Our participants for this workshop with their artwork!
How do you get to be Andy Warhol and Bruno Mars in one afternoon? By attending the Ukulele Paint & Play Workshop, of course! On 3 September 2022, 19 SUSS alumni got together to develop their artistic and musical abilities under the watchful eyes of Small Giant Music and Avant-Garde Art Space.
The session started with an introduction to the ukulele; a simple 4-stringed instrument synonymous with relaxing on a Hawaiian beach. The task was to tune and learn the 4 basic chords, then strum along to Count on Me by Bruno Mars. While not gargantuan, the tasks were enough to stump those who are not musically inclined, like myself. But true enough, instructors and fellow alumni could be counted on to offer help. Once we got in touch with our inner musicians, it was time to remove the strings of the instrument and get messy with the painting.
Various mediums were available for us to utilise; markers, spray paints, water-soluble colour pencils, and acrylic paints. Acrylic paints were the most popular choice because of their bright colours and ease of application. Our chosen designs were first transferred onto our instruments via pencil sketches, before being painted in. Along the way, the instructors showed us how different brushes and brush strokes could be applied to create different effects (If you dab your thick brush vertically near the ends of a wave, it helps to create the sea foam necessary to bring the sea to life).
After 4 enjoyable hours, everyone’s work was ready for the photoshoot. There were bright smiles all around as we looked at our proud, completed works of art; ukuleles personalised to our liking, by us. This writer’s ukulele will be on proud display in his living room!
Some of our alumni creative works!
