When Developers Pick Up Paintbrushes
International Women’s Day 2023. While some companies send flowers or give speeches, Codexio decided to do something different: Send the ladies to a wine and painting class.
The concept was simple:
- Show up
- Get wine
- Get a canvas
- Paint something beautiful
- Feel like an artist
What could possibly go wrong?
Spoiler: Several things. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
The Setup
The venue was ready. The canvases were pristine. The wine was flowing. Rose petals were scattered artistically across the table because apparently, that’s a thing people do.
The spread included:
- Wine (the essential ingredient)
- More wine (just to be safe)
- Fancy appetizers that nobody wanted to touch because they looked too pretty
- Rose petals (for ambiance and Instagram)
- Paint supplies (oh right, we’re here to paint)
The atmosphere was perfect. The mood was elegant. The confidence was high.
And then we started painting.
The Painting Process
The instructor was patient, encouraging, and had clearly done this before. She walked us through the steps:
- Start with the background
- Layer the colors
- Add the figure
- Create depth and shadows
- Add details
- “Just trust the process”
Everyone was focused, brushes moving with varying degrees of confidence. Wine glasses were strategically placed within reach. The room was filled with concentration, occasional giggles, and the sound of brushes on canvas.
Most people were doing great. Some were even doing really great. Hidden talents were emerging. People who’d never painted before were creating genuinely impressive work.
And then there was Yoana.
The Yoana Situation
Let’s be honest about this. Let’s be really honest.
Yoana can’t draw.
She tried. She really, really tried. But sometimes, talent is just… not there. Some people code. Some people paint. Some people… well, some people put their brush in the wine glass.
The Brush-in-Wine Incident
Yes. It happened.
In a moment of distraction (or maybe too much focus on the canvas), Yoana reached for what she thought was the water cup to clean her brush.
It was not the water cup.
It was the wine glass.
The brush went in. The wine got paint-y. The realization happened about three seconds too late.
Yoana’s face was a masterpiece in itself—part embarrassment, part “did I really just do that,” part “at least it’s a good story.”
The other ladies? Absolutely delighted. This would become the story from the event. Not the beautiful paintings (though there were many). Not the sophisticated evening (though it was). The brush-in-wine moment.
Yoana’s painting was… unique. Let’s call it unique. Modern art is subjective anyway, right?
The Final Results
And then came the moment of truth: The group photo with finished paintings.
The paintings ranged from:
- “Wait, you’ve never painted before? This is amazing!” (several ladies)
- “That’s actually really good” (most of the group)
- “It’s… got character?” (you know who)
And Yoana’s painting? It’s hanging somewhere. Maybe in a closet. Maybe facing a wall. But it exists, and that’s what matters.
The Aftermath
The paintings went home with their creators. Most were proudly displayed. Some were “I’ll hang it later” and then never hung. One might have been gifted to a very tolerant family member.
The wine-paint-water confusion became an instant classic story. It gets brought up at random moments:
- “Remember when Yoana—”
- “YES. We remember.”
To Yoana’s credit: She owned it. She laughed at herself. She didn’t hide her painting in shame (well, not completely). And she proved that you don’t need to be good at everything—you just need to be willing to try and laugh when you fail spectacularly.
Want to join a team that celebrates, laughs, and occasionally dips brushes in wine glasses? Check our open positions — no painting skills required.
P.S. - Yoana is still accepting painting lessons if anyone wants to volunteer. The bar is very, very low.
