#3. I painted in the dark, and I liked it :)

A painting workshop in a unique retro-futuristic atmosphere. Immerse yourself in a fluorescent neon-lit setting to create your own work of art. Brush in one hand, glass in the other (with or without alcohol), unleash your inner artist! Paint in the Dark gives you carte blanche to express your creativity, so close your eyes... the experience has already begun!

A peek of the Paint in the Dark event in Geneva in mid-January 2024:

Why I enjoyed it and would recommend it to a friend:

• It was fun! It felt like painting inside a vessel. Not to mention that the whole experience was sensory rich: the dark environment and neon lights, the groovy music, the fluorescent effects of the acrylic painting, people around me having fun.
• It was unexpected. I must say that the only expectation I had when attending this event was that it would be a guided class. Yet, when I arrived, the table was set up with a white canvas and art supplies, and immediately after arriving, the only instructions we were given were: you can start, a black canvas works better for fluorescent painting and have fun. Initially, it was a little unsettling not to know where to start. However, after a few minutes of experimentation, it was liberating to have such creative freedom without any pressure, comparison or criticism.
• I did something new. There were a couple of firsts: it was my first time painting in the dark under neon lights and using fluorescent acrylic paints as a medium. Conclusion: it was refreshing to leave my comfort zone and try a different approach. It definitely planted a seed for me to keep exploring this particular format.
• I got to take my artwork home, which I put in my studio as a reminder to have fun and try new things more often!

Where to begin? The frightening and yet welcoming of all possibilities blank canvas:

Lessons learned:

• I should try new activities at least once a month. Time passes by so quickly, and being a creature of habits, I always found myself doing the same things. Sometimes, I lack inspiration, but I realise I need a fresh perspective when I explore new possibilities.
• Spending money on exploratory activities is an investment, not a waste of resources. Sometimes, I feel guilty about spending money on this kind of event. Somehow, I have this misconception that having fun or doing child-like activities isn’t serious enough to deserve my time or money. This is false; like a plant that needs watering, every creative endeavour must be nurtured to flourish. So, I’m reframing my thoughts to recognise how important these activities are to keep me on top of my game.
• It’s refreshing not to rely on reference images and paint freely from imagination.

Voilà, here’s my final painting:

For some reason, I felt like painting a butterfly. As you can see, I was thrilled with my artwork, but even happier because I had a great time:

I hope you enjoyed this issue and felt inspired to try a new activity.

Warmly,

Natasha :)