Art Without Rules: SPLAT Action Art Studio Invites You to Splatter, Drop, and Throw Paint in South Pasadena

SOUTH PASADENA, CA (December 11, 2023) – In South Pasadena, a new small business invites you to get creative, embrace messiness, and enjoy the journey. Located at 1020 Mission Street, SPLAT Action Art Studio is a new concept in the do-it-yourself art space, providing a place for artists of any skill level to try out action art techniques such as splatter painting, acrylic pouring, pendulum painting and more.

A departure from traditional “wine and paint” experiences, at SPLAT, there is no expectation of painting to a particular subject. In fact, when you enter the studio, you’re never quite sure exactly what you’ll make that day. But that’s exactly the goal, say longtime friends and first-time business owners Juan Carlos Franco and Michael Chavez, both of Pasadena.

“I think that as adults, we often have trouble being satisfied in the creative process,” Chavez says. “We are conditioned to think, ‘there needs to be an end product, there needs to be an ideal state I’m working toward.’ But we are encouraging people to shift their focus to the fun and the experience of making art.”

When a maker walks through the door, they are given a short tour of the space and a brief introduction to the painting techniques on offer. Techniques include classic abstract splatter painting (think Jackson Pollock), stencil painting, as well as methods made popular on TikTok such as acrylic pouring, pendulum swing, bead pulling, and squeegee painting.

“People see these techniques on TikTok and YouTube and it’s so cool, but sometimes they don’t know how to get started or what supplies they need. And obviously they don’t want to have the mess in their house. So we take care of all of that for you,” says Chavez.

After an introduction to the basics, makers are invited to pick their colors, find a painting station, and unleash their inner creative soul for the next 60 minutes. There are video monitors at each station to help provide further technique instruction and inspiration as well.

A single one hour session at SPLAT starts at $55 and includes paints, canvas, tools and brushes, protective gear, and a take home box. Or if makers want to create a collaborative work on a large scale canvas, there is a group session option, too.

“When we first set everything up, we had a dry run with our friends and family. The coolest piece that came out of it was our collaborative one we all made together. We just put a frame out for everyone to contribute to,” says Franco. “We thought it may end up being chaotic, but it was so cool to have a ton of different styles all together in one piece. I hope we get to see a lot more of that.”

Fostering fun and creating a sense of community are important parts of the business. Chavez and Franco’s family (wife, Erica, and children Julian and Eliza) formed a “bubble” during the hardest parts of the pandemic. When the tight-knit group finally came up for air, they realized their priorities had changed. Michael quit his job as a luxury retail manager and Juan spent his evenings Googling ideas for changes he could make in his life as well.

When they both reflected on the things that made them happiest, creativity came to mind—and SPLAT was born.

“For a while I was reading a lot of books about how to be better, how to live better, et cetera. And an idea that really resonated with me was the idea of putting yourself first. What is something you can do just for yourself to spur happiness? So, that’s what we are hoping to help people find,” says Chavez.

The name SPLAT is actually an acronym that reflects this idea: Splatter Painting Learning Art Therapy. “It’s the idea of art as self-care; as a type of therapy. Even if you are just painting your palette, it’s the act of slowing down—noticing the feeling of the brush in the paint or those types different sensory experiences. As adults we forget to be present, to take the time to just notice how something feels,” says Franco.

“We want people to feel welcome to just come, have fun, and do their thing. To know that they can come as they are, and trust that that’s enough,” Chavez says.

Plan your first action art experience at SPLAT by booking through their website: https://www.go2splat.com/