Brush with Creativity

What fun last night — my friend, Kristen, pulled me outside the box yet again for a night of creative exploration.

We spent the evening at Art Plus Studio in SoNo … painting.

Kristen and her masterpiece — both quite lovely, don’t you think?

You should know that although my grandmother and mother have terrific visual art talent, mine is fair to middling.

As a painter, I’m a pretty good writer.

Still, any time spent with Kristen is bound to be fun. She has, after all, introduced me to a whole host of new things. This time, she was looking for a way to kick up her creative juices. So why not.

We chose the theme “Vibrant Tree” over some others, including learning how to paint a face or pet; joined about 25 women — and one very good sport of a man — and settled in.

These events are BYOB, which I’d forgotten. Kristen didn’t and plied me with seltzer throughout the night. (Even she knows I’m a cheap date.)

Katie, a very kind and talented artist, took us through the creation of our masterpieces, step by step using the brushes and blobs of paint set out for each of us alongside our canvases. It was fascinating to see how each person personalized Katie’s instructions.

Kristen went for bold, clear paint strokes that make a statement, much as she always does. Mine were lighter, more tentative, again seeming to mimic my approach to things.

Some people stuck to the rules. Other folks mixed their colors in unusual ways, added layers of paint that created texture or created different shapes.

The results were all quite impressive. We’ll be back to try it again.

Showing off our work. Oddly enough, we each preferred the other’s painting.

You’re wondering about the reception at home?

Basil wants to try it, too (he has a bit of an artistic streak). My mother, upon seeing the photo I texted her, declared my work should be framed. (I think she and I should do it together.)

Catherine, fresh from her own long day of activities and no doubt steeped in all the memorabilia Basil and I have unearthed lately, asked: “How old were you when you painted that?”

I think I’ll hang it in her bedroom.

My “Vibrant Tree.”