HAVE you ever thought that painting with your fingers can help sooth emotions, calm down and relax the mind, and reduce stress and depression, especially during this Covid-19 pandemic?
Known as Pastel Nagomi Art, which originated from Japan, this unique art is said to have a therapeutic effect.
Using pastels and fingers, one can create a beautiful and heart-touching artwork through simple yet unique ways of painting techniques.
“It took about five years for this art to be introduced in Malaysia before taking three to four years for the art to be promoted in Penang.
“It helps people to relieve their stress, eliminate negative emotions, cultivate their moods and heal their souls during this challenging period,” said Ooi Viv a tutor of Viv Pastel Nagomi Art Workshop during an interview session with Buletin Mutiara recently.
During the session which lasted more than an hour, Ooi passionately explained and showed Buletin Mutiara the steps to painting using fingers.
“The art of pastel is simple and easy to learn and even those without any background of art or painting can easily adapt to it.
“The person uses fingers to paint, bringing harmony, tranquility and joy to the soul.
“Pastel art is arbitrary. There is no requirement for you to use any specific colours or fancy methods to perform it. The process is entirely carried out by using your own feelings,” she said, while encouraging the people to have the courage to give it a try.
To start the painting process, Ooi explained that the harmonious pastels are painted on a 15cm X 15cm format paper.
“The painter need not complete a large painting. The most important thing is that the painter can complete it in a shortest period of time throughout the entire process.
“The therapeutic nature of this pastel art is able to bring harmony, peace and bliss to your heart.
“This pastel art therapy can also increase one’s self-awareness and self discovery,” she said.
Many of her students, including professionals, have enjoyed her interactive workshops filled with fun and joy.
After the movement control order (MCO) was introduced in March this year, many of her meeting sessions and classes have to be conducted virtually.
The Viv Pastel Nagomi Art Workshop was not spared either, as it was switched to online teaching sessions.
Surprisingly, Ooi said her number of students has gone up following the pandemic situation.
“Students from abroad have doubled as I can see the numbers from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Canada keep increasing.
“This is mainly due to the fact that many of them are unable to go out during this period and they took this period to improve themselves in this art aspect,” she added.
Generally, her online teaching sessions would cater up to 10 people, depending on the courses.
If the courses are difficult to understand, then there would be fewer students during the sessions.
This would allow the facilitator to utilise the time to explain the courses’ details, said Ooi.
On the time needed to complete the artwork, she pointed out it depends on each person’s speed.
For instance, it can be completed in just three minutes for a simple pastel art while some may even take up to two hours.
“This pastel art is suitable for kids as young as three years old.
“It also suits those senior citizens, who can try their hands on the pastel art.
“Overall, it’s an amazing experience,” said the ZenVee Art of Therapy Academy founder.
For further details, visit https://www.facebook.com/zenveeart, or its website https://zenveeart.com/.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan