Amusing Painting Party by Guest Blogger Jennifer Mitchell

Perhaps you remember a TV show that’s become a bit of a cult classic. The Joy of Oil Painting was a How-To show hosted by hippy-dippy artist, Bob Ross.

On each half-hour episode he’d complete an oil painting – usually a landscape with lots of “happy trees”. He made it looks so easy! Suddenly I had a great idea for a party.

Tag Team Painting with Bob

Why not host a painting party? Fine art is so refined, right? Not in this case, because in order for this party to be truly fun, alcohol is a must. Best of all, no artistic talent is needed. I call this party Tag Team Painting With Bob (Drinks on the Side).

Basically, your guests are divided into groups of two or more. The show begins and painter number one paints along with Bob. After five minutes, the next person takes over while the first imbibes. And around they go until the show is over.

The team with the best painting is declared Master Pieces and wins a prize. Caution: your guests will want to paint another one, so have supplies ready.

Party Preparations

First, rent or buy a copy of The Joy of Oil Painting. All the TV seasons are available in DVD on Bob Ross’ Web site. Skim through the episodes until you find one or two you like. Then, make a list of the paint colors and brushes ‘ole Bob uses.

You don’t need to spend lots of money and you don’t have to use oil paints. Acrylic paints in large bottles and cheap brushes are perfect. The same thing goes for canvases. They can be expensive, so substitute with large sheets of watercolor paper or poster board. Michaels is a good place to shop. And they often have coupons. A good prize is a frame for the big winner.

You need easels. I borrowed mine from a private school via a friend. You can buy tabletop easels made of foam core. Or, have your guests pull double duty as both artist and easel.

Party Time

Be sure to serve the Pisco Sours, or your favorite adult beverages, as your guests arrive. The dip and other nibbles can be set out, too. I recommend serving the dinner in between painting sets. Don’t skip on the prizes! A frame for the winner is nice – you know they’ll want to hang it over their mantle. Or, have a trophy made up. They’re very inexpensive and lots of fun.
Peace, love and painting, dude!

Menu

Feel free to go wild with this menu. The idea is munchy food to go along with our mellow, hippy artist scene. Groovy.

• Shooters, or Pisco Sours
• Cheese and Bean Dip (sounds gross but it’s awesome)
• Sliders
• Homemade Frites served in cups or the Classic Beer Batter Fish and Chips (about 3 bites per fish piece)
• Fruit (if you must)
• Rice Krispies Treats
• Chocolate cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting [Barefoot Contessa]
• All your favorite nibbles

Recipes by Jennifer Mitchell

Pisco Sours Recipe

• 3 parts Pisco (a Chilean brandy that packs a punch)
• 1 1/2 parts lemon juice
• 1 -2 tablespoons fine sugar

Cheese and Bean Dip Recipe

• One 8-ounce package cream cheese, sliced in thin slices
• One can Hormel Chili – no beans
• One package of shredded cheddar cheese
• One bunch of green onions – chopped (just the green part)
• Two bags of tortilla chips

Layer the ingredients in a baking dish in the order given – excluding the chips. Bake in a medium oven for about a half hour. Or, nuke in the microwave for about 5 minutes until melted. Serve with chips.

Sliders Recipe

Makes 12 mini hamburgers a la White Castle

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1/2 chopped onion
• 1 package cheddar cheese slices
• One package Parker House rolls, or other type of dinner roll.

Mix the hamburger with salt and pepper. Make 12 little meatballs and flatten to form patties. Sauté the onions and set them aside. Cook up the burgers and add cheese, if desired. Place burgers on rolls, along with the onion.

>>> Sourcing:
Buy in stores: The Bob Ross Travel Easel at Micheals
Find: Store Locator of Micheals
Recipe: Classic Fish And Chips by Man-Made Food on FoodTV.ca
Recipe: Kellogg Original Rice Krispies Treats
Photo credits: Omer de Serres – art supplies pictures except the easel
Photo credit: Pisco Sour en casa by Capienzzo on Flickr – Some rights reserved
Photo credit: Cupcakes photographed by Quentin Bacon – Rights reserved picture
Guest Blogger: Jennifer Mitchell [Design Hole]