“This five week course was really a wellness course disguised as an art class…. You can’t get where you want to be with fear guiding you. In a way this is a course in facing and conquering the fear inside you.”
Flora Bowley (pronounced bowl-lee) is a pioneering voice in the intuitive art movement, known for weaving together creativity, embodiment, personal growth, and community.
For more than three decades, Flora has guided thousands of people around the world in using creativity as a pathway to greater freedom, resilience, connection, and aliveness. Drawing from her experience as a professional painter, movement and breathwork facilitator, bodyworker, and lifelong student of what helps people come alive, Flora’s work extends far beyond the canvas.
She is the author of four books—Brave Intuitive Painting, Creative Revolution, Fresh Paint, and The Art of Aliveness—and the founder of FREE FLO, a global creative community rooted in the belief that creativity belongs to everyone.
Through her teaching, writing, retreats, and online programs, Flora invites people to remember that creativity is not a luxury or a talent reserved for a select few. It is a birthright, a source of resilience, and a powerful pathway back to ourselves.
Flora lives in Portland, Oregon, where she continues to paint, teach, gather people, and follow her curiosity wherever it leads. Her favorite creative tools include paint, curiosity, a good dance break, and a deep trust in the unexpected.
- Want the whole story? Keep reading ↓
- Chapter 1: Childhood
I was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, a small Midwestern city best known for football, frigid winters, and a whole lot of hometown pride.
As a little person, I was free-spirited, imaginative, and active, happiest when I was surrounded by art supplies, a pack of friends, and generally running wild. (Spoken like a true Gen Xer.)
In high school, I bridged the worlds of athlete and art geek, and did my fair share of skipping other classes to hide out in the art room.
After selling most of the paintings in my very first coffee shop art show in college, something shifted: “Wait… maybe I could actually be an artist? Maybe I could be a painter?”
I signed up for every painting class I could, had my first gallery show at twenty, and graduated with a BFA in Painting and Drawing. I set up “studios” in bedroom corners, basements, and sheds, and spent the next ten years migrating around the West Coast, painting, dancing, following my heart, and finding kindred creative spirits along the way.
- Chapter 2: Becoming a Painter
I waitressed for nearly a decade to pay the bills, squatted in a few art studios to save on rent, and hustled hard to make a life as a full-time artist, often barely squeaking by. Needless to say, this path was full of passion, grit, and adventure, but it wasn’t exactly the easiest road to travel.
There was very little predictability, no particular formula to follow, not much money, and absolutely no guarantee that any of it was going to work out.
And still, I kept following what felt alive.
I traveled the world many times over, with painting and life continually shaping each other.
I journeyed to Burning Man eight times, spent six months doing disaster relief in post-Katrina New Orleans, lived off the grid, backpacked through remote wilderness, and found my own version of God in the temples of Angkor Wat.
I tracked wolves, started fires with sticks, danced till sunrise, sat in silent meditation for days, explored plant medicine in the Amazon, studied yoga and massage, fell in love, fell out of love… and joined a circus.
Looking back, I can see that I was learning to live the same way I was learning to paint: following curiosity, trusting my instincts, taking risks, and finding my way without needing to know exactly where I was going.
As my 30th birthday approached, I changed my name from Shannon to Flora (yes, I know!). It was a bold move that felt absolutely crazy at the time, but it also felt like an outward expression of something that had been shifting inside me for many years.
Around this same time, I came to a surprising realization: my dream of being a full-time artist wasn’t actually my dream anymore.
After so many years of working alone in the studio, I craved people. I craved connection, passion, and a greater sense of purpose. I knew there was something more I was meant to do, but I had no idea what it looked like.
Then, in 2010,
I taught my first painting workshop. And everything changed.
What once felt like totally separate parts of my life began to come together: painting, movement, music, healing, personal inquiry, and community… all in the room, all part of the experience.
- Chapter 3: transformation
And to my great surprise and unending gratitude, this unique blend of embodied creative expression was received with wide-open arms. Invitations began arriving to lead workshops and retreats around the world, so I enthusiastically packed my suitcase with art supplies and hit the road.
I was also invited to write my first book, Brave Intuitive Painting, and create my first online course, Bloom True. Over the following ten years, I had the incredible opportunity to write three more books, Creative Revolution, Fresh Paint, and The Art of Aliveness, while creating a growing library of online courses that brought my work to people around the world.
What started as a painting workshop quickly grew into a whole way of exploring what it means to be creative, connected, and fully alive.
I loved painting, of course, but what really lit me up was sharing the creative process with other people. I loved creating spaces where people could get out of their heads, take creative risks, trust their instincts, and reconnect with a part of themselves they may have lost touch with along the way.
I loved watching someone who swore they “weren’t creative” surprise themselves. And perhaps most of all, I loved exploring all the ways intuitive painting could become a mirror for life.
Because the longer I taught, the clearer it became: this was never just about painting. The canvas simply gave us a place to practice being human.
Over the years, my understanding of the creative process has continued to expand far beyond the canvas.
As I’ve deepened my own practices with movement, breathwork, vocalization, meditation, and embodiment, I’ve become fascinated by all the ways creativity can help us move what might otherwise stay stuck inside us: grief, fear, anger, longing, uncertainty, even joy.
Creativity gives it all somewhere to go, somewhere to move, change shape, and become something new.
I also see the creative process as a place to practice the very qualities we need to navigate this rapidly changing world: resilience, flexibility, curiosity, imagination, and trust. This is why creativity feels more essential to me now than ever.
It isn’t simply about making beautiful things; it’s a way of staying connected to ourselves, to each other, and to our own aliveness through all that life asks us to hold and move through.
- final chapter: now
Now, in my fifties, painting is still at the heart of what I do, but I’m less interested in teaching a particular kind of art and more interested in exploring what creativity makes possible in life.
Whether we’re gathering in my FREE FLO creative community, in an online course, at an intimate retreat, or in a room filled with people on my Creative Revolution Tour, the invitation is the same:
Come back to yourself. Trust what’s alive in you. Make something. Move something. Connect with other humans. Remember that your creativity matters.
And yes, I have without a doubt found my dream job. :-)
- my values
Expression over perfection.
It’s less about making a “pretty painting” and more about moving emotion, connecting with ourselves and becoming more free.
- MY BOOKS
Over the years I’ve discovered profound insights into life and creativity. Through my books, I share them to help you trust your inner wisdom, awaken your creativity, and feel supported on your journey.
4.5out of 5 on Amazonwith 1,300+ Book Reviews
Watch me create this painting from start to finish!
Muse Dance
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TESTIMONIALS
Kind and
Inspiring Words.
“This process of painting has brought vitality and strength to me, through a transitional time in my life. I feel renewed and uplifted to have had this experience of Bloom True. I enjoyed the healing process of ‘letting go,’ and allowing the painting to unfold.”
“Bloom True has helped me release the inner voice that likes to say my art isn’t good enough. That’s silly. Good enough for whom? I am an artist by virtue of making art! Bloom True is a creative joy ride that is as much about trust, intuition, delving in and letting go, as it is about painting. You would love it!”
“There are so many others who LOVE to paint and want to explore their creative natures. Virtual retreats DO work!”
“I feel energised, refreshed, and truly nourished. Thank you so much for re-igniting my creative flow in my heart and art. I have loved this course and will continue the practices on my art journey.”
“A transformative and enlightening virtual art class experience.”
“Learning to let go. This is the most precious and important lesson that I gained from Flora Bowley and the Bloom True process. Letting the painting become what it’s supposed to be, and listening to my intuition. Grateful is not really enough of a word to express how I feel about the course, Flora, and the new life it has given me.”
“I wanted to let you know that I feel this course is brilliant! I take a lot of online classes, and the expressive arts is what I do daily in my own small business, Orange Spiral Arts. There is definitely something magical about Flora’s gentle guidance, as well as the participant discussions after each exercise. I know we are only into week 1, but I had to let you know how grateful and thrilled I am to be participating virtually.”
“The retreat went far beyond my expectations. I’ve returned feeling full, renewed, and deeply inspired. Flora is a teacher who holds space with grace and wisdom, creating an environment where women can reconnect with their essence and come alive again.”
“This course is not just for artists but any creative person, especially if your work/life has been stifling that part of you. This course will reintroduce you to that creative child within and allow him or her to come out and play in a safe, non-judgmental space.”
“More than an art course, it’s a complete experience for the heart and soul. I loved how the course encourages you to trust yourself, paint from the heart and, in doing so, to develop your own, unique style. Up until now, I have largely been stuck in the place of copying artists. This course opened me up to the exciting possibility that I am an artist in my own right and, if I trust myself and do the work, I can make art that is unique, exciting and meaningful to me.”
“Reunite was such a lovely experience. I would 100% recommend it to all of my friends! Especially those who are interested in learning how to get through the fear of making a mistake on the canvas (sometimes to the point of being too scared to start.)”
“The Creative Revolution class is wonderful!! It is so much more than a basic art class. You will feed your creativity, body, mind and spirit! This class has encouraged me to add creativity into my daily life. I have enjoyed every minute of the Creative Revolution!”
“I’ve been stuck for awhile, mostly fear-based, and participating in REUNITE gently guided me out of that place. I’m super grateful for all the time that everyone gave to make this idea and concept into a reality that you could share with others!!!! I know I have benefited greatly!! Much gratitude and love for you and your REUNITE team!!”
“Not only has Flora taught me how to put color on a canvas, she’s also taught me so many lessons about life: how to let go of what I *think* I need, how to take big, scary risks, and how to stay present and be open to what life might bring me. Her enchanting process is a gift to any creative who yearns for more, and it will leave you feeling both grounded in your present and fired-up for what’s to come.”
“In spite of my busy work days I do something every day be it mark making or ink spills or musical lines or just creating a journal page and it’s becoming a daily routine to spend some time reflecting or practicing my Creative Revolution. Thank you for creating this contagiously inspiring course.”
“You can choose what you want to do and when you want to do it. There is no pressure to be good enough. And the letting go helps me to get to know myself in a new way!”
“The Creative Revolution E-Course was just what I needed. I was reminded to show up every day for myself and for my creative practice. Flora is such a generous teacher, she guides her students gently towards being authentic. The philosophy of the course enabled me to come into the present, value self nurturing, play, and research. I feel like I have a process now and my whole attitude towards art making and creativity has changed.”
“I’m 69 and had wanted to paint ever since I was a teenager… However, the blank canvas always screamed ‘Go away! You have no idea what you’re doing!’ That is until about 5 months ago when a friend lent me your book Brave Intuitive Painting. It was a message from beyond that released my fear of that blank canvas. Now, whenever I feel stymied, I watch your YouTubes where you paint with so much freedom and I’m re-inspired. I now try to paint every day. Thank you, thank you.”
“Even though I have been painting for 10 years, this is the first art class that I’ve ever taken. It deepened my understanding, and made me feel more confident knowing I had the tools and knew how and when to use them. Flora’s wise and gentle guidance gave me the perfect encouragement to show up exactly as I was, stay open and present to the moment and discover my authentic style. I feel like my work will forever be separated into “before Bloom True” and after.”
“I love the very generous offerings Flora has provided each month. I am thrilled I gifted a year of diaries to myself – money well spent! The Diaries keep me inspired creatively, mentally, and physically and provide a sense of artistic community for me. Very, very happy!”
“Excellent opportunity to focus on your own self care at your own pace with lots of support.”
“Reunite was an adventure in self trust and has deeply affected me. It has helped me to gain insight into the creative process and has given me a new reverence for being creative on a daily basis!”
“Flora’s class invited me to experiment with shapes, textures, color, etc. It also taught me a huge lesson, which is, “It’s okay to Let Go.” Sighing a breath of relief as I just wrote this. Thank you, Flora.”
“I consider Flora a soul sister, a fellow truth-teller, and deeply inspired seeker. She has a true gift for teaching, helping others to discover and unleash their unique creative voice. She also has an exceptional talent for gathering beautiful kindred spirits together, igniting connection and belonging.”
“Bloom True had a powerful impact on me. I’d been taking on-line classes, but was struggling with perfectionism. Recreating my story and letting go of negative thought patterns was just what I needed. I have really felt a shift in my attitude. This is not just another art class — you will be encouraged and guided on a journey to help you begin to paint in a much more beautiful, spontaneous way.”
“After such a long, hard, solitary and confusing year with so much grief all around us, it was truly magical and a soul-feeding respite. For the first time, I approached art without fear – that sinking feeling of inadequacy, feeling stupid, so much judgement was nodded to and then released. I approached this class joyfully, truly as a beginner, and when I got ‘stuck’ I was merely perplexed and went back to the directions – make a mark, change a color, close your eyes!”
“If you are looking for inspiration in your creative practice, or ways to make your life feel more creative, this is the course for you! Flora approaches creativity from all angles and all levels so that something is sure to resonate with you. Starting there and following where that takes you can revolutionize your practice (and your life)!”
“Flora’s latest course shows you a beautiful way to set up a creative habit for your whole life. From my favorite Morning and Evening sanctuaries, fun movement exercises, fabulous music, and simple creative exercises to assist you with your creative journey which are easy to do daily. The course is easy to follow each week and the video content is exceptional.”
“This was THE most delightful dive into a bath of warm self-trust and community support, and oh yes, PAINTING fun!”
“The Creative Revolutionary E-Course is opening me up to new ways of approaching art and creativity. Rather than to feel stuck and frustrated with art, I’m now giving myself permission to play, experiment and not get hung up about results. The Morning Sanctuary sessions are helping me set the tone for the day and make the changes for a more mindful and nourishing day. Flora is a first class teacher-so generous....I have been looking for her for ages!”
“With this Course Flora showed me how to incorporate creativity into my daily life with small acts of imaginative exploration, sparks of inspiration, mindfulness, loosening up, finding flow, and playfulness. She helped me to access my intuition, trust my creativity and have fun. My days are now more meaningful, I see beauty and I hear birds singing. Flora made me feel alive and see world through fresh eyes.”
“I really loved this course! It’s magic to discover something new and at the same time realize it was there inside us all along!”
“The Bloom True E-Course is wonderful. It can mean many things to different kinds of creative people, from the beginner to the experienced artist. The process is inspirational and magical. I totally recommend this E-Course for all levels of artists.”
“An amazing experience where self care, self exploration, and creativity collide!”
“The best virtual retreat I could imagine. It was well done, and done with left and right brain planning! The logistics were thought out and when something wasn’t quite right in Flora’s thinking there was acceptance and flexibility that, well, that is life.”
“Flora’s class was my first online art class and I LOVED IT!! Flora is a natural teacher. I was soooooo impressed with the website, videos, online interviews, etc. First class all the way! I’ll be back for more!”
“I have been churning out canvases like never before since taking Flora’s course. She is so inspiring, and I’ve learned so much! I highly recommend Bloom True for anyone looking for new skills and creative inspiration.”
“Loved the live element and so glad I made it a priority to show up, not just sign up. It’s real, it’s community, and a whole new vibe! Energizing and inspiring, thank you for inviting us all in to share!”
“I had never painted anything before taking Flora’s course, now I love to paint almost daily for fun, therapy and even profit. Flora is just beautifully real. I highly recommend her courses.”
“I had a breakthrough on being stuck. Just by understanding how to activate the canvas without fear was a huge success for me. It was a great experience that I will never forget.”
“The kind of painting experience we dream of when we think of ‘learning to paint’. It’s a way into painting what feels good and then trusting that.”
“This course has helped me honor a tug in my spirit to be creative and to listen to my inner guidance. I can’t explain in words the great value this had on my life.”
“The Creative Revolution E-Course re-awakened my inner-artist. With every stroke of a brush, crayon, pen, or stalk of celery, my Life became richer and more colorful! Thank you, Flora.”
“Thanks so much for the cool hangout today! It was so inspiring and I’m REALLY excited about seeing REAL TIME Live come to life! I’ve been working through Bloom True since last Christmas and it’s been really helping me grow as an artist. Going live feels like such a great next step and I can’t wait to see it happen!”
“One of the best virtual creative painting life experiences. The community is amazing and you feel connected and supported along the journey.”
“I will forever be craving that month of wellness and the thoughtful, creative, and heart-felt prompts that kept us tuned in and united through the month.”
“I am loving what I have been playing with so far, and I’m being gentle with myself knowing that the E-Course is available for 6 months. I am eager to dip into all the creative wells you are offering, Flora. I also love witnessing the process of the artists who are so present in the videos.”
“As always, you grow as a person and artist when you take one of Flora’s courses. If you are new to painting, you will get a ton of information to get you started, have a lot of fun and will allow you to keep painting for a long time. If you have experience, you will learn to let go and enjoy the process, it gets you in tune with your body, heart and soul. I have taken a lot of Flora’s online courses and this is THE BEST one!”
“A magical, intense and emotional experience that brought to the surface pieces of myself that I had buried. A resurfacing of ideas and creativity that have been waiting for me to welcome back in and embrace.”
“I just want to thank you so much for creating the Creative Revolution. I am so happy to join this amazing and beautiful course and it fits perfectly into my really busy life! The lessons come beautifully simple and so easy to access – and they also are so amazingly powerful.”
“This course was life-changing! I know myself better now, and I feel extremely thankful for Flora and Lynzee’s insight. It has helped tremendously, not just in painting techniques, but as a way to approach life too!”
“Fresh Paint was a treasure trove of new ideas, insights, and useful tools to break up that “stuck” feeling when staring at a blank canvas. Flora and Lynx guided our discovery through multiple hands-on activities that inspired and challenged our practice. I’ve come away from this workshop feeling excited, motivated and more confident to paint fearless.”
“I am creating regularly again. Sometimes in between clients, sometimes at the end of the day, sometimes to start the day - even if it is for 5 minutes, this is precious to me.”
“Really enjoying watching the videos. They are informative and give a large array of methods, marks, color combinations and inspiration. Always feel like getting to my studio to start painting after watching them.”
“Creative Revolution has helped heal some very old art wounds, I feel braver and excited to keep practicing.”
“The content in Studio Diaries is so rich that I feel guided as if Flora were in my studio with me, leading me through private lessons. How cool is that?! That kind of connectivity can only come to students through a teacher who truly lives and practices what she instructs. The world, and especially women, need this connectivity so very, very much.”
“Thank you Flora! Any chance to watch you paint and do your thing is invaluable. To do it in real time and paint along with you this morning was just the coolest thing ever! Thank you… I’m so inspired it’s ridiculous. In a good way.”
“I feel like I'm with my people here... people who understand this deeply personal soul work we're doing and the creative path we're navigating. Thank you for creating this beautiful space! I believe I'm living a more healthy life with some of the practices you have shared and some of the guest speakers.”
“It gives me something to look forward to. I know no matter what, I'm going to paint with the community gathering, even if life's been hectic or I'm not in the mood. I love having a place online to scroll through to find inspiration, creativity, and soulful sharing. It expands my currently small world by connecting me with people across the world, living all different kinds of lives, all like-minded and very different at the same time.”
“Flora’s course was life changing. I have never enjoyed the process of painting as much as I do now. I have much more trust in myself and in what I bring to the painting. Her course is not just about painting, but noticing the abundance in our lives and how we bring that to our paintings.”
“It inspires me to create regularly... in all ways. And, to be more aware and conscious of what holds me back from expressing my truest self.”
“Loved the live painting session! Originally thought I would just watch but I didn’t, I pulled a new canvas picked out some paints and stepped out of my comfort zone! It was awesome and helped me understand the process better… Thank you for being so vulnerable and for sharing!!!”
“I absolutely love the Studio Diaries. Sometimes on-line classes can feel stressful ‘trying to keep up.’ This offering is absolutely perfect for me and my life right now. There are instructional videos, interviews, reading or just beautiful photos to look at if that’s all you can take in that day. I find myself visiting Studio Diaries at least daily and have watched the painting videos many times over.”
“I am so pleased that you had someone sit in a chair for most of these. I am in a wheelchair most of the day so all of these movements mean so much to me. I often do them before I meditate and, of course, prior to beginning a painting. I am learning so much about myself and how I want my paintings to evolve. THIS class is so awesome. I feel that I am in a class with Flora and everyone else. Love the group you gathered and love their processes.”
“Great course, thoroughly recommend it. It’s opened up my creativity and given me the courage to paint for the joy of putting color onto canvas, rather than looking for others approval. Thank you so much Flora! I’ll be back!”
“Thank you Flora for sharing such an inspiring collection of thoughts, exercises and creative practices. I not only feel inspired creatively but mindful of my environment. Truly loved this course.”
“The retreat was a unique opportunity to connect with other creative souls all over the world in real-time. In this day and age, that is a real treasure. Flora and team have created high-quality digital content and did an excellent job facilitating live sessions. I enjoyed the breakout rooms in the daily retreat calls. The videos are very high-quality and the exercises were really fun.”
“I adore that we are connecting from around the world... I love the variety of people in the group.”
“A joyful, sparkling, stimulating, out-of-my-comfort-zone experience that goes way beyond painting. It’s like going on a journey and discovering new territories, even if I didn’t leave my home!”
“Since I have been painting so much, I find that I look at the world differently now. Suddenly the trees near my home are MORE colorful. My eyes are suddenly tuned into the world of color more vividly. <3 Loving it.”
“Flora is one of the best online teachers I’ve experienced. Her classes are always fun, clear and leave you with that feeling of just wanting to get in and try it all.”
“If you have ever felt like you want to paint but you don’t know
where or how to start, this class, and especially Flora will introduce you to a technique that could change your life by teaching you a creative practice that will allow you to just begin.”
“This experience solidified for me that I AM AN ARTIST. Because I am self taught (aka no formal art education), I have been hesitant to say I am an artist. But this just cemented it for me. I know what I’m doing. I can take a nugget of an idea from my head and transform it onto the canvas. I love this intuitive process so much.”
“An amazing adventure/retreat in intuitive style painting, that I’ve never really tried, that allowed me to explore spaces of my creative self I’ve never explored! Totally opened me up. I feel liberated!!”
“This course is amazing: it has helped me go from someone who didn’t paint and only worked small, to an artist who is comfortable with a paintbrush and bold colors. It has made me someone who decided it was time to MAKE ROOM! I have found my true passion and this course has given oxygen to my tiny spark. It has created a roaring fire of hope, trust and possibility, and it has strengthened my creative spirit!”
“The Painting Sessions is an inspiring educational experience. It’s fascinating watching a painting develop and the way Flora explains her choices helps you to understand the painting itself, but is also incredibly useful when thinking about your own practice and experiences making art. I always leave off watching feeling refreshed and inspired, and looking forward to the next one!”
“I was amazed that I finished two large canvases I felt good about. I enjoyed the whole process. The beginning stages were freeing. The middle stages were challenging. The end was satisfying. I look forward to painting more, now that I have the experience to know I can do this. I’m so glad I took the leap and signed up!”
“Flora is a wise and gifted teacher and mentor. Her generous offerings nourish the heart, mind, body and spirit with grace and genuineness. I feel so fortunate to be connected to her and the amazing community she invites us to participate in. Thank goodness for the creative, heartfelt beauty of Flora Bowley.”
“I love everything about Studio Diaries! There is so much that enriches my life every month. I feel like I am receiving a special gift that was meant just for me, just when I needed it!”
“A highly transformative and healing experience that allows one to access themselves in ways they never thought possible. It is a soulful, creative adventure that offers opportunity for self nurturing, self care, community, and divine grace.”
“Flora’s E-Course (I have taken it twice before) is the best thing my soul was ever longing for. Her abundantly wise lessons have opened so many new doors for me. It led me to reconnect to powerful creativity: intuitive painting as a healing, freeing and ultimately happy-making form. Since then, I am painting regularly and my own artistic voice is becoming clearer every day.”
“This class changed my life as much as my painting. I now cherish my intuition on the canvas and off. How did I ever live any other way? It is so much more than a painting class. It was full of wonderful, technical information, but placed in a larger context of life and creating. It would be worth 10 times the cost!”
“Taking Flora’s online class was an eye-opening experience for me. I am a newbie to painting and she instilled confidence that I didn’t know I had. I connected with her gentle approach to painting. She is a gift to the painting world. I appreciate all I learned!”
“Flora Bowley’s course taught me to tap into the creative force in my soul, which had been buried for a long time. What a blessing that is. <3”
“I loved this course. When I started, I was trying to paint more like Flora — more like what I see other people doing, with the colors that other people are using. This process taught me that it’s ok that this is me, and I’ve come to embrace that!”
“There are some people who help people live just by being there. Lynx and Flora are this: their presence and authenticity are inspiring and give me permission to seek and live my own truth.”
“For the first time since I was a child, I gave myself permission to play without any expectations or judgments. I actually put those art supplies to use! One of the few online art courses that was actually worth the money. It was both fun and incredibly useful.”
“It’s the next best thing to a real retreat/painting workshop with Flora you can get. It really feels like being part of the group in the studio and the inspirational bonus inputs over a whole month were a special extra treat!” Just do it! This is truly a great gift for yourself and your art! It will leave you inspired and happy!
“The course has had an incredible impact on me. As soon as the course started, I knew I had made the right decision. Flora is so supportive and the course is so well put together, that I found myself painting with ease — mainly because I really took to heart the words, ‘there are no mistakes’. It’s much more than a painting course really; it’s a course about life.”
“Life changing – more than what you would ever expect from a painting course, let alone an online painting course.”
“Fresh Paint is an immersion into paint and art that unleashes your inner creator in a wild, playful and joyous ride! Nothing fearful, pretentious or precious in this course. Just fun, creativity and experimentation leading to lovely results!”
“It was such an all encompassing course but what made this really stand out was to have the participants there going through it. Each person brought a different dynamic to the retreat thus asking the questions, processing through the steps, etc just as if I would be there.”
“Bloom True encourages artists at any level to let go of negative thoughts in order to create room for a more joyful form of self-expression.”
“I have always wanted to paint ‘like me,’ to just let go and, if people like what I do, then great. I feel like this is happening now. It also has had an extremely therapeutic effect on me as I am also signed off work with stress. I feel totally absorbed when I am painting. Overall, it has helped to ignite my creative spark, which has been dormant for too long. I am so grateful that this came my way at this time.”
“An amazing immersion into letting go and letting art flow, well-instructed and well-held. I felt like I was really at the retreat itself! I trust my eye and my instincts more and can easily get unstuck. The simple tools taught at the beginning are very much alive and working for me!”
“A wonderful experience with so many tips for wellness, which I realized is a way for setting the terrain for creativity. I highly recommend these sessions to explore painting with mindfulness, release judgement, and find a sense of playfulness while making your self-expression with love.”
“The workshop brought me to a place of possibility & purpose. It renewed my passion to practice, to put in the effort, to love what I love & let go the rest!”
“Transformative, both on and off the canvas. I am a better person than I was before REUNITE.”
“This course did more for my mental state then months of therapy.”
“This course is gentle and diverse. You learn how to paint intuitively, allowing yourself to play and experiment, allowing yourself to make ‘mistakes,’ to let go of trying to control the outcome. This is a fun, free, stress-free way to explore painting and simply produce in order to learn about yourself, what you like, and what emerges naturally.”
“I was deeply moved during my stay, and it was the best retreat experience I’ve ever had. From my initial passage through your gate to our farewell circle, every inch was jam-packed with love, abundance, comfort, inspiration, beauty, creativity, and nourishment, and I received much more than I ever could have imagined. Your facilitation was masterful.”
“This course was inspiring and interesting. I loved the warmth and embrace that was conveyed throughout the course. The insights and knowledge I have received through the course are things that have become the undercurrent to finding and discovering my own voice in my artwork. I believe its effects will be long-lasting and will stay with me going forward.”
“Flora’s videos are so inspiring. I can’t wait for the Painting Sessions to come out each month and I literally watch the entire thing immediately. I’m always inspired to paint afterward and there is usually a technique or piece of her process that I try to incorporate into my own painting discovery. The raw honesty of her process is so insightful and hearing her speak about why she did what she did in the painting is invaluable.”
“LOVED LOVED LOVED this whole session – so happy I signed up for this treasure!”
“Bloom True held the space for me to do and feel so much. It is a gift to feel like a painter, to practice listening and courage, and mostly trust. It is a different, forgiving, joyful way of painting, and a gift to yourself. Completely worth the cost — you get so much amazing, multifaceted material.”
“Inspiring, empowering and encouraging. It’s an excellent course for painters who are stuck in their ways, and are ready to explore and open up. I have been painting for over 20 years, and this course reignited my love for experiencing paint in a different way, which has been transformational.”
“These Painting Sessions are fun and relaxed yet you’re being taught the fundamentals of a very personal art practice. In these Sessions, you will learn the elements and principles of design that make an art piece work.”
“After years away from making art, Flora has helped me rediscover the young girl in myself who always found joy and pleasure in drawing, building, and creating. She is a gentle and generous guide on the path of connecting deeply with oneself and discovering the tools to express this connection visually. What a treasure it is to have Flora Bowley as your teacher.”
“My heart and spirit were broken before I met Flora. Everything about the course helped me reconnect with my true self again. Her inspiring messages, authentic voice and energy allowed me to find my creative again. Flora taught me so many wonderful tools in life rituals, and painting through freedom and joy.”
“I knew this was going to be wonderful BUT this is the best investment I made this year! Thank you!!”
“A magical, intense and emotional experience that brought to the surface pieces of myself that I had buried. A resurfacing of ideas and creativity that have been waiting for me to welcome back in and embrace.”
“Flora’s course opened my eyes to the creative blocks I have been creating for myself. She shared her knowledge and gifts in a way that really changed the way I approach art from this point on.”
“Flora Bowley’s Creative Revolution E-Course gives anyone who explores the many exercises a tremendous opportunity to discover their creativity in surprising and playful ways. Life itself can be one’s ‘canvas’ with the gifts from Flora’s teachings.”
“Watercolors are the newest and simplest go to for me, since Creative Revolution began. Mixing it all up has led to creative discoveries. I never know what’s going to happen next, but the materials are at my beck and call and easy access makes getting busy with art making my daily practice.”
“This is the Best of the Best of Flora’s work. I have taken many of her workshops, both in person and online, and I learned more about this intuitive painting process in her explanations that somehow I have never heard before, or heard in a new way. It was like being there in person… and in the luxury of being in my own studio.”
“Flora is one of those rare individuals who provided a safe space for me to open my wings to fly again in my painting journey. I’m incredibly grateful for her kindness, gentle approach and warm words of encouragement. Her E-Course is a life changer!”
“I came to the Creative Revolution E-Course seeking ways to infuse creativity into my daily life. While I love making paintings, the process (especially finishing) really stresses me out. My life is a bit hectic at the moment, so it’s also hard to carve out enough time to focus and make a lot of progress on a bigger piece. I was seeking ways to make daily creativity accessible and more importantly, sustainable. I definitely found that in this course!”
“I am so deeply grateful. My painting has evolved and has become something fresh, new and delightful. I can’t even begin to thank Flora for her influence, not just on my painting, but on my LIFE. I’ve been navigating some serious illness throughout this process, and to paint like this, even in small, 15-minute per-day doses, has brought me joy that I can’t put into words.”
“When I am feeling lost and empty like a blank canvas, I turn a Painting Session on. Flora helps me to tune into my intuition, move through fear, and gives me the tools to heal my soul and be brave. She encourages me to explore many paths (with colors, brushes, lines, values, contrast, marks, images...), listening to my heart and trusting my intuition. Flora gives me the map to express myself and love myself as unique.”
“I signed up for myself, to remind myself about fun, spontaneity and intuitive creativity, as I have just finished a big exhibition which was very serious. But this week, what has happened is family therapy and healing as my younger kids gathered for ‘musical lines’ on Sunday morning. In the midst of our chaotic fragmented lives we played and created, connected and had such a beautiful hour or two immersed in ‘that Flora Bowley course you’re always talking about mum’!”
“An opportunity to unearth my creativity and realize it has nothing to do with the medium (paint, knitting, cooking) and everything to do with living my life creatively every single day.”
“Painting is healing, and a process. It was one of the first times that I was able to be really in the process and not feel attached to, or become precious about, parts of my work. Being unattached to outcome, and being in the moment led to a different experience and really embrace the process.”
“I am so grateful for the sense of being held, guided and nurtured through the process; and it’s because of this that I felt my heart crack wide open. The balance of technical and spiritual was just perfect for me. I LOVED this course and I recommend it to anyone interested in creating and growing.”
“Fresh Paint was quite a breakthrough actually. Through persistence, I was able to let go of outcome expectations, let go of imposter feelings, and take away new insights from each series. It’s like freeing the artist within whose been there all along.”
“Absolutely transformational! I’ve never viewed art in this way before. Letting go of the outcome altogether gives way to such an incredible possibility for creativity that I never even imagined I had. Flora, I feel blessed to have found you. Thank you so much.”
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is rare to find a teacher who can connect with others in such a powerful and inspiring way. I learned as much by observing the demos as I did through exploration on my own.”
“A great wellness refresher and one of the best virtual art courses out there today.”
“Today's community art gathering...Blown away! How is it possible that I could feel the beautiful connection with each one of you through a computer screen?! Amazing! Brought to tears by the vulnerable sharing. Thank you all!”
“Wonderful experience! Very professionally done and such a great learning experience. Great for both first time and experienced painters alike. You will love Flora and her team!”
“Flora’s descriptions, explanations and tips on how to get in touch with the creative spark and intuition and how to find them again when you are stuck and blocked were so valuable to me. I’ve done a few painting workshops, but none of them made me feel so inspired and learned so much.”
“Reunite was so much more than I had imagined. An amazing interactive online retreat experience, including painting, wellness, community. A treasure box filled with beautiful insights, techniques, recipes, movement, conversations… so much to discover, try and explore.”
“The opportunity to build lifelong friendships, grow as an artist, and find a little more wholeness.”
“Through Flora’s Painting Sessions, I have learned to let go of any attachment to outcome or what something looks like and have truly embraced the intuitive process. I’ve also learned new techniques and skills. I’m a newer painter and these Sessions have been extremely helpful and I highly recommend them!”
“Total magic! Fresh Paint gave me the freedom to explore EVERYTHING! The best gift I could ever have given myself.”
“This is the first time I used watercolors. This course gives me the opportunity to really try and not to be afraid, and I also enjoy being part of this huge community of wonderful creative people. I have always had a blockage for painting although I am a very creative person. Now I feel I want to paint more and more. I have no words to thank you, Flora, for this wonderful opportunity and for creating a course that makes it so easy for us to flow.”
“A magical experience that helped me find new ways to express myself through emotion rather than what I think my expression should look like. It was a lesson on stillness and paying attention to my feelings to find out what I need and what I want to express. And it was the most beautiful art class on an intuitive painting process where we learned to activate and move through different phases of the working with the canvas to bring forth some pretty cool intuitive art.”
“A virtual creative retreat for anyone seeking relaxation, inspiration, and connection. Something that soothes and invigorates the soul.”
“REUNITE is a gift to yourself. Flora is constantly giving us permission to be messy, have fun and start over again and again. It’s a practice for a life and a reminder to take one step forward. Just the next right thing.”
“FREE FLO is a space where I get to feel connected, seen, held, inspired, and encouraged. It’s such a beautiful community filled with authentic courageous hearts. If I ever feel blocked, all the encouragement I need is available in this group, and being able to connect with Flora is the best bonus ever!”
“FREE Flo is an opportunity for me to weave more "for the joy of it" creative play into my personal life.”
“There are several layers of lessons woven throughout the Bloom True course. I feel so alive, grounded and free from the paintings that I have been making. Flora is so inspiring and she brought me back to myself through this work. I will continue to explore! I am so grateful.”
“Being part of the FREE FLO community for the past four months has definitely enhanced my life. This group has fulfilled my wish to hang out with “like-minded souls." I feel like an old dog learning new tricks!”
“The daily prompts keep me in discovery/ curiosity mode. I find myself looking for interesting things to be joyful about. I also love the self-inquiry aspects of FREE FLO. For instance…Am I creating more than I am consuming? It’s keeping me honest with myself.”
“One of my highest-held values is connection and that is what I find in FREE FLO. Connection with like-minded, big-hearted women and some men! Also feeling safe to share. I tend to be very private. You have created a space where I feel I can share myself on all levels and it will be received with kindness and encouragement.”
“The Free FLO community has shown love, grace, and acceptance during a personally difficult time. Members have reached out and shown love and attention at a time when I was feeling quite lonely and isolated. Priceless.”
“FREE FLO has changed my life for the better, I’m not even kidding. I am Alive again! This community reminds me daily why I love to create and how essential creativity is to my well-being. I paint/write daily now as a form of self-love, as well as a deep desire to better my practice.”
“As a perfectionist I always make a lot of plans but don't DO them, FREE FLO made me finally sit down and start to play with painting supplies.”
“This course is a delicious and nourishing treat for the creative soul. The tools and advice Flora shares in this course have the power to free you from old, stuck patterns and open up new worlds of exploration.”
“Now that I am a member of FREE FLO, I feel it is possible for me to play and explore my creative ideas. FREE FLO gives me mountains of information and it offers me more than I ever dreamed of. I am very grateful to be a FREE FLO member.”
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