By Dallin Rahlf

“Pintsize Picassos provides the wonderfully pleasing studio to let kids create and be proud of their work.”

Located in lovely Bountiful Utah, family-owned Pintsize Picassos is going to need to be your next visit on the GetOutPass. Here you’ll find a charming studio with instructors that will show your child how to have fun, relax, and create something they’ll be excited to bring home.

The history of this art studio is fascinating. It all started when one of the founders, Brooke, had a daughter that was taking art lessons. Brooke watched as she worked on different project through different types of drawing art mediums. She noticed that her daughter really liked some styles and didn’t care for others, and when she didn’t enjoy what she was doing, the projects seemed to drag and lose her interest. With this, she had the thought to create a studio where kids could create art that was quick, engaging, and fun. With the help of her husband, sister, and brother-in-law, she created a plan and they got to work.

Brooke, Richard, Jim, and Tamara took to the challenge of starting a company to accomplish this dream. They decided to get up and rolling right in the middle of COVID. The family team of four tried to open up in February of 2020, but with the hundreds of complications that all businesses were facing that time, they found themselves needing to push back a little longer. Despite the setback, they found a perfect location in Bountiful and managed to create a perfect studio for want they wanted to do.

Here’s a little piece from their website to explain: “Anyone can be an artist! Our kid's paint classes are designed for children of all ages, from 3 - 99! Each class offers an opportunity to complete your own art project. Join us as we guide you step-by-step, you can follow our direction to the letter or create your own masterpiece. We offer both in-studio and virtual classes, so whether you're in Bountiful, Utah or anywhere else in the world, sign up for a class today to get in touch with your inner Picasso!”

I took my nieces and nephews here the other day and we had an absolute blast. One of the first things you’ll notice when you walk in are the dozens of canvas creations lining the shelves. There’s fun stuff from Disney and goofy things from video games and beautiful nature and lifestyle paintings. It wasn’t difficult to feel the sense of creativity and creation when you were there.

They have this camera lined up so that kids can show off their creations, watch demonstrations, or mess around while the camera streams to a couple tv’s. That alone was entertaining, and we haven’t even gotten to the art yet. Brooke brought out dozens of brilliant colors that were easy to access and fun to use. If they wanted, the kids were given stencils on that sort of thick paper (you must forgive me my art vocab is just atrocious) and they could color within the lines to make some really cool looking art! I saw a certain protagonist from the kid favorite “Paw Patrol” that made some kids lose their minds when they realized they had painted him. Pretty adorable.

One of the coolest parts of Pintsize Picassos is when they draw the curtains, turn off the lights… and reveal the black lights they have with glow-in-the-dark paint! It was one of the coolest things I’ve seen. Some of the paintings that were made with this paint had this awesome glow and were much clearer than I would have thought. It’s gonna be something you’ll want to check out in the near future.

When talking with Brooke, she told me that her most favorite part of having started this business is watching these kids create some art that they’re proud of. The kids will constantly ask if they get to take their artwork home and beam with excitement when they learn it’s all theirs. The kids will stick their tongue out in an intense concentration as they’re coloring in Nemo, and then hold up their picture in the air for the world to see, the pride of having accomplished this work of art nearly palpable. These moments are what make the hard work of running a business worth it for Brooke and fam.

Next time you’re in town, give them a visit!