I can't recommend the Shark's Peak experience any more highly. A week before I attended, I had…read morestopped in for a beer at Cody Craft Brewing, the venue for the Wednesday evening events. As I sipped my beer, I watched Jessica host one of her Sip and Paint get together. Everyone there seemed to be having a great time - lots of laughter, lots of smiles, and lots of happy people.
Afterwards, I spoke to Jessica and said that I would love to try this but that I was a "can't draw a stick man" level artist. I also said that I was impressed with how well everyone's paintings seemed to have turned out. Jessica encouraged me to attend if I had the chance (I am in Cody on vacation for a couple weeks, so I did indeed have the opportunity), and that I just might surprise myself. So, despite my reticence, I made reservations for a family member and myself for the following week.
When we arrived, the space was all ready to go. Tables, chairs, tabletop easels, paint brushes, a cup of water (these are water based acrylics), and a tray of all of the needed paints to complete our American masterpieces. Although the night's basic idea was an American flag based sunset with a Buffalo, We were encouraged to use our artistic creativity and to "paint whatever you feel - express yourself." I stuck with the Buffalo.
Jessica patiently takes you through the steps of the painting with the brushes to use, the paints used for each step, the blending, and the brush techniques to use to get the different effects. She uses a headset and sound system so she is easily heard by all. My big fear was creating the Buffalo. I was afraid it would look like anything but a Buffalo. Who'd of thought that with just a couple of circles, an oval, and some basic angles, you can build one. We were given excellent and well-paces step by step directions and suggestions as we painted. While there is a finished example prominently displayed elevated up front, Jessica also (effortlessly it seemed) created one as she demonstrated the step.
By the time it was done, there were big Buffalos, small Buffalos, flying and levitating Buffalos, branded Buffalos, and skies filled with stars and moons and comets. Just like the week before, our two hours were filled with laughter, smiles, and a lot of people surprised at how well their paintings turned out. And believe me, no one was more surprised than me.
What a fun time - a great beer, a chance to meet new new people, an encouraging and charming instructor, and a result that was 100 times better than I had expected.
If you get the chance, do yourself a favor and go. I guarantee you will love this.