Geneva-based watercolour artist and live event illustrator.

November 17, 2025

Hand Painted Christmas Ornaments Collection is ready

I am so delighted to finally share a project that has been quietly growing in my studio and in my heart: the Swiss Landscapes Christmas Ornament Collection — a series of hand-painted ceramic baubles inspired by the poetic charm of Switzerland in winter.

From the snow-covered roofs of small alpine towns to the soft glow of Geneva’s lakeside evenings, each ornament captures a tiny story — a moment suspended in time. Every piece is illustrated by hand and painted with the intention of bringing warmth, nostalgia, and a touch of elegance to festive season.

This project holds a special place in my heart: it's been going on for three years now, and frankly, creating these things has become more than just an easy and joyful process for me. I'm deeply touched by the words my clients say when they receive their balloons, and by the joy they bring when they find a new home!

A Gift Filled With Meaning

These ornaments are more than decorations; they are keepsakes, perfect for someone special — a loved one who treasures Switzerland, a friend who dreams of it, or a family member who carries precious memories of their trip, their favourite place, or even their hometown. A hand-painted ornament becomes a personal moment on the Christmas tree — a small piece of magic revisited every year.

Custom Orders: Your Story, Painted

If your favourite design is no longer available or if you dream of something uniquely yours, I am happy to create a custom hand-painted ornament for you.

• Your favourite mountain
• Your old street in Geneva
• The lake you walked around
• The chalet you visited as a child
• or a meaningful corner of Switzerland that feels like home

Explore the Collection

You can now discover and shop the full Swiss Landscapes Collection on my website. Whether you're choosing a meaningful gift or adding a poetic touch to your own holiday decor, I hope these ornaments bring warmth and beauty to your season.

Warm wishes,

October 5, 2025

Things to Know Before Booking a Live Artist

Hiring a live watercolor artist adds a touch of poetry and sophistication to any celebration — whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, or private soirée. If you’ve ever wondered how the process works, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you understand what to expect when you book me for your event.

1. Book in advance

It’s best to secure your date a few months ahead—especially during busy seasons like summer or Christmas. These periods fill up quickly, so early booking ensures I can reserve your event and prepare any custom details in advance.

2. Guest count and timing

Even though live watercolor illustration looks calm and effortless, it’s always very popular once guests see the results! Typically, I can paint about 8 individual or 4 couple portraits per hour. For a 6-hour event, that’s around 50 guests who can be illustrated. If, during the event, you wish to extend my presence, additional hours can be added on site.

If you expect more attendees, I offer additional portraits which I can paint from reference photos after the event at an affordable rate. For larger events, I can also invite other professional artist friends to join me, ensuring everyone receives their personalized keepsake.

A Special Live Illustration Project with Lacoste

I’ve recently worked on was a live illustration activation for Lacoste. As part of a Europe-wide brand initiative, loyal Lacoste clients were invited to visit select stores in Switzerland and Germany to receive a personalised watercolour portrait created live in-store. I had the pleasure of being selected as the artist for the Lacoste Geneva location. The experience was as vibrant as the brand itself!

Bringing Personalised Art to the Lacoste In-Store Experience

The concept was beautifully simple yet impactful: clients were invited to enjoy a live portrait session while they shopped. Some came specifically for the event after receiving email invitations, while others discovered it by surprise as they made their purchases.

Live Wedding Illustration – A Touch Of Art For Your Special Day

A touch of art for your special day and how I love elevating guests experience for your wedding day.

Weddings are made of fleeting moments, joyful glances, heartfelt embraces, the soft light of a perfect setting. Live illustration captures the essence of these moments in a way that photography alone cannot. As a professional wedding artist, I offer a unique experience for your celebration: live watercolour portraits of your guests, custom artwork of the couple, and elegant keepsakes that become treasured memories.

Whether you're hosting a grand wedding in a villa on Lake Como or an intimate ceremony in the Swiss Alps, live illustration brings a sense of charm, beauty, and emotion to your day.

Why Hire a Live Wedding Artist?

Hiring a live watercolour artist for your wedding is more than entertainment: it's a poetic, immersive experience for you and your guests. It's also way more appreciated than a random party favour. The process is mesmerising to watch, and the final result is deeply personal. Here’s what I can bring to your special day:

Live watercolour portraits of wedding guests as heartfelt, personalised favours
Custom watercolour paintings of the newlyweds and their families
Illustrations of the wedding venue, capturing the atmosphere in soft, timeless detail

Each illustration is painted with intention, reflecting not just the likeness of the subject but also the energy and emotion of the day. It’s a keepsake your guests will proudly frame and a memory they’ll never forget.

View these highlights of a selection of wedding watercolour I made last year.

A Wedding in Lake Como: One of My Most Memorable Events

One of the most unforgettable weddings I’ve illustrated took place on the shores of Lake Como at the Villa Geno. I sketched guests continuously for five hours, each one excited to take home a personal portrait. Even grandparents and young children asked for their turn.

What stayed with me most was the atmosphere: so much joy, curiosity, and connection created by the simple act of drawing. The impact of live art is powerful: it brings people together, sparks conversation, and adds a touch of magic to the celebration.

Live Illustration for Elopements & Intimate Weddings

For couples choosing to elope or celebrate with a small group, elopement illustration packages are also available. Whether you’re exchanging vows in a mountain chapel, a secret garden, or a romantic European city, I can travel with you and create bespoke watercolour pieces that reflect the beauty of the setting and your love story.

A Unique & Elegant Keepsake for Your Wedding Day

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration and live illustration is a meaningful way to capture it. The artwork becomes part of the day: created in real time, infused with the atmosphere, and forever yours to keep.

If you're looking for something truly personal, elegant, and different, live wedding illustration is a beautiful way to celebrate love through art.

Let’s collaborate to make your event extraordinary. Contact me here

August 20, 2025

Elevated Guest Experience at Hyatt’s Exclusive Event in Geneva

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of collaborating with Hyatt Privé for a beautifully curated evening at Bel-Air Fine Art Gallery in Geneva. The event brought together representatives from 12 Hyatt hotels across Europe for a refined, art-inspired experience and I was invited to create live watercolour illustrations that would add a personal, emotional and memorable layer to the celebration.

A Custom Illustration for Every Hyatt Hotel

To honour the participating hotels, I hand-painted 12 small watercolour canvases, each representing a specific Hyatt property in Europe. Every painting was displayed on a mini easel and gifted to the hotel representative during the event. The response was deeply rewarding, many told me they planned to display their canvas in the reception or their office. A few even followed up with emails to express how special it felt to see their hotel illustrated in such a delicate and artistic way.

As a complementary keepsake, I also designed and printed a luxury postcard featuring all 12 hotel illustrations. Printed on high-quality textured paper and accompanied by elegant envelopes, these postcards were available at the entrance, offering every guest a beautiful reminder of the evening.

Elevated Guest Experience at Hyatt's Exclusive Event in Geneva

Live Portrait Illustration: A Unique Guest Experience

To elevate the guest experience at Hyatt's Exclusive Event in Geneva, I also made live fashion-style portrait sketches of the guests and brand partners throughout the evening. The venue - an art gallery in Geneva - created the perfect setting for this artistic activation. From the first portrait, it was clear: people were excited, surprised and genuinely moved.

Beyond the art itself, what made this event special was the reaction of the guests. From spontaneous hugs and heartfelt smiles to follow-up messages and new contacts, it was clear that these personal touches resonated. Many guests took my business card, and several asked how we could collaborate in the future.

I heard comments like:
"This is a real piece of art, I’ll frame it!"
"I love how I look, thank you so much!"

Capturing someone's likeness live is always a vulnerable but beautiful moment. I painted men and women, pairs of friends and colleagues, and as always. A few portraits were finished at the studio and sent later which is a thoughtful touch I always offer for those who don’t get their sketch during the event.

Elevated Guest Experience at Hyatt's Exclusive Event in Geneva

A Beautiful Collaboration with Real Impact

If you're a luxury brand, hotel group or event planner looking to offer something truly memorable, live watercolour illustration is a powerful way to connect with your audience, through emotion, creativity, and one-of-a-kind keepsakes they’ll treasure long after the event.

Bring Artistic Magic to Your Next Event

Based in Geneva and available for events across Switzerland and Europe, I offer live fashion portraits, custom watercolour illustrations and elegant calligraphy for brand activations, private soirées and high-end corporate events.

Let’s collaborate to make your event extraordinary. Contact me here

July 31, 2025

5 Reasons to Hire a Live Watercolor Artist for Your Event

5 reasons to hire a live watercolor artist for your event if you want your next event to stand out, this one simple way offers your guests a truly unique experience.

Whether it’s a luxury brand activation in Geneva, a corporate event in Zurich or an elegant private celebration in Paris, hiring a live watercolour artist instantly elevates the atmosphere. It transforms an ordinary gathering into a moment your guests will talk about and treasure.

live illustration at an event

Here’s why live event illustration makes such an impact:

1. It’s pure entertainment (and a little magic)

People love watching an artist at work. Even the shyest guests are drawn to the process of live watercolour painting, often starting from a distance before coming closer to see the details unfold. In a world where traditional, hand-painted art has become rare, witnessing a live illustrator in action feels almost magical.

2. It builds loyalty with your Brand

When you invite a live illustrator to create personalised keepsakes, it shows your guests how much you value them. Whether it’s custom watercolour portraits or hand-painted calligraphy customised gifts, these one-of-a-kind pieces communicate care, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail, qualities that make your brand or event unforgettable.

3. It keeps guests engaged (and around for longer)

A live event artist does more than entertain. They create a reason for your guests to stay longer. Guests will wait for their turn to receive their illustration, using that time to chat, network, explore the venue, take photos and enjoy your event. It’s a perfect way to increase engagement and create a lively, dynamic atmosphere.

4. It creates heartfelt, unforgettable emotions

The joy of receiving a personalised watercolour portrait is unlike anything else. Guests light up with excitement and gratitude as they see their portrait for the first time. I’ve heard countless heartfelt reactions: “I’ll frame this immediately!”, “It’s like a real piece of art, just for me!”. These moments of connection make your event deeply memorable.

5. It elevates your event and adds a touch of luxury

Not every event offers this type of exclusive, live art experience. When guests post their personalised portraits on Instagram, it creates beautiful, shareable content that reflects the luxury and exclusivity of your brand or celebration. Hiring a live illustrator for your company event in Geneva or across Switzerland is a simple way to make your event stand out as an extraordinary, high-end experience.

Ready to add this magic to your event?

Whether you’re planning a luxury brand activation, a corporate event or a private party in Geneva or anywhere in Switzerland, I can help bring your vision to life through live watercolour illustration, fashion portraits and personalised calligraphy. I hope that these 5 reasons to hire a live watercolour artist for your event convinced you to take to elevate our next event.

Let’s create something unforgettable together. Get in touch here.

July 14, 2025

3 Brands That Launched My Career

When I think back to the early days of my journey as a live illustrator and watercolour artist, there are 3 brands that launched my career. They shaped my career and gave me the confidence to keep painting: Lancôme, Clarins, and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix in Geneva. Each of these projects brought magic, emotion, and incredible people into my life.

Lancôme: my first live watercolour event

My very first live illustration event was with Lancôme, and it still holds a special place in my heart. A marketing intern for the brand was planning an animation at Globus Geneva and had been browsing the instagram followers of a well-known Swiss artist. That’s how she found my account, and instantly felt that my soft, feminine watercolour style would match perfectly with the brand’s Parisian spirit.

The project was pure joy from start to finish. I spent the day painting directly onto Lancôme gift boxes with my signature watercolours: pink tones, Eiffel Towers, roses and other charming Paris-inspired elements. Clients were fascinated and kept asking what they needed to buy to receive a box like that!
I also hand-lettered sweet phrases in French like "La vie est belle", "Mon amour", and "Pour la meilleure maman" - making each box truly one of a kind.

It was the perfect first collaboration, full of joy and creativity, and it arrived just after a difficult period in my life. I will always see it as a beautiful, healing beginning.

Clarins: delicate illustrations for a meaningful brand

Shortly after, Clarins reached out for a special Mother’s Day project. The brief ? Create meaningful and delicate watercolour illustrations that reflected love and femininity. I adored every part of this watercolour project.

That collaboration quickly grew into several more live events, where I illustrated floral bookmarks for Clarins guests, each design inspired by the natural ingredients in their iconic skincare products. It was not just a brand match, it was a creative match.

This beautiful partnership happened thanks to Justine Zamataro, then Head of Marketing at Clarins Switzerland. She had brilliant ideas and a wonderful energy (and by the way, she is now running her own PR & Marketing agency!)

Ritz-Carlton Hôtel de la Paix: a dream holiday collaboration

One of the most iconic projects I’ve had the honour to create was the Christmas card for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix in Geneva. I illustrated a festive holiday scene—a Christmas tree adorned with red ribbons, inspired by the elegant lobby decor of the hotel. A year later, we worked together again on another winter design, this time capturing the festive façade of the hotel in my signature soft, dreamy watercolour style.

The collaboration came through Instagram. Ginevra, the hotel’s marketing manager at the time, had been following my account and reached out directly. It was a dream project and one that I’ll always be grateful for and proud of. Bringing such an iconic Geneva landmark to life through art was a true career milestone.

A Note from the Artist

The 3 brands that launched my career were more than projects, they were moments of connection, joy and recognition. They taught me that my art could live in the world, make people smile and become part of unforgettable experiences.

If you’re looking to bring beauty and personalisation to your event, gift or brand launch, I’d love to hear from you. My journey started with a brushstroke and it’s still unfolding, one illustration at a time.

Let’s Create Something Beautiful Together

Whether you’re a luxury brand, event planner or simply someone looking to make a gift feel truly special, I offer live watercolour illustration, fashion portraits, and personalised calligraphy for events and collaborations in Geneva, in Switzerland and beyond.

Get in touch to bring a touch of softness, joy and elegance to your next project.

September 2, 2022

Find me on Skillshare to learn watercolor

As the dates of the next workshops are not yet known, you can any time to learn watercolor with me on the Skillshare platform.

Here you will find my five lessons with all explanations and demonstrations: skillshare.com/Alexandra-Motovilina

Remember that new members have their first 7 days of Skillshare for free:)

June 30, 2021

Workshops in July 2021

Summer is a perfect time to go on plein air and feel yourself like an artist. So I'm happy to invite you to participate in my few July watercolor sessions. Choose the subject which you love more!

"Boat on Geneva's Lake" 18 July, Sunday, from 10h to 12h.
You will discover the basic painting techniques to paint the water, reflections and other tips which you can use on the plein air.

No drawing level is required. You come if you want to get the maximum of pleasant emotions from drawing on the plein air in friendly company, relax and meditate during this process and I will show you all steps how to do.

"Cute village" 25 July, Sunday, from 10h to 12h.
You will discover the basic painting techniques to paint the building elements, lovely details and other tips which you can use on the plein air.

The place will be announced later but it will be in the center of Geneva and for the Cute Village in the Geneva area, but with transport accessibility.

For the booking your spot e-mail alexandra.motovilina@gmail.com or write me a message on Instagram

See you soon!

Few words from my dear participants:

June 1, 2021

Workshops in June 2021

Summer is a perfect time to go on plein air and feel yourself like an artist. So I'm happy to invite you to participate in my few watercolor sessions. Choose the subject which you love more!

"Boat on Geneva's Lake" 13 June (only 1 spot left) and 20 June (2 spots left), Sunday, from 10h to 12h.
You will discover the basic painting techniques to paint the water, reflections and other tips which you can use on the plein air.

No drawing level is required. You come if you want to get the maximum of pleasant emotions from drawing on the plein air in friendly company, relax and meditate during this process and I will show you all steps how to do.

"Flowers in the park" 27 June (2 spots left), Sunday, from 10h to 12h
Very simple and calm workshop of beautiful hydrangea, everyone will get a lovely bouquet on the paper. After it’s possible to stay for a little picnic in the park.

The same - no drawing level is required. You come if you want to get the maximum of pleasant emotions from drawing on the plein air in friendly company, relax and meditate during this process and I will show you all steps how to do.

The place will be announced later but it will be in the center of Geneva.
Price 60 CHF including artist’s materials during the class.

For the booking your spot e-mail alexandra.motovilina@gmail.com or write me a message on Instagram

See you soon!