Christina Sutton demonstrates adding texture to mountains.

Instructor, Kelly Crowe, shows how to paint a scene at dusk.

Originally, Whimsy Paint and Sip was aimed as a socializing activity for women. “Their options are to go to a movie where you can’t talk, a restaurant where time is limited because they want you to leave, and they don’t want to go to a bar because they might be hit on,” says owner Roxane Moen. At her new shop, women could enjoy each other’s company, have a drink, be creative, and have a painting to take home. But then Moen quickly realized it wasn’t just a concept for women, it was for everyone who wants to be creative.

Despite having opened her first Whimsy Paint and Sip location in south Denver just last December (after having been an enthusiastic customer), she opened the Northfield location in August. When she was approached by Northfield to open the store, Moen visited and found the area homey and welcoming. “I said, ‘This is an opportunity I can’t pass up.’”

Three customers left to right, Kimberly Gomez, Kristin Padgett, and Karen Balogn, laugh during a recent class at Whimsy Paint and Sip.

Moen says a lot of people will look at the selection of paintings, exclusively designed by her artist-teachers, and say “I can’t do that, I’m not a painter.” But she credits her well-trained teachers with knowing how to provide step-by-step instruction, teaching skills in the process, resulting in creations people are proud of.

People can come in individually, in groups, on dates, as team-building exercises and for parties. A full bar is available, which is a unique feature to Whimsy Paint and Sip, and people are welcome to bring in food. There are open-studio times when people can paint without formal instruction and a Saturday morning Kids Club for children ages 7–15. Ages 16 and up can come to the adult classes.

While certain paintings are slated for certain nights, people can choose to do different color schemes or even different subject matter. “We encourage you to be creative,” says Moen. “We all need to find our creative place and let it out.”

Whimsy Paint and Sip is located at #1425, 8246 Northfield Blvd. and can be reached at 303.373.5555.