If you’re pondering what to pair with your pinot grigio, consider trying an acrylic floral.
The Hinesville Area Arts Council will host an evening of paint instruction — and wine sampling — at 6 p.m. Friday at its Commerce Street gallery.
The Liberty County Sips ‘n’ Strokes is similar to events that occur in Savannah and larger markets, and aims to unleash the artist within while pleasing participants’ palates.
Arts council member and art class teacher Ashley Cuevas will instruct the step-by-step class, where participants will learn how to mix color and create texture and light sources while mastering their own floral canvas.
“We’ll be using acrylic because it dries fast,” Cuevas added.
She will paint a replica of one of her own 14-by-18-inch canvases to inspire those in the class — and she’ll work in variations for additional inspiration.
“The people who are attending will be painting a similar picture … and I’ll be kind of verbalizing what I’m doing so people can follow along, and I’ll make suggestions about how they can have a unique piece,” she said. “And then, at the end, they’ll have a painting.”
The class is open to 20 participants with a $25 registration fee. Cuevas said Wednesday that about half the spots were taken. Those interested can register on the council’s website, www.hinesvillearts.com.
All supplies will be provided, and Cuevas said they’ll seek feedback for future planning.
But the most important thing is that participants have confidence in their art.
“I wanted to start off with something simple, and something that isn’t too content specific,” Cuevas said.
As for the wine, Cuevas said she’s used to teaching an under-21 crowd, but the wine may lighten the mood.
“I know that a lot of people don’t have a lot of confidence when it comes to art,” she said. “I think it’s going to make it a social environment, so people don’t take themselves so seriously — we don’t want them to be too hard on themselves.
“Flowers are still flowers if you change the shape and proportion, so it’s not as intimidating because you don’t have to have any proportion correct … We’re hoping it’s something that people feel like, ‘OK, I can try that, and not, ‘Oh, there’s no way I could paint that.’”