ROCKPORT – It was a party. A funky chicken painting party at Laugh Loud, Smile Big, 4 Strawberry Lane on Friday night. Approximately 35 people gathered to eat, drink and paint. Sue Begin, (pronounced Be-gun), an artist from Augusta, led the class as they went from blank canvas to finished painting, one brush stroke and one sip of wine at a time. And yes, there were a lot of laughs. Especially when it came time to paint the wiggle, wiggle, gobble, gobbles. At least that's what they called them.

Vicky Murray, owner of Laugh Loud, Smile Big, said the evening was titled Cupcakes and Canvas.

"It was something we started about three years ago," she said. "I have an artist come over from Augusta and they sign up on Facebook. Our page has a number of paintings they can choose from and they pick the one they want to come in and paint."

Laugh Loud, Smile Big provides cupcakes, cake-pops, cheese and crackers, coffee and water. Those attending can choose their favorite beverage to bring in if they desire. Wine glasses, openers and ice is provided by Laugh Loud, Smile Big.

The class maintains a party atmosphere.

"We have two or three private groups in there," Murray said. "Six, or four people and sometimes 10 who come for a birthday party, a bachalorette party, a bridal shower. If there's 15 or more they can book their own private party instead of joining the public party."

Murray said the funky chicken theme is popular.

"We have a waiting list on that one," she said. "It's very popular and it will be seen again."

Murray said when she opened the shop ten years ago, she noticed on social media around the country that a lot of people were doing sip and paint parties.

"I thought it would be fun to offer it in this area," she said. "I got on Google and found Sue in Augusta and we put together a plan. We've been doing it ever since."

The class is $30, but they provide the munchies. Unlike other venues those who attend the class don't have to pay additional fees for munchies, canvas and paint. And they can bring their own adult beverage if they prefer.

"We have 35 people here tonight, but we've done up to 80 in a class," Murray said. "That's a crowd, especially on a summer night, but the average is 25 to 35. In the summer we offer it every other week."

Murray said the paint room is actually where the cupcake shop started.

"This room is where we started," she said. "There was another business up front and it was almost three years ago that the business closed and we expanded so we would have the road frontage. Now, people will rent this back space for parties. We do the paint parties and we do cupcake birthday parties for adults and kids. Bridal showers, wedding receptions or you can rent the space for your own party, or we'll do the party for you."

Murray said up front they offer the gourmet cupcakes, cake-pops and balloons.

"I bought out Party Fundamental balloons when they went out of business," she said. "We've been doing a lot of sugar cookie orders and we mail those out. We get a lot of kids from the elementary and high school. There's a path where they can walk over and hang out before their athletic practices."

Murray said by far they serve more adults then kids. They have 15 weddings booked for just the month of June.

"My relatives all said I would slow down in the summer, but that's just not the case," she said. "A lot of offices come in all day long and grab a dozen or so cupcakes. We've done everything from the bridal shower, to the wedding, to the baby shower and then baby's first birthday. It's fun and you can follow them right along."

Murray said everything is fresh and they bake every morning.

"We knew today was going to be warm, so we did all ice cream flavors on the bar," she said. "Raspberry filled, ice cream sundae, Neapolitan, and we dress them up for the holidays, too. We sold out three times today, but we just kept baking."

Murray said she prefers the more savory cupcakes like olive oil and rosemary, or strawberry basil.

Laugh Loud, Smile Big employs four full time employees and two part time.

Class instructor and artist Sue Begin was really excited about painting the funk chicken.

"The funky chicken is really cute and we have a lot of artists, so the chickens will have a lot of different personalities," she said. "This will be a really fun class and I can't wait to see how they all turn out."

Begin said half the class is first timers.

"I like that because they will be finding their own way, their own technics," she said. "I just guide them and when they look back at their finished masterpiece they'll remember and say how much fun they had doing that. And that is the ultimate goal."

Begin is based in Augusta, but works in a 50 mile radius.

"I'm actually going on four years now of doing this," she said. I love what I do and it's so exciting to get to know people and teach them. It's a good living and I'm very happy with it. When I started, I just fell in love with it."

Begin said this was an average class in terms of numbers.

"I've done up to 80," she said. "25 to 35 is the average, but if I have over 40 participants I have assistants who help me, so everyone gets the same level of attention and it's a great experience."

A woman in the class came up to Begin and said her brush wasn't working right. Begin laughed.

"It's just like penmanship," she said. "You can hand different people the same pen and their writing styles will all be different. You have to explain different brush styles and encourage people to find the style that works best for them personally."

Begin said she's been working with Laugh Loud, Smile Big going on three years. She said its gone beyond a working relationship and turned into friendship and respect, as well.

"The people in this area are so fun and enjoyable," she said. "I always look forward to coming here. People are here to have fun, but they are creative and they take it serious too."