Cristi and Art Spot are so great! I am an SYV local but had never been to Grimm's Bluff so jumped at the chance to do a painting in the vineyard event for a little introduction. Grimm's Bluff is stunning with so many fantastic sites to paint. Art Spot chose their private lake with the mountains and a bit of Cachuma Lake (Cristi joked about it being a unique painting in the vineyard experience to not actually paint vines!). Stunning scene. But before we proceeded to our painting location, we enjoyed sampling a bit of rose and estate sage honey and olive oil, with a little primer about Grimm's Bluff. I had persuaded a friend to join and had told her that I had done a watercolor class at Kaena, where the scene was penciled in and we were instructed on how to mix paints and water and layer in the paint, but it was easy and fun - almost like a paint by numbers with a good glass of wine. So when we got to our painting spot, I was surprised and somewhat intimidated to see completely blank canvases on easels with a few globs of acrylic paint! But Cristi is a great instructor and leader, and made the experience so fun and comfortable (the liquid courage from Grimm's Bluff didn't hurt, either). She gave us detailed tips on color mixing, which brushes to use, and how to just jump in and start. She had an easel up front and led the way, showing us on her canvas what to do. It was a blast and each one of us produced surprisingly passable if not beautiful little canvases - each unique in its own way. I highly recommend Art Spot. I have zero training or natural ability but with Cristi's guidance, now have two cute little paintings (including my Kaena watercolor). There is no reason to be fearful or intimidated- Cristi makes it so anyone can pick up a brush and release their secret inner artist. It is a lovely activity to do with friends on a gorgeous SYV day. read more

Art Spot on Wheels - Art Classes Near Me - Solvang, California

The experience was so fun and the guidance was helpful - I walked away with a painting I was proud of! The venue was great and the group made it all the more enjoyable. read more

I can't believe we did a painting in 2 hours. My husband, daughter and parents were amazed when I showed them my masterpieces. The weekend events are amazing! The scenery is beautiful, the drinks (wine/lavender lemonade) are delicious, and the act of painting is fun and peaceful. Christi is kind and patient, and is a wonderful teacher. In our summer in Santa Barbara, the painting in the wineries is my favorite memory. read more

The Vineyard view was beautiful, the vines green and lush. The hill behind with oak trees made a great backdrop. This was such a fun way to spend time with a friend and with family. The really amazing thing was how good all of our paintings came out. But the experience of doing it was so inspiring. Our teachers, owners Christi and Maria were so helpful that I made it over the rough spots when I thought I couldn't do it. Well I could and I'd do it again. A lovely experience. read more

Art Spot on Wheels - Art Classes Near Me - Solvang, California

Want to make a memory to last a lifetime?? March over to Gypsy Studios website and reserve a Fabulous afternoon painting at the Kenneth Volk vineyard. It all begins treating your palate with an array of aromatic wines. Then pair that with the artistic talent of Christi our professional artist. Throw in the attentive touches by Heidi and you will transcend into a blissful experience. My daughter and I kicked off our Mother's Day weekend with this dynamic duo and came home with a masterpiece and some new great friends. #youwillbegladyoucame!! read more

Art Spot on Wheels - Mother's Day Memory!! - Art Classes Near Me - Solvang, California

I can't recommend a class with Christi more. I was planning a friend's bachelorette party in Santa Barbara and Christi made it super easy to pick a time and outdoor location where we could set up. She even let me pick something unique to paint for our bride-to-be's interests: a taco and margarita in a beach setting. ;) She made it so much fun to follow along, and even those ours of course weren't as nice looking as hers, we had an absolute blast. A wonderful way to spend an afternoon! read more

Art Spot on Wheels - Christi's painting that she did in real time with us. This was a custom ask and we had a lot of fun making it! - Art Classes Near Me - Solvang, California

My 7 year old daughter attended art camp and had a beaming smile every time i picked her up. She created some beautiful pieces. Maria is amazing, highly recommend!!! read more

My husband and I did this as part of our anniversary and it was so much fun! Our paintings were so much different and we really enjoyed seeing how we each perceived the scenery. Christi is the best teacher we could have had. She was very encouraging and patient with us as well as the whole group. We can't wait to catch another class! read more

Art Spot on Wheels - Pure talent!! - Art Classes Near Me - Solvang, California

This review only applies if you love wine. Will you become Monet or find your next calling with a class with Gypsy Studios? Short or long answer is no to both. But heres the positives. 1. You get to goto a great wine region in CA - yes not everyone needs to goto Napa or Sonoma. Tip - goto Saarloos Winery tasting room and also get the cupcakes. 2. Its a very short drive from LA - leave at breakfast. You are there by lunch. 3. You get brownie points from wife or girlfriend 4. You get to go home with 2 paintings that you can hang in your house. If they look like mine - you won't be hanging them in the living room but somewhere inconspicuous so you won't scared looking at it everyday but there are plenty of empty walls to hang things on in my house. 5. Did I mention they also have wine during class? Thats 1 point for every star so 5 star review. Over and out. read more

Taking a class with Christi GUARANTEES you will not only have fun doing it, but you WILL come out of the experience astonished by the painting you will have completed. Can't recommend these classes with her enough if you want a great painting experience. read more

Was looking for a great team building experience for a team retreat -- something out of the ordinary for the group of hyper-intelligent Type-A's. I read the positive reviews for Art Spot and decided to give it a try. Rapid response to my inquiry, a lot of questions to tailor the event and even a bit of a treasure hunt to find ourselves in a perfect shady area in a park for watercolor lessons and practice. Each person had the chance to explore a medium of expression completely new to them with enthusiastic guidance and encouragement from Christi. She made it easy and fun to get out of our comfort zones and try something new. Highly recommend! read more

OK!!!! Christy is the most adorable, patient talented instructor ever!! I had 6 girls at our ranch for a Farm Stay and we painted the most beautiful landscape paintings of our view! We LOVED everything about it down to the detail of the music Christy chose! It was the most rewarding, relaxing and wonderful day ever!!! Cant wait to do it again!!! Thanks Christy!!! xo Bernadette~ www.RanchAtCanyonRidge read more

This was such a fun day. Beautiful scenery, lovely people and the teacher was enthusiastic, encouraging and helpful. I hope to do this again! read more

See all

Unbelievably unique and exhilarating experience. My 12 year old daughter is commonly disgruntled when I say I am off to a paint night with the girls/ adults, perplexed as to why she can't come too. "It's only wine, its not like they don't serve it at restaurants too"! Well, while camping at Cachuma for her birthday I arranged a private paint session with Christie for our family of 4 and it just couldn't have been more perfect. Christie even prepared for our arrival with a birthday balloon and a special dessert -which alone would encourage me to do this again, delish! I barely bothered to drink the wine, the experience just kept zinging me with delight, drunk on the moments it stacked up as the kind you reflect on for the rest of your life as the most memorable; the romantic vineyard setting, the looks on my families faces while they created their masterpieces, the opportunity to actually paint a live scene -and have it look like something phenomenal at that, and my daughters joy in this finally happening for her too. This was truly worth every penny! Thank you Gypsy Studios for this truly magical experience! read more

I've always said people need experiences when they come to the Santa Ynez valley. THIS is what I'm talking about! When you're tired of shopping, drinking and eating, there's this shining gem called Gypsy Studios to breathe new life back into your visit! The experience created is one that you'll walk away from with not only great memories, but a legitimate tangible object; a painting of your own doing, which will no doubt be much more of a masterpiece than you would have hoped. It kind of blows my mind how they're able to wrangle in a group of 25+ wine drinking adults (and sometimes kids - though not the wine drinking variety) and somehow get them to paint a really darn good piece. I've done it a few times with friends, and every time our paintings (and those in the rest of our group) turned out good enough to hang in our homes. I also found out recently (for locals or long-term visitors) that they do a series of classes in their brick and mortar studio, including school-break kids camps, adult evening classes and weekend workshops. They even have a separate business (Bellisima Art Retreats) where they take a group of people to far away lands (Tuscany anyone?), teach them to paint and drink and eat anddddd........we did the Tuscan trip last year and it was amazing! read more

I never realized how therapeutic painting could be. If you're looking for a new experience where you'll learn something new, be creative, make memories and take home a masterpiece you must check out Gypsy Studios! Our group of 3 enjoyed every minute. We painted our view of the day which was a vineyard at a beautiful winery and even though I have no artistic ability I was proud enough to hang my painting in my home. It's obvious that Christi and Maria love what they do, are very talented and love to share their gifts with others! I can't say enough about Gypsy Studios, I highly recommend you check them out if you're local or if you're visiting the Santa Ynez Valley. My only regret is that I live 90 minutes away, if I lived closer I would be a regular at their studio in Solvang! read more

What a great experience! This was such a fun and memorable time:) For wannabe artists, we left with paintings that I STILL cannot believe we painted. Great instructor, beautiful vineyard, yummy wine and fabulous memories. We can't wait to go back again:) read more

Seriously, a "must do" experience when in the region. Wonderful afternoon of painting, great wine and tons of laughs! This was a perfect birthday present! Christi and Heidi were so helpful that even our first ever painting efforts turned out beautiful enough to frame and put in our home... read more

Art Spot on Wheels - Art Classes Near Me - Solvang, California

See all

We had THE BEST DAY! What a joy painting with our grown kids and their girlfriends! Brianna brought out the artist in all of us

We had the most fun we've had in the longest time today while learning to paint with Christi & Maria!!! I considered myself as the worst possible artist in the world, yet the process they lead you thru transforms even me into a decent artist. It is fun, educational, wondrous and I can't wait for the next one!! And the wine, of course, added to the experience. I recommend it highly!!! Thanks again Christi and Maria!!! read more

Awesome experience. Very low key, very friendly. Loved it. Look forward to more classes and tasting new wines. Van Gogh read more

The perfect activity for our mother daughter weekend. We started off the day with wine tasting hosted by the Koehler winery owner. We then ventured to our painting site, a covered patio with beautiful views. Christie Belle walked us through our paintings step by step. She coached us through blending colors & layering. We had so much fun! Each of us left with a painting worth framing. read more

See all

If you are looking for private experiences or painting in the vineyard these girls are the best! Our daughter has taken classes as well as private lessons and it has been pure joy to see her blossom as an artist. read more

This was the BEST painting experience ever! It was wonderful to be outside in this beautiful vineyard as inspiration to paint. I attended with 4 girlfriends, some whom have never painted as an adult and EVERYONE had an amazing finished product! It was relaxing, fun and the most lovely instructors! This is a MUST DO experience! This was the highlight of our weekend trip to Santa Barbara! read more

My friend and I took part in the Painting in the Vineyard experience at Lincourt and it was awesome! It was so relaxing and Christi & her crew did such a great job at explaining each step and encouraged you to make it your own :) The wine was great too! Would 100% do this again!! read more

Great experience painting in the Valley - Dieberg Winery was beautiful so was the wine and paint experience.

,Had the most amazing time this past weekend participating in Gypsy Studio's painting in the vineyard event. They are pros, not only in assisting you in creating a masterpiece, but in finding a location that sets them apart from your usual "wine & paint" event. The winery, Lincourt was spectacular as well, quaint, beautiful and delicious!! What a way to spend a few hours. Highly recommend to anyone going to the Santa Ynez area to add this to your list of "must do's!". You will have an incredible time, and walk away with a souvenir you will truly be proud of! Bravo "Gypsy" ladies! read more

This was my first session with Gypsy Studios at the Koehler Winery. The setting was lovely, wine tasting was a nice bonus, and the set up allowed us all to create wonderful pieces of art work. There was great instruction and one-on-one help when needed. I give this a high recommendation if you are looking for something different, creative and relaxing to do in the beautiful Santa Ynez Vally! read more

What a fun day! Girlfriends and I had a blast! Christy was fun and patient! Her assistant Heidi was helpful and informative! Being at a vineyard was so peaceful and beautiful! Would totally go back! Loved the wine at Kalyra! read more

Wow amazing experience! I will be doing this again very soon. Its so great to see the process of your painting go from a blank canvas to your own personal Picasso! Love these ladies. read more

Cannot believe how fun it was to paint in the vineyard at sunstone winery. Step by step, Christi helped my "masterpiece" emerge. it and would do it again. The wine educator Ed was incredible just like the whole day‼ read more

Had a great experience painting in the vineyard. Christi and Heidi were great! I will definitely do this again the next time I'm in Cali!

Wow, I can't recommend this painting class enough!! It was one of the best days I have had in a year!! This was my first time painting with acrylics. I am amazed that my painting turned out! I have told my friends all about it! I have since ordered paints and art supplies and am looking forward to taking some lessons!! Plus, you are at a great winery, with nice instructors!! If you get an opportunity, try and set up a class with Gypsy Studios. It would be a great bachelorette party!! Thank you for the inspiration!! read more

OK - this was soooo fun and I am so proud of my painting done in only 3 hours. Christie is the best teacher especially for beginners, even people who haven't painted ever come out with a great painting. And the Roblar Reserve cabernet ( and all the wines they poured at the tasting) were so delicious. The setting was marvelous under this huge oak tree - steps from the grape vines. This is such a fun experience.... it is my 3rd paint in the vineyard with Christie and it won't be my last. read more

The President's Day Painting Class was fantastic! Such a fun group and what a wonderful learning opportunity. I started the weekend a little unsure and not very confident in my own skills, but finished with a completely different attitude. I painted my first still life and never thought I would be able to paint the landscape photo I had chosen. I made a lot of new friends and I am really looking forward to participating in another class in the near future. Christi and Maria are the best!!! read more

I was with 3 friends and we had a fabulous day at Sunstone Winery painting with Christi. It was a gorgeous day, her instructions were easy to follow and our paintings turned out beautiful. Highly recommended for anyone. read more

Some friends and I painted vines at a winery and had a blast! We have absolutely NO artistic skills or painting ability, yet Christie and her team made it so easy and fun! What a fun way to spend a few hours and have something to show for it! We left planning our next time with Gypsy Studios. read more

Sooooo much fun! Everything was great! Painted a lake scene at Martian Ranch and Vineyard. Can't wait to take another class!