrying heavy art supplies. These logistical challenges made me quickly realize that this isn’t something I could do alone. Thankfully, my husband, Eric, became my biggest supporter and an essential part of my team.
Eric handles so much behind the scenes—taking photos of guests, socializing to make everyone feel comfortable, packing completed artwork, and ensuring the workflow runs smoothly—so I can focus entirely on creating as many illustrations as possible during an event. Without his support, it would have been nearly impossible to balance the demands of live illustration while delivering a memorable experience for clients and their guests.
Another significant challenge I faced was building a network in the wedding and event industry. My background couldn’t have been more different—I graduated from UC San Diego with a degree in pharmaceutical chemistry and spent over 12 years working as a scientist and engineer in the biotech industry. During my scientist career, I turned to art as a way to relieve stress, exploring acrylic painting and creating over 28 pieces that now hang in my home. Later, inspired by digital tools, I taught myself to create illustrations on an iPad, blending traditional painting techniques with modern technology. This creative outlet reignited my passion for art and eventually led me to pursue a career in live illustration.
Starting a business in a field where I had no prior connections was a daunting challenge, but I poured my heart into growing my skills, building relationships, and proving the value of my work one event at a time.
Despite these struggles, what has kept me going is my passion for creating meaningful art that brings joy to people. I love being part of someone’s special day, whether it’s a wedding, a corporate party, or another milestone event. Seeing the excitement on guests’ faces when they receive their custom illustration makes all the effort worthwhile.
To anyone reading this, especially event planners or professionals in the wedding and event industry, I’d love the opportunity to collaborate. My goal is to help create unforgettable experiences for your clients and their guests, blending art, storytelling, and connection in a way that’s both unique and memorable.
The journey has not been easy, but every step along the way has been incredibly rewarding. I’m grateful for the support of my family, the trust of my clients, and the incredible vendor friends in the industry who have referred me to their clients. Their support has helped me grow my business and given me the chance to do what I love.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in live digital illustrations at weddings, corporate events, and other special occasions. Using an iPad, I create custom portraits of guests during the event and print them on-site so they can take home a unique and timeless keepsake. My work offers more than just a portrait—it serves as both a memorable gift and live entertainment.
Guests often find the experience of being illustrated incredibly exciting, as many have never had a professional artist create their portrait before. Watching their likeness come to life on my iPad in real-time is a fun and interactive part of the event. Guests love stopping by to see the illustrations being created, pointing at completed portraits, and guessing who each one represents. It creates a lively and joyful atmosphere, where everyone not only enjoys their own portrait but also delights in seeing the portraits of others.
What truly sets my work apart is the flexibility and possibilities that come with creating digital illustrations. Because I work on an iPad, I’m able to offer something unique: a Signature Group Illustration. After the event, I combine all the individual guest portraits into one cohesive artwork—a single painting that captures everyone who was illustrated during the celebration. Newlyweds often tell me how much they love looking at this special group illustration and guessing who is who, even without faces in the portraits. This piece becomes more than just a memory—it’s a creative, one-of-a-kind way to bring all of their guests together in a format that’s more personal and fun than a traditional group photo.
I’m most proud of the way my live illustration experience brings joy and connection to both my clients and their guests. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that I’m not just creating art, but also helping to make the event itself more memorable and engaging. What makes my work truly special is that it offers something for everyone: the couple or host gets a meaningful keepsake, the guests enjoy live entertainment, and everyone walks away with a tangible piece of the event to cherish forever.
By blending traditional artistic techniques with modern digital tools, I’m able to offer a live illustration experience that is immersive, unique, and unforgettable. My goal is to create art that brings people together, celebrates their stories, and leaves a lasting impression—something that feels more than a photo and more than just a traditional portrait. It’s an honor to share these moments with my clients and their guests, and to know that my work is part of such special celebrations.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The COVID-19 crisis highlighted the importance of celebrating life’s special moments and the value of connection. Starting my business after the pandemic, I’ve seen how much people cherish gathering with loved ones, and I’m honored to create lasting memories for them through my live illustrations.
My goal is not only to create beautiful art but to also provide an experience that brings people closer together, sparks joy, and celebrates the connection that we all missed during those difficult years.
Pricing:
- The average price to book our live illustration service ranges from $650 to $1100
- Custom portrait commission from photos start at just $15 on my etsy shop
- On-site team-building activity: Paint your own pre-sketched portrait. Price start at $28 per person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Deeryhill.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deeryhill
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088886213646&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://Deeryhill.etsy.com
Image Credits
Eric and Amy
