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All of our paintings are inspired by scenes we have visited or taken photos of, holidays we have been on, books we have read, or music we listen to. Winter Trees has been around for over 10 years and was painted at our first public event in February 2016. Since then it has been a staple around the festive season and now features our little festive mascot, Ember the fox! Ember appears in many of our paintings, and was first painted in 2020 during the christmas lockdown. Ember is affectionately called Wotsit by our artist team due to the fact that the shape often resembles a wotsit! Our first sip and paint at The Eton Mess in Eton! The canvases were a little bigger 10 years ago 😅 Winter Trees was inspired by Windsor Great Park. We used to live on the edge of the park and regularly walked around the area, as well as commuting along the road that went through the middle on a daily basis. One morning driving through the park on the way to work we spotted some frosty trees. John later reproduced his own version of this scene and Winter Trees was created! I was also a big fan of The Staves at the time who had a song with the lyrics ‘white winter trees, covered in snow.’ which may have added to our inspiration for this one. Since then, we have painted that scene every winter time. Including when we were painting throughout lockdown: John teaching on Facebook Live back in 2020. Painting winter trees at The Blackboys Inn, East Sussex 2025. If you would like to give this one a go yourself this December, we are painting it in a few locations across the country: Paint the Winter Trees. Fox in the Forest was produced at a similar time, after many visits to Swinley Forest, walks around Virginia Water and Windsor Great Park. We are keen walkers and would spend much of our free time walking around the area. This painting has been developed over the years, and is still a favourite amongst our team and customers 9 years later! The first time we painted this was back in September 2017 at The Roebuck in Laughton, East Sussex. The Eton Mess 2017. Painting foxes at The Railway Inn, Portslade 2018. A couple of years ago we gave the painting a bit of revamp. Lots of trees and more colour! Two excellent and more recent paintings at Bardo Lounge, Maidenhead. If you would like to paint the fox in a forest, we will be painting it this month and October across the country. Paint the Fox in a Forest. Until the next time, happy painting everyone! John & Alice

Before the team took its summer break, we were busy in the studio working on several new paintings. We prepare to list our events around three months in advance, so it often feels as though we are working in the future. While everyone is enjoying the summer sunshine, we have been experimenting with autumn colours and thinking about winter and Christmas scenes! Here is a look at three of our latest paintings produced in our studio, along with all the new venues joining The Paint Club over the next few months. Celebrating the canals of the Midlands We have so many brilliant customers, artists and venues across the Midlands, so we thought it was about time we created a painting that celebrates the region’s industrial heritage. Our new Canal Boat painting combines that history with a bold sunset and rich layers of yellow, orange and purple. Perfect for when the nights start drawing in. We wanted to create contrast between the dark silhouette of the boat and the bright evening sky reflected in the water. We will be painting the canal boat in Nottingham and Market Harborough in October. Twilight on the canal. A quiet day beside Brighton Pier Our second new painting is a quintessentially Brighton scene of the Palace Pier, the sea and a couple of locals on the beach. This is a particularly fun painting to customise. You could add colourful deckchairs, paddle boarders, swimmers, boats or even a pirate ship on the horizon. As always, you are welcome to follow our artist step by step or add your own details and turn it into a scene that is completely yours. We will be painting this at The Railway Inn on the 25th August. Two Seagulls enjoying a surprisingly quiet Brighton seafront. Something spooky this way comes Our third new painting will be available at selected events towards the end of October. Meet “Spooky Forest”, our Halloween-inspired scene. This painting began at around the same time as the Canal Boat scene above. When working on new paintings, we often have a couple on the go so we can test out ideas. For this one, we were experimenting with similar yellows and purples, but somewhere along the way it took a completely different turn and became a mysterious moonlit woodland. That is one of our absolute favourite things about painting. You can begin with one idea, experiment with a few colours or shapes and end up somewhere entirely unexpected. We are painting Spooky Forest at several locations for Halloween. New sip and paint locations Finally, thanks to your amazing support, we have lots of new venues joining The Paint Club. It is wonderful to see our creative community continuing to grow, from Brighton and Plymouth to Preston, Inverness and Edinburgh. Whether you are joining us for the first time or looking for a new local venue, here is where you will soon be able to paint with us: Bistrot Pierre, Stonehouse (Plymouth) – 27th August: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/plymouth-sip-and-paint-nights-out Ancient Oak, Cottam (Preston) - 7th October and 4th November: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/preston-sip-and-paint-parties Pharmacie Arms, Syston – 24th September and 26th November: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/syston-sip-and-paint Dog Inn, Nether Whitacre– 26th October and 23rd November: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/birmingham-sip-and-paint Establo Lounge, Rustington – 19th October and 16th November: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/sussex-paint-and-sip-parties Cosy Club, Plymouth – 6th October and 3rd November: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/plymouth-sip-and-paint-nights-out Hickory’s Smokehouse, Oadby (Leicester) – 13th October and 24th November: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/leicester-sip-and-paint Hickory’s Smokehouse, Gamston – 6th October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/nottingham-painting-classes Smith and Western, Tilgate (Crawley) – 5th October and 2nd November: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/sussex-paint-and-sip-parties Village Bar, Weston Subedge (Chipping Campden) – 21st November: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/events/winter-cottage-at-village-bar-weston-sub-edge-1 The Apple Tree, Woodmancote (Cheltenham) – 8th October and 12th November: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/events/foxes-at-apple-tree-woodmancote-cheltenham-1 Tambo Lounge, Newark – 8th September: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/newark-on-trent-paint-and-sip-tambo-lounge The Grange Farm, Oadby (Leicester) – 9th September: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/leicester-sip-and-paint Browns, Exeter – 15th September and 20th October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/exeter-paint-and-sip The Vineyard, Lamberhurst – 15th September and 20th October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/the-vineyard-lamberhurst-sip-and-paint Chartham Park, East Grinstead – 16th September and 21st October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/east-grinstead-sip-and-paint The Babette, Inverness (stay tuned, these have both sold out but we are adding more dates shortly) – 17th September and 15th October. https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/inverness-sip-and-paint Sealwood Estate and Vineyard, Linton (Swadlincote) – 22nd September and 27th October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/ashby-sip-and-paint-nights Turtle Bay, Derby – 22nd September: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/derby-sip-and-paint-workshops ASK Italian, Brighton – 22nd September and 20th October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/brighton-sip-and-paint-nights-out Manahatta, Edinburgh – 23rd September and 28th October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/edinburgh-sip-and-paint The Horse and Groom, Polegate – 6th October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/eastbourne-painting-workshops Until the next time, happy painting everyone! John & Alice

We thought it would be fun to celebrate some of the wonderfully unexpected paintings that appear at our events. If you've attended one of our sip and paint nights, you'll know that everyone starts with the same blank canvas and follows the same painting. What happens after that, though, is entirely up to you. Some people carefully follow every brushstroke. Others decide halfway through that their giraffe needs sunglasses, their llama should be purple, or that their chicken needs a human face. We've seen Highland cows with comb-overs, ghosts in boats, a guest appearance from Mr Blobby, landscapes transformed into completely different seasons and even UFO abductions at Stonehenge. Why not? It's art! One of the nicest things about our events is watching confidence grow throughout the evening. People often arrive saying they're "not creative", but by the end they're making bold decisions, experimenting with colours and adding little details that make their painting completely unique. If you've created a wonderfully rebellious version of one of our paintings, we'd love to see it. Tag @thepaintclub.uk on Instagram or Facebook. We really enjoy seeing where your imagination takes you. New venues on the horizon As always, we're continuing to organically grow our little business, and it's exciting to welcome a few more venues to The Paint Club family over the coming months. From September and October you'll be able to find us at The Vineyard in Lamberhurst, a beautiful Kent vineyard. We're also looking forward to launching events at Ashdown Park Hotel in the Ashdown Forest, Cosy Club in Plymouth, The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne and The Ancient Oak in Cottam near Preston. Wallace Space, Spitalfields, London, 20 August: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/events/highland-cow-at-wallacespace-spitalfields-london-1 Cosy Club, Plymouth - 6th October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/plymouth-sip-and-paint-nights-out Ashdown Park Hotel in the Ashdown Forest, 16th October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/east-grinstead-sip-and-paint The Vineyard, Lamberhurst - 15th September and 20th October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/the-vineyard-lamberhurst-sip-and-paint The Ancient Oak, Cottam, Preston - 7th and 4th November: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/preston-sip-and-paint-parties The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne - 25th September: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/eastbourne-painting-workshops Horse and Groom Harvester, Polegate, Eastbourne - 6th October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/eastbourne-painting-workshops Every new venue starts with a trial event. It's a chance to see how the space works, meet a new community, and hopefully create another regular home for The Paint Club. Some of our busiest locations today started exactly the same way. Thanks again to everyone who has joined us this summer. Whether you've painted exactly what was on the canvas or you've gone completely off script, you've helped make every event unique and creative. Until next month… Keep creating, keep experimenting, and don't be afraid to go rogue! 🎨

New Venues and a Highland Cow Sneak Peek As May rolled into June it has been a brilliant reminder of why we do what we do at The Paint Club. Behind the scenes, the team have been busy planning, booking, testing, packing supplies, and of course a little bit of painting to help keep all the creative plates spinning. No lights needed! A recent sip and paint night at The Gun Brewery in East Sussex. In fact, we had too much sun at the start! This month, we have been working on a fresh batch of trial events at some fantastic new venues across the country. We are testing events at: Tambo Lounge in Newark, Nottinghamshire - 7th July: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/newark-on-trent-paint-and-sip-tambo-lounge The Dog Inn and Sorento Lounge Moseley/Birmingham - 22 June and 1st July: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/birmingham-sip-and-paint Turtle Bay in Derby - 23rd June: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/derby-sip-and-paint-workshops The Pharmacie Arms in Syston, Leicestershire - 25 June: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/leicester-sip-and-paint The Grange Farm in Oadby, Leicestershire - 9 September: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/events/highland-cow-at-the-grange-farm-oadby-leicester-1 Browns in Exeter - 15th September and 20th October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/exeter-paint-and-sip ASK Italian in Brighton - 22nd September: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/brighton-sip-and-paint-nights-out Horse & Groom Harvester in Polegate, East Sussex - 6th October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/eastbourne-painting-workshops The Babette in Inverness - 17 September and 15th October: https://www.thepaintclub.co.uk/locations/inverness-sip-and-paint We are very excited about having events in Inverness as it will be our first time outside of Edinburgh in Scotland. Each trial gives us the chance to see how The Paint Club feels in a new space: the atmosphere, the layout, the welcome from the venue team, and how guests respond on the night. What I love most is that every new venue gives more people permission to be creative in a relaxed, social way. So many adults arrive saying, “I’m not creative,” but by the end of the night they are holding up a canvas they never thought they could make. You all know we have been painting highland cows for a long time now and the original has changed a little over the years. But now as we are starting to look ahead to autumn events, we thought it was time for the turquoise cow to meet a new friend. SO here is a sneak preview of a new Highland cow painting. This one has a lovely story behind it. On a recent trip to the Highlands, we stayed near Applecross Peninsula: (absolutely stunning if you ever get the chance to explore) traditional Scottish cottages, ever changing weather and huge open skies. Nearby, we spotted a Highland cow standing quietly among the trees and long grass, with that brilliant shaggy fringe, soft pink nose and calm, slightly unimpressed expression they do so well. The painting takes its colours from that trip: cool greys from the mountains and sky, soft pale tones from the loch, and warm oranges, browns and golds from the cow’s coat. The Highland cow will be available to book later this autumn, so keep an eye out for launch updates. Until next month, here’s to long summer days and many more people realising they can paint after all!

Perfect for: creative date nights, relaxed hen parties, team socials, birthdays, friend catch-ups, and anyone who says “I’m not creative.” We often think of confidence as something big. Standing on a stage. Speaking in front of a room. Walking into a new place and feeling completely sure of yourself. But sometimes confidence is much quieter than that. Sometimes it looks like picking up a paintbrush when you haven’t painted since school. Choosing a colour without overthinking it. Laughing at a wonky line. Saying, “Actually, I quite like that,” even if it didn’t turn out exactly how you imagined. That’s the kind of confidence we see at The Paint Club all the time. Creativity isn’t about being perfect So many people arrive at our events saying the same thing: “I’m not creative.” “I can’t paint.” “Mine is going to be terrible. I can only draw a stick man” And we get it. A lot of us grew up thinking creativity was something you were either good at or not. If you couldn’t draw realistically, stay inside the lines, or make something that looked “right,” it was easy to decide that creativity just wasn’t for you. But creativity isn’t about being perfect. It’s about having a go. Trying something new. Making decisions. Trusting yourself for a moment, even when you’re not totally sure what you’re doing. And that’s where confidence starts. Confidence grows when we let ourselves try There’s something really powerful about doing something creative with no pressure. No grades. No judgement. No one telling you there’s only one correct way to do it. At an event with The Paint Club, the format is always the same and we guide you step-by-step, but your painting is still yours. You choose how bold to make the colours. You decide whether to add extra details. You can follow the example closely, or go completely rogue. And every small choice is a little confidence boost. Because the more you allow yourself to try, the more you realise you’re capable of more than you thought. The magic is in the surprise Our favourite moments are often right at the end of an event. Someone who arrived nervous holds up their painting and suddenly sees what they’ve made. They smile. Their friends cheer. They say, “I can’t believe I did that.” That moment matters. Not because the painting is perfect. Not because it belongs in a gallery. But because they surprised themselves. They did something they thought they couldn’t do. And once you’ve had that feeling, it tends to stay with you. Creativity gives you permission As adults, we don’t always get many chances to play, experiment, or make a mess. So much of life is about getting things right. Replying to the email. Making the decision. Being sensible. Staying on top of everything. Creativity gives us permission to step out of that for a while. It lets us be curious again. It reminds us that mistakes are not disasters. They’re just part of the process. A smudge can become a shadow. A wonky shape can become character. A colour you weren’t sure about can end up being your favourite part. And maybe that’s the lesson. Confidence doesn’t always come from knowing exactly what you’re doing. Sometimes it comes from realising you’ll be okay even if you don’t. You don’t have to feel confident to begin This is the important bit. You don’t need to feel confident before you try something creative. You don’t need to know what you’re doing. You don’t need to have the right materials. You definitely don’t need to call yourself an artist. You just need to start. Pick up the brush. Make the first mark. See what happens. Confidence often comes afterwards. Come and surprise yourself If you’ve been telling yourself you’re not creative, we’d love to gently challenge that. Come along to one of our Paint Club events, bring a friend, have a drink, and let yourself enjoy the process. We’ll provide everything you need, guide you through each step, and cheer you on — wonky lines, bold colours, happy accidents and all. You might leave with a painting you’re proud of. But even better, you might leave with a little more confidence than you came in with.

We’ve been running events since 2016, and while you might know us as a fun way to unwind with a paintbrush and a glass of something, there’s a lot more that goes on behind the scenes. Here are a few things that make us a little different… 1. Still Run by the Two of Us We’re not a franchise or a shareholder-owned company. Just us—Alice and John—still leading the way with the help of our small, brilliant team. Every decision is made with care, creativity, and a lot of paint-covered post-it notes. John & Alice hanging out on Brighton Beach 2. We Believe in Balance Our team of 45 work part-time by choice. We’re big believers in work-life balance and how vital it is for wellbeing, creativity, and sustainable energy. No burnout culture here—just good vibes and flexible working. 3. A Seriously Amazing Team Our team spans all walks of life, from 20 to 70 years old, with diverse backgrounds in art, teaching, design, and beyond. And yes—90% of them are women. 💪 4. We Found Our Creative Home In March last year, we moved into our very own HQ: a warehouse that we’ve transformed into a space where we can make, create, and collaborate. It’s our creative nest—and it means we can do even more hands-on work for every event. 5. No Pre-Drawn Canvases We guide you step-by-step, but we don’t use pre-drawn outlines. That’s intentional. We want you to explore your own style, your own brushstrokes, and your own take on the painting. Everyone’s finished piece is completely unique—and we love that. 6. One of the First to Do It We were among the first to offer casual painting events in the UK. Since 2016, we’ve hosted over 3,500 events and welcomed creatives from more than 20 countries. 7. It’s Not Just Paint and Sip Yes, you can enjoy a glass of something while you paint—but we also offer family events, corporate team-building, hen dos, hybrid sessions, and paint at home kits. Art is for everyone. 8. We’re All About Inclusivity Whether you haven’t picked up a paintbrush since school, or you’re a full-time creative—our events are designed to welcome everyone. No judgment, no pressure. Just encouragement and colour. 9. Proudly Independent, Passionately Personal From Brighton to Edinburgh, our events are hosted in welcoming pubs and venues across the UK. We work directly with every host and artist to make each session memorable, relaxing, and totally you. Thanks for painting with us—whether it's your first time or your fiftieth, we’re so happy you're here. 💛 #ThePaintClub #IndependentBusiness #InclusiveCreativity #SipAndPaint Some of our regulars who joined us from day one in Eton!

Here at The Paint Club we are keen to support the communities within North Wales, and look after one of our favourite places. We have been hosting events in the area since 2021, and are regularly in the area seeing friends, or going on mini adventures in and around Eryri. We have a deep connection to the region, you may also notice that a lot of John’s own artwork takes inspiration from the area. North Wales, with its rugged mountains, dramatic coastlines, and ancient castles, has long been a source of inspiration for artists, making it a region rich in artistic heritage. Did you know that painters such as J.M.W. Turner and Richard Wilson were inspired by North Wales? We are back at Camp Bongo hosting 3 events over the Summer bank holidays. We have events at Aber Falls Distillery and have teamed up with Caffi Siabod for a special summer pop up, keep your eyes peeled for this one! Yma yn The Paint Club, rydym yn awyddus i gefnogi’r cymunedau o fewn Gogledd Cymru, ac i ofalu am un o’n hoff lefydd. Rydym wedi bod yn cynnal digwyddiadau yn yr ardal ers 2021, ac yn ymweld yn rheolaidd i weld ffrindiau, neu fynd ar anturiaethau bach yn ac o amgylch Eryri. Mae gennym gysylltiad dwfn â’r rhanbarth, ac efallai y sylwch fod llawer o gelfyddyd John ei hun wedi’i hysbrydoli gan yr ardal. Mae Gogledd Cymru, gyda’i mynyddoedd garw, ei arfordiroedd dramatig, a’i chestyll hynafol, wedi bod yn ffynhonnell ysbrydoliaeth i artistiaid ers tro, gan ei gwneud yn rhanbarth cyfoethog o ran treftadaeth artistig. Oeddech chi’n gwybod bod paentwyr fel J.M.W. Turner a Richard Wilson wedi’u hysbrydoli gan Ogledd Cymru? Rydyn ni’n ôl yng Nghamp Bongo yn cynnal 3 digwyddiad dros wyliau banc yr Haf. Mae gennym ddigwyddiadau yn Distyllfa Aber Falls ac rydyn ni wedi ymuno â Chaffi Siabod ar gyfer pop-up arbennig yr haf.

We hear it all the time: “I’m not creative.” “Oh, I can’t draw.” “I haven’t painted since school.” And honestly? We get it. Somewhere along the line, a lot of us were told that creativity was only for the “arty” people. The ones who could sketch something realistic, write a beautiful poem, or paint a perfect landscape. But here’s the truth: Everyone is creative. Yes—even you. Creativity isn’t about talent Being creative isn’t about being good at something. It’s not about producing a masterpiece (although everyone will take home a masterpiece after a session at The Paint Club!) or impressing anyone. It’s about expressing yourself. It’s about trying something new, having a go, laughing at the wonky bits, and enjoying the process. You don’t need to know what you’re doing. In fact, it’s often more fun when you don’t. Our favourite moments at Paint Club? They’re not always about the painting. They’re the moments when someone comes in nervously saying “I can’t paint,” and leaves beaming because they had the best time. When someone surprises themselves. When laughter fills the room. When people stop worrying about the result and just enjoy the doing. That’s creativity in action. And it has nothing to do with being “good”. Creativity looks different for everyone Maybe painting is your thing. Maybe it’s baking, building Lego with your kids, arranging flowers, or singing in the shower. Creativity shows up in everyday moments—when you choose colours for your home, decorate a cake, or even write a thoughtful message in a card. It doesn’t have to look like art. It just has to feel like you. Let go of the rules There are no grades here. No one’s judging. You can paint a sunset that looks like a sandwich, and we’ll still cheer you on. The magic happens when you let go of expectations and just give it a go. Because you don’t need to be an artist. You just need to be open. Come join us If you’ve been telling yourself you’re “not creative,” we invite you to come along to one of our Paint Club events and prove yourself wrong—in the best way possible. We provide everything, guide you step-by-step, and give you full permission to enjoy the process (and yes, sip a glass of wine while you do it). 🎨 Check out upcoming events and book your seat here → You might just surprise yourself, and we’ll be there, cheering you on—painty hands and all.

We live in a world that’s constantly pulling our attention in numerous different directions. There’s always another notification, another email, another thing on the list. It can be hard to find even five minutes where your mind isn’t racing ahead to what’s next. That’s why we love painting.It gives us a rare chance to pause, breathe, and be present. The power of being in the moment You’ve probably heard the phrase “be in the moment” before—it’s something we all strive for, but it’s surprisingly tricky to do. Painting has a gentle way of pulling you back into the now. You’re choosing colours, moving a brush, focusing on shapes and lines. Your hands are busy, your eyes are focused, and slowly, the outside noise fades away. You're not thinking about yesterday's worries or tomorrow’s to-dos. You're just there, in it. It’s like meditation (but with more colour) We often compare painting to meditation—but without the pressure to sit still or clear your mind. When you're painting, you're completely focused on the present task. Your breathing slows. Your shoulders drop. It’s calming, grounding, and often surprisingly emotional. For many people, it’s one of the few times in the week where they truly switch off. We see it at our events all the time—people start the evening tense or distracted, and by the end, they’re smiling, relaxed, and genuinely surprised at how good they feel. You don’t have to be an artist This part is important: painting to be present has nothing to do with being “good” at painting. It’s not about creating a masterpiece. It’s about letting go, following the process, and allowing yourself to play without judgment. There’s something really freeing about giving yourself permission to try something creative, just for you. No screens, no pressure, no performance—just paint, paper, and presence. Give it a try If you're feeling scattered or overwhelmed, painting might be exactly what you need to slow things down. You don’t need fancy materials—just a few colours and something to paint on. Let yourself explore. Notice the colours. Notice how you feel. You can buy one of our painting kits here to get you started Or come to one of our Paint Club events! We provide everything you need, and guide you through a relaxing, fun painting session designed to help you switch off and reconnect with yourself (and maybe even discover a hidden talent). 🎨 View upcoming events and book your spot here → We’d love to see you there, paintbrush in hand and worries left at the door. In a busy, noisy world, painting helps us come home to the moment, and sometimes, that's all we really need.

The Paint Club was born from a simple but powerful desire: to share the joy of art with everyone and create a space where people could come together, slow down, and reconnect—with themselves and with others. At its heart, it’s always been about accessibility, creativity, and community. We believe that art should be for everyone—not just the professionals, the trained, or the ‘naturally talented.’ Everyone has a creative spark, and we want to help people find it. Over time, The Paint Club has become more than just a creative outlet. It’s also become a moment of calm in the chaos—for our customers and our team alike. In a world where screens dominate our attention and notifications constantly pull us in every direction, these sessions offer a rare chance to unplug. Phones go down, laptops close, and we come back to the physical, sensory world in a mindful, present way. The simple act of painting—mixing colours, making brush strokes, focusing on one task—can feel like a deep breath. And these days, that’s something more and more people are telling us they need. There’s growing recognition of the link between creativity and mental well-being. Creating art can help us process emotions, express ourselves, and experience that magical state of flow—when time seems to melt away and you're fully immersed in what you’re doing. It’s calming, grounding, and incredibly nourishing for the mind. Studies have shown that engaging in creative activities can reduce anxiety, ease depression, and improve overall mood. In short, art isn’t just fun—it’s healing. As co-founders, we understand the tug-of-war between digital demands and real-life connection all too well. Between an ever-growing calendar of events, supporting our amazing HQ and artist teams, and managing the endless tide of emails and admin, it can sometimes feel like we live inside our inboxes. Screen-free time isn’t just a nice idea—it’s something we’ve had to consciously build into our lives. You might notice that we’re not always super active on social media. That’s not because we don’t care—it’s just that when things are busy, finding the time and headspace to create meaningful content can feel like another item on an already full to-do list. We’re learning to prioritise authentic connection over constant visibility. Protecting our own time, creativity, and mental well-being is what allows us to keep showing up for others in a meaningful way. We’re big believers in the power of micro-adventures. Whenever possible, we carve out time each month for little escapes—something simple to look forward to that shifts our focus away from the daily grind. The mountains of Eryri are a regular calling; we head there often to walk, breathe, stretch our eyes across the landscape, and reconnect with nature (and ourselves). It’s our way of pressing reset. The Paint Club brings us so much joy. What started as a small idea nearly a decade ago has grown into something truly special. With a brilliant team of 40 artists and a dedicated HQ crew, we now host events all over the UK. We see firsthand how our sessions light up our customers—giving them a chance to put down their phones, tap into their creativity, and simply be present. Behind those joyful events, though, is a lot of hard work. From admin and financial planning to day-to-day operations, there’s a constant hum of activity behind the scenes—and a lot of screen time. That’s why we’ve come to see our own need to unplug as not just helpful, but essential. The irony isn’t lost on us: we provide spaces for others to disconnect, while often needing that same disconnection ourselves. It’s a work in progress, but one we’re fully committed to. We hope to share more with you about this in future blog posts.

When was the last time you did something just for fun—not to tick it off a list, not to be productive, not even to get better at it—just for the sheer joy of doing it? As kids, we play without thinking. We draw with wild colours, build imaginary worlds, and laugh at things that make no sense at all. But somewhere along the way, play gets replaced with productivity. Our days fill up with to-dos, meetings, emails, and responsibilities. And slowly, quietly, that sense of lightness starts to fade. But here’s the thing: adults need play too. Play isn’t just for kids Play is where imagination lives. It’s how we relax, reset, and reconnect with ourselves and others. It’s been shown to reduce stress, boost creativity, and improve mental health. It helps us let go of perfectionism and embrace the moment. And the best part? It doesn’t need to be complicated. Play can be as simple as putting paint to canvas without worrying how it’ll turn out. Just picking up a brush and seeing where it goes. That’s why we love painting so much Painting brings us into the moment. It asks nothing from us except to show up and give it a go. There’s no right or wrong—just colour, movement, music, maybe a glass of something nice, and the chance to switch off from the outside world for a while. We see it at every Paint Club event: that moment when people stop overthinking and start enjoying. The laughter, the quiet focus, the surprise at what they’ve created. That’s play in action. That’s why we do what we do. Having some fun painting highland cows at The Ffolkes pub in Kings Lynn. It’s not about being “good” One of the biggest blockers to play as adults is the fear of not being good at something. But the beauty of creative play is—it doesn’t matter. You don’t have to be an artist. You don’t need fancy tools. You just need to give yourself permission to try. At our sessions, we often remind people: “It’s not about the end result—it’s about the process.” And when you let go of the outcome, that’s when the real magic happens. A gentle reminder... If you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or just in need of a lift, try making space for a little creative play. Grab some paints, get messy, let go of the ‘shoulds’ for an hour. Or come along to one of our events—we’ll be there to guide you, support you, and celebrate whatever you create. Because joy matters. And adults absolutely deserve to play too.

The Need for Escape In the whirlwind of running a creative business, finding time to truly switch off can feel impossible. With emails constantly pinging, events to organise, and a team to support, it’s easy to stay glued to our screens from sunrise to sunset. That’s why micro-adventures have become our secret weapon for rest, inspiration, and a much-needed reset. What is a Micro-Adventure? Coined by adventurer Alastair Humphreys, a micro-adventure is a small, accessible trip that offers all the joy of adventure—without needing weeks of planning or time off work. Think: a sunset hike, lunch time wild swim, or spontaneous trip out on a sunny day. It’s about recharging your mind and reconnecting with the world beyond the to-do list. Why We Prioritise Them For us, these mini escapes are more than just fun—they’re essential. Running The Paint Club means our days are full and often fast-paced. Taking even a few hours away helps us refocus, avoid burnout, and stay connected to the original inspiration behind our work: the joy of being present, playful, and creative. We try to plan at least one or two micro-adventures each month. Sometimes they’re simple—an early morning beach walk, a trip to our local bouldering centre, an impromptu trip to a forest café, or a hike in Eryri (Snowdonia), our go-to soul-reset spot. These moments give us space to think, or not think at all, and return with clearer minds and happier hearts. Beautiful Llyn Llydaw, Eryri How Nature Sparks Creativity There’s something about standing on a windswept hilltop or dipping your toes in cold sea water that resets everything. Nature slows us down, quiets the digital noise, and reawakens our senses. It’s no surprise that so much of our artwork—and especially John’s—draws inspiration from these landscapes. Stepping away from screens gives our minds room to wander. Ideas that felt stuck suddenly start to flow. Creative solutions pop up when we’re least expecting them, on the way back from a bouldering session, mid-walk or halfway up a hill. How You Can Try It Too You don’t need to travel far or invest loads of time. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Pack a drink and sketchbook and find a local viewpoint to watch the sunset. Try a digital detox walk—no phones, just the sights and sounds around you. Plan a Sunday morning wild swim or paddle with a friend. Take your favourite book, perhaps a hot drink and find a green space to sit and listen to the world around you. It could be a park, or your garden, listen to the birds, the wind, the bustle of people around you, and breathe. Try something new, perhaps even a little out of your comfort zone! The key is to make it feel special, even if it’s small. A spontaneously trip to our local bouldering centre a mid a busy week. We needed a switch off! In a world that pushes us to always be “on,” micro-adventures offer a chance to be still, to breathe, and to come back to ourselves. For us, they’re not just a luxury—they’re part of how we keep The Paint Club thriving, and how we stay inspired to create. So whether you’re running a business, raising a family, or perhaops feeling overwhelmed by your to do list, we promise: a little adventure goes a long way.