Participants got together through a workshop to give new life to thrifted canvases, unleashing their creativity by adding ghosts and other spooky elements to create one-of-a-kind decorations.
“It’s time to get creative. It’s a fun little trend that allows people to get creative,” said the program coordinator, Natasha LeBlond.
On Oct 14, the Education Centre at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery hosted a ghost painting workshop, providing a collection of thrifted paintings and art reproduction to choose from, as well as art materials.
The workshop is inspired by the thrifted ghost painting trend on TikTok and Instagram. It is a trend that encourages people to refurbish thrifted paintings by adding ghost, bats and other markings of this Halloween-y season.
LeBlond said after discussing with some co-workers, they decided to turn this trend into a workshop for the community.
“We thought it would be a great idea to make it a workshop for everyone. And it is also an opportunity to make some really nice decorations,” said LeBlond.
She said during the year — especially during the summer — she runs different workshops for all ages, but mostly for kids and families. However, she was “excited” for this workshop since it is meant for adults.
“This workshop sold out quickly,” LeBlond said. “We provided all the materials, making it easier for people to get together and have the chance to do this activity.”
She said she started the workshop by giving some advice on how to paint a “nice looking” ghost. LeBlond helped participants when they needed, but most of them had skills and knew what the trend was about.
“It was exciting to see people getting creative and having a nice time.”
LeBlond said there is not a pattern when it comes to drawing the ghosts, as participants can design them with a spooky style, dressed up or doing a fun activity. She added it all depends on the painting’s theme they use as their background.
“I got different sides of paintings. Some spooky ones and some with landscape paintings,” she said.
Natalie Darmond, a second-year student at the University of New Brunswick, said she always wanted to try this challenge. When she found out the gallery offered all the materials, she decided to give it a try.
“I wanted to paint something spooky and turned into something completely different,” said Darmond. “My ghost was a romantic one.”
Darmond said the workshop was a fun activity that challenged her creativity and made her get into the Halloween spirit.
“Everyone has different styles, which make all of our ghosts to have a unique look,” said Darmond.
LeBlond said participants had fun “painting on a painting.” She added this workshop challenges your creativity when you have to decide where to draw the ghost and the way it’s going to look like.
“A fun little activity for people who get their imagination going,” said LeBlond.
