MY BIGGEST PAINTING SALE TO DATE!

I’m getting ready to move into my new backyard studio, and this means I’m clearing house!

All of my original paintings, prints, products, and other studio treasures will be seriously discounted as part of my Big Studio Moving Sale, September 22nd and 23rd.

I honestly haven’t put much effort into selling my original paintings for the past seven years, so this is a pretty rare and exciting moment in Flora history.

The big sale will take place in my Portland studio and also on the “Available Work” page of my website.

PAINTING SESSIONS EPISODE ELEVEN: SNEAK PEEK

In this Session, I explore something I’ve been inspired to try for some time, and the process results in a big breakthrough!

Combining family letters, photos, stencils and my archive of creative studies with acrylic paint, I weave together a large-scale mixed media creation on a wood panel.

This Session is both emotionally moving and personally energizing, and I can’t wait to create more paintings using these materials!

If you’re curious about adding more mixed media elements and personal ephemera into your paintings, this Session is a must watch.

I BELIEVE CREATIVITY CAN SAVE THE WORLD. HERE’S WHY.

I wrote these words two years ago, but they’re fresh on my mind today:

While complex global systems intensify, we are being called back to a time when creativity was both an essential part of survival and an integral part of human expression.

As I watch the incredible turbulence gripping the planet right now, I find myself dreaming about a radically different kind of future – one where our Earth is in balance and all living beings are treated with dignity and respect.

My soul yearns so strongly for this kind of reality, and I do believe it’s possible, but not without a massive shift in how we think and act.

This is where creativity comes in.

LIFE BOOK 2018 TEACHER LINEUP + GIVE AWAY

I’m teaching a brand new course on Life Book 2018!

If you haven’t already heard about Life Book, it’s a year-long online course featuring 23 incredible art teachers who share their mixed media art techniques throughout the year. This year, Life Book will also feature 12 wellness guides offering additional practices like yoga, aromatherapy, and dance.

Registration for Life Book opens on September 12. Be sure to enter my Life Book Giveaway for a chance to win a free spot!

CREATIVE REVOLUTION CHALLENGE 2017

Inspired by the Creative Revolution E-Course and my ongoing quest to weave more creativity into everyday life, I’ve put together thirty fun prompts for you to explore during the month of September.

My challenge for you is to complete every single prompt sometime during the month of September. I know you can do this, and when you complete all the prompts, there will be prizes, friends. Always prizes! (Keep reading for details).

I hope this Challenge inspires more creative living during the month of September while giving you a little taste of The Creative Revolution E-Course.

THE MAGIC KEY TO BRAVE INTUITIVE PAINTING

It took me years to find the words to describe some of the philosophies I use in my Brave Intuitive Painting process.

Painting is such a nonverbal pursuit, after all.

However, when I started teaching workshops and writing books, I suddenly found myself digging deeper into the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ behind what I do, so I could share my ideas with others more effectively.

In this week’s Hey Flora Episode, I’m happy to share this golden nugget with you.

PAINTING SESSIONS EPISODE TEN: SNEAK PEEK

In this month’s Painting Session, I decided to step out of my comfort zone by embracing the world of pure abstraction, and I learned so much.

By not allowing myself to use my quintessential, recognizable imagery such as flowers, figures, plants, and animals, I was forced to explore color, mark-making, and form in a whole new way.

What I found really interesting was how free this process actually made me feel.

Instead of seeking out and/or forcing images or a narrative, I was able to simply play with color, mark, value, and form in a way that felt relaxing, expressive, and full of possibility.

I’M TEACHING AT 1440 MULTIVERSITY!

1440 is designed to invite more presence, awareness, and connection to what really matters in life, and I’m honored to be teaching a collaborative workshop with my dear friend, Cvita Mamic, called Beyond the Surface, October 15th – 20th.

Throughout this five-days, we’ll weave together mindful movement, writing prompts, guided meditations, and unique, mixed-media creative exercises to uncover personal symbols and explore how creativity can serve as a vehicle to access and transform energy, thoughts, and patterns.

TENDING WHAT IS PRECIOUS

A bright, soulful woman from my online community, my mom’s sister’s husband (aka my uncle), and two of my friend’s beloved doggie companions all left this earthly realm in a flash.

With each loss, my heart ached, tears flowed, and I was left with a potent mixture of sadness, reverence, and gratitude.

I believe sharing my first public speech about losing my own beloved mama at the Brave Girl Symposium just two weeks ago cracked me open and allowed me to access my emotions around these losses in a more immediate and authentic way. And for that, I am truly thankful.

PAINTING SESSIONS EPISODE NINE: SNEAK PEEK

If you’ve ever struggled with finishing a painting or have a stack of unfinished paintings lying around, you’re not alone.

I often hear that completing a painting is the hardest part of the process, so instead of letting these painting pile up in a neglected corner of my studio, I decided to take two of them out to breathe some fresh air into them. As you’ll see, this Session is about inviting change, embracing reinvention, and staying present to the ever-unfolding story of your canvas.

If you’re interested in letting go of the old and welcoming the new, check this one out!

NEED UPLIFTING? CHECK THIS ONE OUT!

Let’s be honest. We live in a wild time.

With the constant onslaught of heartbreaking news, it’s easy to feel fearful and overwhelmed by the state of the world these days.

I get that. I feel it too.

This is exactly why it’s more important than ever to feed our souls a daily dose of uplifting stories, meaningful experiences, and creative inspiration. Really anything that fills our hearts and inspires positive action is more than welcome!

PAINTING SESSIONS EPISODE EIGHT: SNEAK PEEK

I’m happy to share a sneak peek of Episode Eight of the Painting Sessions with you today.

We filmed this Session right after I taught a brand new workshop in New Mexico, so I was feeling all kinds of inspired to try out some new ideas.

I gave myself specific parameters going in with the hope that they might lead to some new discoveries along the way. I worked with a very limited palette, the human figure, and the written word, and these limitations or “banks of the river,” as I like to call them, resulted in an interesting new palette and a whole posse of female figures.

If you’re interested in moving in new directions in your work, check this one out!

FREEING UP WITH PAINT!

If you’re seeking more freedom in your creative expression, you’re not alone.

This is the number one reason folks show up for my workshops and courses, and it makes perfect sense. We all want to feel more free and alive, and painting provides a playful and dynamic way to access this kind of wild abandon.

However, the romantic notion of freely slinging paint around a canvas is not always easy to access. In fact, sometimes it can feel like quite a conundrum, especially if you’re used to a more logical, planned out way of life.

INSPIRING NEW VIDEO!

Do you ever feel like you’re in a creative rut?

As a person who’s been painting for twenty-five years, I know I’ve been in many a rut over the years, but I always seem to dig myself out, and here’s how.

I mix it up constantly.

Just like life off the canvas, if we do the same things over and over, we’re bound to form habits and eventually get a little (or a lot) bored.

That’s why it’s crucial to find new ways to approach our creative practices… and our lives. And this, my friends, is what the Creative Revolution E-Course is allllllllll about.

CHANGE THE WAY YOU SEE THE WORLD!

There are many days I don’t make it into the studio to paint. Perhaps you can relate? But instead of beating myself up about my “lack of creative productivity,” I’ve been seeking more and more ways to integrate simple acts of creative living into my everyday life, and I gotta say, it’s a game-changer.

These subtle shifts in perspective have the power to bring the magic of creativity into even the most mundane moments, while opening up a world of inspiration along the way. They also make walking out the front door much more exciting!

I call this approach to life, The Art of Aliveness, and I’m happy to share one of my favorites with you today. It’s called, Visual Feast, and it’s all about seeing your world through a fresh lens. Enjoy!

WHY DO WE MAKE ART & HOW DO WE STAY INSPIRED?

Why do we make art? How do we stay inspired?

Throughout The Creative Revolution E-Course, I offer a number of Live Calls to answer questions, and these two gems recently came up. So good, right? I’m a big believer in asking these poignant questions in order to stay connected to the “why” behind our work and inspiration.

The truth is we all make art for different reasons, and we all find inspiration in unique ways, so it’s important to do some soul searching to find your truth. I’ve included a list of questions to get you started, and I’m happy to share my personal reflections on these two questions in the video below.

WHAT ONLINE CLASS IS FOR ME?

For the past seven years, I’ve been pouring my heart into the creation of four innovative online courses, and I’m truly so proud of each and every one of them. There I said it 😉

One really cool thing about these distinct courses is how beautifully they pair together to offer an even richer creative experience. So the first time ever, I’ve bundled all the courses into pairs, because doesn’t it seem like you should get a sweet deal if you purchase more than one? I think so!

Typically these bundles will give you 10% off both courses, but to celebrate this new dealio, I’m offering a whopping 25% off any bundle from now until May 30th with the Match Made in Heaven Sale. This means you’ll receive 25% off both classes!

TEN THINGS YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW TO DISCOVER YOUR ONE-OF-A-KIND STYLE

As a creative guide, I often we hear people express a deep desire to find their unique style of artistic expression, and I understand. Making art that is unmistakably your own is both satisfying and integral, but finding your own style also takes attention, patience, resourcefulness, courage and time.

To support you on this journey, I’ve put together a list of ten simple things you can do right now to unearth and nourish your one-of-a-kind creative expression. I hope you find it helpful!

PAINTING SESSIONS EPISODE SEVEN: SNEAK PEEK

I’m happy to share a sneak peek of Episode Seven of the Painting Sessions with you today.

This episode of The Painting Sessions offers a fun departure from the past six episodes.

Instead of painting one large painting on canvas, I used a variety of supplies such as watercolor, ink, graphite, collage, acrylic, and markers on watercolor paper to create three new mixed media paintings.

I had no specific expectations going in beyond trying new materials and seeing where they took me — and making something interesting for you to watch 😉 That said, the whole experience was one big playful experiment. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek!

FREE SAMPLE PAINTING SESSION! INSPIRATION AWAITS!

It’s The Painting Session’s sixth-month anniversary!

I gotta say, I’ve been having so much fun creating these fresh, action-packed Sessions for you each month.

And from what I’ve been hearing, they’re a big hit!

To celebrate this milestone, I’m excited to give you a front row seat to this awesome by offering you a collection of videos from our past six episodes. Please enjoy this complimentary Sample Painting Session as my gift to you!

I hope this Sample Session gives you loads of creative inspiration, and if you’re left craving more, I’m happy to share a super amazing Six Month Anniversary Special with you during the month of April.

A SERIOUS BURST OF INSPIRATION + SOUL SOOTHING

There comes a time when you need to share the goods.

That’s what today’s note is all about — my own little curated list of goodies that are invigorating, inspiring, and generally soothing my soul lately.

I’ve been carefully compiling this treasure trove for awhile, and I’m so happy to share it with you today. Take what works, and bless the rest!

(And, nope, I’m not getting paid to do this. Just happy to spread the love.)

ENJOY!

EPISODE FIVE OF THE PAINTING SESSION: SNEAK PEEK!

I’m happy to share a sneak peek of Episode Five of the Painting Sessions with you today.

I created this painting using the layering process from my Bloom True E-Course — starting with warm colors, then adding cool colors, popping in light and dark values, and seeing where it all wanted to go. As always, there were many unexpected twists and turns along the way, and I’m happy to share it all with you in this month’s Painting Session.

EPISODE FOUR OF THE PAINTING SESSIONS: SNEAK PEEK!

I’m happy to share a little sneak peek of Episode Four of The Painting Sessions.

This painting was inspired by all the little paintings I’ve been doing at home lately. I started the first layer by using an exercise I call, Musical Lines, and it definitely provided a pretty exciting breakthrough for me!

MY CREATIVE LULL + CURRENT BREAKTHROUGH!

I gotta be honest with you, I haven’t felt super inspired to paint for the past few years. Yikes, I said it.

While I’ve been creating lots of demo paintings in my workshops and the occasional painting here and there, there’s this whole other level of inspiration — the deep, insatiable, gotta-paint-everyday-kind-of inspiration — that’s been MIA for awhile now.

I understand that inspiration is something that ebbs and flows over time, so I’ve been trying not to beat myself up over this mulit-year lull. However, I have been examining what kinds of shifts might get me back in the flow.

EPISODE THREE OF THE PAINTING SESSIONS: SNEAK PEEK!

I’m happy to let you all know that Episode Three of The Painting Sessions is ready to roll, and it’s a goooood one!

If you’re not yet familiar with this offering, I highly recommend checking it out. Every monthly Painting Session gives you an intimate look at the creation of one large painting from start to finish, accompanied by a voice-over where I offer all kinds of tricks, insights, and encouragement along the way. Enjoy this sneak peek of Episode Three!

SNEAK PEEK OF THE PAINTING SESSIONS

Today is the first day of The Painting Sessions, and I’m super excited to finally share this new offering with you! To give you a little glimpse of the very first episode, we put together this short video for you.

INTRODUCING THE PAINTING SESSIONS!

There’s something pretty magical about watching an intuitive painting come to life from start to finish.

To offer you a front row seat to this mesmerizing experience, I’ve created a unique, monthly, online offering called, The Painting Sessions.

GETTING HONEST WITH ORLY AVINERI

I’m happy to share one of the special conversations that emerged from this month’s Studio Diary with mixed-media artist Orly Avineri.

Join Orly and I in the studio as we consider the topics of honesty, vulnerability, and bridging the gap between how we live and how we create.

“In art, the less involved you are , the more honest the art is, and the more honest the art is the more beautiful.”