Geraldine Cornelius, founder of The Paint Room, is inviting women of the Helderberg to join her painting club if they are seeking to make new friends or want to express themselves with colour and laughter.
“The Paint Room is all about having someone to talk to and paint with,” she explained.
The club meets every Saturday at a local business in the area or the home of one of its members. The 30-year-old starts the sessions by introducing the members to a new painting technique and then gives them an opportunity to create their picture using it. The club provides painting equipment at a minimal charge and then allows the individuals to enjoy themselves with different hues. “There are only three rules,” said Cornelius, “the first is you’re not allowed to compare your art. Number 2: you are not allowed to ridicule your painting and, finally, class should be fun!”
The idea is not to paint masterpieces, but have a space to get out of your comfort zone. For two hours members get to unwind and flex their creativity.
“That is the most relaxed I have felt in weeks,” said Johnné Adonis, who attended the class for the first time. “I blocked out my mind and I could just focus on the painting.”
The Paint Room was started by Cornelius after arriving in the Helderberg and feeling isolated because of her remote job. She wanted a way to use her talents to make friends.
Originally from Johannesburg, while teaching in Thailand the Gordon’s Bay resident was bitten by the painting bug. Returning from Asia she took online classes to improve her skills. She moved to Cape Town in 2024 and started a small illustration business. The opportunity to create The Paint Club happened with a chance meeting, where she was offered a space to teach painting. “I decided to use the club as a way of connecting people.”
. For more information, call Cornelius on 069 671 8772.
