Jennifer Van Gogh

I subscribe to two on-line coupon groups: www.groupon.com and www.livingsocial.com, which allow me to “get one unbeatable deal on a restaurant, spa or event in Charlotte emailed to you each day.” These are awesome! I’ve gotten great deals on massages (my personal favorite), facials, spa treatments (see a trend here), and restaurants. But you know what’s even better than these deals to places I would have frequented anyway on my own? That it also introduces me to events/activities/places I wouldn’t normally find/research on my own: belly dancing, painting classes, glass blowing, pottery classes, etc. (Yes! that is totally a foreshadowing of upcoming events you will read about here—I know, you’re super excited! So am I!).

So when a great deal came to my inbox for this place, I had to give it a shot.

http://www.cajuncanvas.com

I know, I know. This place probably would make a "real" artist turn over in his/her grave. But to me, a girl who has neither artistic skills nor imagination*, it’s a great way to spend an evening. AND it’s BYOB! What could be better than getting your girlfriends together and spending an evening here, painting, with a bottle of wine (or two….).

I went on Havana Night—by the end of the evening I had a delightful painting of an ocean sunset scene, a belly full of Cuban food, and a coupon for a $1 off a mojito. A Piece of Havana provided the appetizers—although my knowledge of Cuban food is somewhat limited, it was delicious and I can’t wait to give it a real try for dinner sometime. Check it out! http://apieceofhavana.com/index.html

The painting hangs in my cubicle at work. I haven’t gotten a lot of comments on it yet, but I know everyone is intimidated by my skill.

*Although anyone who saw the paint job I did on my dorm room sophomore year might disagree. That was pure artistic genius!!!...thank God they tore that building down later that year….Also, I apologize to whoever drove that pickup truck parked on the second floor of the West Ridge parking deck. I’m sure that pepto bismol pink paint wasn’t easy to get off of your tires. L