Ladies Night Art Jam @ Tekka 1001

Last month May at Tekka Place, we spent a night with a group of wonderful ladies who expressed their thoughts and feelings through abstract art inspired by the artist Jackson Pollock.

What makes this Art Jam different from others is that there is no copying of photographs, every expression is from within. And guidance is provided in terms of creative exercises as a warm-up at the beginning and prompts given at every step of the way. And they each create a piece of artwork on canvas with various tools and materials.

Making every stroke, every mark with much courage in this safe space. Some strokes might be experimental, some marks might be exploratory but all purposeful and meaningful. Even if no words can be expressed, the process is an expression of one's thoughts and feelings.

Many thanks to Tekka Place, Millet Group and Tekka 1001 for this cosy place for art making

Our art jam sessions are designed to develop and exercise your creativity while caring for your mental health. Do contact us if you would like a session at your school, workplace or organisation.

Galaxy Art @ Jurong Playgrounds

It was our first time having an art workshop at the Jurong Playgrounds Weekend Market during the March School Holidays and it was such a fun venue to be at!

An Art Making Session for Multiple-Aged Kids

When I first planned this Galaxy Art Workshop, it was meant to be for preschoolers. But having multiple aged kids myself, I really hope that siblings, no matter how far apart their ages were, could attend the workshop together and that would mean a lot to parents! No need to stress over what the younger or older child have to do while waiting for the one attending the art making session!

Most people would also think that preschoolers can't create together with older children. But the magic of process art bonds children together! It was truly amazing seeing 4 year old to 11 year old kids creating together at the same table with the same amount of focus and concentration.

Always Wonder and Be Curious

Parent's participation was optional but I was so heartened to see parents staying beside their kids and observing their creativity flow. Process art is indeed a family affair. To all kids (and adults), never stop wondering and being curious about the world around you!

Ebook: I Hear You

In 2019, my good friend Valerie and I, were sitting at an indoor playground at Funan. Our kids were having a playdate. And our conversation led to an idea. Valerie wanted to write a book about emotions and she asked me to illustrate it. We gave ourselves a 1-year deadline to complete it.

Little did we know that Covid will strike. But we spent 6 months in 2020 to edit and illustrate the book. And on 14th October 2020, we published the book in paperback. (Read the book reviews here)

Since 2020, we've sold about 1000 copies, given away a few hundreds and also donated many copies to the library. 3 years on, we've decided that to make "I Hear You" available as an ebook.

About the Book

I Hear You is a book about giving voice to a child's emotional world. It explores 8 emotions child might feel through the eyes of a snail.

The illustrations might look very raw and amateur as it was my first real project in illustrating a children's book. But most importantly it got the point across. And I love how 'snail's were inspired by Valerie's everyday life:

Nature and snails have a very special meaning for my family. It has almost become a daily routine whenever we walk past the neighbourhood garden. We will look out for snails resting on the walls, snails moving slowly on the pavements and snails climbing very carefully on the lamppost.

Every snail has an emotion to inspire you to slow down to hear your child's emotions. Slow down like the snail. There's homework to complete, dinner to be finished and bedtime's coming. Slow down a little to hear your child's emotion. Every behaviour has an underlying emotion that wants to be heard and acknowledged.

This is a story for children, parents, educators. And even for adults. Adults who were never given that emotional validation as a child.

Ebook now available for purchase

• PDF file download: https://ko-fi.com/s/f31caf53e1

• Most major digital book platforms like kobo and overdrive: https://books2read.com/u/4EN0az

Get the ebook today to engage and connect with a child's emotions (and your emotions)!

P.S. If you still prefer a hardcopy, you can borrow the book from any Singapore National Library Branch. Or if you would like to make a bulk order to give them out to clients, students or community groups, do reach out to us at cartwheelssg@gmail.com