The evening was far from ordinary, apart from the usual aroma of coffee, laughter filled the air at this cozy café at Miramar in Panjim. Paint brushes caressed the paper creating beautiful strokes and thoughts delved further into the world of imagination.
The brainchild behind this, was Goa-based artist Shruti Narayan, who in collaboration with Kishore Thukral and Anjali Khosla of the Blue Brick Wall Café and Beer Bar curated an art workshop on Self Expression.
On the occasion of International Women's Day, the café welcomed participants from all walks of life to immerse themselves in the world of art.
"March 8, celebrates women and I thought of conducting a workshop for people who've never had a drawing experience. The idea was to include everyone to celebrate their individuality and creative self," said Shruti Narayan, an art mentor with an experience of over two decades.
Shruti has been conducting art workshops all over the country. She does personalised as well as online art sessions, all while taking time out to work on commissioned paintings.
"I love art. Watching the positive effect colours and art have on people and seeing them more relaxed when they create it, is what makes it all worthwhile," she said and further added, " I believe colours bring the shade on a sunny day and so I do these art workshops," she smiles.
Those participating in the workshop were encouraged to create artworks using their creativity and imagination.
To begin with they were asked to imprint their thumbprint which is unique, later creating a metaphor or something that best described their personality.
They were guided to paint their creations using water colours and use a pen to create a thumbprint like expression on their artwork to give it their bespoke stamp.
With art doing it's usual magic of calming every cell in the body, everyone at the café relaxed and engaged in a friendly interaction.
The welcoming Blue Brick Wall Café and Beer Bar in Miramar was not just host to coffees but to conversations and meeting some like-minded people.
Not to forget, apart from art, there was more to indulge on, including the cafe's delicious coffee, cupcakes and croissants which were part of the entire package.
All in all, the evening was all smiles and happy faces and as one participant went on to share mid-session, "I am just liberated and enjoying what I am doing."
"This (the art workshop) was a first of its kind for me in a café," said Shruti who went on to reveal her plans of organising many such exciting workshops in the future.
"I wanted to establish a benchmark and am already in talks with similar places for more workshops. I will keep you posted," she shared excitedly.
In year 2024 alone, Shruti has organized workshops at various events including the Goa Book Fair, Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in Mumbai and the recently held Goa Open Arts Festival.
Anyone who has ever put a paintbrush to paper will agree that art serves not only as a means of expression, but also as a form of therapy. And with art workshops letting one create something from scratch, art can also empower.
"These sessions are meant to be non-judgmental, relaxing, fun and easy-going while creating art on the side, if all these add up, a masterpiece follows," smiled Shruti on that concluding note.