Local Artist Brings Color, Joy & Stress Relief to Hendricks County
More than a decade ago, Melissa Cain of Avon was told by doctors to find a hobby to help relieve stress. She had developed epilepsy as an adult, and stress triggered and increased her seizures.
She leaned into her artistic strengths, looking back to her grade school days when she enjoyed drawing, crafting and creating. Even as an adult, Cain loved doing art projects with her children — and “making a mess” was never off the table. That same year, Cain’s daughter turned seven and requested a painting party, which became the perfect segue into exploring her love for art.
“We had a painting party for her, and it was a hit,” Cain says. “I started out just asking the kids what they wanted to paint. I’d sketch it out, and they would fill in the lines. Friends started asking me to schedule a party for their children, and then adults started suggesting a paint and sip night.”
She hosted parties and other events from her home until opening a retail space in Danville 13 years ago. The Danville location eventually closed, but the hiatus didn’t last long — Cain is back with her new studio, Cain’s Creative Chaos, on the east side of the county. The space hosts birthday parties, workshops, paint and sip nights and more.
Visitors can schedule private events or stop in several days a week for the activity of the day.
“My workshops include all different mediums,” Cain says. “We paint on canvas, glass, pottery, woodwork, epoxy resin and UV resin projects. There’s a wide variety to choose from, and I offer one at least once per week. Sometimes I do an à la carte workshop where guests can do any of those, but it’s always something they can bring home with them.”
Cain’s Creative Chaos also offers fundraising opportunities. Hosts can organize a painting or craft fundraiser and receive 40% of the sales toward their organization’s cause.
She also offers at-home kits for those who live farther away or simply want a creative family night at home. Customers can order a variety of kits, pick them up or have them shipped. Each kit includes everything needed to complete the project, plus a step-by-step video to guide participants to the finished product.
Perhaps most popular, however, is the Chaos Room.
“Think of it like a rage room, but instead of breaking things, you’re throwing paint on a canvas,” Cain says. “It’s really fun with a group or on a date night. You wear a hazmat suit, we close the door, and you’re just flinging paint. We actually have people come from far away to do it, and what’s funny is, they’re often surprised that they can take the canvas home with them. They’d be happy to just throw the paint around the room and call it a day.”
With her love for art, Cain also supports other artists and their pursuits.
The building she’s in features around 25 local artists’ works for sale in her gift shop — from paintings to sculpture, mixed media to photography. The featured artists also offer their own workshops at Cain’s Creative Chaos on a regular basis.
She does everything she can to invite people in to enjoy the arts while supporting those who spend their days creating and honing their skills.
“We do pop-up markets in front of the store,” Cain adds. “During the warmer months, we have First Fridays with food trucks, live music and vendors with a variety of handmade goods and artwork.”
For the ultimate relaxing art venture, Cain offers art retreats several times a year in spots across the country. She may participate in an art show while there, but she also plans art-related field trips and daily creative projects for the group.
Each five- to seven-day trip includes time to visit destinations like Panama City Beach, Colorado Springs or Southern California, depending on the season.
In the future, Cain hopes to move to a location that would allow her to bring in permanent vendor booths and studio space for fellow artists. Until then, she continues sharing her passion with others who can relate.
It’s a dream come true for Cain. From being a little girl making crafts to creating with her own children, she’s always cherished the gift of art and the joy of sharing it.
“I would have never thought I’d teach others how to paint. If it wasn’t for my children asking for painting parties, I don’t know if I would have given it a shot,” she says. “I think it was easier to start with young people and grow from there as my confidence grew. That opportunity, plus my experience in graphic design and marketing, has made this business a success.”
For more information or to reserve your spot at a workshop or in the Chaos Room, visit cainscreativechaos.com.
