Time: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
This program is suited for attendees at All levels of experience.

 “There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

-Anais Nin

 Let go.  Be bold.  Unfold.

In this playful heart-centered workshop, we will explore a whole new way of painting from a space of freedom, non-judgment and experimentation.  This process is about loosening up, letting go of expectations, having fun and allowing your art to unfold naturally.  The emphasis is on finding your true voice and allowing your personal expression to bloom and grow with flow and ease. There are no mistakes here!

Throughout the workshop, I will demonstrate many of my personal painting techniques such as dripping, stamping, expressive mark making, etching, patterning, drawing with paint and carving out imagery.  I will gently guide you with prompts through this fun explorative process, as I share tips about color combining, layering with translucent paints, finding your own voice, and bringing your paintings to life with variation and contrast.  I will also offer ways for becoming “unstuck,” moving through challenging moments and getting back in your creative flow. Our luxurious days of painting will be infused with music, poetry, yoga-inspired stretching, dancing, writing and sharing circles…all to help us open up, let go, get inspired and bring more joy into the process. On the third day, we will start over with a fresh canvas to integrate all that we’ve learned from the first two days while continuing to work on our first two canvases.

We will spiral between painting with wild abandon, boldly trusting in the unknown, and making more conscious choices about composition, personal imagery and color palette.  We will take many breaks to breathe deeply, stretch our bodies and re-connect with the present moment.  Most importantly, we will focus on what IS working and allow this to inspire the rest of the painting.  This is a process-based workshop that will empower you with a toolbox of new techniques as well as a new perspective to approach your work.  This is a very playful, supported, and forgiving process and no prior painting or yoga experience is necessary.  All you need is an open mind.  Trust…you are an artist already.

About the Instructor

Flora Bowley is an internationally celebrated painter, teacher, author, and inspirationalist.  Her vibrant paintings can be found in numerous galleries, in public spaces, on album covers, and on a variety of unique products made in collaboration with Papaya Art.  Flora combines eighteen years of professional painting experience with her background as a yoga instructor, massage therapist and lifelong joy seeker to infuse her teaching and painting style with a deep connection to body, mind, and spirit. By honoring intuition and celebrating the present moment, Flora encourages her students to overcome fear and welcome joyful spontaneous expression back into the creative process.  Her transformational approach to painting (and living) and has inspired thousands of people to “let go, be bold and unfold” as they step fearlessly into the creative process.  Flora’s first book, “Brave Intuitive Painting” will be released by Quarry Books in May, 2012.  Flora splits her time between painting, teaching, and traveling to colorful locations around the world and living among a community of artists in Portland, OR.

• View Flora’s art on her website or at her new site, Brave, Intuitive You

Studio and Material Fee

Material fee covers  canvases and miscellaneous studio supplies.

Student Supplies

Students should bring the following supplies:

•  Paint:  Choose brands based on your budget (I prefer Golden brand, but they are the most expensive and not totally necessary for this workshop).  However, please bring a couple of Golden’s FLUID acrylics in any of the below colors.  If you are bringing ALL Golden brand paint, bring a mix of heavy-bodied acrylics and fluid acrylics).  4 ounces minimum of each of the following:
•  1 red
• 1 yellow
• 1 blue
• 1 green
• 1 purple
• 1 orange
• 1 metallic (copper or gold)
• 1 black
• 3 other colors you really love
• titanium white: 8 once minimum (Heavy-bodied white as opposed to fluid)
• glazing medium:  4 ounces minimum
•  variety of small brushes for detailed work, cheap ones are fine, just make sure you have at least one very pointed brush.
• 10 foam brushes (wooden handled with the grey foam square from the paint section at a hardware store):  5 one-inch brushes and 5 two-inch brushes (the stiffer, the better)
• a variety of mark-making tools such as old pencils, non-working pens, caps from bottles, bubble wrap, feathers, etc… No need to buy new things.  Just look around your house and be creative!
• a few small items that are meaningful to you…again, look around your house or in nature
• a few images that inspire you (can be from magazines or books or pictures you’ve taken).
• spray bottle for water (the bigger the better and make sure it works before you come).
•  a few rags
•  apron and/or comfy paint clothes (this tends to be a pretty messy process).
•  latex gloves if you don’t want paint on your hands…your choice!
•  palette, the bigger the better (a large cookie sheet or a muffin tin from a thrift store will work great).
• journal or paper to write on and a pen.
• open heart and mind!

Optional Supplies

None recommended.

Additional Program Information

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Meals

Lunch is served in our community building at 12:30 p.m. and will be provided at an additional $15.00 per day.  You must make your lunch reservation in advance.  We pride ourselves in offering a healthy and organic lunch which will exceed your expectations. If you do not wish to make a reservation, please bring a sack lunch. Beverages will be provided. Some workshops have optional evening meal events, which must also be reserved in advance. Evening meal event prices vary, ranging from $15.00-$30.00 per meal.

Networking

A social hour is provided from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. following the first day of each program. Wine, cheese and a non-alcolohic beverage will be served in the community room for you to enjoy.

Policies

CANCELLATIONS: While we understand that circumstances can arise causing a change in your plans, we must adhere to a business policy. Because it is impossible for Valley Ridge to favor one individual situation or circumstance over another, we must adhere to our policy in all situations and can make no exceptions to our cancellation policy.

• 45 Days or More prior to a workshop: Full refund of tuition, less a $75.00 cancellation fee.
• 44 Days or Less prior to a workshop: No refunds or credits for any reason.

Registration Fees: The entire registration fee is due in full at time of registration. Valley Ridge Art Studio provides an advance deposit option to make it easier for those with financial constraints to participate in our programs. The advance deposit fee secures your workshop space, and is applied to your entire workshop registration fee. Payment for your fee/materials balance and any other optional meals will be charged to your credit card 45 days prior to workshop. Non-credit card payments will receive an invoice, which is due upon receipt.

Transfer Policy: You may transfer out of a workshop to another program in the same season. Transfer request must be received at least 45 days prior to a program. There will be a $50.00 transfer fee assessed on each transfer.

Credit Card Transaction Reversal: You intended to reserve a workshop and registered for one instead. You noticed your credit card was charged for the entire balance and only wanted to apply $75.00. You would like your credit card credited for the difference. We at Valley Ridge Art Studio are willing to reverse your transaction. There will be a $25.00 administrative fee per reversal request. Your balance will be due 45 days prior to the workshop.

Program schedule is subject to change.

Release/Waiver

I understand the risks associated with my attendance at the Studio and the use of various tools, equipment and products found in the Studio.  I voluntarily agree to assume the risk of injury or illness or property damage that may arise out of my attendance at the Studio and use of tools, equipment and products found in the Studio and hereby waive and release the Studio and its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns from any and all claims, actions or losses which I may suffer as a result of my attendance at and use of the Studio.  I further agree to  hold harmless, defend and indemnify the Studio and its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns from any and all claims, actions or losses arising out of my attendance at and use of the Studio or use of the tools, equipment and products found in the Studio regardless of the cause, including but not limited to the negligence of the Studio or its members, affiliates, employees, and agents and assigns.