Atelier Molenpad

I had the pure pleasure of painting myself in this amazing wooden attic in the middle of the noisy city. We were asked to use two colours to make our self portrait with our hands. No brushes, no pallet knife, no pencils but our own hands, our own fingers, we could use our nose, ears and feet but no one did.
I picked two colours, the most amazing blue that was calling my name from the first moment I saw it and I picked a yellow, as a sort of contrast to the blue. I would have picked green but I thought blue and yellow make green.
So I put my fingers in the paint and made a circle, and another one and another one. Soon I forgot all about me, it was just me and the paint. It was such an amazing experience.
Way to soon my time was up.
There I was, in colours, on painting.
I think I will be climbing those stairs up to the attic many more times and I can’t wait!

If you a searching for your inner artist and want to bring creativity and painting into your daily life then Atelier Molenpad is certainly the right choice for you. Located in a lovely Amsterdam building high in the attic, that is were the atelier is hidden away. It looks like it has been there for ages and well, it has, almost 40 years this place is used for painting.
I did a workshop here about a week ago and it was very inspiring and also a lot of fun. Your teacher, host and guide on your creative journey is the lovely Daniella and she sure does a great job. I highly recommend having a look at Molenpad’s courses because I am sure most people will love this place.

Recently attended a Unilocal event here and so glad that I did. Now I don’t fancy myself an artist but that’s ok — the art classes here are less about refining your artistic ability and more about using art as a way to better express/​define/​explore yourself. I’m sure natural talent helps and painting ability would be better but the short session I had really helped me to express who I am in visual and abstract terms. When you do that, you’re less concerned about the mechanics and more so about putting down on the canvas what’s inside of you. No matter what that may look like.
Don’t get me wrong, Daniella does explain some fundamental art terms. I’m sure if I spent more time in the studio, I would hone the limited skill that I have. But don’t be intimidated if you’re not a master of the paint brush — heck we didn’t even use brushes, just our hands.
At the very least, try one of the Art Jam sessions — a casual evening workshop with music, paint and wine (or juice).
The studio itself is quite beautiful and spacious. I would take a class just for the opportunity to spend some time in it.

wow, what a journey!
firstly, i flew some 10 501.2km!
secondly, i walked some 0.7km (yes, unfortunately i didn’t bring my bicycle)
thirdly, i climbed SOME flights of stairs to the top of the building.
finally, i arrived but only to find my journey just beginning!
atelier molenpad is gezellig!
the oft overuse adjective that i’ve come to be acquainted with during my short stay.
but gezellig is a word that encompasses the heart of dutch culture.
and cosy or inviting is also exactly how you will feel, right here.
it somehow reminded me of an overturned ark.
being trapped yet liberated.
a journey into the unknown.
daniella is genuinely friendly and accommodating.
a mentor that will guide you in your journey, finely balancing to allow you the space to grow and discover.
with her, it’s never about the physical end product.
with her, it’s about letting it flow without thinking what end result you want to achieve.
your true intuitive self expression.
the end result might well turn out like the mess i created but hey only when i die, will you then know, the true value of my masterpiece, right?:)
so why not a 5 star review?
hmmmm you made me dirty my 5 finger tips and i hate getting hands dirty?!:)
but seriously, if i’m not some 10 501.2km away, i would definitely, constantly be embarking on one journey or another in this ark!