Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristyn Potter.
Kristyn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey to becoming a live fashion illustrator was quite unexpected—if anything, it felt like a part of my life I had left behind.
I’ve been “drawing pretty dresses” since I could hold a pencil and have always been obsessed with all things fashion. I studied art and fashion at the University of North Texas, and quickly realized I loved the illustration side of the curriculum most (and the sewing side least!). Life happened after graduation and my creative side took a back seat. I spent 20+ years in the corporate world, including roles in luxury hospitality, C-suite administration, and event planning—a pretty perfect combination of behind-the-scenes skills for what was to come.
When COVID happened, my day job shifted to a fully remote environment—and never returned to the office—which gave me something I had never had before: flexibility. With my free time, I returned to something familiar: sketching wedding dresses. I started sharing my illustrations on Instagram for fun. Soon, people began reaching out, asking to commission illustrations for weddings, anniversaries, and gifts for their loved ones.
One day, while scrolling Instagram, I came across an artist creating live sketches at events. I remember thinking, “I wonder if I could do that, and if so, would people be interested?” That question became a turning point.
With the added flexibility in my schedule, I decided to give it a try. What started as curiosity quickly grew into something real. I found I loved the energy, the uniqueness of each event, the connection with people, and the joy of creating something meaningful for them on the spot. Clients and their guests loved the experience, and through word-of-mouth referrals and my own marketing efforts, I began booking events regularly.
Over the past four and a half years, that simple “Could I do that?” question has grown into a thriving full-time business. If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that it’s never too late to reconnect with your creativity—or to reimagine what your path can become. All I wanted to do when I was little was draw pretty dresses, and now I’m doing that for a living!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges I faced on this journey was balancing two careers. What started as a creative side-gig quickly became a second full-time job. At first, it was manageable—even exciting. But as demand grew, so did the challenge of juggling client meetings, travel, events, and artwork alongside my day job. Eventually, I reached a point where something had to give. Fortunately, a “this is your sign to take the leap” moment occurred in February 2025, and I’ve never looked back.
Another challenge was simply not knowing what I didn’t know. I had never built an art business before, so much of the journey involved learning as I went—everything from pricing and contracts to marketing, networking, and managing growth. There wasn’t really a roadmap; a lot of it was figuring things out through experience. And don’t get me started on learning TikTok and Instagram!
A relatively new challenge has been growing the team so we can accommodate larger events and higher guest counts. I now have a handful of talented artists and assistants on the team. I’m learning how to lead, support, and coordinate, while maintaining the quality and personalized experience clients have come to expect. We’re still very much a boutique business, and preserving that level of care and attention is incredibly important to me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Today, I work as a live fashion illustrator, creating custom guest sketches at weddings, brand activations, corporate events, and private celebrations. Guests have the opportunity to watch their illustration come to life in real time and leave with a personalized keepsake from the event.
What sets my work apart is my artistic style. Clients are often drawn to the elevated, fashion-forward aesthetic of my illustrations, as well as the level of personalization that goes into each piece. While the finished artwork is certainly the highlight, I believe the experience is just as memorable. There’s something special about seeing someone light up when they recognize themselves in a sketch.
One of the most rewarding parts of this work is that no two events are the same. Whether it’s an intimate wedding, a luxury brand activation, or a large corporate event, I love creating artwork that captures a moment and gives guests something truly unique and memorable to take home.
I can’t tell you how honored and grateful I am to be a part of some of the most meaningful celebrations and special moments in people’s lives.
Any big plans?
I’m excited to continue growing the business within Texas and beyond! I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work events throughout the United States, and I’d love to continue along that path—mostly staying close to home, with a few destination events sprinkled in. A wedding in Italy? That’s definitely on the bucket list.
I’m also excited to continue growing my work with luxury retailers and brands. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with some incredible companies over the years, and I look forward to creating even more engaging and memorable experiences in the luxury retail and brand activation space.
Lastly, I am SO looking forward to attending my first Engage! Summit in December, where I’ll make new connections (and friends!), learn from industry leaders, and continue growing within the luxury wedding and event space.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.acaeventdesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acaeventdesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BbK446pxD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@acadesigns?_r=1&_t=ZT-91hur4Ez418
