We were pleased to be able to interview our lead painting instructor Julia Ward at Come Paint With Us this week. She shares about her artistic experience, and teaching the painting and wine classes is like:
“Teaching the painting and wine classes at Come Paint with Us has been a new experience for me! I have taught college courses for 12 years and have been painting for more than 20 but I always wondered what people liked about being guided in making a painting in a couple of hours. Now I can see the gratification by the end of every class. And I’m proud too; don’t take me wrong.
When Mardie Caldwell suggested to start a painting and wine program here at the Foothills Event Center, I was excited but had no idea how it would work. A year later I know exactly why these classes are so fun, attractive and enriching. Sure, you are taking a painting home that can be hung in your living room. Seriously, some are that good! But that’s only one piece of the big picture.
More importantly it’s the experience that really counts, the time spent painting with a like-minded crowd, the chats about colors and brushes, and the realizations in each simple step of making the painting. It is amazing seeing everyone enjoying the process and watching everyone’s uniqueness unfold in their final piece. In fact that uniqueness of each painting is striking to all of us every time! There’s no pressure to have it be the same or perfect in any way. Wine and soothing music help to make sure of it, keeping it light-hearted and allowing painters to stay in the moment. It is about having fun and enjoying the creative laid back atmosphere while making a painting from scratch. It’s a great family activity, alternative date night or place to meet and spend time with others –in any case it is quality-time spent with yourself in a very new and creative way! I’m very happy to be a part of it.”