One of our daughter’s jobs is as an artist with Paint Nite, a company that began in Boston. As an art major in college, this job is great for her. The concept of Paint Nites is brilliant and simple: anyone can learn to paint in a relaxed atmosphere (bar), when a “master artist” leads the class, step by step, in how to paint a particular image. Paintings are chosen by the corporate headquarters and artists are encouraged to submit their own paintings for consideration. They are well-compensated for these events and earn money on the images they’ve created when they are used by Paint Nites in other cities.
Since Megan first started with this company last year, Rob and I have been students in her practice classes here at the house. So it was fun to actually attend a paint nite that she taught.
This one was held at a bar/restaurant called Grafitti Junction, in the college park area of Orlando. The event started at 5 and ran until 7, but we arrived at 4 so Megan could help with the set up.
When we walked into the back room of the restaurant, I was impressed at how well-organized everything was. At each of the 25 or so spots that had been set up, there were: a small easel with a 16×20 canvas on it; 3 paint brushes (small, medium, large), a plastic glass filled with water for cleaning your brushes, paper towels for drying the brushes, and a paper plate with blobs of acrylic paint in the colors that would be used for the night’s particular painting (featured above). Draped over the back of each chair was a lime green apron to put on so the paint didn’t get on your clothes. The color matched the fabric draped over all the tables and bar.
While Megan helped with the setup, Rob and I found a table outside and got a bite to eat. The weather was gorgeous – mid-60s, sunny. At 4:45, we went inside, took the chairs we’d claimed earlier, and the event started promptly at five. The painting we did was called Lily Pads.
I was thinking that the night before, when Megan had been practicing this painting, she’d gone through three canvasses (artist meltdown!) before she figured out how to teach it. But as she took her spot at the front of the room the evening of the event, and started talking, there was no trace at all of that angst. She had figured it out. And wow, did it ever work.
The class was small – 16 – four men, a dozen women – and Megan, her assistant, and the bartender. She took us through the process – background color is apparently key to everything else – and these people had fun as their creativity was released. It’s amazing to me that a group of people come together for a creative purpose and that within a few hours, they can take home something to hang on their walls.
How can writers do something like this? How would you even know where to start with the written language?
One of the most interesting participants was a man with a bald head festooned with an elaborate tattoo. He’s a tattoo artist, but has never painted. I snapped a picture of his head:
Before the end of the event, I understood a synchro that had occurred before we’d left Megan’s apartment that afternoon. She has a new roommate and one of the things Caitlan brought with her was a cool coffee table with a chalkboard surface. Using a piece of yellow chalk, Rob had written: Wherever you go, there you are. He pointed it out to Megan and she burst out laughing.
“Wow, this is a synchro. My friend Ryan wrote exactly same thing the other night.” She moved some papers around and showed us the faded writing. Sure enough, same words, and strangely similar handwriting (which didn’t show up in the picture I took).
In an odd way, these words fit everything Paint Nites is about. In spite of the issues we human beings have, in spite of the state of the world or the universe or whatever, we are where we are and let’s enjoy it. Even if you’ve never painted anything in your entire life, you enter into this venue and your creative passions take over. Your muse rules the roost.
Wherever you go, there you are. A wise code to live by.
Congratulations to Megan! Looks like a wonderful, enthusiastic class, and it’s always such magic to see people painting, especially when they’ve never done it before. In fact, I think if more people painted or worked with clay, and just let the colors and media play with them……….there would be a whole lot more love and peace in the world.
Paint and sculpt…yes, I agree. With more creative outlets, people would be less aggressive. The world of myth would be explored in one way or another!
Sounds like fun! Actually have been to that establishment!
I think this sounds like fun. I have always wished I could paint something and wondered if there was a venue where I could try my hand at it. This sounds perfect, especially since it’s low key and not like a tryout, just fun. I really like the idea and will look for one around here. An idea whose time has come, it seems.
Just google paint nites and I bet there’s one in your area!
Rob,
Trish,
Somebody knows their BUCKEROO BANSAI!
Great movie when it came out in the early 80s.
Be well
Laurence
Hi! I was reading your article about the four spiritual laws from your post Oct 18, 2011 and unfortunately I couldn’t find how to post a comment there… I really needed something like that , I mean, I read it in the right moment, but then I started thinking and wondering if it’s not a bit… How can I say? Conformist? For instance: 1st situation: I want to do something and I’m doing everything to succeed… And then, if it’s not for me, I’d have wasted my time? 2nd situation: I want to go to another country but I’m not doing anything at all, but if it’s for me, something will magically happen to lead me to that place? 3rd and the last: I will have to accept bad things in my life just thinking that I need to be passing through that situation? Sorry if I’m being so immature, I just want to have a support on that, because I really want to believe those perfect laws. It makes me feel more confident, well, not so confident as I’m planing to study very hard for a very difficult contest and if it’s not for me, I’m afraid I will waste months or years fighting for something is not for me 🙁 I’m a very confused mind person, I would add and I’m trying to find my way on this planet. By the way, I loved your page and all the subjects you talk about… I’m really glad I found you specially today. Thanks and have a perfect day!!!
Thanks for your comments, Roberta. Maybe there should be a fifth spiritual law that might apply to your situation and your concerns. Today, I would have to say that the law must be this: Wherever you go, there you are! Hope that helps.
What great pictures and artwork and ‘Wherever you go, there you are’ – one to remember!
Paint Nite is an interesting idea – better than therapy in some cases I should think.
I bet it can be therapy!
Wow! This is a syncro for me. This past weekend my daughter was invited by a long time college friend who lives in NYC to go to a painting class where all the materials would be provided and was assured that the class was for beginners. While my daughter grew up with an obsessed artist and a Grandmother (on her father’s side) who was also an artist who lived in Paris when her father was born and is one of the characters in Henry Miller’s “Tropic of Capricorn” she never had any interest in making any kind of art. When she told me about going to this fun sounding event it sounded like a good sort of social thing to do. The results were amazing. She loved the class and now wants to start doing something on her own.
After she told me this story – on the phone on her way home from work – I said, “Ummm, I wonder why your mother never taught you all this?” (a hem – in case you missed it. I AM the mother.) There was a long pause. She said, “Yea, how come . . .” And the phone went dead as it sometimes does when she is calling from her car. Our conversation will continue at some point.
So I guess this is the same group that Meagan is working with. Sounds wonderful.
There’s another company that does the paint night in another venue – ot bars – and you bring your own booze. This paint nite company, though, is just great!