Art64

June 6th & 7th, 2025

Three men with arms around each other smiling in an outdoor street setting on a sunny day. One wears a gray T-shirt and khaki shorts, another in a gray T-shirt with a graphic and black pants, and the third in a black T-shirt and gray pants. Behind them are buildings, string lights, and outdoor tables.

Art64 – A Live Painting Showdown

Art64 is a live painting tournament that takes over Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, each summer. Sixty-four artists. Head-to-head matchups. Multiple rounds. One chance to make something bold in front of a live, voting crowd. It’s fast, high-energy, and a little chaotic—in the best way. Oh and did I mention, $20k is on the line?

I was lucky enough to be one of the 64 artists chosen to compete this year, bringing my usual mix of spray paint, paint markers, and brushwork to the battlefield. In round one, I had what I can only describe as a mild panic attack when I looked up and realized I was painting in front of hundreds of people. But by round two, I started to feed off the crowd’s energy. There’s something electric about creating live with that kind of support and curiosity around you.

I didn’t make it past round two—but honestly, I walked away with way more than I expected. I met incredible artists, connected with new fans and collectors, and got a real boost of appreciation for the weird, colorful stuff I put out into the world. Art64 was a blur of paint fumes, adrenaline, and connection. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Art featuring a cracked, broken clock with Roman numerals, overlaying a woman's face with closed eyes and slightly parted lips, next to a purple lily flower.

The one I didn't get to paint live in the final round. Lilly’s Story. Prints available.

A man with glasses and a beard sitting at a table outside, drawing or painting on a canvas. The table has spray paint cans, a water bottle, and art supplies. The background shows a brick building and a sidewalk.
Colorful illustration of a woman with purple and pink curly hair, looking thoughtful in a cafe setting with potted plants, tables, and hanging lights.
Colorful painting of a woman with curly hair, sitting at a table with plants and hanging lights, against a vibrant background with pink, blue, yellow, and green hues.
A man with glasses and a beard drawing a colorful street art portrait of a woman wearing a pink hoodie and a gas mask.
A colorful street art painting of a woman wearing a pink hooded jacket and a gas mask, with a mixed background of blue, green, purple, and yellow spray paint on canvas displayed on an easel at an outdoor event.
Colorful graffiti-style art of a woman with long brown hair wearing a pink hoodie and a blue gas mask, against a multicolored abstract background.