Draft:Harvey Dunn - Speed Painter

The second time Harvey performed for the Tennessee Titans he painted NFL Legend Billy "White Shoes" Johnson.

Biography

Harvey Dunn is the VP of Operations at PaintJam, the electrifying performance art show in which paintings are spun together in minutes live onstage. Harvey's career in the entertainment industry began when he was 10 years old as a stagehand for his father's show. Today Dunn is the videographer, editor, marketing director, creative assistant, and speed painter behind PaintJam.

“I want to share an unforgettable experience that unites the audience."

Since his father had established the company in 2004, Harvey felt it was his duty to seek ways to improve the business logistically and creatively. Now many performance pieces include a decoy face which is painted to keep the audience guessing as to who or what the true subject is.

During the covid 19 pandemic Harvey adapted the live show format into a virtual performance. He would record the process of the paintings’ creation in his studio, then edit the video with a green screen backdrop. The final video would be shared with the client who would then broadcast it to their team. The completed paintings were then shipped to the address specified. This system allowed PaintJam to keep it’s door open when many others in the entertainment industry could not. The work that went into PaintJam during lockdown spring boarded them back into public appearances when it finally lifted.

Harvey lives in Houston near his parents, Dan and Cindy. Harvey and his father Dan can each perform at separate events on the same date if necessary. Harvey enjoys staying active by climbing at his local rock gym and relaxing at home playing video games.

PaintJam

In late 2019 Harvey Dunn (Born 1996) began an apprenticeship with his father Dan Dunn, speed painter and founder of PaintJam. At the time Harvey was working in shipping and receiving as a forklift operator when he heard that his father, Dan Dunn, was looking for other artists to partner with. "Having been in plays in high school, I jumped at the opportunity to step on stage again." Every day after his shift he would spend a few hours practicing at his father's art studio before heading home. He followed this pattern for months until he got his first booking at a local high school. Since then Harvey has performed for Weird Al, Tamron Hall, Magic Johnson, ABC network television, The NBA, NFL, and PGA.

His father's career took off when Harvey was 10 years old, over the years he become familiar with the routine and organization of show. Later as an adult Harvey said, "I could do that! How hard can it be?" Young Dunn says he was humbled by speed painting. "It's like sprinting while I focus on the artwork, engage with the audience periodically, dance a little bit, and make it look easy."