Flora Bowley::Bloom True

I Wrote a Book!

I would say this is a dream come true, but actually I never had the dream to write a book...or at least I never thought I had that dream, but WOW, it all feels pretty dreamy right about now... 

Last September, I received a call from Quarry Books asking if I wanted to write a book about my painting process.  I was totally floored.  At that point, I had only taught one workshop, so the idea of writing a book felt crazy...and totally cool.  So, without much hesitation, I responded with "YES. YES. YES!"  and thus the journey began... a new kind of blank canvas in front of me.

I can't say writing "Brave Intuitive Painting" was a small or easy task.  In fact, it was probably one of the hardest things I've ever done.  I had to continually remind myself to take my own advice when my head screamed, "I'm not a writer!"  You see, the first chapter in my book is called, "Re-creating your Story"  Sooooo... "I am a powerful writer.  I have a lot to say and I write with joy and ease!" quickly became some of my new mantras, and I swear they really helped.

The other challenge I faced while writing this was how to put a very non-linear process into a linear book form.  Hmmmm?  This dilema took awhile to overcome, but eventually I decided to divide the book up into three large sections: Let Go. Be Bold. Unfold. Within these huge super important concepts, everything else just sort of fell into place. 

This book is not a book of step-by-step techniques which show you exactly how to paint like me...nope! Instead, it's a book which offers you tons of encouragement, inspiration and new ways to approach your creative process.  It's a book which teaches you how to paint like YOU...in the most authentic, free, and joyful way possible.

Huge thanks to Tara Morris for all the beautiful photography throughout the book...eye candy for sure!

Not to toot my own horn too much, but I must say this book is quite special and I'm pretty sure you're gonna love it:)  It will hit the shelves on May 1st, 2012, but you can pre-order it on Amazon.com right now---right here.  Pretty exciting, ey? 

Many thanks to Quarry Books and to my editor, Mary Ann Hall, for hatching a dream I never knew I had and for trusting in my abilities before I trusted in myself.... 

I am a powerful writer. 

I have a lot to say and

I write with joy and ease!

 

Workshop in Bali!

Yes, the rumors are true!  I'm so excited to finally announce this dream come true workshop in Bali.  This special workshop will be co-led with my dear friend and yoga teacher extraordinaire, Lisa Mae Osborn, owner of the Bhaktishop Yoga Studio in Portland, OR.  All the details have been dialed in and we are ready for some lucky ladies to sign up for this once in a lifetime experience.  Here's the tantilizing invitation...

Bloom True in Ubud, Bali 

May 18-25, 2012
Total Cost(s) Depending on lodging choice
$1300 for Shared lodging
$1400 Solo Lodging

Price includes lodging at the lovely Swasti Eco Cottages, breakfasts, all workshops (half yoga, half painting), and all art supplies.  Price does not include airfare, lunch/dinner, transport from the airport, visa, or optional excursions). $300 deposit due upon registration.

Teaching together for the first time, Lisa Mae and Flora bring their passions together in order to ignite yours! Approaching their respective teachings from a similar place of joy, intuition, devotion and celebration, Lisa Mae and Flora are excited to join forces to create a powerful and transformational experience for you to explore art and yoga while immersed in Bali’s extraordinary culture and beauty.

Each day will start with meditation and Lisa Mae’s deep, inspired yoga practice to broaden your sense of possibility in heart, in body, and in the deep inner sense of your own universe! This celebratory yoga practice will focus on finding your optimal alignment and spaciousness in asana and connecting deeply to your inherent grace and beauty. After a relaxed lunch break, our afternoons will be spent painting with Flora. In her vibrant and inspired way, Flora will demonstrate many of her personal painting techniques as she guides you to loosen up, let go of expectations, and allow your art to unfold naturally through her fun exploratory process.

Together, Lisa Mae and Flora offer a playful, supported, and forgiving approach to both yoga and art. They are delighted for the opportunity to share this luxurious week with you in Bali. Not to be missed!

This workshop will likely sell out very fast, so email me right away if you are interested in joining us.

info@florabowley.com

Two New Paintings

It's true that I haven't had a whole lot of time for painting this year, but I do get to throw some paint around when I create demo paintings in my workshops.  I think it's really helpful to show how a painting is created from start to finish, so I always make a point of bringing my demo to completion during the workshop...some are harder than others!  Granted it's quite a different experience to paint when twenty people are watching and I'm trying to get certain points and techniques across, but I still enjoy the process of painting...always. Here are the last two demo paintings I created in my Santa Ana and Malibu workshops.  Seems I have a thing for magenta these days...

"Crown" 36" x 36" acrylic on canvas

"Miss Wish" 36" x 36" acrylic on canvas...see the lady in the top left corner?

And here's a wonderful blog written by my lovely Malibu student, Irene Rafael.

 

Exciting Project in the Makin'!

Hi all.  I am quite excited about a certain special project that I've been pouring my heart into over the past few months.  Putting this offering together has forced me to rise to the occasion, be brave, move WAY out of my comfort zone (see camera above!) and generally step it up...seems to be my theme for 2011.  I've definitely stretched into some new territory with this one and I'm very excited to share it with you very soon.  On December 1st, I will make the grand announcement with all the exciting details, so stay tuned...

For now, I'm leaving southern California behind, taking the sweet memories of my Santa Ana and Malibu workshops with me and boarding a plane (in a few minutes) heading north.  After I touch down at home in Portland for few nights in my own bed, I'll be driving up to Seattle to teach at Teesha Moore's lovely studio next weekend.  After that, it's seven glorious weeks at home in my new studio...ooooooh ahhhhhhh.

xo, Flora

Thanks to Beth Nicholls for the pics.

California Cruisin'

Greetings from Malibu!  I've been on a whirlwind tour, California style, over the past three weeks and it's been FULL.  I spent two action packed weeks in San Francisco hangin' with my sweetie, taking a painting workshop from this wise woman and working away on various projects.  I then hopped a plane to Los Angeles where I taught at Jenny Doh's brand new studio in Santa Ana...it was magical, if I do say so myself;-)  The 18 lovely ladies who attended came with open hearts, great questions and an eagerness to sling paint.  And, sling they did...see below (thanks to Jenny Doy for the photo).  To read a couple great blogs about the workshops, check these out these talented painters...Pam Garrison and Joana Carvalho.

After the workshop, I cruised down to San Diego to connect with friends and get some much needed time on the beach. Feeling pretty darn refreshed, I arrived back in L.A. yesterday and then drove out the Pacific Coast Highway to land in beautiful Malibu today.  I'm now soaking up a few quite hours before I dive into another workshop tomorrow hosted by Artinfusio. All I can say is our workshop room overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Inspiring?  I think so.

All in all, I've been feeling blessed by this unfolding journey and at the same time trying hard to find some balance in my life.  I'm a libra so balance is pretty much the goal.  Being on the road so much, I find myself struggling to maintain good habits like eating well, exercising and working on my own darn art! You know, the important stuff.

I'm also noticing a scary relationship forming between me and my iphone.  Seems we are attached at the hip which is not the relationship I dream of.  You wouldn't know it from my slacker blogger behavior, but I feel a bit overly "plugged in" to technology these days and not as plugged into things like my meditation practice, letter writing, jogging, and reading books...to name a few.  The learning curve around having access to the internet in my POCKET seems to be a steep one so I'm trying to be gentle with myself. How fast the world is changing!  How adaptable we must be!  My latest vow is to always turn my phone off before I go to bed and not to turn it on until after I'm fully awake, showered, fed and stretched.  A good plan, ey?  Wish me luck on that one.

OK, signing off with an image that sums it all up.  Embrace mystery ---> Let Go... a work in progress indeed!

Thanks to Beth Nicholls for this pic.