19/07/2026
I don’t usually share personal experiences on social media, but this one genuinely deserves a mention.
A friend and I booked a paint-and-sip session simply to spend a few hours together doing something different. We didn’t overthink it, and I certainly wasn’t expecting what followed.
Three hours later, I walked out feeling as though I’d travelled back in time. It brought back wonderful memories of my younger days when I loved painting and being creative.
What surprised me most was how therapeutic the whole experience was. Once I picked up the paintbrush, I became so engrossed in the painting that everything else simply disappeared. For three hours there were no emails, no phones, no errands, no worries—just complete focus on creating. It turned out to be one of the most relaxing and rewarding ways I’ve spent an afternoon in a very long time.
The beauty of this experience is that you don’t need to be an artist or have any experience whatsoever. Tanya, the artist and tutor, breaks everything down into simple, manageable steps, making it easy for everyone to follow. Every brush, colour, canvas and piece of equipment is prepared for you—you simply arrive and enjoy the process.
The venue itself is a hidden gem in High Barnet. I lived there for over 20 years, yet somehow never discovered it… and it’s only about a five-minute walk from where I used to live!
We all spend time with friends at restaurants, pubs, cinemas, theatres or on days out—and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But every now and then, try something that lets you create rather than simply consume entertainment.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching a blank canvas slowly become something you’re genuinely proud of.
I walked out carrying my painting home exactly the way children proudly carry their artwork home from school… and I felt exactly the same pride! 😂
I’m already looking forward to going again.
This isn’t really about promoting one particular artist or venue. Instead, it’s my gentle encouragement to everyone reading this: find a creative experience like this wherever you are and give it a try at least once. I have a feeling you’ll end up writing a post like this too.
One lovely gentleman sitting beside me mentioned he’d attended several paint-and-sip experiences before, but felt this one offered the best value and that Tanya’s passion, patience and teaching style were exceptional.
Sometimes the best memories aren’t made by watching something—they’re made by creating something. And sometimes the best stress relief isn’t found by switching off… it’s found by becoming completely absorbed in something beautiful.
If you’ve been thinking about trying a creative workshop, this might just be the nudge you needed -
Attend a guided paint and sip class in Barnet's stunning Victorian warehouse, leave with a finished canvas and gain real techniques you can use at home.
