Art jam, happy together!  

By Lisa He Li Sha

 

 

Say the word “art” and most people would probably think it is something far away from us since art is not a necessity in our daily life.

 

However, “art jam”, a social painting activity which a group of 10 or more people get together to explore the fun of painting, is becoming popular in recent years, indicating that art is not only for artists, but also for average people; it is not only a solitary exploration, but an entertainment one could easily enjoy with other people, particularly friends and family members.

 

Unlike traditional painting, art jam allows participants to draw anything they want without interference, and art skills are not required. They can go painting with friends, family and whomever they want. In a word, art jam is for everyone to experience painting in a sociable way.

 

“Art jam is gradually on the rise in the West and Hong Kong in these years, so we followed the trend and brought this concept to Macao,’’ said Suey Ho, a local artist, founder of a painting studio called Oily Duck Art Playground which officially opened in 2013. It is one of the earliest art jam painting studios in Macao, which has gained more than 1,800 fans on Facebook.

 

“Some of my friends often complain that they don’t know what to unwind after work. Macao people do need more choices about entertainment and leisure activities,” Ho continued. She considered art jam as a new way for modern people to relax their souls.

 

“Art jam to art is what karaoke is to singing”

 

Most people tend to believe that art involves complicated skills and knowledge and it is not something can easily to start with. Yet Ho held a different opinion about it.

 

“It is common to see people singing at karaoke (KTV), but if you tell someone to do painting today, they will hesitate. I think there is no difference between the two. Art jam to art is what karaoke is to singing, ” Ho remarked, hoping that people could join art jam just as they sing at KTV.

 

“Art is not like a star high above in the sky, it can be experienced by everyone. Art jam provides exactly the opportunity for everyone to enjoy,” Ho stressed.

 

Painting from the heart

 

Generally speaking, art jam painting studios provide all the essentials needed, including canvas, free flow acrylic paints, painting tools and use of aprons. People just need to go to these painting studios, spend hours dipping paintbrushes, smearing blobs of paint on a canvas, and creating their very own masterpieces.

 

Such a free and relaxing atmosphere can help people get in touch more easily with their deeper feelings, while true happiness does come from within. “We emphasize feeling, the pure and instinctual response that comes from deep inside of the heart. Art jam helps you express that impulse, discover your inner self, and thus gain genuine happiness,” said Ho.