Kayla's Paint and Sip Studio featured in Your AAA - In Your Backyard

http://www.youraaamagazine.com/content.cfm?a=1945#.VR1qULojk8N

In Your Backyard: Art lessons given in a very social atmosphere

By Dana Hammond

Unleashing your inner Picasso is the answer to a lot of things. The prolific painter, who also happened to be a poetic wordsmith, famously opined: “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Regardless of form, I’ve always found that to be true. But who knew it could so literally add a colorful stroke of ingenuity to your next night out? Courtesy of the burgeoning paint-and-sip trend, art studios are becoming social beehives for folks looking to unwind amid creative surroundings with a brush in one hand and a beverage in the other. By the end of a memorable evening, everybody feels relaxed, new bonds have been forged and you get to take home a self-crafted piece of art as a bonus. “People are searching for something different to do, an alternative to dinner and a movie,” said Sheri Levine-Shea, owner of Kayla’s Creative Art Studio, one of the newest studios offering public and private paint-and-sip parties. “It’s amazing to see how art ties people together as they go through the creative process of painting. This is a place where you can focus on something artistic for a few hours and forget the real world. It’s fun and therapeutic.” The affair unfolds exactly as billed. Participants bring their own beverages and enjoy a painting lesson while leisurely imbibing. The art studios supply all the necessary equipment, everything from easels and brushes to blank canvases and paint-blobbed palettes. You’ll even get an apron to don. Ice buckets, corkscrews and glasses are provided along with plates and utensils, because snacks are welcome, too. At Kayla’s, the stemware sparkles and complimentary coffee, tea and bottled water are readily available as well. A chic, exposed-stone wall displays vibrant subject paintings from past classes and rows of wooden easels sit atop tables flecked with color, leaving no doubt this is a working art studio, albeit a decidedly inviting one. A mix of background music further enhances the atmosphere. Sipping cabernet for liquid courage gets the creative juices flowing, but don’t fret about being intimidated. These step-by-step classes are designed for novices. “Almost every class contains a person who hasn’t picked up a paint brush since kindergarten,” said Levine-Shea. “Instructors walk everybody through the process. We want clients to leave here with a painting they’re proud to hang.” Before joining a paint-and-sip party, participants review an online calendar that identifies subject paintings for various evenings. Typically the entire class recreates the same painting, which makes comparing results entertaining and enlightening. However, there are special events such as “double-canvas night,” where couples – romantic and otherwise – paint half of the same subject to form a whole, or more personalized “paint your pet night.” (Instructors trace animals on canvases from photos submitted in advance.) All classes range from two to three hours, and you don’t have to paint at night. Opt for an afternoon party and sip mimosas while creating a masterpiece. Kayla’s even provides the orange juice at those popular affairs. Plus, there are family and kid paint parties, sans alcohol. Kayla’s donates artwork that instructors make during classes to Habitat for Humanity. So, ready to uncork a little artistry? One warning: it’s an addictive pastime. Don’t be surprised if you start running out of wall space. Kayla’s Creative Art Studio, 629 Springfield Ave., Berkeley Heights: 908-516-2670 www.kaylascreativeartstudio.com.

Dana Hammond, a freelance writer who resides in Northern New Jersey, is a regular contributor to Your AAA.