For someone who has never painted before, staring at a blank canvas can be pretty intimidating.

I found a brochure for “Yes You Canvas” at Visit Jacksonville earlier this month and told the girls at work about it. Since the website said you can take wine and appetizers, we decided to turn it into a girl’s night out.

The promise—for $35 plus tax, you can paint your own Picasso with the help of an instructor who will guide you step-by-step through the process.

Once we got there and saw the painting in person, I was more than a little skeptical.

But there was no time to think about it. At precisely 7 p.m., the instructor launched into directions on using our paper plates as an artist’s palette, the techniques used to create the picture and the art of mixing colors.

Jacqui and I were stressed from the start, but Monica and Tance set brush to canvas like it was no big deal. (Maybe it’s a writer/editor thing). Surprisingly, with the instructors continuous encouragment, the painting did come together—little by little.

First, the sky…

Then, water and sand…

And the palm tree…

And, finally, grass and shadowing.

Who would have thought with just a little instruction I could paint this picture and have a whole lot of fun in the process?

Yes You Canvas has several picture options available for both adults and children. Visit their website to choose the picture you wish to paint and sign up online. It’s quick and easy.

Things I Wish I Would Have Known:

• Keep appetizers simple; there’s not much time to eat them.
• Cover your appetizers once you begin painting. We found some blue paint splotches in our hummus. Lead anyone?
• Wear old clothes; the paint won’t come out in the wash.
• Relax, it’s supposed to be fun. Even if you think you’ve screwed up here and there, you’ll still come out with a nice original work of art.

  

Yes You Canvas
6012 San Jose Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32217
904-993-9047