Tigers’ business pitch

A TRIO of top-level Tasmanian cricketers are just weeks away from opening their second paint ‘n’ sip studio.

Tigers batsmen Charlie Wakim and Jordan Silk, alongside fast-bowler Jackson Bird, all from Sydney originally, opened their first Pinot & Picasso studio in Hobart in September.

They’re now just weeks away from doubling their footprint, with a second studio, on Charles St in Launceston, set to host its first event next Saturday night.

“It’s bloody exciting,” Silk told the Mercury.

The batsman, widely regarded as one of Australia’s best fielders, said his entrance into the business world came about because he was keen to broaden his horizons beyond cricket.

“I didn’t really have much else outside of cricket,” he said.

“I had to convince other boys Jackson and Charlie, they’ve both studied business courses and were keen to dip their toes in a distraction outside cricket and we love it.

“We’re quite busy at the moment, we’re out of the cricket season so there’s plenty of time to put into it, we’re not thinking about picking up a cricket bat or bowling a ball.”

Silk said his acquaintance with the franchise – there are more than 50 studios across Australia – came about via a friendship with one of the founders, who opened the first Pinot & Picasso in Penrith, just down the road from where Silk grew up.

“Hobart is such a great fit and Tasmania is such a great fit (for the business) in general,” he said.

“We’d always planned to bring it to (northern Tasmania), as soon as we established the studio in Hobart we knew there was a bit of demand.”

Silk said the trio was now focused on growing the business outside of the studio.

“We have a pop-up event at Bellerive Yacht Club on July 17, it’s one of the first ones where we've branched away from the studio,” he said.

“We plan to try and put all our focus and attention into partnering with certain businesses, bringing Pinot & Picasso to wineries and restaurants, places like that.”

And who out of the trio is best with the brush?

“I hadn’t painted since Year 7 visual arts before the Hobart launch,” Silk said.

“Charlie is quite talented, Jackson surprised me, he’s very good with brush in hand.

“It’s amazing what you can create when follow something step-by-step.”

The trio is waiting on final approval from the Launceston City Council to erect signs for the new studio.