Painting (with or without the wine)

There is a place in Ames, Iowa, called Brush that is a paint and craft studio.  You can go when they are painting a specific picture/doing a specific craft or they also have open hours.  During each type of session, they provide all the supplies you need and instruction.  You don’t have to be good at painting or good at crafts to make something you will love to have in your home.  They break everything down into steps and walk you through it.  If you are an expert, they let you run free.

Don’t worry if you don’t live near Brush, many towns have there little hives of creativity.  Most will alllow you to bring snacks and beverages and make your own little party.   They are GREAT team-building events!  And let’s face it, for those of us who aren’t great artists, a little wine or beer usually helps you loosen up and stop judging yourself and your work.  What I love about Brush is that my son can come with me on open afternoons.  Today, he free-hand painted three pictures to my one copied painting.  (If that doesn’t prove that we tend to overthink EVERYTHING I don’t know what does.). He absolutely loves this Mommy and Me activity and it was at the top of his Christmas Break Wish List of things to do.  (They have kids-only activities and host birthday parties, too!)

This is a great me-time activity, friend get-together, or family bonding time.  It lets you stretch your mind in a way you don’t usually use it (which is always good for your brain!).  And there is just something peaceful about the process of putting paint on canvas. Over the past few years, it has been a go-to activity for me. I have taken pride in the doing of something that would not end in perfection (a huge deal for me).   And I have seen lots of friends laughing and doing the same.

What do you do to express your creativity?   How to you try things outside of your comfort zone?