Wine and Design Me, Baby
…Is that too forward? Sorry ‘bout it.
Recently, my good friend, Jess, invited me to a complimentary painting session at Wine & Design Durham. The last time I attempted one of these was during the Covid times—when it resulted in a half-finished disaster of canvas—so I was a little apprehensive but up for the challenge all the same.
For those who are unfamiliar with the “wine and design” or “paint and sip” concept: you can bring your own adult beverages to a studio where an instructor leads you step-by-step through painting a stenciled canvas. But this particular studio, Wine & Design Durham, offers so much more! It’s a premier art experience including classes for resin pouring, chunky blankets, and more. It’s also a woman- and Black-owned business.
My worries about my lack of artistic skill evaporated the moment I stepped into the shop’s festive interior, met the other painters, and had a glass of wine. Over the course of a couple hours, our instructor, Chanel, very patiently guided us through creating our masterpieces. We did have one short break during the session to allow our paintings to dry. We refilled our wine glasses and played a game where we put a plate on our heads and tried to draw a picture according to Chanel’s instructions before completing the rest of our paintings.
What I Loved
1. Leaving with a handmade piece of art.
You don’t have to be an artist or have any kind of artistic skill to leave with a nice-looking piece! I got lots of compliments from my family on my painting and felt like a real artiste (ha!).
2. It’s a chance to let go of perfectionism.
The desire to be perfect is something I struggle with, but in order to keep up with the instructor and finish your painting, you have to let that shit GO. (The wine and commiserating with other over-achievers helps too!)
In all, I really enjoyed my evening and look forward to trying out another class…I’ve got my eye on their Afro Queen resin project. Whether you want to make a gift for someone or just let your creative side run wild, Wine & Design Durham is a fun time!
