Artistic strokes applied to MoN’s paint and sip affair

Champagne flutes, Mediterranean sounds, paint and palettes sat side by side as generous Picasso-like strokes were applied to canvas board by an all-female audience who participated in Mall of the North’s second Sip and Paint affair on Friday morning.
The exclusive Women’s Day occasion was staged at Ocean Basket Mall of the North, the perfect backdrop for friends, siblings or mom-and-daughter duos to get together to explore artistic expression by producing a still life in acrylic.
In between sipping on the bubbly, supplied by Mall of the North, guests were treated to a breakfast snack courtesy of venue host and franchise owner, Lizette Deacon who remarked that it was a privilege to be able to conduct the event for women on Women’s Day. Among the estimated 35 budding artists were Alta Nel who is Area Manager of Miladys, providing goodie bags containing gift vouchers along with cosmetics from Foschini Mall of the North.
Mall of the North Marketing Manager Mari Delport, who also participated in the session, gave her impression of the event while applying paint to textile by describing it as very relaxing. Having studied graphic design in the past she had realised how much she missed being creative as it was something she didn’t find time for, Delport mentioned.
Delport spoke of overwhelming reaction to the initial advertisement and added that judging from the positive feedback received their paint and sip events proved to be popular.
She used the opportunity to convey the Women’s Day message, saying that women played a significant role in society and should come to that realisation.
Linkie Seakamela, a self-employed graphic designer who does freelance face-painting, joined in painting pomegranates on a porcelain plate and indicated that she was enjoying it although it was more challenging than the freelance face painting she does for kids’-related events. She couldn’t wait to see the end result.
Before getting started mom and daughter Hannelie Prinsloo and Julie-Ann Bezuidenhout confessed to being very close and regularly spending time together. They wanted to give the painting a try and were looking forward to the challenge. They would definitely return if they liked their work, they quipped.
On the other side of the space Theresa Myburgh spoke on behalf of a group of ten women and girls, consisting of four sets of moms and their daughters as well as friends who varied in age between 10 and 68 years. She remarked that they have grouped together to celebrate their friendship and Women’s Day.
The session was the second to have been presented at Mall of the North by Saritha Behr and Retha Odendaal, who are partners in a Pretoria-based concern that conducts events inspired by art.

Story and photos: YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com