BLOOM TRUE WORKSHOPS
I BELIEVE YOU CAN PAINT.
Bloom True Workshops offer a deeply nourishing, soulful jump-start to any creative habit by inviting a whole new way of painting (and being) from a space of freedom, non-judgment and experimentation.
The focus is on loosening up, tuning into intuition, releasing expectations, and welcoming joyful authentic expression back into your creative process and your daily life. Bloom True Workshops often are described as “life changing.”
In a gorgeous, inspiring and lovingly catered environment, our luxurious days of painting are infused with music, poetry, ceremony, movement, nourishing food and deep soul connections with kindred creatives from around the world.
I am currently offering six, four-day workshops a year in my beautiful Portland, Oregon, studio.
New workshops are announced on this page three times a year (January, April and August) through my New Art Love Newsletter. To be the first to hear about new workshops, please sign up here.
Workshops tend to sell out within 24-hours, to if you would like to join me, please do not hesitate to sign up. I look forward to painting with you in Portland.
Enjoy a Gallery of Student Work Here →
This workshop was everything I dreamed of and so much more … it transformed me!
– Turkan Ilkdemirci
Workshop Description
The Bloom True Workshop is a nurturing, liberating experience perfect for all levels. Catering to first-time painters looking for an empowering jump start on their creative path, professional painters seeking a new perspective, and all levels in-between, this heart-centered and educational workshop offers a vast toolbox of new techniques, along with a fresh creative perspective guaranteed to energize your life on and off the canvas.
Throughout the workshop, I demonstrate many of my personal painting techniques, while creating a large original painting from start to finish. The process is broken down into easy, bite-sized lessons that explore color theory, translucent layering, value contrast, expressive mark-making, dripping, etching, stamping, and drawing.
I also offer invaluable prompts and exercises to support letting go, connecting to intuition, taming your “inner critic,” becoming unstuck and discovering your own authentic style.
In addition to fresh creative exercises, in depth Q&A, a variety of painting demos and “heart circles,” students will receive valuable, art-related business support, marketing tips and connections to a web of creative entrepreneurs.
I had no idea four days could hold so much opportunity for transformation, exploration, new experiences and power. I stepped so far outside my comfort zone, but I found myself home.
– Kristen Heinlein
Workshop Details:
(More details will be emailed upon registration)
YOUR INVESTMENT
$1,250 USD
LOCATION
Bloom True Workshops take place at Flora Bowley’s Portland, Oregon, studio. The studio is located in central North Portland. Detailed directions to the studio will be emailed upon registration.
SCHEDULE
- Thursday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Friday 8:45 – 10am: Optional Yoga Class
- Saturday evening: Optional Open Studio
MATERIALS
Participants are responsible for bringing their own paint. All other materials will be provided. Please see the Materials page for more information.
NOURISHMENT
We will provide a healthy and delicious catered Welcome Lunch on Thursday, an organic Pizza Party on Saturday night (gluten-free available), a Farewell Lunch on Sunday, and an abundance of healthy, gourmet, seasonal platters and handcrafted tea and fair trade coffee available throughout the weekend. All other meals will be on your own.
*One afternoon session of live music to accompany your painting experience.
*In house massage therapy offered at an additional cost.
COMMUNITY
Each Bloom True Workshop will be limited to 15 participants to ensure an intimate community with plenty of personal attention, one-on-one support, and plenty of space to explore and create. Each participant will be invited to a private Facebook group to foster connections among the group.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations and transportation are not included in the price of the workshop. However, we have reserved the unique, Caravan Tiny House Hotel, so students may stay together in a creative environment close to restaurants and shops if they choose. Other hotel and airbnb options will be provided upon reservation. Sharing rooms and rides will be facilitated through the Facebook group.
PREREQUISITES
No experience is required to attend a Bloom True Workshop.
CANCELLATION POLICY
There are no refunds for this event.
CONFIRMATION
Once you are enrolled in the workshop, you will receive several emails with details regarding the schedule, supplies, accommodations and activities. Please feel free to email any questions to teamlove@florabowley.com.
Bloom True Workshops Include:
- Four days of facilitated workshop time, including plenty of one-on-one time with Flora
- One-on-one support from the Bloom True team throughout the workshop
- One-hour optional yoga class
- Two 36″ x 36″ canvases (additional canvases available for purchase, $20 each)
- An assortment of brushes
- Easels, palettes, rags and spray bottles
- Love-filled goody bags from Flora
- Small original painting by Flora
- Gourmet catered Welcome Lunch on Thursday
- Gourmet catered Farewell Lunch on Sunday
- Organic Pizza Party and extended studio time on Saturday evening
- Healthy, gourmet, seasonal platters, organic tea and cofee, and filtered water
- Discounts on products and future courses
- Inspiration and connections to last a lifetime
- On-site massage therapy sessions available at an additional rate
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any painting experience to participate in a workshop?
All experience levels are welcome to participate in Bloom True Workshops. In fact, first-time painters often have the advantage of having less “knowledge” to get in the way of simply exploring and enjoying the process.
Students quickly find that my process is very “user-friendly” in terms of experience, meaning that it works well for both first-time painters and experienced painters alike.
I share my easy-to-apply methods for understanding color, making marks, and incorporating translucent layers, value and imagery. However, the focus of the workshop explores letting go, listening to intuition, trusting and having fun.
Do I need to bring my own supplies? What if I'm flying? How do I get my canvases home?
We provide each student with two, 36″ x 36″ canvases, an assortment of brushes, spray bottles, palettes, rags, water jars and a painting station. Students are responsible for bringing their own paint and any special mark-making tools they wish to use.
We have a small, but well stocked assortment of our favorite paints and tools available to purchase in the studio, so you are welcome to stock up on all your supplies when you arrive. Prices are comparable to to Blick Art Supply store. There is also a Blick store ten minutes from the studio.
If you are flying with paint, we suggest taping all your paint shut, sealing it in two plastic bags and putting it in your checked baggage (you will not be able to carry it on a plane). We also sell paint in the studio if you would like to purchase your paint upon arrival.
If you are flying home, we will pack and ship your paintings via UPS. We send an invoice to each student once the paintings have been shipped. The cost of shipping ranges between $50 – $100, depending on your location. You also are welcome to take the paintings off their stretcher bars, roll them up and carry them on the plane.
Do I need to be present for the entire workshop?
Yes. It’s important that all students are present for all four days of the workshop. The process builds on itself each day in a cumulative fashion.
The workshop ends at 3 p.m. on Sunday to ensure an easy travel day home.
How does the waitlist work?
If anyone drops out a workshop (it does happen), we will notify everyone on the wait list. The open spot will go to the first person who responds to the notification email and confirms registration!
When and where are new workshops announced? Can I sign up with a friend?
New Workshops are announced three times a year–in August, January and April. Workshops are announced on this page, in my newsletter and through my social media network. Please keep an eye out for new workshops and sign up right away if you are interested. Workshops tend to sell out within 24 hours.
Due to the high demand of interest in the workshops, we are unable to “save spots” for friends.
Where should I stay for the workshop? Do I need my own transportation?
The unique, Caravan Tiny House Hotel, in NE Portland is reserved for all Bloom True Workshop participants. Upon registration, we will also send along other links to nearby hotels and aribnb options.
Transportation to and from the studio will be on your own. However, carpooling and uber-sharing coordination will be available in the Facebook group.
What's the food like? What if I have a specific diet?
We are food people and believe in the power of fresh healthy food to fuel the creative spirit!
Therefore, we provide healthy and delicious gourmet nourishment throughout the weekend. Our abundant platters are practically meals in themselves. A typical platter might include in-season, fresh fruits and veggies, gourmet spreads, nuts, cheeses, crackers, olives, organic meats and fish and chocolate.
The Welcome Lunch on Thursday and the Farewell Lunch on Sunday will include vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. The Saturday night Pizza Party will have vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Organic fair trade coffee, hand-crafted tea and filtered water are always available.
What's the yoga like? Do I need experience? What if I'm injured?
The optional Friday-morning yoga class is perfect for all levels. The class will weave visual art concepts with gentle breath and body awareness to provide a beautiful foundation for the day.
The instructor will check in with each student about injuries and experience levels, and teach the class according to your needs. The class will provide a wonderful introduction for first-time students and a lovely, gentle practice for seasoned yogis.
You are welcome to join in any capacity, even if that means sitting in a chair and meditating or taking a long resting pose.
What is the cancellation policy if I need to back out?
There are no refunds for this event.
When will I hear about the schedule and all the details?
You will receive a confirmation email after you register for a workshop. This email will include a detailed PDF with all the information you will need to plan your trip and prepare for the workshop. The Bloom True Team is happy to help make your trip to Portland easy from start to finish.
Do you have an Affiliate Program?
Why yes, we do! We offer an Affiliate Program for our Bloom True E-Course. You can find out all about it over on the Affiliate Program Page. We would love to have you join us in spreading the good word about Bloom True. There is no Affiliate Program for in-person workshops.
