My seven-year old twin daughters love doing art projects. They delve into it at will and enjoy dabbling in different mediums. It is something that I wholeheartedly encourage because it not only spurs creativity but gives our household some much-needed quiet time. They churn out their "masterpieces" at breakneck pace and after keeping a digital record, I have to resort to disposing most of them as discreetly as possible 😛
In August of 2020, I received a kind invitation from Splat Paint House, a one-of-a-kind splatter paint studio in Singapore. I accepted the invitation and it turned out to be a memorable family experience. Our twins undoubtedly had a blast but for me, the highlight was allowing them to make as much of a mess as they wanted to, without having the dreaded task of clean up afterwards #momwin 🙌
I recently received an invitation to visit their sister concept, Spin Paint House. At this new studio you can spin your way into art. If it sounds like fun, that's because it is 😊
If the concept of Spin Art is new to you (like it was to me), allow me to briefly explain. To create Spin Art, the artist initially drips paint onto a canvas that is secured to a platform that can be rotated at high speed. The artist can then begin to spin the canvas. As the canvas rotates, centrifugal forces draw the wet paint outwards, creating intricate designs. The artist can drip paint of assorted colors in different patterns onto the canvas as it is spinning, thus layering paints on top of each other, creating mesmerising effects. With enough creativity, a spin artist can blend colors together into subtle designs. At any point during this process, the artist can stop the spinning platform to view the canvas. Since the canvas is usually rotating at a high speed, it is difficult if not impossible to view the image on the canvas until the platform has stopped spinning, thus creating an element of surprise during the creation process.
Spin Art has been popularized by famous artists such as Damien Hirst, Swarez and Callen Schaub.
Spin Paint House offers a space dedicated for artistic expression, for mess and for play.
There are custom-built tables that allow canvases to be spun using only one's own energy with a hand crank. The adjustable rotations per minute enable the user to vary the speed for amazing diffusion effects or slow it down for a sleek wave from the pendulums and trapezes. The ergonomic tables enable the user to create momentum comfortably, making the experience enjoyable and safe for people of all ages.
I booked a 1.5 hour session on a Saturday morning. The studio is tucked away in an industrial estate of Bedok. We parked a little distance away and spent a few minutes walking around searching for the studio even though it was right there! Just look for this building and you have the location.
The studio is spacious and well ventilated. There are individual booths with spin tables and a O-ring light. Aprons are provided but still there is a washroom where you can wash up at the end of the session.
As I mentioned before, being new to Spin Art, we didn’t know how to go about it. There is a tv mounted on the wall playing videos of some of the techniques you can use on a loop which is rather helpful. A staff member showed us the manner of spinning the platform (clockwise direction) and how to gently apply the brake. She also patiently demonstrated the paint techniques we could use. We were provided with a choice of paint colors and tools. Note that this is a DIY zone so you are encouraged to do whatever you feel like.
Our package included five types of canvases - one heart, one circle, two rectangles and one split canvas. We divided ourselves into pairs and each pair received a choice of four regular paints, two special paints and a variety of props to choose from such as squeeze bottles, buckets, brushes, mixing cups, rollers and ice-cream sticks.
On that note, you can check out their website for a comprehensive range of packages.
We were sensible in choosing the paint colors so that we could share them between booths. I recommend that you choose either the silver or gold special paint as it glamorises the final art piece. I really liked the neon paints as well as it livens up the canvas.
Spin Paint House uses high quality, child-safe tempera paint from New Zealand. It does not have any unpleasant chemical odours and is environmentally friendly and non-toxic and formulated to international safety standards. It happens to be gluten-free, and does not contain dairy, egg, soy or peanut products, by-products or derivatives (if that matters to you).
We started with the atypical canvases namely the heart and the circular shape. Keep in mind that you cannot use very high spinning speeds with these as they can fly off the platform. Also, the paint does tend to spatter a bit as the canvas is spinning. My suggestion is to dress in clothes and footwear that you don't mind getting soiled (even if you do, the paint is washable). It is reassuring to note that the paint is body safe and will wash off in the shower very easily.
The first canvas turned into an experiment of sorts to see what would happen when we used different rotational speeds and paint patterns. You can leave the canvas white as it is or apply a uniform base coat or else divide the canvas into designated areas with assorted base coats using a brush or roller. All you need is some imagination and creativity. I guarantee that you will be mesmerised by your own creations as we sure were.
Remember that it isn't just the spinning of colors that you can do. You can even paint desired shapes and patterns on the finished canvas. As we were spinning, the peppy music in the background and privacy made the experience enjoyable and relaxing at the same time.
Our twins were totally into it and after a while, we could see that they wanted to go at it alone without any inputs or suggestions from us meddling adults!
This is what my daughter and I created. A bleeding heart and psychedelic art (that actually rhymes...haha)
Look at what our other half created. I love it!
For the split canvas, we left the twins completely to their own devices. They were thrilled to bits! I could see how comfortable they were and how much fun they were having. They were easily able to turn the canvas and apply the brake as and when needed. Towards the end, they started getting quite carried away and I had to request them to stop before the canvas reached a point of no return. Although, now that I think about it, I don't think there is such a thing. You could always paint the canvas black and just start over.
By the end of the session, our twins had created an eye-catching artwork that I definitely see getting framed and going up on the wall in their room 😊
We couldn't bring back our masterpieces back home immediately. The paint needs 48 hours to dry. The studio will hang on to them for 2 weeks so you need to go back to collect them before that. If you are not able to do so then you have the option to arrange for delivery.
We came back home and headed straight for the shower. It was an eventful morning and as a family, we had heaps of fun while spending quality time with each other. Our twins have been repeatedly asking us to go again.
Information for first-timers:
- Book a timeslot, or walk in
- Kids under 8 years of age should be accompanied by a parent or guardian
- Dress in clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. Aprons provided, but paint flies far
- The staff will provide a short briefing and will introduce Spin Art and some techniques used
- Depending on your package, you will be given the canvases
- Choose the paint colours and props
- Head to your assigned booth and start creating. Each table fits two comfortably
- Once the canvas is completed, it is placed on the drying rack to dry. This takes 48 hours
- Come back to collect your canvases or you can arrange for delivery
- No food or drinks in the studio, unless you have booked a private rental
- Lockers are available (FOC) to store valuables
Summary:
If you don't think you have artistic talent, Spin Art will prove you wrong. Abstract art is beautiful no matter what so with that thought, free your mind from stress, let loose and color your world.
Unleashing one’s creativity to design something beautiful in a safe environment while not having to worry about the mess with the added advantage of having fun in the process is a colossal win in my books.
Check out Spin Art Studio folks. It is an innovative and therapeutic art jamming experience that is suitable for people of all ages and group sizes. As a child-friendly and family-friendly activity, I give it brownie points!
Spin Paint House
Address:
61 Kaki Bukit Place
#04-00
Singapore 416233
Look out for the 'PRINTAID' building.
By car: Limited free lots available.
Park at the public lots across the road, or at the Eunos Techpark parking lots (60 Kaki Bukit Place)
By MRT: Take the Downtown Line to Kaki Bukit, Exit B.
Walk about 650m (8 minutes)
By Bus: Nearest bus stops serve 5, 15, 58, 59, 87
Operating hours:
Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday to Friday: 3–9pm
Saturday: 10am–9pm
Sunday: 10am–8pm
Contact & Social Media:
For the social media savvy, you can tag them on FB and IG.
@spinpainthouse #spinpainthouse
Have you tried Spin Art? What did you think of the experience? And more importantly, which one of our masterpieces did you like best? (it'll help us settle the long-standing dispute at home 😄)
Cheers,
Megha
Disclaimer: We were invited to the Spin Paint House to try the session. I have not accepted any monetary compensation to write a positive review. All opinions are honest and my own.
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