Meet Alana Tillman, Artist & Owner of ArtXcursion

Alana Tillman

Sebastopol-based artist and entrepreneur Alana Tillman was born with a condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) that left her without the use of her arms and hands. Growing up in a family of creatives, though, she was inspired to become an artist herself, so she learned how to draw and paint by mouth. Ever since, she’s considered her identity as an artist to be her calling card. 

Alana Tillman (left) with her architect father and artist sister
Alana Tillman (left) with her architect father and artist sister

“I realized at a young age that art was there for me to create conversation and a relationship with people,” Tillman says. “It allowed me to become approachable to my peers, who might not have otherwise understood me.” 

As she grew up, Tillman focused on building her art career by selling her paintings, working in galleries as an assistant curator, accepting art residencies, and drawing on her family’s love of entertaining, hosting several solo shows. She found she loved the process of combining art with event coordinating. 

ArtXcursion painting class in a Sonoma County restaurant
ArtXcursion “Sip & Paint” class in a Sonoma County restaurant 

In 2018, she channeled this love into founding ArtXcursion, a unique events business that encourages art as a means of social connection. Tillman partners with area wineries and other vendors to host her ArtXcursion “Sip & Paint” events — fun, laid-back opportunities for people to, as Tillman says, “connect with each other in a creative and inclusive way.”

For these Sip & Paint events, Tillman and her team will bring in blank canvases, paint and other art materials, and a snack and drinks will be provided. She facilitates each class herself, teaching people “how to mix their colors, how to start their composition, and how to create depth and texture in their piece,” she says. Each Sip & Paint event has a theme, and everyone is encouraged to create their own motif for that theme, producing their own unique piece of art. 

Acrylic painting of apples by Sebastopol artist Ariana Tillman
Painting by Alana Tillman

In her own artwork, Tillman says, “I definitely pull from Sonoma County for my inspiration — the agriculture, the landscapes, the food. I really love to cook, so sometimes I’ll go to an area farmers market and see some beautiful cherries or tomatoes, and I like to sit right down and paint them.” 

ArtXcursion events are generally limited to groups of 15-25. In addition to regular Sip & Paint events with Sonoma County partners like Paradise Ridge Winery and Flying Cloud Farm, ArtXcursion also hosts private events for team building, bachelorette parties, birthdays, and more—any occasion where connection and relaxation are desired. 

ArtXcursion Sip and Paint event at a Sonoma County winery
ArtXcursion Sip and Paint event at a Sonoma County winery

Tillman says the goal of her events is to nourish participants both artistically and physically.”I feel like art is extremely healing,” Tillman says with a smile, “and allows you to press that reset button.” 

Discover more Sonoma County maker stories at sonomacounty.com/cultivated.

You Might Also Like

outside view of Astro hotel in santa rosa CA
Arts & Culture

Sonoma County is not a secret, but one of the county capital’s most culturally alive neighborhoods is almost hiding in…

Arts & Culture

What is it about the wide-open spaces of Sonoma County that inspire folks to put pen to page? The region…

Cultural Arts

Every Labor Day weekend, costumed revelers from around the world converge on “the Playa” at the Black Rock Desert in…

Arts & Culture

November is Native American Heritage Month, but you can celebrate Native American heritage all year long in Sonoma County. Long before…

Arts & Culture

Sebastopol-based artist and entrepreneur Alana Tillman was born with a condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) that left her without…

Arts & Culture

Visitors to Santa Rosa may be surprised to see the many larger-than-life statues of Snoopy around town, plus statues of Charlie…

Luther Burbank on stage
Arts & Culture

Sonoma County has a stage for every type of play and musical, from original comedies and thoughtful dramas to splashy…

Arts & Culture

The colorful storefront and hand-crafted metal gates at the entrance to the Arts Guild of Sonoma lead the way to…

Activities

If you’re a history lover, here’s a three-day road trip that delves into Sonoma County’s long and glorious past. It…

Arts & Culture

Some of the most imaginative artwork to be found in Sonoma County is made from discarded or recycled materials. There…

THIS IS WINE COUNTRY.

Share your experience using #SonomaCounty or #LifeOpensUp