Studio Griffin

These Art & Wine nights are SO much fun! I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler and somehow, Natalya manages to help me end up with something wonderful. I highly recommend trying one out with a group of friends!

Art + Wine is so. much. fun. It feels like what art class used to feel like when you were a kid – except you get to drink wine while you do it! [Full disclosure: Natalya is my daughter’s art teacher at The Griffin School, and my son has attended her Art on Saturday classes.]
Last Friday night a group of friends and I sat down and proceeded to paint Van Gogh’s Sunflowers with Natalya as our lead. None of us are artists to say the least but it didn’t matter. Natalya’s careful guidance and artistic expertise demonstrated that none of us had to be in order to take home a great painting. Understanding how layers add more depth and definition to a painting may be common knowledge to the artist-​types, but it was something I never considered. It made perfect sense – I added layers. My «Sunflowers» look more like daisies, but that too didn’t matter. I am deeply proud that as a self-​proclaimed «academic» I can now hang a piece of my own art work on my walls (ok it’s in the bathroom, but still). It’s BYOB which we extended into BYO «bottles of wine and a fantastic cheese plate.» I can’t say enough good things. This is perfect for a group of friends, a couple’s night out, or a team building experience. The fact that proceeds benefit The Griffin School is icing on the cake.

There are several art and wine BYOB places in Austin but this one is truly special. The profits for these classes go towards the painting supplies for the high school students at the Griffin school. The instructor is the talented Natalya who is an art teacher at the school. She gives up a couple Fridays a month to conduct these classes which speak volumes of her passion and character.
If you do not fancy yourself an artist no worries. One of the rules here is no judging. Natalya began by discussing the color wheel and how to decide which colors will contrast/​compliment each other. Then the next two hours we sipped wine and painted as she walked us through our own «masterpiece». The class size if fairly small allowing for a lot of time to get advice on such things as to where to add shadows, lighting or depth to your painting.
Art + Wine night makes for the perfect date night or a girl’s night out. You will have a blast while supporting the education and talent of our local youth.

You know how sometimes you think it would be fun to try a new hobby but then decide it’s equally fun and less trouble to have drinks with friends instead? Art+Wine night provides a solution to this dilemma. Show up with your favorite wine and whatever art skills you do (or don’t) possess and Natalya will provide all the supplies and knowledge you need to paint something worthy of displaying in your home. The website shows the project that will be taught on each date so you can pick and choose which nights you want to sign up for.
The classes are small which allows Natalya to give everyone individualized instruction. I’ve been to four Art+Wine nights and I see SO much improvement since my first painting! I had never used oil paint and after taking a 2 session oil class I left with a legit fruit bowl painting. Artists of all skill levels come to Art+Wine night and everyone learns something new or improves their technique.
It’s a great way to spend a Friday night and accomplish something while drinking!

Art+Wine night with Natalya is awesome.
No dresses on a hanger girly type paintings. Real paintings that you’d actually want to hang at your place. Super laid back but with instruction. My husband and i had such a blast here. Great for couples.
You can also book for private group lessons which would be great for a group of friends. You can even request a piece to paint. Natalya will work with you on what you want to do.
She’s super talented as well. She’s not your run of the mill «crafty art» person. She is the real deal.