MY ONE PAINTING “RULE”
Discover one of my key guidelines for my Brave Intuitive Painting process… and an amazing opportunity to paint with me in 2019!
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SIGN UP FOR THE PAINT PARTY (IT’S FREE!)
Come hang out with me! Registration is now open for my very first live online hangout in my backyard art studio. We’ll paint, dance, talk, sip tea… and so much more.
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PAINT WITH ME IN MY (VIRTUAL) STUDIO
If you’ve ever wanted to join me in my studio for tea and a painting session, here is your chance! Join me from the comfort of your own home. Find out more in the blog!
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SEEKING STARS FOR BLOOM TRUE LIVE!
On October 17 – 21, 2018, I’ll be filming a full-length Bloom True Workshop, with all the bells and whistles, and I’m seeking eight wonderful participants to be the stars of the show.
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A CRUCIAL TIP TO FINDING YOUR STYLE + SOME OF MY FAVORITE ARTISTS!
Have 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.
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SIX TIPS FOR BOOSTING YOUR CREATIVE CONFIDENCE RIGHT NOW
Creativity 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! Today I’ll share with you some tips I’ve learned over there years that will hopefully breathe some fresh confidence beneath your creative wings.
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ONE SIMPLE TRICK TO BRING YOUR PAINTINGS TO LIFE!
If 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!
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Cozy Up With 20 Inspiring 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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THE MEANING BEHIND OUR PAINTINGS
For years, when folks asked me the meaning behind my paintings (which they LOVE to do), I struggled to respond – feeling like I needed an intellectual answer to explain the meaning behind my work. I’ll dive into this hot topic in today’s video!
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CREATIVE BUSINESS WITH HEART
September’s Diary is all about Creative Business with Heart. In this Diary, we’ll dive into my favorite practical and intuitive tools to support a soulful, sustainable and successful creative business.
Every Diary also includes a special Diving Deeper Podcast where I share my thoughts on questions from the Studio Diaries community. The podcast this month is SO full of great questions about creative business, I’m happy to share the entire recording with you right here. Enjoy!
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HOW TO NAVIGATE UNSOLICITED FEEDBACK
In this week’s Hey Flora, I answer a question from Grace, who writes in about the delicate dynamic of receiving unsolicited feedback.
Has this ever happened to you?
Someone sees your painting and spontaneously begins to offer tips, critiques, and ideas. Sometimes this advice is absolutely welcome, and sometimes — not so much.
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HOW TO FINISH A PAINTING
I often hear people say that FINISHING their intuitive paintings is the hardest part of the process. And I totally get it. I would LOVE to help you all with this, so in this week’s Hey Flora episode, I’m offering up a few helpful tips about finishing intuitive paintings.
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INTUTIVE PAINTING ON CREATIVEBUG!
Friends. I’ve been keeping this excitement under wraps for awhile, but today is the day I finally get to share it with you!
A few months ago, I had the pleasure of filming a three-part Intuitive Painting class in my Portland studio with the fine folks from Creativebug, and my first class is launching today!
If you’re not already in the know, allow me to fill you in on the sweetest deal ever. This awesome site offers you access to hundreds of art classes for just $4.95/month…
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HOW TO SELL PAINTINGS AND KEEP THE IMAGES FOREVER!
The one regret I have in my career as an artist is that I didn’t professionally document my earlier paintings. In this week’s Hey Flora episode, I’m answering these questions, “When you’re documenting your work, how do you pay the photographer? Per photo, per session, per month? How does it all work?”
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QUICK TIPS FOR SETTING UP YOUR PAINTING SPACE
If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t paint, because I don’t have the space to paint,” it’s time to get creative with your creative space!
Consider where you might be able to carve out a little space for yourself?
Do you have an extra room, garage, patio, basement or attic? Perhaps you have a friend who could easily lend you a little extra space or happily go in on renting a shared space?
Even if you’re painting on a kitchen table, in the corner of your bedroom, or in your backyard, cultivating physical space in order to create is one of the most powerful things you can do to support your creative habit.
In this week’s Hey Flora episode, I’m sharing a few basic tips to help you get your painting space up and running. One of these tips took me YEARS to figure out, so I’m thrilled to pass it along and save you some time!
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HOW CREATIVITY HEALS: A CONVERSATION WITH SHILOH SOPHIA
I recently had the honor of meeting teacher, artist, poet and founder of Intentional Creativity, Shiloh Sophia. I’m guessing many of you already know Shiloh, but if not, I’m honored to make the introduction.
About a month ago, Shiloh was in Portland teaching a workshop in my studio, so of course I had to steal her away to record a couple of couch chats in my living room. As suspected, we hit it off like dear old friends.
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LETTING GO WHAT YOU LIKE TO MAKE ROOM FOR WHAT YOU LOVE + OTHER TIPS ON LAYERING
I love how this week’s Hey Flora question is disguised as a painting question, but can actually be applied to life in so many ways.
Our question comes from a Studio Diaries participant, and she writes:
“I have a hard time simplifying. The first layers are pretty chaotic, and then I feel like I just paint over them. How do I simplify without just painting over everything.”
This is a great question for anyone who paints in layers or anyone who struggles with simplification in life off the canvas! In this video I offer a few super simple tips about the magic of translucent paint, letting go of what you like, focusing on what you love, and working with what’s working.
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FINDING INSPIRATION
Besides, “What kind of dog is Pearl?” there are two questions I hear on a regular basis:
“Where do you find inspiration, and how do you stay inspired?”
I could happily riff on these gems for days, but I’ll keep it clear and to the point in this week’s Hey Flora Episode.
And by the way, Peal is a Maremma Sheepdog! 🙂
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HOW THE HECK DO YOU TITLE A PAINTING?
Hi everyone! In this week’s Hey Flora: Weekly Tidbits for Your Creative Adventure, I’m answering the question, “How do you title your paintings?” from Elias.
While there is certainly no formula for how to choose a title for a painting (in fact, titling your paintings is totally optional!), I’m happy to share a few of my own tricks for what can sometimes feel like tricky territory.
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MANIFESTING YOUR CREATIVE DREAM TRIBE
Hi everyone! In this week’s Hey Flora: Weekly Tidbits for Your Creative Adventure, I’m sharing my thoughts on how to manifest the dreamiest creative community you can imagine.
If you’ve ever dreamed of attending super inspiring art gatherings or longed for more connection with like-hearted creatives, check this one out.
It’s actually easier than you think!
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BUSTING THE STARVING ARTIST MYTH
In this week’s Hey Flora: Weekly Tidbits for Your Creative Adventure, I’m sharing a few insights into how I was able to make money from my art in the early days of my career.
If starting a business as an artist feels overwhelming or straight up impossible, this one’s for you!
For more in-depth conversations about art, biz and busting the starving artist myth, head on over to my Press Page, and scroll down to the bottom of the page for interviews. I recommend starting with The Creative Entrepreneur, Luna Jaffe, and the Abundant Artist!
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SIMPLE TOOLS FOR BLENDING COLORS
In this week’s Hey Flora: Weekly Tidbits for Your Creative Adventure, I’m sharing why two simple items from the hardware store are my favorite tools for blending colors.
If you’ve ever struggled with blending one area of color into another, this is for you!
DetailsSimple Tips for Blending Colors
In this week’s Hey Flora: Weekly Tidbits for Your Creative Adventure, I’m sharing why two simple items from the hardware store are my favorite tools for blending colors.
If you’ve ever struggled with blending one area of color into another, this is for you!
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KEEPING IT FRESH WITH THE ART OF LAYERING
In this week’s Hey Flora: Weekly Tidbits for Your Creative Adventure, I offer some simple ways to keep your colors fresh, while staying in your creative flow.
If you’ve ever struggled with muddy colors or experienced creative block, this one’s for you!
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INTRODUCING HEY FLORA: WEEKLY TIDBITS FOR YOUR CREATIVE ADVENTURE!
I’m embarking on a fun new offering called, Hey Flora: Weekly Tidbits for Your Creative Adventure, and I’m happy to share the very first episode with you today!
In each Hey Flora episode, I’ll answer one burning (or not so burning) question about my Brave Intuitive Painting process or creative entrepreneurship. I’ll share these short videos each Monday’s through my News, Art, Love newsletter.
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ADDING POP TO YOUR PAINTINGS!
Ever wonder how to get more dynamic POP in your paintings?
Well, you’re in luck!
In this month’s Studio Diary, I get all kinds of geeky over the many ways dynamic contrast can breathe life into a painting.
For example, playing with dynamic color, value, mark, texture, size, shape, mood, speed, materials, and scale (whew!) can all add a potent visual spark to make your paintings SING.
This month’s Diary is packed with fresh creative exercises, painting videos, an awesome interview with painter, Jeremy Szopinski, ideas for exploring contrast in everyday life, and so much more.
With an abundance of creative exercises, I’m happy to pass along one of the full-length videos for you to enjoy right now. This exercise offers some super easy and fun ways to explore Color Contrast.
I hope you enjoy it!
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NEW COLLABORATIVE PAINTING VIDEO
We’re exploring Collaboration over in Studio Diaries this month, and there are some seriously cool creations happening between parents, kids, partners, friends and pretty much anybody who is willing to play with paint.
It totally warms my heart to know so many people are connecting to their families and communities through the creative process — the world certainly needs more of this right now.
To give you a glimpse into this month’s Studio Diary, I’ve put together a really fun little video clip of one of the collaborations I did with fellow painter, Jennifer Mercede.
I hope it inspires some collaborative paint flinging of your own!
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CENTERED EXPANSION + PORTLAND STUDIO TOUR!
AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, I’M MAKING SOME PRETTY MASSIVE SHIFTS IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW.
After four years of fairly intense globe-trotting to spread the Bloom True love, I’m shifting gears and rooting down in my hometown of Portland, OR.
In support of this grand shift, I moved out of my little backyard studio into a large and lovely (like woah) studio nestled in a groovy creative industrial area about ten minutes from my house. I feel beyond blessed to have found such a magical space that is EXACTLY what I envisioned, hoped and prayed to find.
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