The idea of mixing a blank canvas, some paint and a bottle of wine is a trend that’s spreading across the country like a cabernet on a white rug.
Adults who think they can’t do more than a paint by numbers get to paint a themed picture with instruction from actual artists, and then they get to take it home with them. Plus, they get to drink wine while painting their masterpieces.
You’ll find these paint-and-sip classes offered by franchises and art centers, bars and private parties. In fact, it’s quite common to see corporate parties, bachelorette parties, girls night, birthday parties — one place even has a party for a fantasy football team.
“It’s a different way to socialize now,” said Heather Muse, owner of Muse Art in Crystal Lake. “Now, ladies nights are coming out to paint. It’s an inexpensive way to get out with your friends.”
Painting for two hours while sipping wine with your friends is completely relaxing, she said, and yet patrons still have a great piece of art to take home.
“They’re amazed that the paintings turn out so well,” she said. “We want people to be successful so they will tell their friends and come back. We don’t do too much advertising other than social media and word of mouth.”
Jiliianne Overman of Morris is the owner of Rose ‘n’ Vine by Jillianne Renee. She brings the paints and 16-by-20 canvases to your house, you supply the people, the food and the wine — or whatever you want to drink.
“It gives women something to do — an organized activity with their friends,” she said. “The coolest part is you get to finish a painting — you work on something from start to finish and get in touch with your inner artist. Everybody’s always turns out really good. You paint step by step and build it up in layers. People are always (surprised) they actually finished a painting.”
Averaging 1,000 customers a month, Bottle and Bottega has seen business boom since starting the wine and canvas classes, said owner John Day, who co-owns the business with his wife, Lynn.
“I think they are so popular because it’s a great place for people to come and be with friends,” said Lynn Day. “We have an atmosphere that’s all about being creative and we also are very open if people want to have conversations with each other while they’re painting, they can. It’s a very energetic environment that people love to be a part of.”
February will be a month of love, with images about love and friendship, she said.
“We’ll include wine glass painting classes and mixed media classes,” she said. “We’ll also do family classes when the kids are on break. It has been wildly popular.”
Annie Alleman is a freelance writer.
Places to paint at
Here are a few other paint-and-sip, wine and canvas establishments in the area:
Pinot’s Palette, 175 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville. 331-457-5440; pinotspalette.com/Naperville. They offer public paint sessions several times a week: Upcoming themes include Snowman’s Bliss on Jan. 9, Aurora Night on Jan. 13 and A Walk in the Snow on Jan. 22. Wine and other beverages available for purchase; check the calendar for half-price mimosas on Sundays and $5 wine specials.
Bottle and Bottega, 498 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn. 630-984-4955; bottleandbottega.com/glen-ellyn/. This BYOB studio offers Mimosa Mornings and Middays, Weekend Wine Downs and Saturday Night Painting Parties.
Rose ‘n’ Vine by Jillianne Renee brings the paint//-//and//-//sip experience to your house. She needs a minimum of eight people, and you can pick the painting you’ll make from her website. If you don’t have eight friends who can be in the same place at the same time, she holds public classes at Heritage Home Design and Décor, 129 Commercial Drive, Yorkville. Call 630-448-2278 or visit Rose ‘n’ Vine on Facebook.
Vino Van Gogh hosts events at local wine and coffee bars, restaurants and other venues. Here’s what’s coming up: They’ll be at Tom and Eddie’s in Naperville on Jan. 9, the Martini Room in Elgin on Jan. 10 and 24, Hopvine in Aurora on Jan. 14, Aliano’s in Batavia on Jan. 18 and the Taphouse Grill in Oswego on Jan. 21. 866-390-9917; vinogogh.com.
A Colorful Affair, 3027 English Rows Ave., Suite 105, Naperville. 331-229-3524; Colorfulaffair.com. Check the website and find an event you like. They provide all art materials and sell wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages. You are welcome to bring your food. Their trained artists guide you to creating something worth hanging above the mantel.
Arts On Fire, 623 US 34, Plano. 630-273-2119; artsonfireplano.com. Once a month, Arts on Fire hosts a cork and canvas night for adults only. No experience is needed — as the website proclaims, it’s fun art, not fine art. Bring your own wine or beer and snacks, and your friends. You get step-by-step instruction to painting a complete masterpiece. They also host private parties.
Twisted Cork-n-Canvas, 16108 S. Illinois 59, Plainfield. 815-733-5407; Twistedcorkncanvas.com. Started by working moms Laura Chaplin and Julie Wondrasek as a way to combine work, community and family, this studio hosts plenty of fundraisers as well as classes Wednesday through Sunday. Upcoming events include What a Hoot and Cup of Joe on Jan. 9, Winter Wonderland on Jan. 14, The Windy City on Jan. 15, and Mama Bird and A Night at the Cafe on Jan.16.
Muse Art, 135 Beardsley St., Crystal Lake. 815-790-6323; Museart.info. Wine and canvas events are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Muse Art has been open about 18 months, but owner Heather Muse has been doing paint and sip classes privately for about three years. She’s going to be starting wood sign painting classes soon too. She also has open studio on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings, where people can come in and paint whatever is on their minds.
The Chilled Palette, 500 S. Third St. No. 117, Geneva. 630-208-0276; thechilledpalette.com. The Chilled Palette is Geneva’s wine and canvas studio, providing the canvas, painting supplies and artistic guidance. They have a variety of wines and craft beers available for purchase, as well as soda and snacks. Upcoming classes include Celebration Remix and Chicago Sunset on Jan. 9, Country Cherry Blossom on Jan. 10, Chicago Light Show on Jan. 13, Wine With a View (nearly nude male model event), Winter Cardinals on Jan. 16 and Snowy Love //on// Jan. 17.
Paintnite.com hosts events at bars and eateries far and wide. Simply pick a place close by — or, find a painting you want hanging on your wall for the next 20 years — and register online.
