Rittenhouse Senior Living in Portage recently hosted a Coffee and Canvas session in which residents got to paint their very own seasonal artwork. Kathy Eckert is the owner of Canvas Escapes which works with clients to customize a painting party. Kathy herself designs all of the paintings and leads both public and private painting sessions. Eckert started the business in April 2013 and does a variety of events including fundraisers and children’s parties.
“I’ve created my own job, and I love it,” Eckert said. “The best past is when everyone is done [the paintings] are all different, yet the same.”
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Judy Kukelka, Marketing and Admissions Director of Rittenhouse, said she noticed a trend in these painting events around town and knew she had residents who enjoyed painting. There were several onlookers who stopped to watch and ask questions throughout the event.
Eckert began by asking if there were any people in the room who had never painted. A few hands went up.“Everyone keeps saying they can’t paint but, after this first one, I’m sure it will double in size,“ Kukelka said.
“Well, feel free to copy off of your neighbor,” Eckert joked.
The group of 16 painters began with mixing a light blue for the background layer. Eckert gave a brief tutorial on the proper way to clean a paintbrush and the artists began, nervously at first, to put color on the canvas. Most of the residents were hoping to hang the final product in their apartment when they were done. The group completed the background painting and took a break for coffee and refreshments. Many walked around the room comparing and complementing the unfinished paintings.
Dorthy Frencel of Portage, found out about the event through a newsletter she receives from Rittenhouse.
“I like the instruction and telling about how to do certain aspects of the painting,” Frencel said. “ I like to go to art museums and institutes and I can really see the effort they put in.”
The most difficult aspect of the painting for most participants were the hearts that overlay the bold, red paint. Kathy went around to help those who needed assistance with shaping their hearts.
“They’re painting ‘Love Blooms’, a Valentine’s Day themed painting. It’s a bright, pretty, simple design,” she said.
Each painter had their own unique interpretation of the “assignment” with many variations of color, texture, and composition.
Marsha Leonard, Executive Director of Rittenhouse, believes that this Coffee and Canvas experience will pave the way for similar events.
“It’s good for family and residents… We have some family members here, too. It gives them time to enjoy together. Once the word gets out about this event, I think it will take off.”
For more information on Canvas Escapes events or how to arrange your own painting party, visit their page: https://www.facebook.com/Canvasescapes