As a creative guide, I often hear people express a deep desire to find their unique style of artistic expression, and I understand. 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.
DetailsEver wonder how to find your creative community or what “creative community” actually looks like? If so, you’re definitely not alone. I think it’s safe to say that most creative folks crave community in one form or another. For me, community has always been super important. In fact, I’d go so far as to say surrounding myself…
DetailsSIX DAYS AGO, I ARRIVED AT SQUAM ART WORKSHOPS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The woodsy scene there is all kinds of gorgeous — quaint cabins, an unbelievable lake, awesome women everywhere — but there I was with knots in my stomach.
I was there to teach a totally new class — one that involved more movement than painting and more watercolor, ink and pastels than acrylic. Most of my security blankets, comfort zones and feelings of “I got this,” had left the room.
DetailsToday 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.
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! 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.
DetailsIn 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!
DetailsIn 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!
DetailsCome 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.
DetailsToday I’ll be talking about the vulnerability of sharing your artwork with the world, and some tips to get started!
DetailsOn 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.
DetailsI believe the commonly held idea of artists toiling away alone in their studios, isolated from each other, guarding their techniques and often in some state of despair is becoming a thing of the past.
It’s a myth that no longer serves our collective human need to come together, support each other and move our evolution story forward. The bottom line is:
We need each other.
DetailsHOME
I’ve been home from my month-long trip to Bali for exactly one week, and I gotta say TIME is so strange when flying halfway around the globe is part of the deal. In some ways I feel like I was just there, but mostly it feels like a distant exotic dream. You know how that goes…
Anyhooo, my trip was lovely. Bali is lovely. My students were awesome and many thresholds were crossed. I know I’ve said it before, but AGAIN, I can hardly believe I get to do this work in the world…and all over the world at that.
DetailsAs you likely know, I’m a big fan of collaboration, so when Matt Butler, the dynamic conductor of the amazing Everyone Orchestra, asked me if I’d be interested in painting a tuxedo jacket and matching hat for him, it was a very clear YES.
Let me start by saying that I totally dig the whole concept behind the Everyone Orchestra. Their positive high-energy shows blend a unique line-up of different (always uber-talented) musicians and there is no “Set List” … only improvisation, talent and trust.
Details“This class was just what I needed to get painting again and try acrylics. Flora taught me to see all that is perfect instead of the faults. It’s been so long since I’ve enjoyed painting this much!” Cinda Bauman
Do you want to access your inner creativity, feel more connected to your life and feel confident to express your true self on canvas? Bloom True might just be for you. Take a look at these paintings created by participants of the class
DetailsToday I’m sharing a brand new video that gives you a sneak peek into my virtual painting retreat, REUNITE!
DetailsHi everyone! Just a quick note to let you know that registration is now open for the next round of my Bloom True E-Course. The next five-week course will begin in February, 2014, and you will have six months of extended access after the course finishes (so you can go back over it whenever you want during that time).
I continue to be floored by the response to this course…
DetailsIf you’re craving daily nourishment and creative wellness in a month-long, pay-what-you-can container, I have a treat for you today!
DetailsIf 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!
DetailsAfter a year of very little painting (been just a tad busy teaching 14 workshops, writing a book and launching an E-Course…yikes!), I spent the last month grooving away in my new studio—such soul food for this hungry soulful painter! I decided I needed to take a little bit of my own advice and be…
DetailsThe very thought of public speaking makes my armpits sweat.
This is exactly why I said, “YES” to my first public speaking gig this summer at the Brave Girls Symposium in Boise, Idaho.
Details“REMEMBER THE ENJOYMENT FACTOR”
This sweet reminder was offered up by my yoga teacher yesterday. In fact, remembering to enjoy the experience was the focus of the entire class. We were given permission to throw away strict yoga “rules” and ideas about what the practice was supposed to look like. Instead, we were encouraged to move and breathe in a way that simply….FELT GOOD.
Ah yes. That.
DetailsOK. I’m admittedly not being very humble here, but seriously you guys, these new holiday cards designed by Papaya! are so GORGEOUS…so much so that I’m actually feeling inspired to send holiday cards for the first time in, like, fifteen years. Perhaps they will inspire you too? We are selling packs of five (of the same design) for $20, and packs of ten (one of each design) for only $30 (shipping within the US is included).
Get your holiday cheer on today!
With the constant tsunami of information coming at us these days, creating personal “sanctuaries” to refuel is essential. Learn more in today’s blog!
DetailsWatch a me paint a huge painting in just under a minute, part of the very last Real Time Live treasure box!
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. Watch the video inside for sneak peek of the process!
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. What I found really interesting was how free this process actually made me feel. Take a peek inside!
DetailsThis episode of The Painting Sessions offers a fun departure from the past six episodes. The whole experience was one big playful experiment. I hope you enjoy this video sneak peek!
DetailsIf you’ve ever struggled with finishing a painting or have a stack of unfinished paintings lying around, you’re not alone. If you’re interested in letting go of the old and welcoming the new, check this video out!
DetailsIn this Session, I explore something I’ve been inspired to try for some time, and the process results in a big breakthrough! If you’re curious about adding more mixed media elements and personal ephemera into your paintings, this Session is a must watch.
DetailsWe 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. If you’re interested in moving in new directions in your work, check this video out!
DetailsI went to my studio last weekend to paint out the knots in my stomach and to give my anxious thoughts a place to rest. I went there because painting has always been my medicine, and more than ever, I’ve been feeling called to paint it out. But what does “painting it out” actually look like, and how is this different from any other day in the studio?
Details"Write blog post" has been on my to do list for the past three weeks. Every time I look at my list it just stares back at me— "Hellloooo, remember me?" Well, let me just say that I have not forgotten about you my sweet little blog! I have just been completely immersed in my…
DetailsIf 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!
Details“My “breakthrough” piece. Happened freely following the images that emerged. I call it Shamanic Dream because it looks like shamanic journeying with dream images.“ Christine Kennedy
Let go. Be bold. Unfold. That’s what the Bloom True class did back in September, and look what beauty emerged.
DetailsOne of my favorite conversations to have with people is about what REALLY lights them up. It is one the most direct ways to understand a person’s heart and soul-calling and often leads to the kind of juicy conversations I love the most.
My “light up” moments usually happen when I’m painting and connecting with people I am truly inspired by. So, for the past year I’ve been combining these passions by exploring collaborative painting, and guess what? I love it.
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!
DetailsOne of the big changes I made to my current Bloom True E-Course was shifting the theme of Week Two from ‘Play’ to ‘Letting Go.’ The other week’s themes — Intuition, Your Inspiring Life, Being Brave and Blooming True — remain the same, but there was always something about ‘Play’ that never totally resonated with me.
And then it hit me. ‘Play” is simply one way of letting go.
DetailsAs I sit here in my neighborhood coffee shop in Portland, OR, there are 60,000 plus people gathered in the Nevada dessert celebrating creativity, community, art and radical self expression — yep, pretty much all my favorite things. I do not hesitate to say that these lucky people are attending the best party on Earth right now and that party is called Burning Man.
DetailsNovember’s series of downloadable inspiration for you to share with your loved ones!
DetailsGREETINGS! It was great to see how many of you enjoyed the Free Color Mixing video I posted a few weeks ago, so I thought I’d share a couple more videos with you today. These are two mini clips from the January edition of Studio Diaries. The first is from a Creative Exercise all about finding new tools and…
DetailsIf you’ve ever wondered how to balance your creative painting practice with your life and business, this “Hey Flora” is for you. In this episode I talk about how I manage my time to keep my cup full of inspiration.
DetailsFriends! I’m thrilled to share with you a fresh new line of products now available worldwide though my Society6 store. If you’ve ever craved one of my paintings in the form of a rug, tote bag, clock, iphone case or shower curtain…yes SHOWER CURTAIN, you are in luck! The new store also features a variety…
DetailsWe’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!
DetailsWith the constant onslaught of heartbreaking news, it’s easy to feel fearful and overwhelmed by the state of the world these days. It’s more important than ever to feed our souls a daily dose of uplifting stories, meaningful experiences, and creative inspiration.
DetailsIf you know me, you know I’ve been coloring my hair every color of the rainbow for my entire adult life. But I’ve never let my silvers grow out… until now.
DetailsDiscover one of my key guidelines for my Brave Intuitive Painting process… and an amazing opportunity to paint with me in 2019!
DetailsIf you’ve ever wondered how to move through your creative blocks, this “Hey Flora” is for you!
DetailsI’m so happy to share some of my new work and photos from my recent trip to Morocco!
DetailsI’m a big believer in the power of sharing our personal stories, and I finally feel ready to share this one with you. Thank you for allowing my vulnerability.
Behind the scenes of painting and teaching and all that I do, I’ve been on a very tender fertility journey for the past four years. As I moved through the rollercoaster of it all, I felt the need to keep it very private…until now.
DetailsIf you’re looking for gifts that are incredible to receive, while directly supporting the makers, doers, and creators behind them, I’ve got some ideas for you! Supporting artists and changemakers who spark inspiration, catalyze change, and create products that soothe the soul feels like an act of love and justice in itself, and I’m happy to share some of my personal favorites with you here.
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