A-Squared: How To Be an Artist

I really wanted to call this blog "How To Be an Artiste," but then I looked up the difference between the two. An artiste is someone that is trained and skilled in the arts, while an artist is someone engaged in the arts. I don't even want to claim being skilled in any way, shape, or form in the area of arts. I don't use that side of the brain…I'm an accountant, remember!

On Monday night, I, along with my mom and sister, partook in a Wine and Canvas event at Stone Creek in Greenwood. We used the Living Social deals I had purchased that got us in for only half price (only $17). I arrived first and was able to get us a seat near the front, which I discovered later was helpful. Mom and I ordered a glass of wine, while the pregnant one (Em) had water. We each got an appetizer that I thought we would share, but nope. Well not entirely no, as Emily shared her calamari, but mom did not share her delicious-looking beef crostinis.

I had consumed more wine before the food arrived, so I started off a little tipsy. We began painting by following the easy instructions given by the artist. The instructions were perfect for people who don't have an imagination…like me! I need direction and don't do well when I'm told to be creative or to draw/paint freehand pictures. So, the step by step, hard and straight instructions worked wonders for me.

We painted the background first, which was a sunset. I must say that mom had a beautiful sun and Em had a fabulous reddish sunset. Mine on the other hand was just so-so. After that dried, we were ready for the tree. I must say that my tree was phenomenal! I had thin branches that curved beautifully. This is not to say that mom and Emily didn't have nice trees (because they did), I was just partial to mine. :) Oh, and I cheated a little bit on the tree by moving it closer to the center of the painting instead of keeping it to the left. I can be creative!

After the tree, we basically put swirls all over, as many or as little as we wanted. Em went for a lot, and I went for a little. I mainly had little because I don't do well with random and get a little OCD making sure that there aren't two of the same colored swirls within a so-many-inch area. I'm a freak like that. Also, my swirls ended up looking more like e's, but oh well. I must say that the end result is pretty awesome. Even Alex (an artiste) said it was pretty good, and I was worried he would have criticized it.

All in all, it was a lot of fun and have signed up for two more trips (at full price)! I can't wait to get my drink and paint on again.

Color me proud!
--Am