(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Madison Arts Council (MAC) is hosting a painting party with wine as a theme.

“Brushes and Blushes” on July 29 at 6 p.m. will be held at The Stem and Stein, 10871 County Line Road, Suite B.

MAC member Cheryl Mellema will lead the class and hopes participants will have fun, leave with a completed work of art and want to paint with her again. She has designed “a whimsical piece using wine as the main subject, due to the venue. The design and instruction includes several basic techniques and options for each participant to personalize their masterpiece.”

Participants will use various acrylic paints, stencils, masking tape, sponges and brushes on an “artist canvas board,” Mellema said.

A native of Reno, Nev., Mellema knew as a child that she was an artist. “Not because I could draw better or paint like Monet, but because it made me happy creating something,” she said. Mellema also pursues acrylic and watercolor paintings, drawing, crochet, tole painting and murals.

In 2011, Mellema volunteered to redesign the interior of the “Dogwood Diner” tree house at Huntsville Botanical Garden. In 2012, she was selected to paint one of the six-foot tall butterflies for the botanical garden’s “Green Things & Butterfly Wings” spring and summer celebration.

She, husband Greg and youngest daughter Katie moved to Madison in 2008. “Greg’s career in composite repair and the military brought us here. Life is good,” she said. “I’m very excited to be a MAC member and look forward to growing the arts in the Madison community.”

“In 2013, I’m looking forward to organizing some workshops, being involved in the local art movement, meeting new people and finding fun new ways to share my art,” Mellema said.

Tickets to Brushes and Blushes are $30, which includes an 11-by-14 inch canvas, painting supplies, glass of wine or beer and snacks of cheese and fruit.

For tickets, visit artsmadison.org/brushes-and-blushes. For more information, email to info@artsmadison.org or visit artsmadison.org.