Tell us about yourself.
HX: I am Huixin, a Singaporean working in a real estate development company. As my job requires, and an Architect by training, design, planning and development are integral tasks of my daily routine at work.

JC: I am Jan, left Germany in 2006 to live in Singapore, and am working today for a charity enabling healthier, happier lives for humans and animals.

How did the both of you get started learning art at My Art Space?
HX: I had enjoyed art classes in school and creating artworks when I was still a young student, and this interest was gradually overtaken by other priorities in life. I wanted to rekindle this interest and thought My Art Space is a great place to start with.

My husband felt he couldn't draw, but was always trying to doodle, and end up frustrated usually. His scribbles were difficult to decipher, except for his occasional still-life sketches that took me by surprise! I couldn't get him to sign up for art classes himself (he says he dislikes art classes from his experience since a child) initially. So I took the liberty to gift him a trial session at My Art Space to try out a different kind of learning experience. The trial workshop had been frustrating for him, but it turned out that he felt motivated and challenged to continue working on improving his art.

JC: Yes, after the initial frustrations, I am very thankful for my wife signing me up. I really enjoy art now!

How has art bring the both of you closer together?
HX: I used to be the one who critiques his 'artworks', now he gets to critique mine too! Now with a better appreciation of art, we enjoy our outings to art galleries and museums much more, and discussing artworks.

Attending the exploration workshops or outdoor sketching together allowed us more time together doing something we both enjoy as a hobby and personal interest . And we get to expand our circle of mutual friends through workshops and events at My Art Space.

How does art enrich your life?
HX: I enjoy the process of self-discovery through the process of creating my own, or by appreciating someone else's artwork. And it is empowering to be able to express the way I see the world through painting and turning blank canvas into something reflective of my own thoughts. And the results can be surprising sometimes!

JC: Besides being a tool to express myself, art offers a place of stillness. It's rather meditative to do art for art's sake without any outside disturbances. Also, doing art together with your life's love is very enriching!

Please share on your learning experience and what you like about My Art Space.
HX: Rather than a formal classroom 'teaching', the learning is focused more on self-exploratory pace depending on each individual's comfort level and progress, with guidance from experienced and professional artists as instructors. The advice from Chankerk, Shan and Matthew helps a lot in viewing the same subject from a variety of perspectives, and each also focusing on different aspects of the painting which I find offers a well-rounded learning environment.

The studio ambiance is relaxed and comfortable to unwind after work and during the weekends while working on my canvas! Learning atmosphere is unassuming and unimposing, and I find this important as it allows for space to learn and discover.

All rights reserved by the artist for all images of artwork, please do not duplicate or replicate without permission.