Cheers to Art

 

I woke up at 8:30am last Saturday morning to my alarm going off. I was a little disoriented. I was sleeping on my cousin Allison's couch with her sister Ana sleeping at my feet. For a few brief moments I forgot why I had set the alarm. Then slowly not only did the memory of the night before trickle back into my brain, but also the fact we had a painting class we needed to get to.

With many groans and grumbles we all got up and made ourselves look presentable for the public. The night before was very fun, however we stayed up until about 4am. With our bottles of water and sunglasses at the ready we were on our way.

Our destination was a place called Cheers to Art. Think of it as painting for dummies. There you are given paint, brushes, canvas, and an instructor to follow that gives you dummy proof instructions. I had taken a class like this before with my sister Michelle and brother in-law Tom in Louisville.

We entered through a really neat boutique full of fun knicknack's and scarves. After we checked in at the counter they handed us our complimentary mimosas and showed us to our seats. One word of advice if you want to do this, book it at least two weeks in advance. Seats sell out often.

With brushes in hand and paint at the ready, the overly friendly lady began to walk us through what to do. There were about thirty people in the class. We were seated near the back so it was a bit difficult to see. Still, she was able to explain things well enough that I was able to muddle through.

The class isn't paint by numbers. It is more of a, "Hey if you want to do it like this you can." The greatest was when the instructor told us that we didn't have to do everything she said. You would think that was obvious. It isn't like you are being graded, and at the end of the day you are the one that has to live with the painting.

The class was refreshing and relaxing. I don't know what it is about swirling paint on canvas that gets all of your frustration out. Allison later told me that she was nervous due to her lack of painting experience. I think when I forced her to sign up for the class she thought I was crazy. She later admitted she was happy she did it. I had no doubt her sister Ana would enjoy it. With her I think if any event includes interactive art or music, she's in.

There is something to be said for finishing any kind of art project. Even though someone walked us through this one, there is that sense of accomplishment. That feeling of, "I made that!" The ability to tangibly touch something you did.

In today's world, especially at my work, I don't think we get that too often. Everything for me is done on a computer screen or has multiple hands in it. I feel most of us are missing that ability to actually look at our work at the end of the day and feel a sense of completion. We aren't building fences in a day or hunting. We are sending out emails and having meetings about meetings.

That is why I think the paint class was such a fulfilling experience. While we were instructed on what to do, we were still able let our personalities shine through. The greatest thing for me though again was the ability to hold my work in my hands at the end of the day.

I have to say, even with the lack of sleep it was fun. It was great getting to talk and connect with two people I love in a new way. It was great getting to actually work with my hands and also learning to do something new. I would recommend this for anyone. Even if you can only draw stick figures, this class will have you making pretty fun flowers in no time.