Sip and paint!

Whoever started this trend in the world, did something right! I was thrilled to see this finally pop up in Suva by Art and Wine Fiji and of course even excited to be part of it last week.

The art and wine workshop is a once-a-month activity priced at around $80 that includes paint materials, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic and finger food. You get to take your painting home and your contributions support cancer patients at the CWM Children’s Hospital.

I highly recommend that you try this out with friends and family because you will have heaps of fun discovering just how creative you are!

The evening started with the guest artist demonstrating the theme or assignment for the night, but you can also paint whatever your heart desires.  I also found this event interesting, because you get to meet new people and just like the wine, conversations kept flowing.

After a few glasses of wine, we were ready to start on the Canvas in front of us. I for one, am the least artistic when it comes to drawings and painting, and I stay away from arts and crafts as much as I can. However, I do enjoy trying things even though I may be slightly ok at it and by the time I was done with my painting, I was happy with it.

I posted pictures and videos on my Instagram story, and someone replied to it and said, “oh finally the white people’s activity is available in Fiji”. This got me thinking, and I reasoned to myself, we tend to talk or Talanoa about creative and innovative ideas over kava, or listen to kawaali singers while consuming grog, and even they sip grog between singing so why differentiate sip and paint?

I think the concept goes back to when artists would listen to music, sip wine, or even smoke as they painted to get their creative juices flowing. If we look at history renowned artists sought inspiration through muses or even a medium like wine. The sip-and-paint activity seems to have started back in the early 2000s and boomed into a fun social activity.

While sip-and-paint activities are low on creativity it is a fun way for anyone to try and use this creative outlet to unwind and destress. I also feel it’s a nice way for local artists to make money, share their talent and teach us a few tips and tricks of art.

I think it's about time we allowed ourselves to be open to new ways of learning about our local art scene through events as such and ones that contribute to a good cause. It was nice to see families come with their kids. I do personally feel there should be separate event – one strictly for adults only and one for families.

But hey, overall an event that anyone will enjoy and you walk away with your painting as a memoir of the night. Try out the next one and tell me what you think.

Like my friend said, less art more wine, but I say, art + wine = anything you want it to be!