The lobby of the Grand Hotel in Kalispell slowly fills up as people file in one-by-one or in small groups. Some clutch bottles of wine, and two men in the back of the room pull out a six-pack of beer. They slide into seats, filling up the back of the room first, and glance uneasily at the pristine white canvases in front of them.

The mood is tense and nervous, but as the first brushes touch blank canvas, laughter breaks out.

“Is this what it’s supposed to look like?” one participant asked uncertainly.

“I’m scared,” someone else said, to more laughter.

“Remember, there’s no such thing as a mistake!” instructor Raette Meredith calls over the din. The students have warmed up, and now they’re off, brushes flying across the canvas.

It’s a typical class for Meredith, who teaches Tipsy Brush painting classes at the hotel every Thursday. The classes started last month, but have drawn large crowds each week.

“Every single class has been full,” she said. “People seem to really enjoy these classes.”

These booze-and-painting classes have become a trend across the country, and those in the valley’s art scene have latched on to the hit idea. In addition to the Tipsy Brush class in Kalispell, there is also a Canvas and Cocktails class at Stumptown Art Studio on the last Friday of every month, and Party and Paint at the Crush Lounge the first and third Wednesday of the month. The classes range from $30 to $35, which pays for supplies, and participants are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice, alcoholic or otherwise.

“There’s been an amazing turn out for all of our classes,” said Colette Gardner, one partner with the Party and Paint class in Whitefish. “Lonnie [Collinsworth] is the instructor, and people love him. He’s got quite the following.”

Gardner said the classes are a great way for people to get out for a night and try something new.

Throughout the Tipsy Brush class, Meredith demonstrated a variety of techniques, using different brushes and colors to create an elk in a sunset scene. She hurried around the room, showing students how to create a skyline, or the right texture for a tree, and still had time to complete two paintings during the class as a way to show students how to paint.

“Everyone can paint, and each one of these paintings turn out to be unique,” she said. “It’s always great for people to see that they can create something amazing, when they might have been too shy before.”

Each week, Meredith concocts a different painting for the class to tackle. She brings all the supplies, as well as outlines for students to trace. In the past, the class has painted owls sitting on a branch, an overflowing glass of wine, and a wheat field.

“It’s really fun to see how each painting is different,” said participant Scott Rasmussen. “Last time, everyone’s owl came out as a different style. Mine had slits for eyes, and was all crouched over, while some people had big fluffy owls.”

Even though all members of the class paint the same subject, different styles and ability levels create a variety of finished products. Participants choose to paint a sunset or a snowy moonscape, or they can change the size of their subject.

Canvas and Cocktails in Whitefish has proven to be so popular, the studio recently started a youth program, Canvas and Cookies, which teaches kids how to paint in basic art style.

“It’s a lot of fun for them,” said instructor Souheir Rawlings. “The parents can drop them off, and go shopping or run errands, while the kids get to learn a bit and have a lot of fun.”

The Canvas and Cocktails class at Stumptown Art Studio was the first paint-and-drink class in the valley. Rawlings said the classes are not only fun, but help out the studio’s nonprofit organization as well.

“All of the proceeds go to our special needs program, as well as our scholarship program,” Rawlings said. “Everything goes into our outreach program, which just makes the classes that much better.”

Instead of focusing on a subject like the other classes, Canvas and Cocktails spends each meeting working in a specific style.

“We have a lot of repeat people, so we want to keep it interesting for them,” Rawlings said.

In the past, the classes have concentrated on aboriginal dot art, folk art, and the style of Georgia O’Keeffe.

Many of the instructors also rent out their services for private parties, such as birthday or anniversary parties.

Participants leave the class full of drinks and confidence, many returning a second or third time to continue to learn how to paint in a supportive, happy environment.

For more information on the Tipsy Brush, visit www.tipsybrush.com, or contact Meredith at 530-209-7769. For more on the Party and Paint, contact Colette Gardner at 212-7989, or visit www.facebook.com/partyandpaintflatheadvalley. For more on the Canvas and Cocktails, visit www.stumptownartstudio.org.

Reporter Brianna Loper can be reached at 758-4441 or [email protected].