As I was introduced to a stadium audience of just under 80,000 people, I could feel my heart beating with excitement and energy. Sometimes I paint; other times, I chalk. You don’t often see LIVE chalk art—it’s rare, but it’s absolutely epic. In this particular moment, I was performing in chalk. As I went to work, the stadium was captivated, moved, drawn in, and soon erupted in cheers. Afterward, the message was sealed in their minds and hearts—visually—through the completed artwork.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Whoever said that was absolutely right. But more than words, it can be a meaningful message that stays with you a lifetime. I still have event planners hire me who saw me nearly 25 years ago. Some clients first saw me speak and paint when they were in high school. They grew up, got jobs, and wanted to inspire their teams—and the memory of the experience created for them stayed with them!

I love art, and for nearly 30 years, I’ve been performing live art on stage at events, conferences, and keynotes. But I don’t just create to impress—I create to connect. And I stick to a few powerful principles to make every performance unforgettable.

1. Use Art to Captivate, Connect, and Communicate

Speaking from an ADHD standpoint—live art is 1,000 times more engaging than a standard keynote accompanied by PowerPoint slides. It grabs attention away from phones, laptops, or side conversations and brings people fully into the moment. When the visuals unfold in real time, the audience becomes emotionally invested—and that’s where real connection happens. Art allows me to deliver a meaningful message that sticks long after the applause.

2. Make the Experience Different

LIVE art instantly changes the room’s energy. You can always tell what kind of presentations a group is used to based on where they sit—if the back of the room fills up first, people are bracing for a typical session. But think about this: no one tries to get the worst seat at a concert or football game. If we trust the experience, we try to get as close to it as possible.

One thing that has helped my business over the years is when clients have me back again and again—and ohh… again! Each time I return, the front seats fill up first. People arrive early to get a front-row seat because they trust the experience and want to be close to it. Live art during a keynote creates curiosity, builds anticipation, and draws people in—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

3. Be Unforgettable

There are plenty of speed painters and performers out there—and they are awesome! I appreciate and respect artists who show up and share their talent with the world. But I’ve built my platform by offering something truly unique.

When I do chalk art, most audiences have never seen anything like it. When I paint, I don’t toss paint around, dance, or yell into a microphone. I create a journey. I speak while I paint, much like Bob Ross did—calming the room, reducing stress, and recharging the mental batteries of everyone present. It's storytelling in color from start to finish—with minimal cleanup.

I also keep what I paint unique. I have a simple rule: I don’t paint people, celebrities, politicians, dead celebrities, sports figures, or CEOs. I paint what everyone can relate to and see themselves in. The paintings I perform connect to a message of betterment—something everyone can connect with. But… I will make an exception now and then and paint a self-portrait. It’s rare, but I think people need to know who I really am.

I AM BATMAN.

4. Give It Away

At the end of every performance, I give the artwork away—to the client or to one lucky attendee. And I don’t stop there. At every event, I give away one painting valued at $5,000. It’s legitimately appraised and valued at over $5,000.

Why do I do this? Because it’s fun!

Some clients use this opportunity to auction the art and raise money for meaningful causes. The highest one of my art pieces has ever sold for at auction was just under $70,000. What organization or charity do you support that could benefit from a gift like that?

5. It Becomes the Talk of the Conference

Live art creates buzz—before, during, and long after your event. People don’t just watch it—they feel it. It’s one of those rare experiences that turns attendees into storytellers. I can’t count how many times someone has told me, “I saw you at an event five years ago—I still remember what you painted.”

When you book a keynote that includes live art, you’re not just booking a speaker. You’re delivering an anchor memory—something that adds value to your event and keeps people talking long after they’ve gone home.

Most groups position my presentation at the most memorable spot in their conference—either the opening or the closing. It’s key to start things off with energy and an upbeat vibe. You want momentum going into your event. Or, you close with something powerful.

There’s a reason so many attendees leave early before a conference is officially over—because it’s not worth staying for. My clients change that. They create a reason to stay and give people something that sends everyone home on a high note.

So, my final thought is this:

If you’re looking to make your next conference, meeting, or event truly unforgettable—don’t just book another speaker. Create an unforgettable experience. A keynote infused with live art doesn’t just entertain. It inspires. It connects. It elevates your audience—and your organization.

Trust me, I know. I do this every day—and I absolutely love it!

To contact my booking team to inquire about a paint or chalk art experience, email: Contact@SamGlenn.com.  They are highly responsive and always ready to help make your next event a memorable one.