Holiday Portrait Party.
A few years ago I hosted a birthday party for myself (how gauche!) and to deflect from the party being about my further aging process, I thought it would be fun to have a 'Self Portrait Painting Party'. I provided a stack of small canvases, some inexpensive brushes and paints from an online discount art supply company (there are lots of them) and some recycled jam jars for water to clean the brushes. I then invited my guests down to my then art studio-basement for a paint-fest. I can tell you that at first there was quite a bit of hesitation and shyness on their part, but once they got a cocktail or two in them, it was hard to hold them back. Once one person started, the inner child in everyone broke free and some really great art was produced. It was so cool and so much fun to see everyone's unique painting style and an arty, good time seemed to be had by all. I was thinking this could be a fun holiday party idea - guests would walk away with a handmade gift for a loved one, or just a great party favor and a nice holiday memory. All you need to do is include a little paint & canvas, and of course, some libation to get the party going!
5 comments:
What a *great* idea, Victoria. If only I had a basement ;-)
My friends and I do drawings nights once every few weeks (takes less space and is potentially less messy than painting). Granted many of them are "artists", but not all, and the most important part is to keep if fun and casual so no one feels they're "not as good".
We do drawings games to get people comfortable, here are two:
First game:
The first person starts by writing a random strange or funny sentence at the top of the page (ie. fishing for roses on a sunny day)
The next person does a little drawing of their interpretation of the meaning of the sentence. They fold over the top of the page to cover up the sentence, and pass it along to the next person who makes a new sentence based on the drawing, and on and on it goes. Hilarity ensues.
Second game:
Divide a sheet of paper into 3 segments by folding it. The top section is the head, the middle section is the body, the bottom section is the legs. Three people do the drawing, without seeing the other sections until they are done. They are only allowed to see a small smidge of the bottom of the previous section to help match up lines. This game can often create bizarre creatures/characters, but often will result in crazy drawings in which all 3 parts match somehow (like all are bird related, or water related)
The night usually ends in hysterical laughing!
wow, what a great idea! and how creative! i don't have a basement, either. but maybe when the weather gets nicer, i could possibly hold it in someone's backyard...
This sounds terribly fun! Although, I think my artist mom and aunt would be the only people I know to participate!
Totally great idea! Hey Liz...maybe you don't tell your friends at first. Have small noshes and get 'em liquored up first. Kinda like arty-karaoke!
I'm gonna have to try this!
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