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Private painting party for 10. Instructors teach paintings through an easy to follow step-by-step process.

 These words attracted me to this silent auction item at the recent Mental Health America of Illinois benefit in Chicago. I couldn’t pass it up. Ever since my failed attempt at creating apples that looked like apples (and not flat circles) in a painting class more than forty years ago (Caring Lessons, p. 58), I’ve had a buried need to try again.

 So I bid. The following week, I got a call from Mental Health America. I’d won! So I called the artist, Sarah O’Brien, and set a date.

Then I gently begged nine friends to come over. Well, I was not so gentle with the person who’d invited us to the benefit. I’d told her that evening that if I won, she’d have to come.

On the night of the party, Sarah, owner and lead artist of Hues & Booze, arrived at my home with her suitcase of supplies for ten party goers: easels, aprons, table cloths, paints, brushes, canvases for each of us to take home afterwards, and, don’t forget, the wine.

Artist Sarah O'Brien at work

Artist Sarah O’Brien at work

 Now, you have to know, we were all novices, so the “easy to follow step-by-step process” lulled us into a silly I-can-do-this mode. And from a variety of choices, such as still life, landscape, and abstract, my friends and I chose to paint an abstract, thinking it would be easiest.

Gathering around Sarah as she demonstrated what we were going to do

We gathered around Sarah as she demonstrated what we were going to do.

We "drew" our line with tape that separated the top from the bottom. separating the top from the bottom with tape.

We “drew” a line with tape that separated the top from the bottom.

We painted (with shading!) above and below our lines.

We painted (with shading!) above and below our lines.

Next, we stippled our paintings with pieces of foam.

Next, we stippled our paintings with pieces of foam.

My daughter's famous dipped and decorated pretzels added to the festive atmosphere.

My daughter’s famous dipped and decorated pretzels added to the festive atmosphere.

Dipped pretzels enhanced the party atmosphere.

Pretzel versus paint brush. What will it be?

Sarah brought a "model" for us to follow, and then she demonstrated the "easy" steps of how to do it.

Sarah brought a “model” for us to follow, and then she demonstrated the “easy” steps of how to do it.

Notice how are our finished paintings were supposed to look. Some of us were more successful than others in following the model! Disclaimer: Sarah said we could do our own thing if we liked.

Enjoy the following slide show. Several of us opted out of trying a second figure. One was hard enough! Note the variations in our figures. Imagine the hoots and howls as we critiqued our fellow artists’  renditions of  legs, arms, and other body parts!

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Here’s a sampling of what my friends had to say about the party:

“I loved your party–such a fun way to be with friends.”

“Your party was so much fun…Thanks again for a the wonderful evening.”

“I’m sorry that it has taken me so long to thank you for sharing “hues & booze” with me. However, I have been occupied with bidding wars for my paintings since I participated in this class.”

So, thank you, Sarah, for a wonderfully fun and instructive party!

Think of Sarah if you live in the area and want to throw a unique party. You can read more about her at Hues & Booze  or contact her at sarah@huesandbooze.com.