There has been a new trend in recent years for raising money for noble causes. Sometimes called Paint and Partake, Booze and Brushes, Paint and Pour, Sips and Splatters; the “art” of creating a complete painting in three hours while indulging in the fruit of the vine has become a very popular event.
Recently, the wife said to me, “Honey, there’s a fund raiser for a local dog park project I’d like you to attend.”
“Well, of course. I am all about the pooches and would love to support that project,” I said eagerly.
“Great. I’ll sign you up. It’s three weeks from Sunday. Put it on your calendar.”
For the record, I have no calendar. My life centers around the wife’s calendar. Every morning at breakfast I get a rundown of her schedule for the day. Then she asks me what I’m going to do for the day. I say, “I don’t know.” She says “great” and she’s off. It’s a system that works really well for both of us.
Three weeks later the wife hands me an old lab coat and says, “Come on. We’re going to the fundraiser.”
“Great. What kind of a fundraiser is it? A gala? A doggie fashion show? A silent auction?”
“Nope, it’s a Paint Your Pooch Party and you’re going to paint our Charles Ralph,” she said slipping my arms into the lab coat.
“Are you out of your ever-lovin’ mind?” I said taken aback. “I can’t paint our dog. I can paint walls. I can paint ceilings. I can paint woodwork. But you can’t expect me to paint a living, moving hairy thing.”
“You’re not painting the dog. You’re painting a picture of the dog. You’ll do fine. It’s at a lovely little art studio and you’ll be directed by an amazingly talented art teacher who will help you every step of the way.”
Taking off the lab coat I said, “I’m not gonna do it.”
“There will be wine and snacks,” the wife said.
“Well, why didn’t you say that to begin with? I am so there.”
When we arrived, 22 of us sat down in front of white canvases that contained a penciled outline of our pooches, sketched beforehand by our talented art teacher.
Instructions were given on painting backgrounds first, mixing colors, types of brushes, perspectives and shadows.
My hand shot up when asked if there were any questions.
“Where are the snacks and the wine?” I asked. “And what wine pairs well with Australian shepherd?” The answer was Sauvignon Blanc.
For three hours, 22 of us painted our pooches, elbow to elbow, stealing peeks at each other’s progress. There was lots of laughing, sipping, snacking and the occasional spattering of paint. And at the end of the session, I was amazed at the talent that had occurred in that little studio.
Dogs of every breed, color, shape and expression looked back at us from their damp canvases. And my painting … well, I was thrilled that it looked more like a dog than an armadillo.
It was a super fundraiser for a great cause.
“Nice painting, dear,” the wife said.
“I’m pretty pleased with myself. Where are we going to hang it? Above the mantel perhaps?”
“How ‘bout in the laundry room over the dog dish?”
And that’s where it proudly hangs to this very day.
Raul’s artwork hangs in the laundry room over the dog dish.
Raul Ascunce is a freelance columnist for the Sentinel-Tribune. He may be contacted at [email protected].
