On March 27, Abbey Ryan ’03 conducted a live painting demo in Grey Towers Castle to benefit the Jami Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship at Arcadia University.

Dozens of people gathered to watch on the landing of the Grand Staircase, where a projector gave a close-up of each brushstroke. Many more tuned in online, watching a video stream of the action. However, these long-distance admirers couldn’t sit in the artist’s seat after the painting’s completion; those present did.

The Assistant Professor of Studio Art completed the 6 x 8 inch oil painting, Still Life with Silver Cup, Two Blueberries, and Muscat Grapes, in just under two hours—but you can see it come to life in less than two minutes in the time-lapse video that follows.

The painting is up for auction until 9:15 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 9. All proceeds from this auction will be donated to Arcadia’s Jami Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship.