MERIDEN — Artists of all ages and experience can expect a no-mess, creative experience when they attend digital paint nights at The Artists Colony.
The two-and-a-half hour sessions are hosted by local artist Apollo Maldonado.
“It’s more interactive, more therapeutic, there is no guesswork, no worry about paint splatter or even the fear that you’re going to mess up,” Maldonado said. “You’re actually able to create a painting using software that mimics real paint.”
The studio at 5 Colony St. opened in January. The first paint night was for members of Making Meriden Business Center, located in the same building.
“It adds to the art community,” said Dave Cooley, co-director of Making Meriden. “The community wants the downtown to come back to life.”
Participants create a painting by using an interactive screen to choose different brushes, mediums, colors and stencils.
The completed work is printed on canvas and mimics the textured appearance of real paint.
Mediums like water colors look like they’re really dripping down the screen and “water” can be added to create more of a dripping effect.
“They can expect to have complete creative freedom to create anything they want,” Maldonado said.
He typically spends the start of a session explaining the software, called Rebelle. Participants can then create whatever they want either freehand or with a variety of built-in stencils, including some Maldonado created himself.
The studio uses LED lights and calming music to encourage creativity.
Paint nights are offered nearly every night through May in two time slots; either 4-6:30 p.m., or 7-9:30 p.m.
Maldonado, founder and CEO of All Sketched Out Designs LLC, also offers one-on-one instruction and is planning to hold after-school programs for students.
He is currently working with a 12-year-old who aspires to be a fashion designer.
“I love to see people be creative,” he said. “I love to see them use their minds differently and see what they come up with.”
More information can be found by calling 203-600-0278, or emailing allsketchedout33@gmail.com
akus@record-journal.com
203-317-2448
Twitter: @KusReporter