Sips n Strokes is a great way to spend a girls' night out or an artist date. The concept is simple: solo painters or groups can take a bottle of wine and a few munchies to the studio. Sips n Strokes supplies everything from aprons to canvas and instruction to create painted masterpieces that customers take home with them at the end of the evening.
After a few "sips" of a favorite Cabernet, a few hours with friends "stroking" the canvas with paint and brush, and everyone goes home feeling creative and accomplished.
Sips n Strokes Aims to Inspire
Painter and Founder, Wendy LoVoy opened the first Sips 'n' Strokes location in Birmingham, Alabama in 2002. While teaching children's art classes, Wendy discovered that anyone could be an artist. She came to believe that anyone could create great art if given the proper tools.
"The parents wanted to learn to paint too, without committing to typical art class schedules." says Stacy Abston, President of the Atlanta branch of Sips n Strokes and LoVoy's sister.
After inspiring countless customers, there are now ten Sips n Strokes locations in the Southeastern US. Seven are in LoVoy's home state of Alabama, her sister Stacy operates two location in the Atlanta metro area in Georgia, and there is one location in Franklin, Tennessee. However, more locations are opening soon, because LoVoy offers franchise opportunities in other cities and states.
Why the Wine? To Help Students Lighten Up!
"... people are very scared at first." says Abston. "We teach step by step and most are amazed at their inner Picasso by the end of the night or next day."
The classes are taught in a way that will benefit someone who has never touched paint to canvas (or who has not done so since elementary school). The instructor goes over every brush stroke, taking time to walk amongst students and show them tricks to help their personal creativity take flight. For more experienced painters, there is plenty of lee-way to express their own individual flair. Students can mix up the color palette to match their home decor, or take things in a completely different direction from the original.
"The greatest challenge has been getting my type A students to trust me, relax and paint." says Abston. So many people are worried about getting the painting perfectly right that they forget that they are bringing their own individuality to the canvas as well. "I love to see people create and try something new."
Tips for a Successful Trip to Sips n Strokes
Though the website doesn't mention it, seasoned students will tell you their number one hint is to "take food!" Melody M. of Atlanta says "I have begun making it a habit to bring pita chips and hummus, but I have seen some people there with spreads of various deli meats, cheeses, wines, and sandwiches..."
The thing on everyone's mind after class is what to do with the paintings. If roommates, couples or housemates attend an event together, they will have several renditions of the same painting. Do they hang in every room of the house? Are they gifts for parents who haven't had gifts of their children's art work since the early 1980's?
Don't be surprised to be bitten by the painting bug. "After the first trip to Sips 'N Strokes, I was so inspired to try painting on my own that me and my friends went out and bought all kinds of basic painting supplies." says Melody. "Sips 'N Strokes really makes painting seem easy and it provides such a boost to your creative confidence! "
Alicia King - Alicia King has been writing for Suite 101 since June of 2007. For over a year, she was the Featured Writer for the Suite section about ...
