Move over,  Tupperware. Step aside, cosmetics and cleaning product parties. There鈥檚 a new soir茅e trend in 91原创 that鈥檚 catching on quick and turning its participants into budding Picassos.

When Freda Lombard isn鈥檛 busy filing police reports for the Vancouver 9-1-1 Centre, the 39-year-old 91原创 resident can be found teaching men and women of all ages how to work wonders with a paint brush inside their homes.

Around three years ago, the mother-of-two from South Africa started her side business 鈥� Zealous Art & Painting Parties. It didn鈥檛 take long for her colourful idea to take flight.

鈥淚t all started off with me painting at home,鈥� said Lombard, who was given an easel and acrylic paints as a gift from her husband for Christmas back in 2009.

Despite never having taken an art class, Lombard found painting came naturally to her.

鈥淚 used to do a little fabric painting in South Africa years ago, but that鈥檚 about it.

鈥淔riends would come over for a coffee and say 鈥榟ow do you do that?鈥�

After teaching several friends how to create their own masterpieces on a blank canvas, step-by-step, Lombard realized she wanted to branch out and teach as a part-time gig.

For the parties, Lombard brings all the materials, which includes a canvas, palettes, brushes, paints, aprons and a ghetto blaster.

To date, she has led painting parties that range from birthday celebrations, baby and bridal showers to corporate events. They鈥檙e especially popular with women who want  to have a girls鈥� night in.

While many of the participants are shy about picking up a paintbrush at first, it doesn鈥檛 take long for them to come out of their shell. Of course, a little liquid courage helps get the creative juices flowing.

鈥淚 always say you don鈥檛 need to be an artist  鈥�  you just need to have friends around you, be yourself, maybe drink some wine and be adventurous,鈥� said Lombard, who is always amazed by the pieces that the so-called 鈥榰nartistic鈥� types create.

鈥淚 love seeing them realize they are doing it and start to fall in love with their own paintings. After just a few strokes they begin to relax. People leave and cannot believe what they鈥檝e done.鈥�

Lombard鈥檚 favourite part of the shindigs comes at the end.

That鈥檚 when a group photo of all the participants and their finished paintings is taken.

鈥淚n many cases, the finished product provides a little insight into the artist who created it, said Lombard.

鈥淓veryone鈥檚 painting is a reflection of themselves, whether it be bold, wild, etc.鈥�

Recently, Lombard has also begun teaching painting parties at the Fort 91原创 Studio on Glover Road  鈥�  an event that is offered monthly.

鈥淲e remove all the expensive paintings and do the party right in the studio on a Friday night,鈥� explained Lombard. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e a lot of fun.鈥�

For those who prefer a private setting, Lombard is happy to make house calls.

鈥淵ou pick a date and we鈥檒l go over the type of painting you鈥檇 like to create. I have different scenes you can choose from. Or if you like, I can recreate something and make it a simple painting. All you have to do is provide the cocktails and snacks.鈥�

While life has been busy on the home front with two children, aged 12 and 15, a full-time job and a new business to boot, Lombard says she has a great support system.

鈥淚 have an awesome family. They jump in and always know where everything is, to make life easier. I鈥檓 very lucky.鈥�

For more information about Zealous Art & Painting Parties, visit www.zealousart.com. To find out about the next painting party at the Fort 91原创 Studio, visit www.fortstudio.com or call 604-371-2899.