Through classes with various themes, local art studio Painting and Pinot prepares its guests for the autumn season.  
The studio held a “Fall Leaves” painting class Wednesday night from 7 until 9 p.m. For a $35 registration fee, beginners and professionals alike were invited to Painting and Pinot for an autumn-themed painting session. 
Located on Perkins Road, Painting and Pinot has been in business since 2010. Owned and operated by husband and wife team Chris and Violet Tremblay, the business’ purpose, according to its website, is to make people happy. 
The business chooses paintings that are relevant to the season, upcoming holidays, local events and the Baton Rouge community, Violet Tremblay said. 
“Fall Leaves was chosen because — let’s face it — who isn’t ready for fall weather?” she said.
Over the next month, Painting and Pinot guests can expect many more fall-themed classes, including pumpkin, harvest and Halloween themes ranging from ghosts to dragons. From 7 until 9 p.m. on Sept. 28, guests can attend a pumpkin painting class and create home decor that can be put to use through the entire fall season.
In light of the recent flooding, Painting and Pinot also added many Louisiana-themed paintings to its event calendar. An “LA Strong” class will be held Oct. 3, and a “Starry Night in Baton Rouge” class will be offered Oct. 14.
Instructors guide guests through the step-by-step process of creating the featured painting. The registration fee covers all of the needed materials, including the 16”x20” canvas, paint, brushes, easel and apron, as posted on the website. 
The business also offers private parties, which can be used to celebrate birthdays, engagements, weddings and more.
Guests of legal drinking age are highly encouraged to bring along their favorite beverages. Having a BYOB business “adds to the level of fun,” Tremblay said.
“When guests leave my classes, first and foremost, I hope they leave thinking about how much fun they had,” she said. “I tell all of my classes that they are not here to stress, so sit back, take a sip of wine and relax!”
Though the classes target people of all ages, it can be difficult to appeal to everyone. Painting and Pinot gears its classes toward friends looking for “a different type of girls’ night out,” Tremblay said. 
Throughout her six-year run at Painting and Pinot, Tremblay said she has learned how crucial it is to “stay relevant in your community” and to “strive to be a part of the community.” 
While she can feel washed out and overwhelmed by the business aspect, she said the art itself never gets old. 
“Every class is a new opportunity to show someone that they can paint — they can make something beautiful,” Tremblay said. “Seeing the joy and excitement in our painters never gets old.”

Gallery • 4 Photos

Anjana Nair

Local business, Painting and Pinot, holds an autumn-inspired class in which participants paint fall leaves on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, at 7248 Perkins Road.