“Good artists copy, great ones steal” -Pablo Picasso

Wine and Art

Painting Night, Pinot Palette, Art Bars, Wine and Painting, Social Painting. People are getting creative under the influence of the intoxication of wine. It seems that everyone is doing it. But, is it true artistic expression if we all paint the same? Paint Night events are selling out in major US cities; could be the biggest fad. Drinking wine, expressing himself in paint by number fashion… maybe not for artists, but maybe for those trying to rediscover the artist within. Otherwise, speaking from experience, art museum wine tasting events tend to focus more on appreciating the wine than the art. So, let’s try to find the balance to enjoy wine and art!

“Every child is an artist. The problem is

how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Pablo Picasso

“Maybe your first-grade art teacher didn’t recognize your ‘Picasso potential,’ but you can still unleash your creative spirit once in a while,” says Paint Along NYC.

Why do we all want to paint the same thing and have the same painting on our walls as our friends? This is similar to “paint by numbers” for adults, with very basic water-based colors. There’s a simple stylized painting for everyone to follow, led by an instructor in a step-by-step, brushstroke-by-brush painting class. Many places are BYOB, bring your own bottle and supplies are included.

Where do we find the balance between enjoying wine and appreciating balance in art? “Balance is hard to define in words, but it’s obvious when you find it in a wine. It’s almost easier to define the negative,” says Rajat Parr. What about defining balance in art? Evaluating paintings can be difficult, because art can be interpreted in so many ways. So approach art with an open mind: whether it’s at an art show, in the museum, or by creating your own piece-by-piece painting.

a good balance

With wine, the good balance is when nothing stands out in an ugly way, when nothing is out of place. Not too much or too little acidity, too much tannin or too much alcohol. A good balance is one of the most desired characteristics in a wine, where the concentration of fruit, the level of tannins and the acidity are in total harmony.

With art, what is harmony? Harmony and quality can be highlighted in a theme, color contrast, proportions, or uniqueness as abstract, cubist, portrait, or landscape pieces. As a basic principle of art, the definition of balance refers to the ways in which the elements (lines, shapes, colors, textures, etc.) of a piece are arranged; symmetrically or asymmetrically, but rather work together to produce overall harmony.

“Learn the rules like a pro,

so you can break them like an artist.” Pablo Picasso

On the cheap like a pro

Drinking wine can relax you enough to discover your inner Picasso in an Art Bar; or to appreciate the lines, the images and the emotion that art can convey in a show.

To find a paint night deal near you, there are events all over Groupon and LivingSocial in most major cities. Remember, just because you’re looking for a bargain on a night out, you don’t have to skimp on good wine. You can still find a good $10 or $15 bottle of wine if you know what to look for. See Food & Wine’s list of: 150 Best Bottles for $15 or Less: http://www.foodandwine.com/150-best-15-dollar-and-under-wines