🥕 “The Carrot of the Tree” – My Most Hilarious Workshop Moment

Recovered post from 18 July 2025

Posted by Sonette

So, we all have those standout moments tied to big life events, right? The ones you remember forever — not because they were perfect, but because they were absolutely, gloriously not.

Well, I’ve got mine.

To be fair, I should’ve known this would happen. After 7pm, all my English airtime runs out. That’s when my full-blown van der Merwe takes the mic — and she does not care for pronunciation or logic.

The piece we were doing was beautiful — a glowing night scene with a massive Tree of Life. Bright stars. Big dramatic roots anchoring it all down. Pure magic.

The energy was high, the wine was flowing, and I was in the zone. That is, until I reached the part where I had to guide the group through painting the roots of the tree...

Now listen. In my defense, my brother has this stupidly funny running joke about translations gone wrong — and I swear it rewired my brain. In front of me, 40 people were hanging on my every word, and my mic was projecting my voice proudly across the entire restaurant.

And

then

it

happened.

My left and right brain went into battle:

“Yes, that’s what it’s called.”

“No. No, it is NOT.”

“Just say it. It'll come out fine.”

“This is a terrible idea.”

I took a deep breath. And loudly — confidently, even — I announced:

“And when you paint... the carrot of the tree!”

🥕🌳

Dead silence.Then my soul left my body.I turned the shade of a tomato in an oven.And then — I broke into hysterical laughter.

A kind gentleman in the front row leaned in, ever-so-gently whispered:

“You mean... the roots?”Yes. The roots. Not the carrots.But honestly? That carrot moment changed something in me.

Right then and there, I decided I was done pretending to be anyone but the awkward potato that I am.

My workshops are fun. They’re silly. They’re loud and messy and magical.I’m proud of that.

At a Messy Masterpieces event, you’ll probably hear me say things like:

• “Let’s paint some dawns hawre!”

• “Oops... that’s not the right word, but go with it!”

• Or yes — “carrot of the tree.”

Because laughter is important.Because life is already too serious.Because I want you to come and laugh until your cheeks hurt — and accidentally paint something beautiful in the process.

So here’s to the carrots, the chaos, and the creative magic that happens when we just. let. go!!

Embrace your inner awkward potato — because life’s too short to take your carrots seriously!🥕

Love,

Sonette