Art parties pair painting with wine

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - If life were a picture, most would agree there would never be enough space.

But not Pauline Hauder.
 
A master with the paintbrush since school, the artist always finds the space for a little more.

Now upon retirement from art teaching, Hauder is taking her talents to the downtown streets of Springfield.

Hauder teachers open painting classes two nights a week at her studio.

The instructor teaches one group to paint one picture in two hours.

Some novices who attend are a bit nervous at first.

"At first it's a little bit intimidating," said Larisa Jastad, a student in the open class.

But as Hauder takes the canvas during the class, the novices fearlessly follow her lead.

"She kind of breaks it down in steps for you which is nice," said Jastad.

Hauder calls her business, Vino and Vango.

"I had a van and I was going to get in my van and go. And I also had the vino," Hauder said.

After discovering the idea of painting parties with wine in Houston, Hauder brought the business to Eugene where people can come and find the inner artist in them.
 
Hauder said the best part of any part is seeing the artists' reaction at the end when they have finished the painting.

"Oh that's the ah ha, that's the high five moment," Hauder said.

"I like to just kind of let go and put the colors down," said John Vanderspek, an artist in the class. "I don't think I've had as much painting as tonight."
 
Just like filling the white spots with color - the painters are filling up their picture of life with a little bit more.
 
For more information on Vino and Vango open classes and private parties, go to vinoandvango.com.