So, I’m cheating a bit by not featuring an actual female for #FFF but when the female-owned Paint and Sip Studio Los Angeles offered a Girls Night Out for a few of my favorite local bloggers, I figured it was a great way to experience the cultural offerings of LA, gab and drink a bit.

After coming back from my New York trip, I needed an LA grounding experience and painting, sipping (BYOB) and socializing with 3 very funny and smart ladies, AJ@ConfessionsofaFatGirl, Chris@WhatIRunInto and Anne@AnneHogan seemed like a great way to make that happen.  Facebook had been already taunting me for months with group photos featuring a bunch of happy (slightly drunk) people all holding the same masterpiece from similar painting parties so I figured, why not?

L to R: Chris, AJ, Anne and Me

As someone with no artistic ability whatsoever, I was so focused on the “sip and socialize” part of the invitation that I paid very little thought as to how the painting part was to be done.  Extreme panic set in when I found out that the “paint by numbers” kind of thing that I expected turned into blank canvases and an actual instructor.  When I saw the detailed peacock that we were painting that evening, I poured myself a large glass of wine and silently freaked out.

L: Blank Canvas and Peacock Top R: Brandon, our instructor and DJ Bottom R: Chris in the P & S Studio

Luckily, our instructor, Brandon, gave step by step instructions that were easy to follow –  even for the non-artistically inclined like me.  Brandon said there were about 26 steps to the painting but after about 5, I didn’t care.  Maybe it was the wine but it was more likely that Brandon had a penchant for 80’s music (including some Duran Duran – thank you AJ for the request) that made the atmosphere fun.  Brandon’s artist expertise may be visual but his auditory appreciation of bands like Style Council, Scritti Politti and even Beyonce ranks high in my book.

The 3 hour painting session went by in a flash.  Painting while chatting, drinking and listening to excellent music certainly made for a really fun evening!   Even though I’d say that my peacock looked slightly deranged, I was proud to go from blank canvas to a fully finished product panic-attack free.

Stages of painting – from blank canvas to masterpiece.

We all had a blast at Paint and Sip Studio Los Angeles and even though this session was a complimentary one, I’d most definitely return!  The only thing I’d do differently is that I’d try to get there earlier than the 1o minutes before the session began to ensure that I could sit with all of my friends (we had to sit in pairs in separate rows – we were too chatty at our dinner beforehand and lost track of time).  I didn’t even see the yummy treats in the reception area until after we were done and took this group shot:

Our Girls Night Out Paint and Sip Studio LA group shot

If you’re not willing to take my word for the good time that was had by all, complete with many peacock references in every way you can imagine,  check out the posts by AJ, Chris and Anne.
Paint and Sip Studio Los Angeles have sessions Wednesday through Sunday ranging from $25 to $35 based on day of the week and featured painting.  For more information see the Paint and Sip Studio Los Angeles website or check out their Facebook page and/or check out the Groupon available right now!