I am not the artistic type.
Growing up, it was like each one of us kids had something that was ‘ours’. My brother was the artist. My sister was the athlete. I was the bookworm. We had our little boxes. And I guess that was okay.
I loved seeing my brother’s drawings though. It seemed so strange and wondrous, something I could never figure out. How could he get those lines and shapes and shadows to be pictures was almost magical. I admit it: I was jealous. I could hardly draw a stick figure.
When it comes to colors, I’m a dud. I can’t tell which colors go with which. Most of the time I’m not even sure my outfits go together. I can’t pick a second color for my living room walls because I don’t know what “goes” with the green I have on three of the walls. I’d rather leave that up to someone else.
So when my friend wanted me to go to Picasso & Wine with her? It sounded like a lot of fun, but I was sure it would be a disaster. I was looking forward to it, but I didn’t think I’m come out with anything even close to the painting we were supposed to be copying. I had low expectations (for my artwork…not the experience itself. I was really excited about the experience. And the hanging out with my friend).
I loved the building and the room Picasso & Wine was held in as soon as I saw it. I think it was just a converted house, and the inside was so BRIGHT. There was so much COLOR. And there was a bar. And rows upon rows of blank canvases.
When I wandered around the room to look at the various paintings, I saw a lot that I would have loved to be recreating. But I was happy with the one we were going to do because it was Van Gogh. And I love Van Gogh. Even before that amazing episode of Doctor Who where The Doctor and Amy Pond chill with Vincent and sunflowers.
When we sat down in front of the canvases and listened to the artist explain how there really weren’t any rules. We didn’t have to follow her instructions exactly–or at all if we so chose. We just had to have fun. Leave the stress and the worries at the door. Painting was going to be FUN.
And it so was. I followed the instructions as close to the letter as I could, worrying more than she wanted us to but less than I would have on a normal day. I had fun putting that brush to the canvas and, eventually, seeing a picture that was, in fact, quite beautiful. I took the advice and stood up in front of the canvas several times, taking a step back to get the whole thing in perspective. At first it felt very poseur–like I was playing a part in the community theater I used to enjoy so much–but then it started to feel almost natural. It made sense to step back and look at the painting from a different perspective, from farther away to take it all in. It just made sense.
By the end, I was surprised to see how beautiful my painting looked. I looked around the room and loved to see how all of the paintings were basically the same thing, but they were all different. Each one was so different from the next. Especially the one where the guy painted some crazy giant octopus thing. That was pretty rad.
I know this idea is really taking off in various places, and I can see why! It was such a fun experience that I’m going back for my birthday! The day before my birthday they’re doing a Nightmare Before Christmas-inspired painting. So I said YES and signed up to go with two of my friends.
This post isn’t sponsored in any way, shape, or form by Piccaso & Wine. This is must my happy experience. If you’re in Reno, you should totally check this place out. And if you’re not, there are other places like this popping up all over the place. Just check out Google or Yelp or just ask your friends on Facebook. It’s worth it.
Have you tried out a paint-and-wine social event like this? What did you think?