Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.  ~Pablo Picasso

The quote above sums up my thoughts after I attended Art Improv – a social art event hosted by Art Bug over the weekend.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The email invite had written ‘social painting’ and ‘art jam session’, so I was wondering if I was supposed to party with paints (something my daughter loves to do), or if I was supposed to make jam with some new friends.

Well, it was closer to the former. Except it was more like making new friends while partying with paint.

So I was infinitely glad to meet mummy-blogger Sandra and daddy-blogger Edmund there, along with their mini-mes.

The theme, we were told, was food. Ahhh, glorious, something so close to our hearts. But still, inspiration doesn’t quite happen automatically; I sat and stared at the empty square canvas set neatly like a plate in front of me.

And it stared back.

I looked over at the kids table, and they were busy painting their ice-cream boards already!

Thankfully, the people at Art Bug were really nice. Jaelle, the founder of Art Bug, told us we weren’t going to get graded. *whew* And Jo-rain, the friendly art teacher, also gave us some tips.

Just get started! She said.

Sigh, we adults have too much baggage on our minds. I walked gingerly to the colourful paint pantry, which seemed to be beckoning to me (or was that the buffet table?)…and I started to dish out some pretty colours onto a plate.

Something about the colours helped to get the gastro-creative juices flowing – of course the food and conversation around the table helped. (I can never work on an empty stomach.)

My first attempt was a steak and potato dish, which ended up rather blah, so that’s all you’ll ever hear of it. I quickly got a new canvas and started another piece, inspired by my recent visit to Vineyard restaurant – mm-mmm, the lemon lava cake! Sorry if mine doesn’t look half as delicious…

There’s something quite liberating about doing art the way I like it, and not caring about what the world thinks.

Think like a child.

Paint like a child. 

And…have FUN!

I think I was getting in touch with the child-artist in me again.

Here’s a video of the event.

You can also view more pictures on Art Bug’s facebook page.

Here comes the exciting bit. Art Improv is a curated single-session experience perfect for a child’s birthday party or a corporate networking event.

Art Bug is offering a special giveaway to 5 mamawearpapashirt readers! Simply choose from the following to win:

A) 20% discount for a birthday party for 15 children held at Art Bug (This means savings of $225 off the usual price of $1125!) 

OR

B) $30 Art Bug voucher redeemable for art classes

All you need to do is:

1. Comment on this post stating your preferred choice (that is, A or B)
2. Subscribe to my feed, by clicking this link
3. Pass the art bug on by clicking the Facebook or Twitter share button at the end of this post

That’s it! Hurry now and give your child a chance to catch the art bug! The contest ends 21 September, 9pm. Winners will be selected randomly, and informed the next day, 22 September!

Terms and conditions:

• Art Bug’s birthday party package is tailored for a minimum of 15 children, and includes food & drinks, paint buffet, event photography and 2 art educators experienced with children.

• Bookings need to be made before 31 October 2011, and is valid from now till 31 December 2011.

Thanks, Art Bug, for hosting such a cool event, and for breaking some of the barriers in our heads about art.

*Art Bug is a social enterprise focused on making art sociable, accessible and addictive. Profits from the centre are channelled back into research and curriculum development of arts education for the young, as well as art outreach and partner projects.