Sip and Paint Event Produces Easter-Themed Art

Shores Floral, a business on Indiana Street in Chinook, hosted a Sip and Paint event on Sunday, March 27 that was well-attended and produced some Easter-themed art. Kristi Plant, an artist from Miles City, led the activity.

After Tomi Simenson, owner of Shores Floral, announced the event on March 13, she reported that the available spots filled within two hours. Given space limitations in her back room, Simenson planned to cap event attendance at 15, but she made concessions so that nineteen painters could be present.

Regarding the event's popularity, Simenson predicted: "I think it just gives the ladies a good excuse to come hang out with friends and socialize with one another. Sip and Paint is something new and different that people are wanting to try, and since we don't have many in our area, there was a huge response."

Although Plant demonstrated and suggested methods for creating the rabbit that was the featured model at Sunday's Sip and Paint, she encouraged all of the artists to use whatever colors or techniques they desired. Whether with a heart-shaped nose, a floral crown, furry jowls, or a cheery yellow or polka-dotted background, every painter channeled that "inner Van Gogh" to personalize her painting.

Keeping pace with the changing seasons, Plant, who is the mother of Simenson, said that next month, the model for painting will likely be something with a night sky and fireflies.

According to reports from Simenson, the goal is to host Sip and Paint once a month. "We are definitely going to do another one! I've read and heard from people that events like this slow down during the summer, so I may not do them every month in the summertime. But we are for sure going to do them during the fall and holiday seasons. I'm honestly just planning as we go, just to see how much interest we continue to have."

Everyone who attended on March 27 had access to beverages, snacks, and a 25% store wide discount for the evening.