Palette of Dreams goes mobile
Staff writer
While many local area activities were canceled Saturday due to weather, about 30 women from Marion County and beyond made their way over snow-covered roads to attend a Palette of Dreams painting party at the senior center in Tampa.
For two hours, they visited, laughed, and ate snacks as they painted decorative crosses on furnished palettes or on items they brought, such as cream cans, windows, and boards.
Palette of Dreams owner Katherine DeFilippis of Lehigh supplied all the paintbrushes, paint, and aprons for a fee.
DeFilippis said she has done painting parties in Topeka and Lawrence. She grew up painting with her artistic mother. She never had any formal training, but it was something she always enjoyed.
After she moved to Lehigh eight years ago, she began teaching oil painting classes in Hillsboro. Now, using acrylics and to make it more convenient, she has gone mobile.
“The new Palette of Dreams caters to painting without pressure and is focused on having fun and making memories,” she said.
A painting party can be booked for any location or any occasion on weekday evenings, Saturday after 2 p.m., and anytime Sunday, DeFilippis said. Individuals can select from several sample paintings which one they want to create.
DeFilippis recently established a studio at Kessler Kreations on Main St.
“You can book special parties with me for the studio location or I can go to you,” DeFilippis said.
At birthday parties with more than 10 people, the honored guest paints free and DeFilippis provides the cake.
Every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. is “Open Paint Night,” at the studio. Individuals can come alone or bring others with no advance notice.
After a painting party, DeFilippis puts a photo of the group on her business’s social media page. She is in the process of creating a website.
DeFilippis takes her business seriously, but it’s all about having fun. She has done birthdays, bachelorette parties, corporate events, and children’s parties.
“People who have never even picked up a brush can do this, and I love the experience both they and I get when they complete a painting they did all on their own,” she said. “That’s my reward, making people happy.”
Last modified March 4, 2015