Caitlyn Kostynuk (left), Enola Holmes and Geoff Nickson were among the budding artists turning our Saturday evening for the Paint and Sip fundraiser for the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society. The social event with wine tasting was held at the Watermark Beach Resort. (Richard McGuire photo)

Caitlyn Kostynuk (left), Enola Holmes and Geoff Nickson were among the budding artists turning out Saturday evening for the Paint and Sip Social fundraiser for the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society. The social event with wine tasting was held at the Watermark Beach Resort. (Richard McGuire photo)

Many participants had never painted with acrylics before, but trying something new was part of the attraction at the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society’s (OLWQS) Paint and Sip Social fundraiser at the Watermark Beach Resort Saturday evening.

More than 50 guests turned out to create paintings inspired by Osoyoos Lake, sip local wines provided by Black Hills Estate Winery and Moon Curser Vineyards, nibble on snacks and socialize.

The event was to raise money for OLWQS’s Osoyoos Lake Appreciation Day planned for Saturday, May 21 on the May long weekend.

Alan Bleiken, who denied the suggestion in the introduction that he is an artist, but who has more experience than most other participants, led the event, doing a painting with a sail boat that he invited guests to use as a model. Many did, though some chose other lake-inspired ideas.

Karsten Coty-Scholl, an accomplished young pop art portrait artist, also circulating to give comments and ideas on the work. Coty-Scholl, who usually paints in oils, was stepping out of his comfort zone with acrylics and landscape, but he adapted easily.

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times

Budding artists turned out Saturday evening at the Watermark Beach Resort for the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society's Paint and Sip fundraiser. Guests, many with little or no painting experience, were given a canvas, brushes and acrylic paint and were tasked with creating a painting inspired by Osoyoos Lake. Of course wine, socializing and nibbles were part of the mix. In the foreground are Lorraine Gibson (left) and Trish Murray, both from Osoyoos. (Richard McGuire photo)

Budding artists turned out Saturday evening at the Watermark Beach Resort for the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society’s Paint and Sip Social fundraiser. Guests, many with little or no painting experience, were given a canvas, brushes and acrylic paint and were tasked with creating a painting inspired by Osoyoos Lake. Of course wine, socializing and nibbles were part of the mix. In the foreground are Lorraine Gibson (left) and Trish Murray, both from Osoyoos. (Richard McGuire photo)

Alan Bleiken corrected the record when he was introduced as an artist, but he has more experience than most of the more than 50 people who turned out Saturday evening for the Paint and Sip fundraiser for the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society. Bleiken offered pointers to participants, who were given a canvas, acrylic paints and brushes and tasked with doing a painting inspired by Osoyoos Lake. (Richard McGuire photo)

Alan Bleiken corrected the record when he was introduced as an artist, but he has more experience than most of the more than 50 people who turned out Saturday evening for the Paint and Sip Social fundraiser for the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society. Bleiken offered pointers to participants, who were given a canvas, acrylic paints and brushes and tasked with doing a painting inspired by Osoyoos Lake. (Richard McGuire photo)

Osoyoos Times Reporter/Photographer Richard McGuire has never painted with acrylics before in his life and I hasn't even done watercolours since he was a teenager. He gave acrylics a try when the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society held a fundraiser called Paint and Sip at the Watermark Beach Resort. Guests were given a canvas, some brushes and acrylic paint and asked do a painting inspired by Osoyoos Lake. As a photographer, McGuire understands composition, colour and light and shadow, but mixing paints and brush techniques were a new experience. The result may not win an award, but he's inspired to try again. (Richard McGuire photo and painting)

Osoyoos Times Reporter/Photographer Richard McGuire has never painted with acrylics before in his life and hasn’t even done watercolours since he was a teenager. He gave acrylics a try when the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society held a fundraiser called Paint and Sip Social at the Watermark Beach Resort. Guests were given a canvas, some brushes and acrylic paint and asked do a painting inspired by Osoyoos Lake. As a photographer, McGuire understands composition, colour and light and shadow, but mixing paints and brush techniques were a new experience. The result may not win an award, but he’s inspired to try again. (Richard McGuire photo and painting)