Angella’s Sip & Paint slated for June
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday June 3, 2025 09:45
In an interview with Arts&Culture, she explained that the event is more than just painting but an experience that brings people together for wellness, networking and fun. She added that as an artist who specialises in watercolour painting, she will be guiding guests through a relaxing, beginner-friendly art session. She explained that the Sip & Paint event is open to everyone, with no experience needed. “Art has been my escape, my sanctuary, and my form of self-expression since childhood. Through every brushstroke, I express emotions I cannot always put into words. I am also the founder of Angella’s Art, a brand that seeks to bring people together through creativity and colour. Art has always been a part of me. I was that child who was always doodling and dreaming in colour,” she said.
“My mother exposed me to artistic spaces at a young age, and being surrounded by creativity sparked something deep within me. That early encouragement and freedom to explore made art feel like home. Art has always been my favourite thing for as long as I can remember. I loved drawing from a tender age, and I already knew I wanted to do art as my optional subject in junior school since primary school,” she explained. She further stated that her mother, who is an English teacher, used to take her to her friend’s/colleague’s art lab just to hang out there almost everyday when she was young. She said she watched students getting creative and seeing how it was done, which was really exciting. However, her true introduction to watercolour came during her time at Junior school, when her art teacher handed her a set of paints. She emphasised that the teacher literally handed her the watercolour paints. He then encouraged her to do whatever she felt was right with them, to paint whatever would attract people’s eyes. That was the birth of her art career.
Furthermore, she said people were often surprised that watercolour could be so expressive and delicate. She said many found it calming and relatable. She added that she received a lot of positive feedback, especially from those who say her work brought them peace or reminded them of something meaningful. Speaking of her favourite artwork, she said it was the one she made for her first-ever international client from South Africa, a watercolour painting of her Rottweiler dog, Xena. She said she absolutely loves dogs, saying Xena was not just any dog but quite popular on social media, especially on TikTok. Mackennie added that getting the chance to paint her felt so special. What made it even more memorable was that it was her first time shipping a commissioned piece outside the country, saying the client’s reaction was so heart-warming. “It reminded me that my art can reach beyond borders and touch people emotionally. It was also a proud moment for me as a pet lover and artist, blending two of my passions into one meaningful piece.
'Starting Angella’s Art is one of my proudest achievements. Hosting my first Sip & Paint event and receiving recognition from the media are milestones I never imagined reaching so soon. Every person who connects with my work is an achievement to me,” she said. In future, she said she sees herself hosting art wellness retreats, running community workshops, and having her artwork exhibited in spaces around the country and beyond. She also said she hoped to expand her brand and open an art studio/gallery in Botswana. Outside of art, Mackennie is a student and is also actively working on growing her brand. However, she said it was a lot to juggle, but because art is such a core part of who she is, saying it did not feel like work but it balanced her emotionally and mentally. “I wanted to create something that combined the joy of painting with the value of community and wellness. After navigating stress and anxiety, I realised how healing art is. 'So I thought, why not create a space where others can experience that too? Angella’s Sip & Paint is that safe space. A celebration of creativity, expression, and light. I am thankful to GrandLoft as our décor sponsor and Avani for sponsoring with the venue,” she ended.