Update: The painting was auctioned for $1,185.00 on March 11. All proceeds will benefit the Jami Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship.

On Feb. 28, 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. Hundreds 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 5 x 6 inch oil painting, “Silver Cup with Pear and Red Grapes,” in just under two hours—but you can see it come to life in three minutes in the time-lapse video that follows.