Sculpting and Painting Parties
I previously wrote about making art fun and making art accessible. The sculpting and painting parties have been a lot of fun so far and there are more coming! People need that time to unwind and relax, to let go of the stress of the everyday life. Those two or three hours are very therapeutic. You can see the difference in people’s faces from start to end, at least most of them. Not only they come stressed but also you can see how nervous they are. I understand. It is intimidating when you don’t know what you are getting yourself into. People is also facing a self-imposed social challenge in these events: they are trying to prove something to others and themselves. That’s one of the things I try to break with in these events. We are not competing. We don’t have to finish if we don’t want to. We are here to have fun and enjoy the ride.
During the sculpting and painting parties I can also observe how personalities and ways of thinking are reflected or poured out on a painting. It is possible to develop an awareness of this fact if one pays attention to it. Many people can’t tell. Everyone is looking at the same scene and all the paintings look so different. I observe how they paint and sculpt and the pressure in their hands, the brush strokes, the colors, the lines, their attitudes and aptitudes are all revealed in the process. It is so much fun to see people challenging themselves, fighting against their own nature tendency to be stressed, but at the same time putting who they are in what they do.
It is also very interesting how many people have no idea of their natural talent and how peaceful it is to engage in the creative process once you immerse yourself in it. There are many talented people out there, but because they never tried before, because of time, and life choices, that talent remains hidden. Moreover, people don’t know that talent is not necessary to have a good time and relax, especially if that is what you are there for. I’m not expecting people to become master painters or sculptors in two hours. I want them to have fun while enjoying the benefits of art.