I’m happy to say I’ve been on a bit of a painting roll over the past few days. My inspiration has been striking late at night when it’s super quiet and cool and my intention has been to explore new territory, have fun and play. Aaaaaaaaand, guess what? Every time I approach my work with this attitude (ie: not making it MEAN more than simply playing with colors and marks), rad new things seem to transpire. (note to self).
I’ve also been noting how much I continue to re-learn my own lessons pretty much every time I step up to the canvas. Yep. All my best downloads (pardon the woo) come through when I have a brush in hand — or when I’m half asleep in the bathtub. Because of this, I always have a piece of paper next to my palette to capture my fleeting epiphanies. My current paint-splattered paper has these words (of varying profundity) scrawled across it:
Everything actually NEEDS to be transformable, because things rarely turn out how you want/expect.
Not sure ‘transformable’ is actually a word, but you get the idea.
It’s all SACRED.
As in everything we do, feel, say and create.
Continue to ‘try on’ until something fits.
As in painting is like a dressing room.
and perhaps my favorite…
If you’re trying to paint (or live) like anyone else, you’re missing the point entirely.
Enough said.
I’ve been posting some of my new work-in-progress on my Facebook page along with some freshly-inspired Bloom True reflections. I’m really digging these potent little ‘mini lessons’ so I thought I would share them here as well. Hope they inspire!
xo flora
“This painting is a great example of how powerful it can be to make a BOLD commitment. For many layers, I tried on different ways of making marks and various color palettes…never quite sure where it would all lead me, but staying open and curious to what seemed to be working and what was FUN and interesting. Eventually, I needed to commit to SOMETHING to unify the painting and make it more cohesive. I decided to (boldly) add in the big triangle/pyramid shapes along with a lot of greys to quite down some of the chaos…and voila!….the painting finally gelled!” #braveintuitivepainting #boldcommitments #youcandoit
“If you’ve ever taken my class, you know I like to preach about the power of value contrast to make paintings pop, right? Here’s a great example of how to rock the lights and darks by incorporating them strongly next to one anther….be bold!” #workinprogress #braveintuitivepainting #goforit
Flora – these are some of the most gorgeous paintings I’ve ever seen. The spiral busts in the center of the first one make me SO happy. Thank you for sharing your process / thoughts / art. Love it.
Flora – these are some of the most gorgeous paintings I’ve ever seen. The spiral busts in the center of the first one make me SO happy. Thank you for sharing your process / thoughts / art. Love it.
Flora,
I love the new painting with the pyramids and stars! The night time is a very creative time for many people, it’s quiet, and peaceful. Your quotes are great as well! Have a great night! 🙂
Flora,
I love the new painting with the pyramids and stars! The night time is a very creative time for many people, it’s quiet, and peaceful. Your quotes are great as well! Have a great night! 🙂
Lived seeing these images and reading about your process. My inspiration often comes when I’m walking, so I work immediately afterwards.
Lived seeing these images and reading about your process. My inspiration often comes when I’m walking, so I work immediately afterwards.
I love the new look, as well as the old. 🙂
I love the new look, as well as the old. 🙂
I am actually grateful to the holder of this site who has shared this
impressive article at here.
I am actually grateful to the holder of this site who has shared this
impressive article at here.
I’m tickled pink I found you online. Your work is inspiring.
Thank you,
Marie
I’m tickled pink I found you online. Your work is inspiring.
Thank you,
Marie
They are brilliant! Love the colors and shapes! So captivating!
They are brilliant! Love the colors and shapes! So captivating!
Hi Flora:
You are amazing, truly! I found your book, took your “Bloom True” course showing me a whole new way of approaching my life and my painting. Not only are your paintings inspiring, but your whole philosophy and approach to creativity is awesome. As I mentioned before on other posts, you write as though it’s directed straight at me and again today with words like “transformable” (from what I can tell it is a good word), “sacred” and the encouragement to paint ‘my way’, all keep pushing me in the direction I have need ‘now’ to go. Thankyou!!!
Your new paintings here are a reflection of your words, really.
They seem to invite the viewer into a place that is by far never shallow but always intriguing and moving. Bravo Flora!
Love and Blessings, L.
Hi Flora:
You are amazing, truly! I found your book, took your “Bloom True” course showing me a whole new way of approaching my life and my painting. Not only are your paintings inspiring, but your whole philosophy and approach to creativity is awesome. As I mentioned before on other posts, you write as though it’s directed straight at me and again today with words like “transformable” (from what I can tell it is a good word), “sacred” and the encouragement to paint ‘my way’, all keep pushing me in the direction I have need ‘now’ to go. Thankyou!!!
Your new paintings here are a reflection of your words, really.
They seem to invite the viewer into a place that is by far never shallow but always intriguing and moving. Bravo Flora!
Love and Blessings, L.
I’m so grateful for this post, Flora! I have been in a web of stuckness with a few paintings because I didn’t want to wrek them by covering parts of them up. I think this will help me to tone down the chaos! Thank you!
I’m so grateful for this post, Flora! I have been in a web of stuckness with a few paintings because I didn’t want to wrek them by covering parts of them up. I think this will help me to tone down the chaos! Thank you!
It’s 2:00 in the morning and for some reason I woke up checked e-mail and found a path to your door, opened it and sat mesmerized at the color and emotion that exploded from your work.
What was even more interesting as I scrolled through your art is the way the colors changed me emotionally the light fresh ocean green and deep lush burgundy’s were like waves. Flowing and plunging in and out of the screen I found myself looking deeper into each piece looking for more of the lovely colors all the wee shades and squiggles dots and then the area’s you had en-capsuled in all the birds and flowers how they popped off the canvas awww it was so wonderful thank you. I thank the universe for you and I am blessed for being able to enjoy the richness and depth of all the colors in your art you inspire I would say me and soooo many others, what a wonderful spirit you are all you lovely artist and crafts people that are here for us all to enjoy.
{{{{{{{{{{{MASSIVE THANK YOU HUG}}}}}}}}}}} XOXO
Pauline Cowie
It’s 2:00 in the morning and for some reason I woke up checked e-mail and found a path to your door, opened it and sat mesmerized at the color and emotion that exploded from your work.
What was even more interesting as I scrolled through your art is the way the colors changed me emotionally the light fresh ocean green and deep lush burgundy’s were like waves. Flowing and plunging in and out of the screen I found myself looking deeper into each piece looking for more of the lovely colors all the wee shades and squiggles dots and then the area’s you had en-capsuled in all the birds and flowers how they popped off the canvas awww it was so wonderful thank you. I thank the universe for you and I am blessed for being able to enjoy the richness and depth of all the colors in your art you inspire I would say me and soooo many others, what a wonderful spirit you are all you lovely artist and crafts people that are here for us all to enjoy.
{{{{{{{{{{{MASSIVE THANK YOU HUG}}}}}}}}}}} XOXO
Pauline Cowie
MAGICAL, WOW!…goosebumps…just beautiful, seriously magical! I’m going to paint 🙂 thanks for the energy, May the energy you inspired me with flow back to you threefold!
Thank you thank you thank you…Oh, also, I got tears when I read your bio section on your website. It validated (was another one of those wonderful signs that keep me moving) It spoke of you painting for 18 years (I have been painting since 1999 on and off, residential faux and murals 2000-2009 and art shows here and there and now just creating art (getting back in again, I have a three and one year old along with an 18,13 and 16 year old which take up a lot of my “me” time )) anyways, I am in the process of going back to school to learn this computer graphics/website stuff to manage my graphic side of the business, then I’m publishing my first children’s book THEN Im going to start a massage program next fall….SO EXCITED for that…Everything falls into place, trusting the process, the following flow is the best thing one can do…And I’m learning joyfully everyday! I hope to go to your San Miguel retreat..It may be out of the budget this year, but I’m a good ” manifester” Plant your seeds, follow your heart, focus on what you want…your heart is your compass…follow it… 🙂 Peace out lovely lady I never met 🙂
Natalie
MAGICAL, WOW!…goosebumps…just beautiful, seriously magical! I’m going to paint 🙂 thanks for the energy, May the energy you inspired me with flow back to you threefold!
Thank you thank you thank you…Oh, also, I got tears when I read your bio section on your website. It validated (was another one of those wonderful signs that keep me moving) It spoke of you painting for 18 years (I have been painting since 1999 on and off, residential faux and murals 2000-2009 and art shows here and there and now just creating art (getting back in again, I have a three and one year old along with an 18,13 and 16 year old which take up a lot of my “me” time )) anyways, I am in the process of going back to school to learn this computer graphics/website stuff to manage my graphic side of the business, then I’m publishing my first children’s book THEN Im going to start a massage program next fall….SO EXCITED for that…Everything falls into place, trusting the process, the following flow is the best thing one can do…And I’m learning joyfully everyday! I hope to go to your San Miguel retreat..It may be out of the budget this year, but I’m a good ” manifester” Plant your seeds, follow your heart, focus on what you want…your heart is your compass…follow it… 🙂 Peace out lovely lady I never met 🙂
Natalie