In the world of weddings, personalization is key, and no one understands this better than Juelie Gish, the Midwest’s premier live event watercolor artist. Her unique brand, Humble Hands, captures the essence of celebrations through live painting, custom calligraphy and beautifully crafted wedding décor. From creating elegant invitation suites to painting a moment as it unfolds during the ceremony, Juelie infuses her work with both artistic talent and deep spiritual meaning.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into Juelie's artist journey, her creative process, and the joy she finds in serving couples with her humble hands and heart. Whether you’re planning a wedding or simply looking for creative inspiration, Juelie’s insights are sure to resonate.
NWD: Can you share your background and how you became a watercolorist?
JG: I have always been an artist, and that really started when I was a little girl doing art projects and crafts with my mom. It was our special bonding time. When I was 10, she went to be with Jesus, and my grandmother made sure to keep me active in art camps, classes, and other creative extracurricular activities that helped me flourish. I found my love for watercolor when I was in nursing school in 2013. I really started honing my skills at that point, and it became an outlet for me when I graduated as an ER nurse in 2015. I did my first set of watercolor wedding invitations that year, and was hooked! It’s also one of the ways I spend time with the Lord. I have a spiral-bound Bible made specifically for watercolor journaling.
NWD: What services do you offer for weddings?
JG: I like to say that I’m a couple’s “creative wedding bestie” because I really try to be the one person they need to work with for the creative process, so their vision flows throughout the entire wedding. That vision begins with the invitations, as that’s the first experience the guests have of the wedding. Then the artwork can be added to anything and everything: menus, programs, treat bags, cocktail napkins, dance floor decals, bar signs, seating charts, favors, and seriously so much more! It would fill a page if I typed everything out!
NWD: How does your live painting process work during a wedding?
JG: That’s a great question! When I’m painting live at a wedding, I’m doing one of three offerings: a large couple’s portrait, miniature guest portraits, or painted wine/champagne glasses.
For the large couple’s portrait, I take a photo from whatever moment in the ceremony they want, scurry back to my station while they finish up the ceremony, and project the photo onto the watercolor paper with my mini projector. Then, I outline the main details of the photo, put the projector away, and fill in the details throughout the evening, using the photo as a reference. They leave the reception with a framed portrait, unless they want any touch-ups to be done in studio!
For the miniature guest portraits, guests come to my station and pose for a photo. They continue celebrating while I’m sketching and painting their mini likeness on a 4”x6” piece of high-quality watercolor paper. They check back throughout the evening or grab the minis as they’re leaving.
The couple gets a cloud album of all the reference photos, and the guests get a custom favor that they will cherish! Any portraits that aren’t finished on-site are finished in studio and mailed to the couple to include in the ‘Thank You’ cards. It holds the couple accountable to actually sending them, and it brings that memory back to the forefront of the guest’s mind when they open it!
For painted glasses, the couple picks a couple of design options to offer to the guests, and I paint the glasses with a special paint that can be oven-cured when the guests get home. While they still have the glass at the reception, it can be used as a toasting glass! The couples that book this package get a custom painted bottle of my favorite champagne as a gift from me.
NWD: Can you describe the types of wedding signage you create?
JG: I love making signage that the couple can keep, but I also have lots of rentals available. My favorite sign is my MASSIVE, Anthropologie-inspired mirror that I use for calligraphy seating charts. It looks exquisite with wax seals and a deckled-edged paper. Another favorite is a watercolor bar sign that shows off the signature cocktails. I’ve done illustrations of the actual drink, but also love doing cocktail signs with the couple’s pets! Much like above, I could fill a page with the amount of signage I can create. I tell couples that if they can think it, I can likely create it. On the off-chance that I can’t, I provide referrals to my trusted friends in the business.
NWD: What are some popular wedding gifts that you offer?
JG: Ohhh I love helping with gifts! Some popular ones recently have been painted champagne bottles and engraved liquor bottles. I’ve done a lot of custom gift boxes to “propose” to bridesmaids and such as well. Other popular gifts are engraved perfumes, compact mirrors, and custom watercolor portraits of homes, pets, etc.
NWD: What is your process for working with couples to create custom pieces?
JG: I start with a questionnaire to see what all they are interested in, and then typically hop on a call, or meet for coffee if they’re local. I send proofs along the way, and they have a portal where they can upload inspiration pictures. I also love to be added to their Pinterest board to see what they’re drawn to. While I can’t infringe upon other artists or copy designs, I use the references they add to the portal to design pieces that are true to my artistic style.
NWD: How do you ensure that your work aligns with the overall theme and aesthetic of the wedding?
JG: This question ties nicely into the previous! I try to get a well-rounded sense of what they are envisioning by asking for specific florals being used, looking at their photographer’s style, and gathering lots and lots of inspo pics from the portal. I say flood me with what you’re thinking, and then we sit down and narrow it down to find the overall motif. Then during the proofing process, the couple has revision opportunities if necessary to further hone in on the right style.
NWD: How do you incorporate calligraphy into your wedding projects?
JG: With calligraphy, I work it into whatever the couple wants me to. From spot calligraphy on the invitations to engraving on napkin rings that serve as the guests place cards, it can be included anywhere. I do traditional pointed- pen calligraphy and watercolor lettering.
NWD: What advice would you give to couples considering live painting or custom watercolor pieces for their wedding?
JG: I would say that if they have been wanting a live painter for their wedding, they absolutely need to book me. I hear so many couples say they wished they had a live painter when they got married. If it’s a financial concern, I tell couples to consider adding it to their registry. I have a way for couples to add a custom link to their online registry that lets guests contribute any amount to the overall cost of my live painting services. People that love you want to gift you something you’ll cherish, so spring for the live painter!
NWD: Can you share a memorable wedding project you’ve worked on?
JG: I think my current favorite project was an invitation suite I did that incorporated watercolor illustrations on each piece of the suite…even the envelopes! I’m now absolutely obsessed with printing illustrations on envelopes because of that one couple. I can’t wait to see pictures of that suite from the wedding photographer. To further elevate the design, I calligraphed the guests’ names on top of the illustration. It was STUNNING!
NWD: What do you enjoy most about contributing to weddings through your art?
JG: I love being able to tell a love story that flows seamlessly throughout the entire process. It’s so much fun to become a bride’s creative bestie that genuinely wants her big day to be the most magical day ever. I will quote one of my recently booked “Full Send” brides, Brandy: “This takes so much off our plates during this busy process of wedding planning and we could not be more grateful. Working with Juelie is like planning with a good friend who makes your dreams come to life.” This is exactly what I want each of my couples to experience when they hire me to create art for them.
Interested in working with Humble Hands for your wedding? Connect with them by filling out the contact form on their website.
