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2020 Highlights
I entered into my fifth year of Painting Parties by Judy. Although we surpassed 10,000 projects painted and parties were being booked, I still felt a ting of discouragement. I began the year with a theme verse that helped me direct my focus on Christ. “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.
A fun new addition to my painting parties was holding a monthly Facebook contest called “Inspire Me”. My followers could post pictures to my designated theme. I would choose 6 images that inspired me to create a painting. The image with the most votes won. I would paint a canvas similar to that image and the winner could choose my original painting or a free seat at a painting party.
I began monthly “Ladies Night Out” parties that were a big hit! January had 34 ladies attending to paint a sled and enjoy a light meal with soup at the Red Zone. February packed Brisco’s café when a sold out group of 40 ladies painted a wooden board that spelled LOVE. And, in March we returned to the Red Zone for an incredible Lavender evening! 28 ladies painted a lavender field, ate lavender scones, and Wendy Kerstetter helped us create stress-free lavender essential oil roller balls with DoTerra.
Another highlight going into the 2020 year was being able to use funds from an art grant awarded by the PA Council on the Arts We planned 4 free kids “Books and Brushes” painting parties in 2020. I teamed up with Beth Winey to offer free Usborne & More books and paintings for the children. In January, we painted with 20 kids at the Juniata County library. It was a success and more events were planned.
In February, I joined the artist at my church to offer a Kids Painting Class during Winter Art Camp. I also hosted a well-attended Couples Night at the Red Zone. A full meal was included. We also enjoyed the thrill and challenge of painting with 55 teachers in 2 hours during 2 workshop classes at Juniata High School. We did Pour Paintings with the teachers and they loved it! Along with my daughters and mother, we made it happen smoothly in order to bless the teachers.
Sixteen fundraisers, public, and private painting parties were held from January – mid March 2020. Everything was pointing to another successful year. My heartbreak happened on Monday, March 16 when I had to not only cancel a sold-out Child & You party at Sweet Frog for the next day, but also refund over $1K in painting party down-payments in one day. Our nation was on “shut-down” due to the Corona virus.
Although it seemed like the shut-down should pass within 2 weeks, I immediately switched to offering free Facebook live classes. My initial motivation was for the children that were stuck at home. For 5 weekdays, I offered live classes. I loved reading comments as people painted with me. I began each online party with a prayer. I actually received comments and private messages from people in 11 different countries and numerous US states. Kids would mail me notes and messages of appreciation were sent. I soon added a late-night painting party for ladies (and guys). To encourage comments, I gave away an Amazon $10 gift card to one lucky commenter after the party. I added a “tips” section on my website and received a couple dollars here and there.
My online video “studio” was set up in our kitchen. The lighting was good and I had fun creating props and pictures of my work. Everything was going well until my internet frequently glitched and my phone started to freeze. It became increasing frustrating and I would quickly loose my audience. At the same time, the online classes were consuming my time. I decreased the number of classes each week. My June painting party 5-year anniversary passed without fan-fair. Joining a Facebook Group for painting party teachers was an encouragement. But, the demand for my online classes seemed to diminish and I soon switched my attention to art kits and online membership.
In June I sold art kits and supplies. Pre-sales were taken and I met people at the Lewistown Walmart and Mifflintown Red Zone. I was very pleased with the sales in June and July. It was during this time that I was devastated to hear that the Red Zone and Brisco’s closed. These were incredibly supportive restaurants where I loved holding painting parties. But our Governor had closed restaurants and it make it hard for them to survive.
I was excited about the online membership idea and went full force in August. I started a new website for my recorded videos. I offered two new videos a week. One for kids and one for adults. I spend hours preparing, recording, and editing my videos. August was focused on membership. I had about 2 dozen people pay for a membership. I was hoping for more. I soon realized that I hated recording so many paintings!
I looked back over the spring and summer and realized that I had tried so hard to keep my painting party business alive. So much of that time could have been better used nurturing my family and bettering myself. I missed interacting with people! People have always been the driving force behind my parties. I love to encourage people as we create. I was missing that.
By September, painting parties were coming back in-person in full force. I loved it!! A free kid painting party at the Juniata County Fair was completely full with 40 participants. One of my favorite fundraiser parties in September was held at an Amish Farm in Mifflintown. My former neighbors were gracious enough to not only allow a group to paint in their barn, but also gave buggy rides!
In October, I was able to use the last of our art grant money by hosting a large outdoor free Books & Brushes event. It was farm themed and included live animals as we painted in the JC Saddle Club pavilion. When I decided to return to in-person parties, I had no idea how well attended they would be. People were still cautious, but I learned they were very ready to get out again! My parties were extremely well attended and two October fundraiser parties even earned over $1000.
I was so happy to hold fall and Christmas parties! Some fundraisers also offered art kits to help raise additional funds. I had bought 60 wooden trees in the fall of 2019 and was relieved to hold a successful painting party with them. All the trees were sold either by in-person or art kits!
I cannot fail to mention how I marvel at my daughters and how wonderful it is to work with them either at in-person parties, filling art kits, or seeking their advice. They year, I was surrounded by supportive family, friends, painters, and even strangers.
My year ended with a literal mountain top painting party as I nervously drove in the snow. But that last party was another loud reminder of God’s faithfulness and protection. 2020 was not a failure. It was a challenge and I was never alone. “The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
A fun new addition to my painting parties was holding a monthly Facebook contest called “Inspire Me”. My followers could post pictures to my designated theme. I would choose 6 images that inspired me to create a painting. The image with the most votes won. I would paint a canvas similar to that image and the winner could choose my original painting or a free seat at a painting party.
I began monthly “Ladies Night Out” parties that were a big hit! January had 34 ladies attending to paint a sled and enjoy a light meal with soup at the Red Zone. February packed Brisco’s café when a sold out group of 40 ladies painted a wooden board that spelled LOVE. And, in March we returned to the Red Zone for an incredible Lavender evening! 28 ladies painted a lavender field, ate lavender scones, and Wendy Kerstetter helped us create stress-free lavender essential oil roller balls with DoTerra.
Another highlight going into the 2020 year was being able to use funds from an art grant awarded by the PA Council on the Arts We planned 4 free kids “Books and Brushes” painting parties in 2020. I teamed up with Beth Winey to offer free Usborne & More books and paintings for the children. In January, we painted with 20 kids at the Juniata County library. It was a success and more events were planned.
In February, I joined the artist at my church to offer a Kids Painting Class during Winter Art Camp. I also hosted a well-attended Couples Night at the Red Zone. A full meal was included. We also enjoyed the thrill and challenge of painting with 55 teachers in 2 hours during 2 workshop classes at Juniata High School. We did Pour Paintings with the teachers and they loved it! Along with my daughters and mother, we made it happen smoothly in order to bless the teachers.
Sixteen fundraisers, public, and private painting parties were held from January – mid March 2020. Everything was pointing to another successful year. My heartbreak happened on Monday, March 16 when I had to not only cancel a sold-out Child & You party at Sweet Frog for the next day, but also refund over $1K in painting party down-payments in one day. Our nation was on “shut-down” due to the Corona virus.
Although it seemed like the shut-down should pass within 2 weeks, I immediately switched to offering free Facebook live classes. My initial motivation was for the children that were stuck at home. For 5 weekdays, I offered live classes. I loved reading comments as people painted with me. I began each online party with a prayer. I actually received comments and private messages from people in 11 different countries and numerous US states. Kids would mail me notes and messages of appreciation were sent. I soon added a late-night painting party for ladies (and guys). To encourage comments, I gave away an Amazon $10 gift card to one lucky commenter after the party. I added a “tips” section on my website and received a couple dollars here and there.
My online video “studio” was set up in our kitchen. The lighting was good and I had fun creating props and pictures of my work. Everything was going well until my internet frequently glitched and my phone started to freeze. It became increasing frustrating and I would quickly loose my audience. At the same time, the online classes were consuming my time. I decreased the number of classes each week. My June painting party 5-year anniversary passed without fan-fair. Joining a Facebook Group for painting party teachers was an encouragement. But, the demand for my online classes seemed to diminish and I soon switched my attention to art kits and online membership.
In June I sold art kits and supplies. Pre-sales were taken and I met people at the Lewistown Walmart and Mifflintown Red Zone. I was very pleased with the sales in June and July. It was during this time that I was devastated to hear that the Red Zone and Brisco’s closed. These were incredibly supportive restaurants where I loved holding painting parties. But our Governor had closed restaurants and it make it hard for them to survive.
I was excited about the online membership idea and went full force in August. I started a new website for my recorded videos. I offered two new videos a week. One for kids and one for adults. I spend hours preparing, recording, and editing my videos. August was focused on membership. I had about 2 dozen people pay for a membership. I was hoping for more. I soon realized that I hated recording so many paintings!
I looked back over the spring and summer and realized that I had tried so hard to keep my painting party business alive. So much of that time could have been better used nurturing my family and bettering myself. I missed interacting with people! People have always been the driving force behind my parties. I love to encourage people as we create. I was missing that.
By September, painting parties were coming back in-person in full force. I loved it!! A free kid painting party at the Juniata County Fair was completely full with 40 participants. One of my favorite fundraiser parties in September was held at an Amish Farm in Mifflintown. My former neighbors were gracious enough to not only allow a group to paint in their barn, but also gave buggy rides!
In October, I was able to use the last of our art grant money by hosting a large outdoor free Books & Brushes event. It was farm themed and included live animals as we painted in the JC Saddle Club pavilion. When I decided to return to in-person parties, I had no idea how well attended they would be. People were still cautious, but I learned they were very ready to get out again! My parties were extremely well attended and two October fundraiser parties even earned over $1000.
I was so happy to hold fall and Christmas parties! Some fundraisers also offered art kits to help raise additional funds. I had bought 60 wooden trees in the fall of 2019 and was relieved to hold a successful painting party with them. All the trees were sold either by in-person or art kits!
I cannot fail to mention how I marvel at my daughters and how wonderful it is to work with them either at in-person parties, filling art kits, or seeking their advice. They year, I was surrounded by supportive family, friends, painters, and even strangers.
My year ended with a literal mountain top painting party as I nervously drove in the snow. But that last party was another loud reminder of God’s faithfulness and protection. 2020 was not a failure. It was a challenge and I was never alone. “The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”