My journey with intuative painter Flora Bowley

Posted on by Kylie Fowler

Two years ago I enrolled in Flora Bowley’s online class, Bloom True. I was eager to learn something new, but also wanted to try something different than my normal style/s of artwork.

What I discovered was a whole new approach to painting. I’ve always enjoyed painting, but drawing has always been my first love, however since experiencing Flora’s intuitive approach to painting, as well as her Brave and inspiring approach to life, I can honestly say I am a much more enriched and soulful artist and have a new found love of painting.

Amidst my artwork that you may be more familiar with, my bright and cheerful Flora inspired artworks have been surrounding me in my studio of late. I’ve been trying to hone my intuitive painting skills, while finding my own style, before fully sharing my bold and bright new works with the big wide web. Over the last few years I have seen so many works of art that have been inspired by Flora, but have not been completely the artist’s style, rather an interweaving of the artist and Flora’s style. So I’ve been dabbling in the background, trying to find my own style of intuitive, free flowing and happy abstract art.

I still continue with my style/s that you would be most familiar with but thought I’d finally show you this other string to my bow.

Before I share with you my new artworks, some which are finished and some that are still works in progress, I thought what better to do than introduce you to the course that has changed my art journey forever.

Bloom True – the E-course – Begins Feb 10

 Flora’s generous and soulful style of teaching has inspired thousands of people to step boldly into a world where art is born with spontaneity and joy.  Now the chance to bloom true is available to you wherever you are in the world through this five week online painting adventure!

New course begins Feb 10th 2014.
Click HERE for more information. 
If you’ve taken part in one of Flora’s class, whether online or in person I’d love to hear your experience? 
Hugs,
 

Introducing Guest Artist Carla Sonheim

Posted on by Kylie Fowler

I wanted to introduce you to Carla Sonheim, an illustrator and online art instructor known for using innovative exercises and techniques to help students of all levels embrace a more playful approach to creating art. She is the author of “Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists: 52 Creative Exercises to Make Drawing Fun” and “The Art of Silliness: A Creativity Book for Everyone.”

For the last three years her focus has been on creating engaging online art classes, where she teaches and also presents well-known guest artists. She made this Paper Doll tutorial in anticipation of her next online class, “2014: Year of the Fairy Tale,” which begins January 20, 2014. You can find our more about Carla and her art and classes here:

Carla’s Blog: http://carlasonheim.wordpress.com/

More Tutorials: http://www.carlasonheim.com/tutorials/

Info for “Year of the Fairy Tale” Online Class: http://www.carlasonheim.com/2014-the-year-of-the-fairy-tale/

Link to Carla’s Other Online Classes: http://www.carlasonheim.com/store/

Here is a quick and fun way to make original paper dolls… a perfect thing to do with your kids or to nurture the kid inside you… because we’re never too old to play with paper dolls! Have fun!

Carla Sonheim

P.S. This tutorial was made in anticipation of my next online art class, Year of the Fairy Tale.

 Supplies Needed

– a small watercolor set

– #12 round paintbrush (or similar)

– 8″x10″ sheet of 140# hot press watercolor paper (or similar)

– a regular pencil

– an eraser (I like kneaded rubber erasers)

– scissors

STEP BY STEP

1. Gather your supplies.

 

 2. Lightly sketch in an outline of your doll. Keep your hand loose, and try not to worry about exact proportions (sometimes the most charming characters emerge when we let go of perfection!).

3. Using lots of water, mix up a color to use as the skin tones. Paint face, arms and feet. When face has had a chance to dry, get some red pigment on your brush and “dot” it into the watercolor quickly. The color should begin to spread out a bit for some nice rosy cheeks.

4. Let dry completely.

5. Paint in some hair; let dry completely.

6. Cut out your paper doll, and…

7. Play!

____________
© 2013 Carla Sonheim (www.carlasonheim.com)

Carla Bio:

Carla Sonheim is a painter, illustrator, and online art instructor known for using innovative techniques to help students of all levels embrace a playful approach to creating art. She is also the author of the “Drawing Lab for Mixed Media Artists: 52 Creative Exercises to Make Drawing Fun.” Carla’s paintings have been showcased in many galleries nationwide, as well as private and corporate collections. For the last three years her focus has been on creating engaging online art classes, where she teaches and also presents well-known guest artists.

More Free Tutorials: http://www.carlasonheim.com/tutorials/

Next Online Art Class: 2014: Year of the Fairy Tale

Link to Carla’s Online Classes: http://www.carlasonheim.com/store/

 

Paint Mojo Workshop with Tracy Verdugo

Posted on by Kylie Fowler
Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend an art workshop ‘Paint Mojo’ by the wonderful and talented Tracy Verdugo. The equally lovely Liza Zeni and Wini Dougall hosted the event at Gasworks Art Park in Port Melbourne.

I met some wonderful artists on the day, including Anna Bartlett from Shiny Happy Art and Melissa Millar from Artified. Thank you to all the lovely ladies I met. You are are fabulous bunch of creative women and I had a terrific time. Thank you Louise Nicdao for your great company. Well done Tracy, Liza and Wini for a successful workshop.
I have to make a special mention about the yummiest cake and cup cakes I have ever tasted…….not kidding. The very talented Liza Zeni made them as well as the cute illustrated name tags we all wore.

Tracy with her finished painting:
 
 My work in progress:
  
 My completed painting:
 Louise Nicdao and I:

 My small painting from the weekend. Not finished though.
 To view more photos feel free to visit my Facebook page.
Tracy has more Paint Mojo Workshops coming up so do yourself a favor and go visit her blog for more details. You’ll love it.
Hugs,
Kyles =D

Mail Art Swap From The Secret Hermit

Posted on by Kylie Fowler
In January I took part in a ‘Mail Art Swap‘ with awesome artist Micki Wilde, otherwise know as ‘The Secret Hermit‘. I am so happy to say that the artwork from sweet Micki arrived and I love it. Thank you Micki. xo
Here it is:

And here is the artwork that I created especially for Micki. Her word for the year is ‘Nurture’, which is what I based my work around.

You can view more of Micki’s amazing work at:
Smiles,
Kyles =D

Elixir of the Gods! My Mixed Media Mail Art.

Posted on by Kylie Fowler
I love receiving mail, with the exception of those dreaded bills, of course. The picture above is what I received in the mail last week. It looks great here, but so, so much better in person. I LOVE it. Thank you so much Cameron.
I recently came across the blog of lovely Cameron at ‘Paint Myself Pretty’. On discovering her blog I landed on this ‘Elixir of the Gods!’ post and instantly fell in love with her art piece. I headed straight over to her Etsy store and brought it. It now is up on my wall in my studio. What do you think of it?
I also brought another art piece recently, but will save that to show you in the next post.
You still have time to enroll in Life Book. Classes start January 1st 2012. I can’t wait. I hope to see you there.
I hope you are organised and have all your Christmas shopping done.
Big Smiles,
Kyles =D

30% Off in my Etsy Store.

Posted on by Kylie Fowler
To celebrate Christmas I thought I would have a SHOP SALE.
From now until the 14th of December I will be offering 
30% off on all my art prints and original ATC’s 
in my Esty store.
I’m planning on adding more original artworks up for sale in the new year.
In the meantime, here are a few items you will find in my store:

No fancy photos or layout today. I have to go and do some recording for my Life Book classes.
Happy Wednesday (or whatever day it is for you),
Kyles =D

A mixed media piece from The Secret Hermit – Micki Wilde

Posted on by Kylie Fowler
I brought a beautiful original mixed media art piece from Micki Wilde, otherwise known as ‘The Secret Hermit’, from her Etsy store. I was so excited when I saw the parcel from Micki in my mail box today. I thought it would take longer to get to me, so it was a great surprise. I really like it before I bought it (obviously), but in real life it’s even more fabulous. I now LOVE it. =D
Micki is a very talented mixed media artist from the U.K and I have been following Micki’s work for quite some time now. Every Monday (I think it’s Sunday in the U.K) morning I wake to have a lovely coffee while perusing her latest post, to see what wonderful work she has created over the week. It seems that every time I have fallen in love with one of her creations, I head over to her Etsy store to find that it has already been sold. This has happened so, so many times. Thankfully I came across this little beauty and couldn’t hit the ‘Add to Cart’ button quick enough. It was such a relief when my purchase went through.
I thought I would show you some of my favorites from Micki’s vast collection of works. I hope to one day own some more of her awesome work.
 To see more of Micki’s awesome, ever changing art work please visit her:
Thank you so much Micki. Your artwork is now up in my art studio, inspiring me.

I hope this post inspires you all.
Happy creating,
Kyles =D

My Interview & A purchase from Juliette Crane.

Posted on by Kylie Fowler
The lovely Deborah, from Scat N Style, has featured me and my artwork on her blog. You can read my interview here. Wow! Can you believe it? The universe is so good to me at the moment. I must have done something right, somewhere along the line.
Deborah is a Jazz singer who’s blog is dedicated to music and art appreciation. There are many interesting interviews on her blog, so grab a coffee and read through a few on them, maybe even mine.
You can find her on facebook also, where she mentions my interview.
Don’t forget it’s not too late to enter my Life Book Giveaway, if you haven’t already done so. 
I have another secret………………..and yes, it is as awesome as the last………..stay tuned for this one.
I hope life is treating you well.
Kyles =D
Just thought I’d show you what arrived in my mailbox.

How beautiful is this. I brought this from fellow Life Book teacher, Juliette Crane. She has a beautiful selection of prints and original artworks in her shop. You can view her post on this and two other gorgeous journals here. She didn’t have them long, as they sold like hot cakes. I was one of the lucky buyers and LOVE it.

Mail Art for Me

Posted on by Kylie Fowler
Look what arrived in my mailbox today. Woo Hoo!!! I brought these ATCs/ACEOs from whimsical Artist Megan K. Suarez. I have been following Megan for a while now and could no longer resist the urge to purchase some of her work. I love them and thought I would share them with you all. What do you think?

You can find Megan and her beautiful work at the following places:
Do yourself a favor and pay Megan a visit. You will be glad you did.
Wishing you a creative day,
Kyles =D

It’s Official. ‘Supplies Me’ Workshop has started.

Posted on by Kylie Fowler

Yes it is official. Today I started Jane Davenport’s work shop. I have just viewed the introduction week videos and am SUPER EXCITED. Whoo Hoo!!!!!
It’s not to late to join Jane’s new workshop, ‘Supplies Me’. If you haven’t signed up, then you are missing out……………..Big Time. =( 
There are so many wonderful ladies already signed up. I can feel it in my bones. This is going to be one AWESOME adventure.
 

“It’s for anyone who has bought lovely art supplies and hardly used them.
It’s for anyone who loves drawing pretty faces ( or wants to learn how!).
It’s for anyone who needs a break from the craziness of the world.
…wait a minute…it IS all about me!
But hopefully it is all about you too, and you will take that leap of creative courage and join me in my brand new School!” -Jane Davenport
 
So what are you waiting for. Join me and many other creatives in this SUPER EXCITING creative journey with Bubbly Jane Davenport. Bring it on!
I hope to see you there.
Kyles =D