NIGHT OUT

ART

scene

BY PADEN HUGHES

I grew up surrounded by artists and have always admired those who can look at something in a different way and recreate a version that tells us as much about the beholder as it does the subject itself. I love Art After Dark and other local art events, especially when they coincide with a night out on the town. In fact, I had been thinking about planning a date night that would allow my husband and I to channel our “inner artists” when I happened upon an amazing new offering called Art Bar at Granada Bistro on Morro Street in San Luis Obispo.

An enthusiastic supporter of the local art scene, Granada has branched out in an innovative way to make our community’s artists more accessible via its Art Bar. A dozen guests at a time have the unique opportunity to paint a scene inspired by our local landscape. The artist facilitates a live art demonstration and offers step-by-step guidance to the trainees in the room.

At Granada, there is a new painting scene every night, so I gave my husband the choice of painting sunflowers or Morro Rock. There was no question in his mind: Morro Rock. Painting on his night off was a stretch as it was; and he did not jump at the idea of painting flowers. So, while he was a little reluctant, and I a bit nervous, we signed up for an evening at the Art Bar.

We walked into a smartly lighted and inviting room with a long galley table, encircled by blank canvases propped up on easels. The manager took our complimentary drink orders and we settled into our seats with expectations as undefined as the canvas sitting before us. As the short hand on the antique clock touched the number seven, and those complimentary drinks began to tamp down any remaining apprehension, the room began to fill with the joyful sounds of friendly introductions as ten twelve strangers readied themselves to paint together. Skye Ravy was the artist-teacher for our session, and she set the stage for the evening, patiently walking us through the thought process involved in creating a horizon. Brush technique and color choice came next in our journey to create the art that previously none of us, before our lesson, thought we were capable of producing.

Every night Art Bar is a different experience—the subject always changes, the artist-teacher rotates, and the chemistry of the group evolves. It is a welcoming environment where few bring any pre-existing talent, or aptitude for that matter, but instead feed off one another’s willingness to drop their guard as they try to let their “right brain” do the thinking, at least for one night.

The two hours of instruction tripped by happily. We went from creating sweeping skies, to billowing clouds, to horizontal sand dunes, an imposing rock, to floating sailboats to adding our own personal touches. Not bad for a couple of newbies. We had a great time at Art Bar and look forward to returning soon for another session. Maybe next time we’ll paint flowers.

For the twenty-one-and-over crowd, Art Bar runs Wednesday - Saturday at Granada Bistro from 7 - 9pm. Forty dollars gets you your art materials and a complimentary drink. Art Bar is available for private parties and services private homes for special events.

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