I love to write. I can do anything with numbers and am a whiz in excel. I love to cook and have really enjoyed creating new recipes that are heart healthy. But art is a gift God skipped on me.

So, when my friend Kelly Davis invited me to learn how to paint, I was very skeptical. I had never even held a paintbrush in my hand.

I eventually signed up for Susan Dennis’ angels class. The class was part of the arts council’s highly successful Girls Night Out series. Because I did not want to go alone in this scary, unknown endeavor, I conned a dear friend to go with me. We were told to bring our favorite beverages and snacks.

The big day came. I was at work all day plugging along, updating a massive excel spreadsheet, doing my thing, when I realized it was 6 p.m. Time to go and be an artist.

I looked in the refrigerator and found some red grapes, a Milky Way candy bar and a diet ginger ale. Off I went, beverage and snack in hand, 15 minutes late.

I was greeted so warmly by all, “There she is.” Meaning, I was late and the last one there. Subconsciously, I was nervous.

Then I saw the snacks and beverages — fresh vegetable pizza, dips and crackers — all kinds of fabulous food sat in the center of the room for all to share. I sat down and asked where my friend was. She canceled that afternoon.

I was alone with no buddy by my side. I was the last to show, the room is full of women with their easels, paint, brushes, pallet knives, good to go.

I got my canvas, paint and brushes and the class began. Then I realized I should not wear my work clothes to paint as I proceeded to put my sleeve in the paint! Double oops. My teacher got me an apron. I felt like I was given a bib.

I met my new buddy that God provided, Jennifer Head, and painted the first painting in my entire life.

I told Jennifer, “God must have chosen this class for me, for He would not let anyone mess up a picture of one of His angels. It has to be a God thing.”

I was pleased with my painting, it even looked like an angel when I was finished, not an alien.

Susan Dennis was a fabulous instructor to be able to teach someone like me to paint a painting. I am going to hang it in my home, too, as a symbol of a day that I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried something new. I highly recommend it.

Thank you, Kelly. Isn’t God Good?

Phoebe Donald Robinson can be reached by e–mail at

phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net.