I know the act of putting a price tag on our heartfelt creations and sending them out into the world can feel vulnerable and overwhelming. In today’s “Hey Flora”, I share my favorite tips for fairly pricing your artwork.
DetailsIf you are wondering how to balance imagery you’ve found in life while staying open to inspiration and change in the Brave Intuitive Painting process, this blog is for you!
DetailsIn the last couple weeks, I did two Live Q + A Sessions where I answered all kinds of fun questions about the creative process, art business, inspirations, offerings, and ya know, important things like my favorite shoes.
I just uploaded both these videos for your viewing and listening pleasure and I hope you find them both enjoyable and helpful.
DetailsHave you ever wondered how to “find inspiration” from someone else’s art without copying or being overly derivative of their style? This is a great thing to think about! In this blog I talk about some of my favorite artists inspiring me right now, and how to cultivate your own personal style that sources inspiration while being uniquely yours.
DetailsCreativity is one of those things that requires you to step into some pretty uncharted territory, often with no plan at all. So, of course, you’re gonna be a little nervous — anything can happen out there on the wilds of your canvas!
This is also why Brave Intuitive Painting is such a thrill. There are no boxes to stay comfortably inside of. There are no rules. And there’s definitely not a step-by-step manual.
However, there are some things I’ve learned over the years that will hopefully breathe some fresh confidence beneath your creative wings, and I’m happy to share those with you here.
DetailsAloha! I had the great fortune of spending the past two weeks filling my cup in beautiful Hawaii, and I’m happy to share some of the blessings I received along the way.
DetailsIf you’re feeling in a rut with the imagery or shapes you’re using in your paintings, I’m happy to share one simple trick that might change everything. I remember the exact moment this concept occurred to me. It was about fifteen years ago, and I was out walking on my birthday with my sketchbook. Read the rest of the story in the blog!
I hope this practice will breathe some fresh life into your paintings. Let me know how it goes!
DetailsToday’s the day I get to introduce you to Niema Lightseed, one of the most gentle, soulful, and authentic women I know. Niema’s course, Medicinal Poetry: Using the Healing Art of Writing to Activate Your Inner Muse is the very first offering featured in The Collective, and it feels like the perfect way to kick off this new collaborative adventure.
If you’ve ever had the slightest inclination to write poetry, I can’t recommend Niema’s course enough. It’s a beautiful blend of freeing your creative voice, while honing your technical poetry writing skills (much like Brave Intuitive Painting!) and Niema is a beautiful teacher. I know you’re going to love her.
DetailsIt’s time to lift each other up! I meet so many amazing souls who have something truly unique to share. However, they often lack the practical bits like video equipment, an online platform, or an audience to receive their gifts.
For years, I’ve dreamed about how I could collaboratively support these women to bring their extraordinary messages to a larger audience. It’s honestly just where my mind goes.
What I’ve come up with is called, The Collective, and I’m so happy it’s finally here!
The Collective is a collection of soulful online courses featuring savvy teachers from a variety of disciplines, including movement, visual art, poetry, music, nutrition, wellness, business, and more. The common intention behind each offering is to provide inspiring, uplifting, and unique content in well made, easy to digest, beautiful online courses.
DetailsLooking forward, I’ve been asking myself how to offer something that feels truly useful and inspiring, while also honoring my need for creative freedom, spaciousness and rest.
After much soul searching, I’ve come up with something that feels like the perfect solution. I’m calling it Real Time, and I made a little video to give you the scoop. Check it out here!
DetailsI cherish the days at the end of each year to reflect on all that’s transpired over the past twelve months and to consciously plant new intentions for the coming year.
Looking forward, I’ve decided my word for 2018 is GRACE — a word that makes my shoulders relax and my breath deepen just by typing it.
To honor this past year, I’m happy to share a few of my favorite creative tidbits, videos, interviews and downloadable PDFs from 2017.
Thank you again for all your support!
DetailsFriends. I’ve noticed something about humans these days, and I’m guessing you’ve noticed it too. Whenever we have a spare moment that’s not filled with some kind of stimulation, we reach for our devices to fill the space. And I get it. I’m just as guilty as the next person, but I’m also growing increasingly concerned about this “habit,” especially for creative folks like us.
I’ve been working hard to set up new boundaries and create healthier patterns around my relationship to technology, and I’m happy to share some of my tricks with you today.
DetailsToday I have a little gift for you. My amazing right-hand gal, Tina, had the brilliant idea of creating some free downloadable gift tags for you, and voila — here they are!
I also put Lifestyle Goodies, Gift Certificates and Prints on sale for the holidays. Find out more inside!
DetailsIf you’ve ever wondered how, or if, making art and flexing your creative muscles contributes to the world in a truly impactful and meaningful way, you’re not alone.
As the world changes before our very eyes, these questions feel more important than ever, and it didn’t surprise me at all when they surfaced in a workshop I taught in Northern California last month. Watch the video to hear about the breakthrough we all experienced on our final day together.
DetailsIn this session, I added some spice to my painting process by creating a “Painting Prompts” game.
As a result, the painting went through many interesting incarnations and eventually turned into something truly special and unique.
In the Session, you’ll find a downloadable PDF with prompts for you to print out and follow at home.
DetailsDesha Peacock joins us for a guest blog today to share some tips on how to create a space to do your art, even if you have a small space. In her new book, Your Creative Work Space, she interviewed Flora to learn how she’s created her own sweet spot work space, plus she’ll share some more sage advice from other creatives that were featured in the book.
DetailsI’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.
DetailsIn 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.
DetailsI 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.
DetailsI’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!
DetailsInspired 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!
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.
DetailsIt 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.
DetailsIn 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.
Details1440 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.
DetailsA 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.
DetailsIt’s been so fun to share my approach to painting with the Creativebug community over the past year and to see so many people from around the world discovering their ability to paint intuitively.
If you’re not already familiar with Creativebug, this amazing website offers access to hundreds of wonderful art classes, including my three-part course. And here’s some good news, you can check it all out using their free two-week trial period!
DetailsIf 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!
DetailsLet’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!
DetailsI’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!
DetailsIf 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.
DetailsDo 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.
DetailsThere 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!
DetailsWhy 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.
DetailsFor 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!
DetailsAs 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!
DetailsI’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!
DetailsLast year, I was asked to give my first public speech.
Since LOVE was the theme, I decided to share (for the first time publicly) my story of hitching a ride to New Orleans and doing six-months of disaster relief work on the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina — all while living in a makeshift tent.
Writing and sharing this story allowed me to dig into the memories of that potent time in my life, and looking back, I see what a _huge_ turning point it was for me.
Listen to the whole story here.
DetailsThere 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!
DetailsI’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.
DetailsIt’s time for a little show and tell.
The first week of the Creative Revolution E-Course has been so fantastic!
Watching folks from all over the world getting fired up about making art in new ways and inviting more creativity into all aspects of their lives makes my heart super happy.
And today I’m excited to give you a little peek inside the revolution by sharing some of the words and creations of my students.
DetailsToday, I’m sharing a little sneak peek inside my new Creative Revolution E-Course to give you an idea about what it looks and feels like. Class starts tomorrow!
I’m also sharing a massive giveaway with you…check it out!
DetailsIt’s one thing to paint, sing, or dance (an AMAZING thing, of course!), but it’s a whole different ball of wax to weave your creative spirit into every aspect of your life.
From the way you make breakfast, to how you use your voice, walk down the street, and listen to your loved ones, there are boundless new ways to invite creativity into your everyday life.
DetailsI’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!
DetailsWith the constant tsunami of information coming at us these days, creating personal “sanctuaries” to refuel is essential.
Personally, I’ve been more committed than ever before to claiming those precious moments in the morning to stretch, breathe, take a walk, savor a warm beverage, and generally wake up with myself, before diving into my phone and email box. I’ve also been loving more art making, writing, and reading in my evenings.
DetailsI’ve never been able to sit still for very long, and if you’ve ever watched me paint, you’ve probably noticed I like to dance my way across the canvas.
Moving my body to awesome music is hands down my favorite way to open up channels of freedom and flow in my creative process, and this is why I’ve included unique Movement Sequences in every week of the Creative Revolution E-Course.
I made a little video to tell you more about it and to offer you a Mini Movement Exercise to play with right now!
DetailsI believe shifting creative gears is an essential part of staying inspired and developing your own unique style.
This could mean using a new medium, changing the scale of your work, or simply having an entirely new intention like, “I don’t care what this looks like, I just want to play!”
I’m a big fan of all these shifts, especially the one about playing, and one great way to do this is through Visual Riffing.
DetailsI 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.
DetailsI’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!
DetailsWho’s ready for a brand new year? I am. I am!
And who’s ready to invite more creativity into their lives this year?
I believe that strengthening our brave, intuitive muscles (both on and off the canvas) is more important than ever before, so to give you a little jumpstart of creative inspiration I’m happy to share some of my favorite videos with you.
DetailsIt’s snowing in Portland today!
This is not only a rare and beautiful sight (I swear my entire neighborhood is sledding at the dog park right now), but it also creates the perfect backdrop for three of my favorite activities: making art, drinking warm beverages, and listening to new podcasts.
If you’re looking for some fresh podcast action, I’ve got ya covered with some of my favorites, as well as some of your favorites compiled from a recent Facebook post on this very topic.
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