Palette with palate: New studio offers fine pairing

PINOT & Picasso invites Ballarat into their studio for three hours of life’s great pleasures; a glass of wine and visual art… except this time, the patrons are the painters.

Mark Tomljenovic is the owner of the Sturt Street’s space, giving people the opportunity to sip and create a canvas work, step-by-step, with tuition from local artists.

“When you walk in, the artwork you’re going to be painting that day will be up on an easel. There’s a blank canvas at every table, and you paint it in stages,” he said.

“The artists show the first step, ask if there’s any questions, and carry on from there. We turn the music up a bit, drink and paint the first section.

“The artists walk around, give tips and pointers, go back on stage, take you through the next sections, and you’ve got an artwork to take home at the end.”

Opening for their first sessions last weekend with tutorials from Tegan Crosbie, Molly O’Hara and Erica Stoney, Mr Tomljenovic has been appreciative of Ballarat’s support, and willingness to embrace the process.

“On opening night, everybody loved it. One of our artists was up on stage dancing, everyone was laughing and having a great time,” he said.

“One attendee came back the next day to pick up their painting as she said she’d told all of her friends on Instagram, so feedback has been very positive.”

Mr Tomljenovic tried the Pinot & Picasso experience in Geelong at the start of year.

With an IT background, he found the idea daunting, but once he was in the studio, that feeling disappeared.

“When you have a glass of wine and start painting, it’s a lot of fun. I loved the simplicity of it,” he said.

“I was interested to start my own local business in Ballarat, and be more a part of this community, and I knew this business would really work here.

“We offer a really Ballarat-focused vibe in our amazing heritage brick space. It’s accessible for everybody. After 10 minutes you realise, ‘I can do this.’”

Pinot & Picasso is currently open Friday to Sunday at 204 Sturt Street. Wine is BYO. Visit pinotandpicasso.com.au/Ballarat.