Bonjour from Cannes, darlings!! I’ve just wrapped 4 of the most extraordinary days, illustrating multi-sensory portraits, during the Cannes Lions Festival with Mastercard. Did I mention that it all happened from their 11-room villa, perched in the mountains above the Promenade de la Croisette?! Back in 2019, I had the amazing fortune of working with Mastercard during the NYC Create & Cultivate festival. Mastercard’s Director of Global Brand Communications remembered working with me there and was determined to bring me out for their glamorous, inspiring, and innovative activation this year at Cannes Lions.
To make the artwork truly priceless, guests were encouraged to answer a series of questions on the villa’s iPad. That would then pair them with a song to match their mood, which they could listen to while I drew their portrait live. In the envelope containing the artwork, there was a QR code that would allow them to replay the music and recall their experience in the tranquil Mastercard villa. Absolutely surreal, pinch-me career moment. To top it off, I got to experience some of the festival action myself, and spend my last night having dinner at Hotel du Cap. I’m so utterly grateful and will cherish the memories forever.
