Bloom True Online Course Gallery, Part One

"I loved learning all the layering/mark making techniques… I think I am most proud of this painting as I really took my time with it and tried to listen to it unfold." Nathalie Vachon

As promised, here is the first glimpse of some paintings that emerged from my first ever Bloom True online course. I know I sound like a proud mama bragging about her kids but, really, I am just totally blown away by the depth and beauty of what my students created. And, beyond the beauty of the finished paintings, I must give a nod to the brave journey required of the soul to paint in this intuitive way. This process actually requires you to let go completely and trust that your paintings will be born naturally if you can simply (or not so simply) get out of your own way. You have to release the need to know what your paintings will look like before you start and be ready to embrace the mystery of the unknown. It's a brave path of the heart, for sure. Again, my proud mama self is bursting with joy as I hear about the break-throughs, empowerment and joy many of my students experienced as a result of this course. Hurrah!

Over the next couple of weeks Beth Nicholls, my amazing collaborator and founder of Do What You Love, will share some of the paintings created in the last course. Each painting has its own story, and the creation of each painting offered a unique journey for the artist behind the brush. Through several gallery posts we want to share how one E-Course can inspire beauty in so many different ways. Enjoy! (And if you want to join us for the next course beginning on June 11, sign up here. We have a limit on class numbers and the last course SOLD OUT, so be quick!)

"Having never painted before, I was thrilled to learn how to paint with your easy to follow prompts to create and have fun. I am now brave. This experience was a joy. Thank you." Helen Martin

"The course gave me courage, changed my way of painting and looking at the surrounding world. I trusted my intuition and gave it to her lead and began to happen on canvas things that really came from within me, this is something I was looking for a long time." Agata Kwiatkowska

"I now create and live in a realm of positivity, curiosity, and excitement- goodbye self-doubt and criticism! This, my first 'real' painting, brings me joy." Carolyn Mackin Watson

"With Flora's guidance, I discovered that creating is intrinsically connected with intuition. This piece came from my soul so naturally–a wondrous feeling! Thanks for a lifechanging course" Carrie Schmitt

"Thank you so much for the class…it was an awesome experience and one I know will greatly affect the way I paint from now on." Denise Riches

"I was thrilled to finally learn Flora's techniques & spin them into my own unique style. As this painting evolved, I was surprised & delighted in the results." Emily Franz

"My painting of this Dancing Girl is about continuing to dance and delight in life amongst the challenges we all face. The bolder reds paint a picture of strife, power and passion, muted by the smokier blues that suggest uncertainty and the unknown. Throughout it all, the girl dances boldy and brightly on, radiating color and light to those around her." Mary

"This painting flowed without effort, don't know why…it seemed to paint itself. I was very happy with the end result." Patricia Howell

"The painting is called the Joy Tree (which I sold recently) YAY!! first sale ever. ) and pretty much expresses my joy and also some of the deeper emotional work that was part of doing the wonderful Flora Bowley E-Course." Shona Hutchings

"I kept hearing Flora's voice saying 'it is only a canvas…..paint over what isn't working and paint through the block. Work with what is working and be brave'. I love the outcome." Sojna Widmer