WINE, PAINT AND MAYBE A BRUSH WITH FAME

A NIGHT drinking wine and painting admittedly isn’t how Tasmanianbased star cricketer Jordan Silk would usually spend a night out with mates.

But since opening his latest jointventure, the Tigers and Sydney Sixers showman can’t think of a better way to spend an evening.

“The idea of pinot really appeals to me,” Silk laughed, before admitting that until two weeks ago he hadn’t picked up a paint brush since the eighth grade.

Silk, and fellow Tigers Jackson Bird and Charlie Wakim, have recently opened Tasmania’s first Pinot and Picasso – an experience offering punters the chance to learn the craft of painting in a social “paint and sip” setting.

For Silk, his decision to get the experience up and running in Hobart was a personal one.

It is now the largest national franchise of its kind and Silk said he knew the founders, who were also products of his home town in Penrith.

Silk had watched Pinot and Picasso grow to all corners of the country and leapt at the opportunity to open Tasmania’s first franchise in Hobart.

“We just saw an enormous growth,” he said.

“This has been in the works for ages and Jackson and Charlie seemed really keen.”

The New South Welshman said since joining the Tigers, he, Bird and Wakim had fallen in love with life in Tasmania and opening the franchise meant a foundation for their potential futures here.

“We all really love Tassie and want to stay long term … we’re all at an age where we’re looking to dip into something outside cricket,” he said.

Wakim echoed Silk’s enthusiasm for their new shared venture.

“Fun, lighthearted with a few bevvies and delicious food thrown in … what more could you ask for,” he exclaimed.

“[My favourite part] is the moment when people realise they can paint a little better than they may have expected. Also, just the general good vibes of people being creative and sharing a vino.”

Silk said – while not making any promises – that people may even get a chance to rub shoulders with some of the nation’s best cricket talent – with the likes of Tim Paine, Matthew Wade, Peter Siddle and James Faulkner already having tried their hand at Pinot and Picasso.

“I’ll definitely be back in there, that’s for sure,” Silk said.

Pinot and Picasso has been open since September 3 at Hobart’s Franklin Wharf.

Bookings are essential, and the studio is licensed for BYO wine.