My experience at the Asthra team’s Decoupage workshop
I find myself lucky to attend the Decoupage Art workshop conducted by Asthra Team in Akkulam Tourist Village, Trivandrum, on 3rd Dec, 23. The workshop was a refreshing experience, and I want to express my gratitude to the entire team for their effort and dedication in teaching all of us. Most of us were beginners in the art field, of different ages from 4-year-olds to senior citizens. Haritha, Diya, Jishnu, Kavya, Amal, Aishwarya and the whole team showed patience with everyone, provided art materials, and explained every step, in detail. Despite the language barrier (Malayalam), they made sure to explain everything in English and Hindi. We had sufficient time to create our crafts, introduced ourselves, interacted with each other, took plenty of pictures, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. In the end, there was a sense of satisfaction for spending the Sunday morning on something worthwhile. Instead of sleeping or watching TV, participating in such workshops is the best way to utilize our weekends. I believe families should come together and engage in such activities. A very unique and enjoyable way to spend the weekend!
What is Decoupage?
It is a cool craft where you decorate things by sticking on cut-out pieces of paper or fabric and covering them with varnish or glue. It’s a way to turn regular stuff into your own special creations, whether it’s furniture, home decorations, or anything else.
Origin
Decoupage comes from the French word “decouper,” which means “to cut out.” Decoupage began in France during the 17th century as a budget-friendly option for people who couldn’t afford painted furniture. French artists would stick pictures onto furniture to make it look prettier.
Procedure
To begin with decoupage, you simply cut out pictures and stick them onto an object. After that, cover the object and pictures with a few layers of glue or decoupage medium to keep it safe. Put it on wood, fabric, or things that soak up liquid. When it dries, it turns clear and keeps the paper cuts you glued on nice and tight. You can glue pictures on almost anything: furniture, shelves, frames, vases, cans, bottles, rocks, and more.
Mental Benefits
Making art can help you deal with tough feelings, take your mind off stress, and get into a good, focused state. It’s like a kind of therapy, and you end up with a beautiful piece of art. Even if you’re not great at art, it can still make you feel better. Moreover, doing art and craft in a group show great results. It helps us to share our ideas and make you connected with the society. If you cannot find time to do artwork, just visit an art museum because recent studies have discovered that simply visiting an art museum and enjoying art can also boost mental well-being.