ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – A unique shop has opened its doors and is doing a brisk business in Sanroc Cay in Orange Beach.

John Grant Gordon’s dream business, Life’s A Canvas, offers customers a chance to express their artistry and have a glass of wine all at the same time.

“It’s to come in here, have a glass of wine, enjoy the evening, enjoy yourself,” Gordon said. “Get to know yourself a little better through your art and really express yourself.”

Customers pay $35 which takes care of all costs for paints and canvas and instructions from an artist to help complete a painting.

“The artist will walk you through the painting literally step by step,” Gordon said. “We start with the background and work our way forward. It’s all about layering and getting the painting to point where everybody’s really happy with their art work.”

Or at least that’s the technical explanation. Gordon says it’s always a blast for the painters as well.

“It’s literally a party and everybody walks out of here with a big smile on their face and everybody’s looks great,” Gordon said. “Whether you are an aspiring van Gogh or just looking to explore your creative side, you are sure to go home with a painting that is uniquely yours. By the end of the night you will be amazed at the artwork you have created.”

Gordon and his long-time friend and partner Christie Taylor teach the classes. Life’s A Canvas is one of a bevy of new businesses and restaurants opening recently on Pleasure Island.

“What we are really celebrating, especially with new businesses like this one, are new jobs, new opportunities, new investment and people that have taken risks and had faith in the economy in our community,” Alabama Chamber of Commerce President Ed Rodriguez said at a recent ribbon cutting.

Gordon and Taylor have been concentrating on keeping the energy level high and customers happily painting, including mimosa mornings, or the 10:30 a.m. classes.

“Your first mimosa’s free,” Gordon said. “We play good music, you come in and we sing, we dance, we turn the music high and it’s just high energy. It’s better than therapy. It’s a total stress reliever. Everybody leaves here with a totally different mindset from when they came in.”

The shop also has regular 6:30 p.m. classes with the same energy.

“It’s beautiful the response that we get out of it and its rewarding every day watching people and how they respond to it,” Gordon said. “The joy of just an evening can change the outlook of an entire week.”

Tourists and locals alike have kept the pair quite busy in the weeks it has been open.

“So many people have commented they get to take a piece of their vacation home with them,” Taylor said. “It’s something else that they can experience during their wonderful vacation or if they’re local, it’s ‘thank goodness you’re here. I’m done with the dolphin cruise.’ They want a different place to go after the beach and the pool.”

The pair is excited at the initial response and crowded classes.

“It’s exceeded our expectations as far as the response,” Taylor said.

“It’s been overwhelming,” Gordon said. “We can’t keep up. Every day’s a new adventure and we are just every day placing orders. It’s amazing.”

And they believe it will continue to grow even after the seasonal visitors go home. They are building quite a locals following.

“The word of mouth has been incredible,” Taylor said. “It’s spread quite nicely. We serve one and they tell 10 and they’re all telling them it’s great. It’s been fantastic, both local and tourists.”

He and Taylor are the instructors for the classes and use original art pieces for the students to mimic. The walls of the studio are filled with their work.

“These are all of our originals and it’s copyrighted to us and we have a thousand pieces of artwork that are ours exclusively,” Gordon said. “This is just what we’ve been able to get up so far and in our database for our classes. Just strictly Life’s A Canvas’ art and our partners.”

Budding artists can follow along or work on a painting of their choice. While the artist-guided classes are $35, anyone can come in for open studio and use the shop’s supplies and get a canvas for $25.

“You don’t bring a thing,” Gordon said. “We have the canvas, paint brushes, paints and aprons. It’s very simple. This is your studio for the night. Have fun.”

The shop’s foyer also houses a retail space with a variety of merchandise. The tiki bar offers a variety of cold drinks, beer and wine but not hard liquor.

It even has an “addicted painter” card for repeat customers.

“Your seventh painting’s free,” Gordon said.