fabulous flora

image by Tara Morris

Flora is an international painting sensation, teaching her Bloom True workshops all over the world. Her unique approach to teaching combines her wealth of painting experience with yoga and massage therapy, which infuses her workshops with a deep connection to the mind, body and spirit. I love how she describes that by 'honoring intuition and celebrating the present moment, she helps her students overcome fear and welcome joyful spontaneous expression back into the creative process.' How incredible does that sound? She continues to inspire thousands of people and we feel quite lucky and honored that once again, Flora will be sharing her magic with us in April. Her class is currently sold out, but be sure to check out her new e-course and the brand new book ~ Brave Intuitive You ~ she just wrote. This woman continues to amaze me in countless ways!

Get to know the fantastic Flora below.

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The first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Try to remember where I am! With so much traveling these days, I often waking up wondering what country I am in. After that is settled, I splash water on my face.

A fun tidbit people would never know about you?

I pretty much grew up at the YMCA because both my parents worked there. I got to go to as much camp as I wanted!

Some favorite ways to relax?

Yoga, lots of yoga and walks in the woods. OH, and sitting in my little hand built sauna in my backyard…a favorite winter activity.

What's for dinner? 

Ideally, something that someone else cooks for me. I’m coming to terms with the fact that I’m just not much of a cook, at least not recently.

The best advice you’ve received?

Louise Hay’s belief that the most important thing is to love yourself. Everything else works itself out if you are loving yourself first. 

What is the best meal you ever had? 

I’m sure it was probably sushi somewhere along the way.

What are you most excited about lately?

Collaboration in all sorts of ways. Sharing is caring. 

A favorite spot you’ve traveled to?

The Gili Islands in Lombok, Bali’s neighbor to the east.

What makes you laugh?

My friends---I seem to attract the funny ones. 

Your favorite way to make someone smile?

Random acts of kindness.

What, in your mind, is a recipe for disaster?

PMS, a thrown out back and Mercury in Retrograde…I only say this because it just happened!

Any tricks for finding life balance?

I prefer to seek harmony since balance seems pretty elusive these days (even for a Libra girl like myself).  Lately, I‘ve been trying to find harmony in every 24 hour period, one day at a time. I try to incorporate a bit of self care, a bit of creativity, a bit of worky work and a bit of fun. That’s the goal anyways.  

If the world ended tomorrow, what would upset you most about the person you didn’t get to become?

I would probably be bummed that I never had a child. 

Favorite books from your personal library?

100 years of solitude, Time travelers Wife, The Creative Habit, Sally Mann’s Immediate Family, The Essential Rumi, The Gift by Hafiz, Light on Yoga

Thank you Flora! 

brave intuitive you

photo by Flora Bowley

I wanted to share some pretty exciting news about one of our amazing teachers ~ Flora Bowley ~ who has swiftly become a painting phenom. Those of you who will be taking Flora's Bloom True workshop with us in April are in for a treat ~ and quite a magical one at that. Flora has this incredible way of empowering everyone and has such a gift for bringing out a person's true, unique spirit through the painting process. I've seen it in action and it is just amazing to witness what happens to the students in her workshops. I feel so incredibly grateful she will be giving her Makerie students this gift once again this spring.


One of the many wonderful things I adore about Flora is how she openly shares her inspirational painting techniques with others and now she will be putting this offering into the world through her brand new e-course! If it wasn't so close to the Makerie, I'd be jumping at the chance to join in. It starts February 6th and runs for five weeks. She has partnered with the amazing Beth of Do What You Love and I can tell you that this is one powerful,  professional team that will deliver an e-course beyond your dreams. I can say this from first-hand experience, as I am currently taking Beth and Rachel's Surface Pattern Design Course (more on that later!) and it is fabulous on every level. I love how Flora describes why you should take her class:


"Because I believe making art should be a joyful process ~ not a struggle. I believe creating should be a time for letting go of fear, embracing the magical unknown, following intuition and existing in a universe where there are no mistakes. Right?" 


Huge congratulations to Flora and Beth for the launch of this amazing offering and for sharing more creativity with the world. You go girls! 


xo


p.s. The first 100 people to sign up for Flora's e-course will receive her book for free. What a cool bonus! 

flora!

What an amazing life Flora has ~ traveling, teaching workshops and painting in colorful locations around the world! She considers her work to be a celebration of the present moment; chaotic, subtle, mystical and ever-changing, and we are so incredibly thrilled she is coming to Boulder to share her inspiration, and love her latest idea of a Chillaxathon! :)

Get to know this incredible artist and teacher a little bit more below!

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If you were to perform in the circus, what would you do?

Acrobatics. (I used to be a gymnast and I still love to tumble, cartwheel, stand on my hands and swing from things :)

Do you have any phobias?

Rats.

Favorite thing to eat for breakfast.

Eggs, kale, smoothies, oatmeal.

Your true indulgence.

Baths, walks without destinations, travel and creamy chocolaty things.

Hidden talents.

I can spin fire.

What color shoes are you wearing right now?

Orange boots.

If you could give the world one piece of advice, what would it be?

Live your passion.

If you could have a room full of any one thing, what would it be?

Friends, if humans count as "things." Otherwise, trampolines or puppies. Hard choice!

What do you value most in other people?

Presence and humor.

What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

Putting an end to hunger, war, suffering...

What is the best advice you've ever given and received?

Do what you love and the money will follow.

Do you like to sing in the shower?

Yes. Definitely.

A wish not fulfilled.

Travel to India.