This week’s summer showcase post is by  Abby Esparza, an art teacher who lives near Houston, TX.  I’m excited to share it with you first because Revelry Painting Parties sound like a great way to spend an afternoon, but perhaps more importantly, because her story illustrates how when you open yourself up to trying new things, you also hold the door open for the people around you to do the same.  

As an adult, it’s funny for me to remember how the years between being a freshman and graduating from high school seemed eternal.  In those four years I was “forced” to learn about all sorts of things from physical science to history to geometry.  I didn’t appreciate my free education at the time–in fact I sometimes complained about it.  I even took the classes I wasn’t forced to take for granted: cooking, photography, and, my favorite, art.

If you are anything like me, time has sped up a lot since high school and all of a sudden you look around to find yourself smack dab in the middle of adulthood.  As a result of this whirlwind of life, we lose track of those things we loved to do in our youth. For many art is one of the elements of our “past life” that it is hard to get back into as an adult.

While as a high school art teacher, I haven’t completely let go of my artistic past, many of my friends have. At parties, people often say to me “Oh, I loved my art class” when they hear what I do for a living. I know that many staff members at my school will see my students’ artwork on display and say, “I wish I could learn how to do that!”

Eventually all the conversations about wistful memories of past arts experiences, and the unspoken belief that it was “too late” to start painting again (or for the first time) got me to thinking:  Could I help adults put art back into their lives?

The answer was yes, and Revelry Painting Parties were born.

The lessons may be similar to what I teach my high school students, but the atmosphere is very different.  Some of my friends were a little apprehensive at first but I ensured them that the Revelry experience was not going to “stress you out.”  In fact, we are going for just the opposite.  Art is a fabulous way to relax and enjoy the simple beauties of our world.  Combine that with a shared experience with close friends and a glass of wine, and you can’t go wrong!  My parties are geared to people with very little (or no) painting experience, so I keep it as simple as possible, yet still strive to produce beautiful results.

My goal is to show my guests a few basic painting tips that can make them say, “Wow! I can’t believe I painted that!”

Want to know more?  Visit Abby on her website or on the Revelry Painting Parties Facebook page!

Share your story!

The summer showcase is all about you and the stories that inspire you. Or stories about how you spend your free time. It won’t be the same if your voice is missing.
Click here for more information on how share your story! Or, if you aren’t a phone-talker, e-mail me.