Today’s post will be short and sweet—just a little peak into the current state of affairs in my studio. There’s a lot going on in here! I’m experiencing one of those rare and precious periods of time when my inspiration is flowing effortlessly and everything that is emerging on my canvas feels new and exciting. This is definitely NOT the case all the time, so I am savoring these moments with all my being. I’m also allowing myself to JUST PLAY and experiment which is certainly my favorite way to create, but again, not always the easiest groove to get into. One new thing I’m doing is cutting up potatoes to make stamps—old school style! The new stamping has brought a whole different layer of information to my work and I’m becoming really addicted to these little potatoes…whatever did I do without them? 🙂
Another reason I’m feeling so inspired is that I’m painting for the sake of painting (as in not for a show or a commission). It’s been awhile since I’ve had this luxury and it’s been reminding me of my early days of painting when I just *had* to create because my soul needed it, not because my gallery needed it. This is such a distinct feeling, and simply one of the BEST feelings I know. For me, it feels like something is bubbling up that needs to to be released…to be set free. My job is to get the hell out of my own way and allow that thing—whatever it is—to emerge. It’s like clearing a pathway for the unknown which I find to be very exciting territory.
I’m also really into things being EASY and SIMPLE right now. If it feels difficult, I let it go. If it flows, I follow.
So simple.
And, yet so easy to NOT DO. Hmmmm? What would happen if we really truly listened to our soul’s calling and allowed our expression to be simple, easy and from the heart? Even for five minutes?
Let’s all give it a try, shall we?
xo flora
S fun that you’re committing to your blog for 30 days. You’re an inspiration. I’ve had a several month dry spell with my blog and reading yours has made me want to change that. Thanks! Love your art.
And, yet so easy to NOT DO. Hmmmm? What would happen if we really truly listened to our soul’s calling and allowed our expression to be simple, easy and from the heart? Even for five minutes?
Now that statement has resonated with me….think I’ll consciously try to practice that!!!!!
Thank you !
~B
Enjoying your 30 day blog over in sunny Geraldton, Western Australia 🙂 Loving your new paintings as well… and always love photos of your studio.
In this noisy world, it is certainly not easy to stay true and simple, is it? But we will try.
I am enjoying your daily blog. I don’t make my living from art… so I only create because I have to let IT out of my soul. Often I am a little envious of those who make art for a living. Thank you for the different perspective.
I adore the potato prints. Thank you for your inspirations.
Kay
Thanks so much for sharing. I am really enjoying these blog posts. You inspire me!
Flora you have inspired me to take some potatoes to work with me today! I am painting some small fat canvases and the potato stamp is the perfect touch to finish them off! And the paragraph about painting for the soul’s sake, I get that. I sold two paintings yesterday, which gave me permission to take the rest of the day and just paint for ME, instead of filling orders! Bravo on your 30 day blog post challenge!!! I know that I, for only one, really appreciate it.
Thanks!
Kathy
One of the hardest things to do is to “playfully paint” without all the voices in our heads that say, “maybe you should, maybe you shouldn’t, are you sure, will they like it?……” on and on into infinity! So glad you’re feeling the flow!
You could call this series- Potato Paintings:)
Your new work looks very fresh and fun, lovely color palette too. It reflects what you say…. painting for the love of it.
good reminders! if it’s easy, follow, if it’s too difficult, let it go. that place we get into where it flows, and feels deep and powerful. so important to play, especially for professional artists. the art work can get too serious sometimes!
Enjoying your daily blog post. Helps to get to know the artist behind those beautiful paintings. Keep up the inspiration to all of us.
I’m LOVING these posts!
Interestingly enough, i myself am embarking on a 30 love affair – with creative process. And it starts tomorrow! I am taking sabbatical from my business and distractions to IMERSE. These posts will be inspiration fuel!
It’s such a blessing to be cyber-surrounded in such brave, strong, soft, and wise teachers such as your self! THANK YOU!
Many blessings on your journey!
Hi, Flora. I found your blog this week through KRR, so I’m new here but glad to be following along now.
Thank you for saying what you did about enjoying the flow of creativity since it is here for you now, since it is not always as present as it is right now. Sometimes I experience an over-abundance of words (as a writer), and I fear overwhelming the spaces where I write with too many words. You helped me shift my perspective on this a bit, to see that the inspiration has been given, and it is not always there, so be free to enjoy it when it is. xo
PS: Your paintings in your studio are gorgeous! What life is there.
Hi Flora,
Love what you’re doing in the studio! It’s always a good thing to let it flow and follow the path of least resistance as they say. 🙂
I love your potato stamps too!
I’m reading your blog with the website bloglovin.com. It sure makes it easy to read the new posts!
hi flora,
i’m loving your works in progress! i’m also happy to see you devoting time to blogging. i’ve missed everyone’s heart felt posts as the shift to facebook took place.
a few months ago i started working with an energy healer and blogging more. i use it as a way of journaling…i hope this all catches on and inspires everyone to slow down, take more time to be more authentic, listen more to their true voice, and share their experiences in more than bite sized-snippets!
xo, kelly
Love, love, love your blogging. And those yellow leaves with black outline (kind of) on that painting!
love that. easy simple and from the heart. might make that a wee mantra for meself. xx Love Moyra OH and am having a go at 30 days of blog posts. day 2 so far. day 2 pretty easy to get to!
Loving your blog posts…. I see another book in the works… Love from Bali….
I’m enjoying your blog Flora. Your book is a HUGE inspiration to me. I’ve recently been running art workshops myself with ladies in my garage…with emphasis on making it simple and from the heart. My recent painting titled Valentines day was a direct result from your intuitive style of painting and won third prize at a local gallery. Thanks for the inspiration x
love the shot of the painting at the end of this post – it’s beautiful. i have a lot of excuses to potato stamp as i have a 3 year old who loves to paint and get her hands dirty … they are fab to play with, can’t wait to see the new paintings you are working on – wonderful when it flows like that. x