Waterford Mom Bonnie Swope loves pop art. The graphic designer has been turning people’s photos into bright, Warhol-style canvases since 2006. But it was her kid Layla, now 7, who inspired mom’s DIY all-ages business.
“My daughter was bugging me to go to one of those ceramics places,” Swope says. “She asked me, ‘Can’t you make me one of those pop arts that I can paint myself?'” And with that, Paint Your Pop Art – a guided, do-it-yourself painting company – was born. More than a year later, the concept is taking off, and it now has a new permanent home studio in Keego Harbor. The staff hosts private parties, too, or will come to your location.
How’s it work? You send in a favorite photo. Swope, a 20-year design veteran, transforms it into a stretched canvas with paint guides (sort of like paint-by-numbers, just without the numbers). Then, either using a provided color guide or your own choices, fill in the blanks.
“(Layla) really takes great pride in this because it was her idea,” Swope says. “Anytime we do parties, she walks around to help the kids with painting and offers assistance.” All skill levels are welcome, she adds, though it’s most enjoyable for kids ages 7-16. “It’s something in the creative avenue that kids of all ages can do without feeling pressure. It’s done at their own pace.”
Individual canvas prices range $49-$109 depending on size, with discounts for parties of six or more.
