Painting at Thirsty Palette

Several years ago, my husband and I took acrylic painting lessons together. It was one of our favorite date night ideas over the years and we've often said we'd like to do that again. However, finding 6-8 weeks in the calendar for weekly lessons is challenging with four kids and complicated schedules. So, we were pretty excited with the paint-your-own-painting shops around Kansas City coming into vogue and we decided we'd try that out for a date night. I've been keeping my eye on the painting calendars at the various locations, watching for a painting we wanted to paint (two copies in this case), a night in our budget (their November specials meant a discount) and a night we were available. This week, the details worked out and we headed to Thirsty Palette to paint the Plaza Lights!

Thirsty Palette

913.669.0501 Visit http://thirstypalette.com/calendar/ for their painting calendar.

11958 Roe Ave. Overland Park, KS 66209

Thirsty Palette offers group events or painting parties where individuals, couples, or small groups of friends may sign up together. Painting parties last two hours and each painter leaves with a complete work of art.

I, like any good Kansas City girl, am a lifelong fan of the Plaza Christmas Lights (light was my first word after my parents took me to see the lights as an infant - a bit of trivia I'm sure you were just dying to know) so the Plaza Light Christmas painting was our pick. Prior to painting, we headed to Sheridan's Unforked for a quick dinner (love their healthy and affordable menu), then we arrived at Thirsty Palette.

Unlike many of the other paint shops in town, Thirsty Palette offers a fully stocked bar and snacks (many of the other shops are BYOB). The bar opens an hour before the class for check-in and a chance to socialize with friends. In the shop, they offer small and large tables, pairing couples and friends to paint together. Each painting station includes the canvas, an easel, a paper plate paint palette with all the colors you'll need, a cup of water for brushes, and the brushes you'll need.

The room is a chic mini-gallery displaying previous Thirsty Palette paint projects on the teal and lavender walls. The instructor stands at a small stage in the corner, and was wearing a wireless microphone as she instructed us all in painting (I have participated in paint projects at other shops with friends, and this was the first time I saw this set up - it was very helpful!). We were easily able to hear and see as she instructed.

To begin, the instructor covered some simple tips:

• Wear an apron (provided), the paint does not come out of clothes (leave accessories like scarves at home)
• Keep brushes in water when not in use because the paint dries quickly and will ruin them
• Relax and have fun - she had experience teaching many people over the years and "almost all" claimed to have zero talent, skill, experience, or know-how and they all completed terrific projects at the end of the evening! Now, I do have a "little" painting experience (very little), but I am colorblind and art is not my strength, but I have to say - she was true to her word, we were very pleased and all of the other painters were as well.

Our instructor was Stephanie Bloss, and we thought she did a great job. She thoroughly explained what to do (and what not to do if there were tempting mistakes to avoid - like too many brush strokes), demonstrating each step along the way. Between steps, she looked at each painting and offered feedback and tips. We were given a few breaks to let paint dry, look at your work, and grab more snacks making for a very relaxed and fun night. 

My only disappointment is that we were personally in a hurry to be home by 9:30 and I missed one bit of lights (contemplating a trip to Michael's for touch up paint?). The class did go over the time allotted a bit, so I'd keep that in mind if childcare is an issue.  Also, take time to really look at your painting before you go to check for things.

The shop offers a variety of paintings for painting parties (sign up as an individual), group events, and more for kids and adults. I was impressed with many of their paintings and designs and I can't wait to go back!