Join a group of 15-20 like-minded people, spend two to three hours painting your work of art on canvas, and do it while enjoying food, wine and socializing at a local restaurant or store. No artistic background required.
This is the experience being offered several times a month since last August by the local mother-daughter team of Sarah Levy and Tova Fagan, who operate under the business name “Paint, Wine & Dine.”
Levy is the artistic one in the family, and spends her spare time creating the paintings that the classes copy and offering class and individual instruction.
“I’m a self-taught artist,” she said. “I simplify my originals so it’s not too complicated for them.”
She explained that other companies offer social painting events in L.A., but no one was doing it in Malibu.
“I thought it would be perfect for Malibu, because there’s a deficit of social life here,” Levy said. She moved here five years ago from the Hancock Park area of L.A.
“My life was very busy in the city, but since I came to Malibu, it’s been slow motion and I’ve been bored.”
Fagan, her daughter, takes care of the business end – finding local venues, taking reservations, setting up schedules, developing the website and bringing all the supplies that everyone needs for each event.
“With my mother and me working together, the whole idea for this business came alive. She’s my partner and collaborator,” she said.
“Each participant is provided with all the supplies they need, and three hours of art teaching and leading. Then they go home that day with a finished piece of art,” Fagan said.
She said she and her mother love interacting with the customers, and aren’t doing this for the money. To them, it’s fulfilling to lead the participants through the painting process.
“They’re so proud of themselves, and it gives them self-confidence,” Fagan said.
Amateur participants confirm their enthusiasm for the idea. Joy Czubiak, who’s only missed one or two of the events since they began, said, “The hardest part is knowing when to put down your brush. Sarah is a fabulous teacher and makes sure you’re comfortable with your painting and shows you the techniques.”
Czubiak said that so far, the paintings have included two sunsets, a rose painted with a spatula, beaches, a hummingbird, cherry blossoms, poppies and a mountain landscape. Last week’s project was two dolphins jumping out of the water. Previews of the painting for each event are posted online.
Participant Jodi Leventhal said she began participating in the events with no artistic experience whatsoever.
“This is therapeutic for me, and I’m learning and really enjoying it. I was looking for new outlets and interests since my children all live on their own now.”
The participants tend to be mostly women.
“It’s definitely a girlie thing,” said Fagan, “Although we’ve had a date night and are planning a couple’s night for Valentine’s Day.”
Although most of the women in the class live in Malibu, Fagan said a few do come in from other towns because they enjoy spending the day near the ocean. It’s apparently a great way to make new friends.
“It’s a real bonding experience,” she said.
The events are a win-win for the local restaurants that host them.
“We’re keeping it local within Malibu establishments,” Fagan said. One of the regular venues is a conference room at Casa Escobar, with painting events there usually held late afternoon and early evening.
Another regular venue is lunch time events on the outdoor patio at “The Ranch at Solstice Canyon.” Manager Lisa Marie confirmed that the restaurant welcomes the group’s business, which has been coming in at slower times during the off-season.
Levy and Fagan try to keep the classes small and manageable, with no more than 15-30 people per event.
“Most social art classes [in L.A.] are so big; you don’t get any personal attention,” Fagan said. “If we grow, we’ll try to have more classes, not bigger classes.”
Anyone interested in participating can view the upcoming schedule of events at paintwinendine.com or email tova@girlslivingitup.com.
