It’s About Feeling

The Artist
I grew up in a small town called eMalahleni in Mpumalanga, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve loved creating things. Everything I know about painting has been self-taught. YouTube, trial and error, stubbornness and the occasional existential crisis have all contributed to my artistic education. Looking back, I’m really glad I trusted my gut instead of following the traditional route. It wasn’t always the easiest path, but it turned out to be exactly the right one.

Today, I’m married to my husband, Jean, and we have twin daughters who keep us very humble. Both of us are entrepreneurs, so our household is filled with business ideas, creative projects and the occasional moment where we wonder whose turn it is to change a nappy.

Sip & Paint
The business officially started in 2022, although the groundwork had been laid years before through commissioned artwork and mural projects. In 2021, I moved to Pretoria and started hosting very small Sip & Paint events from home. I would be talking to eight people around a table with paintbrushes and snacks.

In 2022, my husband and I said “I do” in Ballito, and later that same year we moved here, too. And to be completely honest, we arrived here fairly broke. We’d been caught up in a housing scam and suddenly found ourselves in a position where we needed to make things work. So I did what most rational people do when they’re stressed and need money: I organised a paint party … because apparently buying paint when you’re broke seemed like a perfectly sensible business decision. My first official Sip & Paint event happened on my birthday. Most people celebrate their birthday with cake. I celebrated mine by hoping 23 strangers enjoyed themselves enough to come back. Most people don’t know this, but when I started hosting events, my English wasn’t very good. 

Growing up Afrikaans, I suddenly found myself standing in front of English-speaking groups every week. There were definitely moments where I got the words completely wrong, and my English data ran out way faster than I hoped, but thankfully everyone was too busy painting to judge me.

Today, my events are held throughout KwaZulu-Natal and also in Gauteng. What started as a way to survive became a community where people can relax, be creative and discover that art is actually a lot more fun than they expected.

Why Ballito?
My husband and I actually got married in Ballito after inviting our families down for what they thought was a holiday and then surprising them with a wedding. So, in hindsight, spontaneity has always been one of my personality traits. We were driving down Compensation Road, looked at the ocean and said, ‘Let’s move here.’ That was the entire business plan. As entrepreneurs, we’re both used to taking risks and figuring things out as we go. We loved the ocean, the lifestyle, the people and the fact that winter here doesn’t feel like a personal attack.

The Community Love
The support has gone far beyond ticket sales. Local venues have partnered with me, businesses have collaborated with me, and guests continually recommend events to their friends and family. The truth is that my business wouldn’t be where it is today without the Ballito community. They’ve welcomed me, supported me and made me feel at home from the very beginning. Some guests have painted with me so many times that they should probably qualify for loyalty points.

What People Take Home

A feeling. That’s always my answer. I want people to walk away feeling something. Maybe it’s confidence, joy, relaxation, or simply the feeling of having done something different for a change. One thing I often say is that people don’t remember exactly what they painted. They remember how the evening made them feel. They remember laughing with friends, meeting new people, trying something they didn’t think they could do and surprising themselves when their painting actually turns out quite nicely.

I put a lot of thought into every event because I want people to feel that effort; I want guests to know they’re getting more than just a painting experience. The painting is just a souvenir. The experience is what people actually take home.

If somebody leaves feeling happier than when they arrived, then I’ve done my job.

Got a Blank Wall? Let’s Trade!
It all started when The Waffle Society offered me a lifetime supply of waffles in exchange for a mural. As a completely serious businesswoman, I considered the proposal for about three seconds before accepting. If there’s a dentist reading this … call me. I have paintbrushes and dental dreams. If you’re a business owner with a blank wall, send me your best offer. Waffles have set the bar pretty high, but I’m willing to negotiate.

Instagram: artminnette

Photo Credit:
Elsjene Kaufman

Madelein Mc Lellan Photography