Skip to main content
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
  • See & Do
    • See & Do
    • See all
      • See all
      • Seasons
        • See all
        • Spring
        • Summer
        • Fall
        • Winter
      • Accessibility
      • Arts
      • Attractions
      • Downtown
      • Health & Wellness
      • History
      • Live Music
      • Parks
      • Shopping
      • Stories
      • Weddings
  • Outdoors
    • Outdoors
    • See all
      • See all
      • Hiking
        • See all
        • Nature Walks
      • ADK Guides & Tours
      • Birding
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Cross-Country Skiing
      • Cycling
      • Downhill Skiing
      • Fishing
      • Golfing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Mountain Biking
      • Paddling
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
    • Eat & Drink
    • See all
    • Cafés & Coffee Shops
    • Craft Beer & Cocktails
    • Restaurants
  • Events
    • Events
    • See all
    • Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
    • ArtWorks ArtMarkets
    • Can-Am Rugby Tournament
    • Celebrate Paddling ADK
    • First Night Saranac Lake
    • Plein Air Festival
    • Winter Carnival
    • 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
    • Stay
    • See all
    • Cabins & Cottages
    • Camping
    • Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
    • Resorts, Hotels, Motels
    • Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
    • First Time Visitors
    • See all
      • See all
      • Accessibility
      • Downtown
      • Getting Here
      • Greater Region
      • Stories
      • Seasons
        • See all
        • Spring
        • Summer
        • Fall
        • Winter
  • Local
    • Local title-header
      • Live Here
        • See all
        • Meet the Locals
        • Real Estate
        • Town of Harrietstown
        • Town of North Elba
        • Town of St. Armand
        • Village of Saranac Lake
      • Do Business Here
        • See all
        • Chamber Job Board
        • Essex County IDA
        • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
        • Professional Services
        • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
      • Community Initiatives
        • See all
        • Arts & Culture Master Plan
        • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
        • Saranac Lake Brand
        • Village Community Development Department
What can we help you find?
  • See & Do
      1. See & Do
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Seasons
          • See all
          • Spring
          • Summer
          • Fall
          • Winter
        3. Accessibility
        4. Arts
        5. Attractions
        6. Downtown
        7. Health & Wellness
        8. History
        9. Live Music
        10. Parks
        11. Shopping
        12. Stories
        13. Weddings
  • Outdoors
      1. Outdoors
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Hiking
          • See all
          • Nature Walks
        3. ADK Guides & Tours
        4. Birding
        5. Boating
        6. Camping
        7. Cross-Country Skiing
        8. Cycling
        9. Downhill Skiing
        10. Fishing
        11. Golfing
        12. Ice Fishing
        13. Mountain Biking
        14. Paddling
        15. Snowmobiling
        16. Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
      1. Eat & Drink
      2. See all
      3. Cafés & Coffee Shops
      4. Craft Beer & Cocktails
      5. Restaurants
  • Events
      1. Events
      2. See all
      3. Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
      4. ArtWorks ArtMarkets
      5. Can-Am Rugby Tournament
      6. Celebrate Paddling ADK
      7. First Night Saranac Lake
      8. Plein Air Festival
      9. Winter Carnival
      10. 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
      1. Stay
      2. See all
      3. Cabins & Cottages
      4. Camping
      5. Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
      6. Resorts, Hotels, Motels
      7. Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
      1. First Time Visitors
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Accessibility
        3. Downtown
        4. Getting Here
        5. Greater Region
        6. Stories
        7. Seasons
          • See all
          • Spring
          • Summer
          • Fall
          • Winter
  • Local
      1. Local
        1. Live Here
          • See all
          • Meet the Locals
          • Real Estate
          • Town of Harrietstown
          • Town of North Elba
          • Town of St. Armand
          • Village of Saranac Lake
        2. Do Business Here
          • See all
          • Chamber Job Board
          • Essex County IDA
          • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
          • Professional Services
          • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
        3. Community Initiatives
          • See all
          • Arts & Culture Master Plan
          • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
          • Saranac Lake Brand
          • Village Community Development Department

Unleash Your Inner Picasso

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
Chelsea Cook
October 06, 2015

No matter if you have great artistic ability or are like me, without an artistic bone in your body, I have a recommendation for an afternoon activity that is sure to make you smile - and help decorate your home or office in the process! Paint and Sip is a two-hour painting event that combines a simple painting lesson and cocktails for an enjoyable afternoon of creativity! Everything you need is provided, including acrylic paint, a blank canvas, an apron, and refreshments. All you need to bring is a fun-loving friend or two, and I guarantee you’ll have fun! 

Recently, I spent two hours at The Brushery, which is run by Ruth, at 87 River Street in Saranac Lake. I brought my mom and my aunt who were visiting from Long Island with me to the class, and upon walking in we were immediately greeted by the welcoming staff and some unbelievable baked goods (cronuts, brownies and s'mores bars…yum!) from Cake Placid bakery. Next to the table of delectable treats was a metal tub with champagne and other cocktail refreshments, including non-alcoholic choices if that was preferred. The signature cocktail on the menu, however, was an apple cider mimosa, complete with a cinnamon sugar rim on the glass, so we all opted to try that to start! 

Apple cider mimosas and treats for the guests!
Apple cider mimosas and treats for the guests!

 Once we were armed with our cocktail, we chose our spot in the room. We picked the table by the window, looking out onto

Lake Flower, which was beautiful on another sunny fall day. The tables were set up with easels and canvases, paint brushes, water and aprons, with six people fitting at each table. Fun music was playing softly to set the mood, and after we tied on our aprons, we were instructed to choose between two different paintings for our inspiration. If you have some artistic ability and wanted to paint something completely different, that was ok, too. We definitely decided to go with one of the suggested paintings!

The layout of the canvases for the class.
The layout of the canvases for the class.

The two options for painting on the day we were there were some yellow sunflowers on a maroon background, and a Halloween-themed painting with an orange background and a tree silhouetted in a full moon. My aunt and I chose the tree painting because it looked like it would be easier, and my mom painted the flower because she is very artistic. 

Our two challenging picture options.
Our two challenging picture options.

With some fun music playing softly in the background, we sipped our mimosas and munched on cronuts while we decided which paint we needed to complete our masterpieces. Many colors of paint were available, and we used paper plates as our palettes to pour our paint and leave room for mixing colors. We prepared the canvas by painting it first with water, and I was feeling relaxed even though drawing or painting normally gives me anxiety. First, I painted the black grass, which took up about a third of the canvas. It was pretty easy and gave me some confidence! I then painted the top half orange mixed with a hint of yellow, which also went pretty well! I was getting the hang of this! 

Feeling so relaxed and a little cocky because I was thinking I was pretty good at this after all (and on my second mimosa!), I made a mistake and painted the tree after my background dried, and then learned I was supposed to have painted the moon first so it would be behind the tree. And here is why I love this event – it was no big deal! I waited for the tree to dry, then painted a big, bright moon right over the branches! Once that was dry, I continued painting my tree.  

While each section was drying, we just enjoyed the music and walked around to see what everyone else was painting. Even though I didn’t know anyone else in the room, we all were having a great time together, even giving each other pointers and learning by watching each other’s techniques. You could ask for help as you went along from the instructors, or just go with it and see where your imagination would take you. 

Working hard on their paintings!
Working hard on their paintings!

By the time the event was over, we had a bunch of people who painted the same pictures that looked very different. But even though they all looked different, each one was really good in its own way! I never thought this would be for me, but it definitely is something I would do again. Plus, I now have a Halloween decoration to hang in my house!

Our finished products, maybe too much apple cider mimosas?
Our finished products, maybe too much apple cider mimosas?

Besides scheduled events, which you can find out about on The Brushery’s Facebook page or on their website, they also will host private events and fund-raisers. Be sure to contact them and sign up to unleash your inner Picaso today! 

Saranac Lake is truly a village of the arts, check out all of our cool galleries for inspiration and visit our events page for upcoming opportunities!

The finished products of the entire class, we had such a great time!
The finished products of the entire class, we had such a great time!

This week our bloggers disclose some of their favorite local ADK activities. 

Join a wolf gathering!

Bite my… SweeTango?

Puddle jumping, anyone?

Walk the beaten path.

Surf & Turf: why choose when you can have them both!

Just bead it.

Where past is present.

Apple cider mimosas and treats for the guests!
Apple cider mimosas and treats for the guests!
The layout of the canvases for the class.
The layout of the canvases for the class.
Our two challenging picture options.
Our two challenging picture options.
Working hard on their paintings!
Working hard on their paintings!
Our finished products, maybe too much apple cider mimosas?
Our finished products, maybe too much apple cider mimosas?
The finished products of the entire class, we had such a great time!
The finished products of the entire class, we had such a great time!

Related Stories

Snowshoe Your Way to Winter Fun
Decidedly Different Entertainment
Fall Flavors
Saranac Lake is Fall-tastic for Kids!
Best Off The Beaten Path Fall Foliage Finds
Sweet Indulgences - Saranac Lake's Coffee Hotspots
'Tis the Season
Five Ideas for Winter Family Fun
Saranac Lake Adventure Travel
Three Fantastic Fall Hikes in Saranac Lake
A Fall Vacation with Hot Sara
Norman Ridge Ride
Fall Fishing in the Adirondacks
Lost Among the Rows
A Trip Around the Adirondack Carousel
A Decidedly Different Fall Day in Saranac Lake
Fall Events
Lake Kushaqua, A Beautiful Place to Rest
Fall Fun in Saranac Lake
Decidedly Different Saranac Lake
Cycling Loops in Saranac Lake
Hot Town, Summer in the Village
Finding Fun and Snowfleas at the VIC
Walking the Walk: ArtWalks in Saranac Lake
Finding Winter Finches — and other Cold-Weather Species
6 Must See Winter Carnival Events
The VIC's Black Pond Loop
A Day on McKenzie Mountain
A Fall Hike up St. Regis Mountain
Fall Paddling in the Adirondacks is Amazing!
Beat the Heat!
Saranac Lake Trail Running
Fall for Saranac Lake
Summer Scoop: Five ADK Ice Cream Destinations
Hiking and Birding in Bloomingdale Bog
Two Ways of Exploring the Natural World at the VIC
The VIC: it's luxury hiking!
Walking the Walk: 20 years of ArtWalks in Saranac Lake
Get down! The best low-elevation hikes in Saranac Lake
The Great Adirondack Birding Celebration!
Adirondack Fish Hatchery Experience
'Round the Mountain Canoe Race - An Event For All Paddlers
Three of Saranac Lake's Best Paddling Routes
Family Paddling Day: Planned for You
So Much Snow! And Some Great March Skiing!
Saranac Lake's Walk of Fame
Family Ski at Dewey
Canoodlers and Lawn Chair Ladies
Woods and Waters Trail, a great ski!
A Holiday Ski!
First Skis of the Season!
Getting First Night Ready
Calling All Rock Hounds
Paddling Jones Pond in the Fall
A Fall Hike Up Mount Baker
An Evening Paddle on Lake Clear Outlet
Azure Mountain Adventure
The Great Adirondack Corn Maze
A Fall Paddle on Little Green Pond
A Fall Paddle on the Floodwood Loop
Top Three Loops for Foliage
Five Fab Fall Viewpoints
Fall Migration is in High Gear!
When the twenties roared
Fall Seasons Cold Water Paddling
4 Go-To Paddling Destinations for Fall Foliage
Gorgeous leaves, all access
Be there at the finish!
An Evening Paddle on Middle Pond
Crossbills and Boreal Birds
McKenzie Road Bouldering
Not just a walk in the park
Rugby — A Gentleman’s Sport
Six Nations, First People
Family fun that's free
Sprung!
To get the trout, get the gear
Three hikes to include everyone
Vroom! Daffest Derby creator shares memories
Slow paddle to Oseetah
Maple, sweetener of the future!
The coolest St. Paddy's Day
Get out and art!
Dewey Mountain - Just Wild Enough
Winter Carnival Invention: Arctic Golf
2016 Most Popular Blogs
We can dash through the snow
Get it together — First Night Saranac Lake
Make Holiday Memories at Moody Farm
Cross Country Skiing in Lake Clear
Enjoying Late Fall Cold Fronts And Their Migrants
A tree for the whole family
Great Fall Birding!
Dia de Muertos at Pine Ridge
A Fall Paddle On Lake Clear Outlet
Don't be afraid of the kayak
The Possibilities Of Fall Birding
A Fall Hike on Baker Mountain
Ampersand: A Family Tradition Realized
Village of Boulders
Fall Events: a blaze of glory!
Zooming Around in the Fall
So many hikes, so little time
Tri to stay dry
Puppy's first mountain climb
A Rainy Day Birding Trip in Madawaska
Coolest Adirondack Chopped Challenge!
Planting seeds
A Ride That Takes You Off The Beaten Path
Don't miss the summer's coolest events
History Is Cool: The Lab Museum
An "event-full" spring
Wonderful Weddings in Cool Places
Five Fun (and obscure) Facts about Saranac Lake!
All things maple, in one weekend!
Cross-Country Skiing on the Bloomingdale Bog Trail
Yeah, we're cool - no matter what we're wearing!
Shops with personality plus
Gray Jays!
Fun with Ice: Saranac Lake Creativity
2015 Most Popular Blogs
First thing's first: An insider's guide to First Night Saranac Lake
Winter Events You Won't Want To Miss
Trotting for Turkeys
Select seven: Family hikes under four hours
Shopping without the stress
Tubing: the sport to please the masses
Timeless Tubing at Mount Pisgah
John Brown's Other Bodies
Excellent October Birding!
Five top tips for cooking the hunt
Brighton: Dusk 'til Dawn
Unleash Your Inner Picasso
Paddling and Hiking Around Little Green Pond
Camping in the Cold (Disclaimer: This is NOT a How-To Guide)
A Cool Adirondack Adventure
Daddy Longlegs Love Burlap
Fall Warblers and Other Migrants!
Upcoming Fall Events
Enjoying Late Summer Wildflowers!
Dog Days of Summer aka Beach Time!
Lake Clear: Our Secret Paradise
How to have fun at the Art Opening
Stevenson Cottage - small outside, a world inside
Paddling in the Adirondacks for the First Time!
Hiking with the Crew up Baker Mountain
Riding the Rails, Adirondack style!
Keeping It Local
A Wonderful Wellness Weekend
July is when things heat up!
Coming Home to Saranac Lake
Finding Lots of Birds Just by Taking a Simple Walk
Great Birding and Loads of Warblers in Madawaska!
Cycle Adirondacks: Pedal On Over
Saranac Inn, golf with a taste of Scotland
Free Water Park Ride In Our Backyard
A Spring Hike Up Baker Mountain
Learning to Love Every Season
In Defense of Mud Season
Skiing in April and on Easter - No Foolin'!
Winter Carnival announces Summer Ice Palace
The Joy of Spring Skiing
Adirondack Cure for Cabin Fever
Newbie Skier Tackles Titus
Memorable Firsts: Carnival & Cross-Country Skis
Skiing the Fish Pond Trail
February Fun and Games in Saranac Lake
Wedding planning with the pros
Two sides of the Trifecta
Get ready to jam at Winter Carnival
Adirondack Traditions, then and now
Wellness Resolutions: Easy does it!
An Evening Sleigh Ride in the Adirondacks
Four Seasons of High Points
Skiing - and Falling - in a Winter Wonderland
Fly our Adirondack skies
A night on the town in Saranac Lake
Where to find hot beverages
The First Ski of the Season!
Healthy Holidays, Adirondack Style
A picture's worth a thousand words - epic winter events
Birding Along Lake Colby
Saranac Lake Remembers the Great War
A Guide to the Great Indoors
Adirondack Firetower Challenge: Climbing the Fire Tower Peaks near and around Saranac Lake
Fall Paddling; Being Ready for the Cold
New fun at Titus Mountain Ski Area
The Blind Owl Band: A true Adirondack band
Norman Bethune, the hero, the artist
An Apt Pair: Ampersand Mountain & Follensby Clear Pond
The biggest Cure Tour of them all
History Comes Alive in Saranac Lake
Learning to Identify Fall Leaves
The Horse Knows The Way
Mount Pisgah getting ready for winter ski season
Paddling and Snorkeling Little Green Pond
A Red Phalarope at Little Clear Pond!
Searching for Fall Warblers and Other Songbirds
Boat Trip Massages: Two Roads to Wellness
Forks, Fests, and Flatwater: 3 Featured Fall events
Paddling Little Clear Pond
3 Short Paddles found in the St. Regis Canoe Area
Paddling Lake Clear Outlet
See artists at work in the mountains
Hiking and Exploring Azure Mountain
An Evening Paddle on Moose Pond
A Great Place to Break Down
A cure cottage tour, a step back in time
The Art Walk is a path to art, music, and fun!
Mid-summer events in Saranac Lake
Adirondack Paddling, Choosing the Right Paddle
Adirondack Paddling - Choosing The Right Boat
Frankenstein Lives! In the old laboratory in the village
Birding at the Spring Pond Bog
“One Particular Island” all to ourselves
Events roundup for Saranac Lake
Roughing it in style: a tour of White Pine Great Camp
The Great Adirondack Birding Celebration
Spring Paddling on Lake Colby
One Magic Canoe: The Seven Carries Canoe Route
Roadside Gems, Paddling the Saranac Lake Region
5 Hidden Gems for Hiking, Paddling & Trail Running
Art Event or Fun Party? BluSeed blurs the line
Daffest is just around the corner
Our lakes were born for boating
Top 10 Spots for Paddling in Adirondacks
Waterhole Wednesdays Feature Free Music
BluSeed Studios planning for busy spring
Winter Foodie Scene
Spoken Word: Poetry on Stage
Breakfast & History
Night Skiing at Mt. Pisgah
Mid-Winter Events 2014
Winter Carnival means live music
Top Five Winter Break Activities
Best Ice Fishing Holes
Building the Ice Palace
Tubing Adventures at Mt. Pisgah
Snowshoe Shopping
Lost and Found
New Years Eve Saranac Lake NY
Short & scenic hikes
Winter Family Events
Something to Gobble About
Less than two weeks to Sparkle Village Craft Fair!
Saranac Lake Art Attraction Nov 22 - Dec 28, 2013
Ducks and Otters at Lake Colby
Muskrats!
Hiking during Hunting Season
Goodman Mountain
Ducks on the Pond
Snow up high on McKenzie
You Don't Paddle Into the Wind
Five things you can do in Saranac Lake on Halloween week
Hiking St. Regis Mountain
Fall at the VIC
Panther Trifecta
A Fall Paddle on Jones Pond
A Fall Hike Up Baker Mountain
Sparrows Along Lake Colby
Going to Church
Visitors in My Yard
Painted Landscapes, Clay Demonstrations, and Chickens...all a part of the Artist at Work Studio Tour
A Hike Up Panther Mountain
Where the leaves are on fire with color
Artist at Work Studio Tour this week
The Colors of Late Summer
Fun family events for fall foliage season
Scarface Mountain Adventure
Bloomingdale Bog Birds
Fifth Annual Hobofest: Music, Food and Fun on the Tracks
Late Summer Yard Birds
Stomping out the Saranac 6 – Week 2 – St. Regis Mountain
Hobofest tops the calendar this weekend
FlavorFest at The Wild Center
Farm 2 Fork: Slow Food, Long Life
Hobofest Returns to Saranac Lake
Pianist Eugene Sirotkine performs August 6th concert to benefit Bartok Cabin
Entertaining events will keep you hopping this weekend
Top 5 Family Friendly Activities in the Saranac Lake Area
Paper Making with a Purpose at BluSeed Studios
From carousels to magic lamps - events to tickle your Spring fancy
A Taste of Provence at Saranac Lake's Left Bank Cafe
What can we help you find?
Sign up to receive more information.
Enter Email
Do•Stay•Eat•Shop•Events
Work Here•Contact Us•DEI•Media Kit•Privacy Policy
39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Powered by the Regional Office of
Sustainable Tourism
THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE
We’ve got the best ideas for things to do on your next Adirondack adventure, and we will deliver them right to your inbox! THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING! Your next adventure awaits you in your inbox! Tell us more about what interests you, and we can help you plan your next trip.
MANAGE YOUR PREFERENCES