Tree of Life

Starry Night Renovation

I don't know if anyone remembers my last Swirlz Art outing where we painted the Starry Night by Van Gogh.  It was labeled as advanced with a disclaimer stating that the only reason they considered it "advanced" was because it was going to take an hour longer than the normal two hour long classes. My friends and I were excited to do this painting for a few reasons.  One, it was the Starry Night painting from Van Gogh...how awesome would that be to actually have that in your house.  Two, we would be able to hang out with each other and drink wine for an extra hour.  Three, we could say we were actually good painters if the painting looked good. 
Needless to say, I was not happy with my painting at all.  I even have a picture of me starting to pout because I was not happy with my painting.

I mean really look at those sad eyes!

Now, I know when it is my own painting I can be a bit critical.  I have always said (well, since I have attended Swirlz Art) that my painting looks so much better when I get it home and away from everyone else's. This painting did not look any better to me when I got it home.  The more I looked at it, the more I thought it looked like a 5 year old painted it.  As a matter of, my sister has been asking me for one of my paintings and I told her she could have this one...she asked me if she was suppose to tell everyone that my 5 year old nephew painted it. 

 I only had three options.  One, hide it in a closet where no one could see it.  Two, throw it away and feel like I wasted the money and time it took me to paint it.  Three, buy some paint and brushes and fix it as much as I could.  As much as the first two seemed to be a much easier and less time consuming option.  I decided to go with the third option on this.  After purchasing some paint and brushes from amazon.  (you can check out what I purchased from my amazon shop here)  So, I looked at my painting to really critic it and figure out what I needed to work on.  And what I needed to leave alone...if anything.  After a quick assessment, I decided I needed to darken up the majority of the painting.  I liked the color of the milky way, but the rest of the sky's color was too close of a color to it.  Plus, my husband told me my mountain looked like a big mountain of fire heading for my village.  I had to make a joke about it after that by telling him that the ugly village needed to be burned down!  So, yes I needed to fix my village too.  So, after three more hours of painting this is what I ended up with.

I love my village so much more now!  And my sky is definitely darker, but my mountain still looks like fire about ready to burn down my village.  I may go back and still try to darken the sky and mountain a bit more, but for now I am happy with it.  At least now, I can send it to my sister and it doesn't really look like a 5 year old painted it.  Right........?

Starry Night

How was everyone's hump day?  Mine was an eventful one!  I'll spare you the boring details and get to the fun and scary stuff!  So, last night I went to another Swirlz Art class.  I reserved my spot to paint Van Gogh's Starry Night almost a month ago.  The class was tagged advanced, but had a note stating that the only reason they considered it advanced was because it was a three hour class.  With anticipation and apprehensiveness I waited for May 25th to come.  As I got to Swirlz I should have known it was not going to be a good night.  The weathermen were calling for bad storms...the same ones that caused all the destruction in Joplin, Mo.  Plus, there was a car accident right in front of me.  It just seemed as if there was a dark shadow over the evening.  So, as we start to paint the first hour I struggled to keep up with the instructor and the last two hours I fell behind even more.  I ended up giving up finishing my painting within 3 1/2 hours....right when the storm hit.  So, after getting completely drenched running out to my car (shielding my painting from any damage in a trash bag).  I started to drive home....while driving a tree fell on a vehicle that was two cars ahead of me!  So, after running back out into the hurricane storm to check on the driver, I detoured 20 minutes out of my way to get home.  Once I reached my house I found out I didn't have power!  It was kind of a crappy night and almost not worth it....so with that, I will show you my painting.  Yes, it looks like a child painted it.  I am not excited about this painting at all. 

my painting after the first hour

my friend Brooke and my finished painitings

me and my friend Chris before the class started

Chris' painting after the first hour

Brooke's painting after the first hour. 

Even though I had a rough night and I didn't like my painting, it was still fun to hang out with friends!  And I learned that even though they state that the class is only advanced because of the length...I will not take it because I am not advanced!

Swirlz Art

Tapping into my creativity the easy way.  A few months ago a friend clued me in on this business that teaches you to paint.  You pay $35 and they supply everything you will need to paint (paints, brushes, palette, easel, canvas, smock, etc.).  You just bring a great attitude and leave your nerves at home!  They allow you to bring snacks and drinks...and yes that includes wine.  Is there a better way to feel like a painter, than to be painting and drinking wine. All of the classes assume novice or no painting ability.  You just relax and expect to have fun and be surprised at how great your painting will turn out (it looks even better once you get it home away from everyone else's).    I will admit, the first time I went, I was literally shaking so bad I could barely paint.  After drinking nearly my entire bottle of wine, my nerves only slightly melted away.  Here are the three paintings I have painted and a few of my friend's as well....there are a lot, so be prepared! 

This is my very first painting not too bad even with a shaky hand

This is my friend Brooke's

This is my cousin Mary's

This is my Friend Tessa's

This is Brooke's painting the 2nd time we went (she is kinda awesome) 

This was my 2nd painting (they also give us the option of doing different colors)

This is my Mother in law's (first time she has gone) Not too bad for a first timer

This is my friend Tessa's 2nd time she has gone

Me, Brooke, Brook'e Mother in law, and Tessa

Me, Brooke, and my MIL

Brooke's mom, Brooke, friend Holly, Jessica, and me this is the 3rd painting

here is mine up close...I am not loving the trunk it is too thin.  Oh well

  They have a few of these set up in the southeast and will be opening a few more soon.  Even one in Phoenix!  If you are in one of those areas, I would definitely recommend giving this a shot.  Here are the links to the two companies I know of.  
https://www.sipsnstrokes.com/home.aspx
https://swirlzart.com/ 

If you have been to one of the classes let me know what you think of them!  Oh and I have another class scheduled for May 25th, it is supposed to be an advanced class, so wish me luck on it and I will let you all know how is goes!