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Teacup Collages for Mother’s Day
We had an absolutely brilliant time making Teacup Collages in the studio last weekend. I LOVE IT when adults make art with their little people, so I designed a project for all levels of confidence and attention spans. And the feedback was just wonderful. Very special...
Art Holiday on Norfolk Island
Hey! Come to Norfolk Island with me! Check your calendar - we'll be there 10 - 17 October 2017. We'll be sketching and painting our way around the island... we might even start at the airport! I am so looking forward to not rushing, drawing with people who are happy...
Holiday art cows
We're at the end of the first week of Easter Holidays here in Queensland and while they've enjoyed laying around recovering for a few days, it was time for an activity. With a friend and cousin we took a vote and painted the Colourful Cow from my online class, Owl,...
It’s time for the FIRST ONLINE WONDER WORKSHOP
While we've been making art and learning all about fish in the studio this term, I've also been...
It’s ‘Inspire Your Heart with Art’ Day!
I know. I hadn't heard of it either. But the lovely Ruby Slippers contacted me and asked if I'd be happy to be interviewed on her radio show on 92.9 VOICE FM on 31 January, and mentioned that this national day coincided with the interview. So I decided it was time to...
Starting the year right!
When I planned a weekend workshop called "Shiny Happy Flowers" I hoped it would attract lovely people and they could go home with two bright, floral paintings that they were super proud of. And oh, the weekend met my expectations and so much more. Twelve delightful...
Sweet Potato Wedges – Illustrated Recipe
It's been a while between Illustrated Recipes... but that's not the point. You see I was watching Nigella before Christmas and she did some very special roast potatoes with this magical ingredient. OK. Maybe hers wasn't from Coles. But I tried them, and oh, they're...
Happy New Year! I’m going to Fill a Book!
I hope you've had a lovely start to the new year! I've felt a little discombobulated to tell you the truth... I think it's from trying to take a break, but having a whole bunch of ideas for the new year in my head at the same time... and having the kids at home is...
Win one of three $90 gift vouchers
It's been a massive year for me and next year's going to be even more productive - so as a little thank you I'm giving away 3 x $90 gift vouchers on Christmas Eve at noon (Queensland time). There'll be one for Facebookers, one for Instagrammers and one for those...
New Envelopes – for gift vouchers or anything you like
Just yesterday I decided to draw and paint some of my favourite Christmas decorations. They're just so lovely I couldn't resist, and I'm planning to work my way through more of the box! And this morning I realised that I needed to update my special Gift Voucher...
Poppies on Remembrance Day
'Anzac Poppies' was one of my very first Paint Along compositions, and five years on, it is still a favourite. Seeing as Remembrance Day fell on a Friday this year, I scheduled a Paint Along and some lovely people showed up to paint with me. Take a look at their...
Watercolour Wonder Workshop
Last Sunday we welcomed 20 lovely painters to the new studio to enjoy a Watercolour Wonders Workshop. Covering the basics of both colour theory and watercolour, my mother, Diana Battle, and I, prepared a suite of exercises and examples that were designed to 'learn by...
Mexichica and mixing flesh tone in acrylic
Well we've christened the new studio already with four Wednesday Wonder Workshop sessions and a fantastic new Paint Along - Mexichica! We had lots of brand new painters along for Mexichica, and it was terrific to watch so many faces come to life as we built them,...
Term 4 Paint Alongs Announced
SO MUCH to share! The biggest news really is that I've just leased a brand new (to me) studio space and get the keys this Friday! So you'll find your next class or workshop at 1/3 Progress Court, Harlaxton. It's just 3 minutes down the road from my home studio (right...
I’m in the Chronicle for Carnival!
it's my favourite time of year and I'm delighted to be the Cover Artist for this Souvenir Guide for the second year in a row. See you at the Carnival!...
I’m having an art show with my mum next week!
Hot on the heels of a very successful Downlands Art Exhibition, Mum and I are having a small, joint exhibition from next Saturday! We'll be trying to capture the fun of the Carnival in our paintings, and you'll see them (and us, and possibly Dad, and maybe my kids...
I’m well and truly back
What can I say? It was a truly fabulous trip! Just over 2 weeks in Germany with friends and then 6 nights in Paris by myself... I can't believe it either. And the 3.5 years in the planning definitely added to the excitement. And I got to draw, and draw and draw!...
Art Supplies for Travel
I'm heading off to Munich, Berlin, Cologne and Paris (I can't believe it) on Wednesday night. It's a trip that's been 3.5 years in the planning (and gentle saving) and, as I'm usually from the school of "if it fits, pack it" (we rarely fly anywhere), I've been reading...
The Postcard Project
I'm heading overseas this week - which sounds just incredible because this trip has been 3.5 years in the making (and saving!). One of my dearest friends is German so we're heading to Germany for a couple of weeks to celebrate her 50th birthday, and then, because I'm...
Here’s June!
It's time to change that calendar over - here's the pdf for June... And for the super organised amongst us, here's July too! Just click through to the printable...
Purple Rain in my studio
I just realised that I hadn't yet shared the timelapse of one of my recent paintings, 'Purple Rain'. I was painting on the day Prince died, and while I was planning to do 'all the colours', for this one, purple flowers with gold foil berries seemed appropriate. This...
Custom Medal Painting
I first thought to paint my husband's medals last ANZAC Day. They're part of our lives, but it wasn't until he did a talk at a local highschool about military colours, including the ribbons on medals, I realised that I really wanted to paint them. I then framed them...
Here’s May!
The weather turned a little colder this week, and, to be honest, I quite like it when jeans are totally appropriate for the temperature! Here's your May calendar page: And, for the mega organised, here's June...
Pineapple Tea Cake – Illustrated Recipe
I needed a little something because we were having visitors, and we had a tin of pineapple pieces in the pantry... so this is what I made - delish with the butter and cinnamon sugar brushed over the top of each cake too! Hope you love it (and they're definitely...
Super Easy Sausage and Tomato Dinner – Illustrated Recipe
This really was very easy to make, and my 17 year old son loved it! So when you're on a winner, it's got to be illustrated. It wasn't much to photograph though. So I didn't. Best not to judge a book by it's cover and all that. Click the image to download your...
Here’s April
The year is slipping away - I hope you're enjoying these printable calendar pages I'm sharing. Here's April (click to download pdf): And for the very organised, here's May too (click to download...
New Wonder Video
I'm ready to tell the world about this next series of Wednesday Wonder Workshops. From Wednesday 12 April we'll be learning to see, draw and paint HERBS AND BOTANICALS for four weeks. Then from Wednesday 11 May I'll be showing you how I draw faces, and how you can use...
Banana Yoghurt Crunch – Illustrated Recipe
After the indulgences of Easter, here's an idea for breakfast this week! Personally, I've been eating for Australia lately. So that's stopping NOW. Just (publically) sayin'. Click on the image to download a PDF of my Banana Yoghurt Crunch...
Term 2 Wednesday Wonder Workshops NOW OPEN
In February this year I introduced my first ever 'Wednesday Wonder Workshops'. Quite frankly - they're wonder-full! We draw, we paint, we experiment, we share ideas and learn from each other's technique and experiences... such good fun. I run them in 4 week blocks -...
Spiced Sweet Potato Wedges – Illustrated Recipe
Oh, these are so good. And my ex-vegan, now vegetarian, son can make them for all of us. He can even use fancy sweet potatoes if he likes. Happy days! Click here to download the PDF of my Spiced Sweet Potato Wedges...
Spinach & Ricotta Fillo Pies – Illustrated Recipe
I see these in cafes often (actually, I don't go to cafes often, but in all the times in my life I've been to cafe's, it seems to me that Spinach and Ricotta Fillo Pies are often on the menu... it's not a scientific study or anything). So I thought I'd figure out how...
Choco-Nut Popcorn – Illustrated Recipe
Easter's coming... and my thoughts turned to the MOST DELICIOUS popcorn I made for colleagues the Christmas before last... I know... tenuous association. Anyway, it is high time I illustrated this very simple, and very DELICIOUS recipe. Perfect when you're supposed to...
That’s me, on Kochie’s Business Builders!
So delighted to be featured on Kochie's Business Builder's website a week or so ago! Click through for a read......
Lemon Sunshine Cupcakes – an Illustrated Recipe
I needed something quick and special for lunchboxes the other day, and wanted to use lemons... but only had brown sugar. So I googled around and found this recipe that ended up being so delicious it'll definitely be made again! To be honest, I may have gotten...
Too many paintings? Here’s an idea
If you're a bit of a hobby painter, or if you've been to a lot of my Paint Alongs, or if you have a sewing machine handy and you just really like crafty stuff - check out this little video I made. We'll turn your canvas art into one-of-a-kind notebooks that you'll...
Here’s March
Each month this year I am sharing a printable calendar. It only seems like yesterday that I shared February... but here's March for you! And if you're a mad, keen, planner, here's April as well for good measure. Hope you get good use out...
Lamb Kofta and Tabouli Salad – an illustrated recipe
I'm absolutely loving my connection with the lovely Megan Neilson of 'Cooked by me + delivered' and I recently asked her permission to share her recipe for Lamb Kofta. When my family tried Megan's Koftas not long ago the meal was noteworthy because EVERYBODY* IN MY...
And so, I’m an author!
About 3 years ago I went to a business presentation and it was recommended that people who seriously wanted to become an influencer in their area of expertise (and I am very keen to get people connected to their creativity through success with art) should write a...
Do-muffins – Illustrated Recipe
I don't want to slow you down by talking about this one. Just go to your kitchen and make them. You'll thank me later. Seriously. Do-muffins are delish. Click the image for a pdf printable....
Rainbow Upcycling
Sometimes things that I KNOW won't take very long to do, just have to wait their turn in my life. But today was the day for this little shelf that I use at the back of my studio. Useful, but not beautiful by any means. And of course we all know... Have nothing in your...
Classic ‘Cooked’ Lasagne – Illustrated Recipe
The lovely Megan Neilson from Cooked, here in Toowoomba, is a super friend of mine. She and her little team of talented foodies cook and deliver the most delicious home-made dinners and goodies all over Toowoomba. So it made sense for me to illustrate some of her...
Here’s February
It's February ALREADY! Good grief! Thank goodness I've managed to do the first two stages of repainting the studio frontage and get 80% of the way through reorganising the insides, and run a fantastic first session for my new Paint Along artwork, "Passion for Life"....
Passionflowers and puppies and peacocks, oh my!
Welcome back to a new, shiny, arty year! Did you make resolutions? If you've decided to get more in touch with your creative side, consider this your sign...! I've designed two totally new Paint Along compositions for this term, as well as two very different...
The Best Banana Bread in the World – Illustrated Recipe
OK, so last week's recipe was a few days later than planned, and this week's is early... but I've never been a fan of routine, especially when it comes to Banana Bread. There's always time for Banana Bread. I've been baking from this recipe for at least five years -...
Chinese Duck Coleslaw – Illustrated Recipe
Every year or so, most of the women from my Dad's side of the family, commonly known as 'The Battle Women', (sounds just a bit cool - my maiden name was Battle) spend a weekend away. These are excellent weekends. It's fabulous to catch up and I'm really lucky to be...
Check out this Painting Party Pack!
The lovelies at Cloth Paper Scissors have turned one of my book projects into a Painting Party Pack! My book will be published in late April so this really makes things seem real! And check out this video they've put together explaining the pack: (It's so weird -...
Shiny Happy Plans for 2016
This little business of mine has taken many twists and turns over the last 16 years. When I started my first son was one, and in fact, my business name, Shiny Happy Art, comes from watching REM singing Furry Happy Monsters on Sesame Street with him one morning. I've...
My Silent Mandarin Cake – Illustrated Recipe
So my Christmas Rumball Illustrated Recipe download was a hit! I have honestly never received so much positive feedback and actual email and text message 'thank you's' from any other post. So thank you to everyone who got in touch. (I loved...
Here’s January for you
When my cousin wrote to ask if I had a 2016 Calendar available I actually didn't... and then I thought - why not!?! And so I made one! I'm going to release a new 'month page' at the start of each month (they're all done now so I might...
Wishing you a Shiny Happy 2016!
After quite a late NYE with over 18 (mainly teenagers) staying the night, Annie and I escaped to make a little collaborative painting to ring in the New Year. And we really do wish you a shiny happy year!
Printable Gift Cards for you
While I actually LOVE choosing presents for people, whether I make them or buy them... sometimes a Gift Card is still the right thing. It might be easier to post, or for an experience that you just can't wrap up... or you've just run out of...
It’s a Rumball Christmas
I'm serious. It really is. I think I've made eight batches so far this month. I have hardly worn my rings because I've 'been rumballing'. Last year it was choc popcorn, before that it was citrus curd, and before that mini-puds. This year -...
Shiny Happy Boxes and Bags
It’s been a long time since I’ve bought wrapping paper... and I find it almost impossible to throw away bags and boxes that I ‘just might’ find a use for. So in the interest of decluttering let me guide you through the creation of...
Gold Leaf Ornaments
If you know a bit about me here at Shiny Happy Art, you'll know that I LOVE gold and silver leaf! Think about gilding some simple, timber ornaments, or refreshing some old decorations with a bit of bling. I found these plywood shapes at...
Shiny Happy Gift Ideas
I really love choosing gifts, but I may be the only one in my family who does! So if you're open to ideas, here are a few 'shiny happy arty' gifts that I'd recommend. An ART MUG full of marshmallows (or those yummy French Vanilla Cashews...
Peek inside a Paint Along
If you like what you see, come and join me at a Studio Paint Along this term. Dates announced today! Buy Studio Paint Along - Striped Vase Buy Studio Paint Along - Gold Leaf Wreath Buy BRAND NEW - Clay Along Buy...
What a Carnival!
Have I mentioned I LOVE our Carnival? And this year saw the realisation of a 10 year dream - to have my artwork featured on the front cover of The Chronicle Carnival of Flowers liftout magazine. With a little bit of help from my friends (thank you Tammy and Melanie!)...
My biggest Paint Along yet!
Each September we have a Carnival of Flowers here in Toowoomba. It's my favourite time of year! This year I was honoured to have my artwork featured on the cover of the souvenir lift out and get a mention inside as well....
A bunch of pure colour
Can you believe the colour in this gorgeous 'Pick a Posy' from the lovely Rebecca at Dawn Osborne Florist????!!! I got a special preview last week, of this bunch designed especially for me (she'd heard I was a bit under the weather)! Every day Rebecca features a...
Lilies!
Today's Paint Along was my first group to paint my new composition 'Lilies' and it was SO.MUCH.FUN! Great conversation, champers, chocolates and oh, some painting too. Check it out!...
Watch the painting unfold
I've filmed/timelapsed a few of the Spring Floral paintings that I'm doing this month. They're being released onto Instagram each day - $55 each. Today's sold in 6 minutes flat - bought by someone to give to a friend that needed something to brighten their day - how...
My Shiny Happy Spring Project!
So I'm doing a little bit of an experiment and it has to do with Instagram. Because while my heart is in facebook, I'm quite drawn to the pretty Insta pictures. And it's pretty quick to scroll...scroll...scroll and see what people are up to, in pictures. Each day, at...
Term 3 Dates announced!
'Patterned Peacock' by Anna Bartlett - we'll talk about all sorts of patterns so your peacock will end up all your own! These three compositions will be recreated in the studio in August and September: 'Oriental Lilies' by Anna Bartlett - I can't wait to share...
Discovering my floral style
Over the last couple of weeks, during these school holidays, I've had some holidays from my day job. I've cuddled and done drawing with my daughters and baked cakes and woken without an alarm... oh, and not blowdried my hair (that's a big holiday indicator for me)....
4 days in 4 minutes
I've been itching to paint a larger-than-my-usual canvas with a vase of bright flowers in it - so late last week I got started on it and timelapsed the whole thing, from wo to go - enjoy! I'll get this baby varnished and it'll be available for sale at the Downlands...
New website goes live!
Thanks for coming by and checking out my new, improved (I hope) website! I've changed platforms (now back to wordpress) in an effort to integrate the varied parts of my business, and bringing the reservations for Paint Alongs into the main site as well. Please bear...
Art helps friend in need
As an artist, I am approached to support many, many charities and causes each year, and there are a few that are close to my heart. The Cancer Council and Breastscreen Queensland as cancer has touched dear friends of mine, SANDS as I had...
Dragonfly practice video
Pretty much anyone who's been to a Shiny Happy Paint Along knows I love my dragonflies. They add a little "somethin' somethin'" to a flower painting and fill in simple backgrounds quite nicely. They add movement and detail and sometimes a bit more colour. And the best...
Collaboration is good for business
On Saturday 18 April, I headed to Brisbane to spend the morning with the terrific team from m3property who had organised a Collaborative Painting Event for their social club. The 'Captain of Fun', Basil Simitci (I'm not sure if that's his official title, but that's...
Comparing Greens
There are stacks of premixed green acrylic paints on the market. Here I compare NINE of them (oh wow!) and you can decide which ones you like! Here's a link to my sample sheet so you can download it for yourself. Please remember that colours may differ screen to...
Comparing brands of coloured pencils
It's no secret that I recommend Prismacolor coloured pencils. But what about that tin of pencils you were given as a gift last year? Well I compared a few brands and this is what I think: If you can't see the video here, you can watch it through...
Agapanthus are go!
Always a sellout in the studio, my Shiny Happy Agapanthus Paint Along is now available online. This really is one of my personal favourites. And with this combination of layered colours, you really can't go wrong. I hope you love it! Click here to check out the...
15 Flowers is underway!
And it's been a huge job! With five printables per flower and hours and hours of video, what seemed quite achievable (how hard can it be to teach 15 flowers after all) is actually a huge project that I'm immensely proud of. And I'm delighted to say that the feedback...
Downlands Collaborative Painting
In my other life I'm the marketing manager at a wonderful high school here in Toowoomba, Downlands College. A Missionaries of the Sacred Heart College, we are regularly offered retreat days, and just before Easter all staff (teachers, admin, cleaning, cooking, grounds...
Way out west with art
Downlands College sent me and my colleague, photographer Catherine Mims, out to Charleville, Quilpie, Cunnamulla and Wyandra in late March, to run a series of collaborative group paintings with each community. Every session started off in a similar way, but the...
Your questions answered!
Thanks for all your terrific questions and comments about 15 Flowers, the eCourse - the response was just wonderful. As a result of your vote, Iris and Gerbera will be the 14th and 15th flowers in 15 Flowers. Read on for all the messages and my answers(in red) to the...
A new mural
A couple of weekends ago I got to paint a mural (at Kate's Place childcare centre, Middle Ridge) and documented the process - after 10 hours of painting I swear these old bones were creaking, but oh, what a wonderful way to spend the day! [gallery...
Setting up your space
Do you have a special space to paint and draw? Or are you a 'portable person' and you simply make space wherever you go? While you'll sometimes find me sketching in a notebook or scrapbook in front of the telly, I do prefer drawing at a table and painting on an easel...
Questions about 15 Flowers
For all the people out there who may not have participated in an eCourse before, and have a few questions, like: What materials will I need? What is the cost? Can we get our paints from you? What does 'live videos' mean? How long are the...
What paints are best?
Over the years I've tried a lot of brands of acrylic paints. The great thing is that you can mix and match paints, but it's nice to learn what to look out for in a paint and figure out what your favourites are. Check out the Series number as...
Starting 15 Flowers
Joining in with the 15 Flowers eCourse is like doing some 'art fitness' (which, to be honest, I find a lot more fun than real fitness). And you don't need all the glam fitness gear (unless you already have it - or have been looking for an excuse to get it) to start...
15 Flowers – the eCourse
Come and flex your art muscles (especially if it's been a while since you stretched!) and paint 15 flowers with me. Registration opens on Monday 9 February 2015 (my birthday!) Earlybird price of AU $90 until 17 March 2015 (regular price $120) Class starts 6 April...
Shiny Happy Pullapart Painting
Last Friday a brilliant group of people from Hillman Morgan Financial Solutions joined me in the studio to make a group painting that could then be pulled apart so everyone could take a bit home. And the best thing was that until they arrived, it was a total surprise!...
Mixing Flesh Colour
To be read in your best 'Law & Order' voice - There are many ways to mix flesh tones on the web, this is one of them. This mix is the basis for the skin tone in my 'Wine with Dinner' Paint Along ( AND I've finally figured out how to hang my camera from the...
They’re ready
My first two Online Paint Alongs, Daffodils and Everlasting Wreath, are ready. I hope you like one (or both!) and have enough info about it from me to go ahead and buy it because I can't wait to see what you create! Each Online Paint Along has its' own multi-page...
Gold Leaf Bling
Many many moons ago I spent about four years in Olive Bull's calligraphy class and we learned STACKS about gilding. We mixed our own plaster-type substances to create raised areas on our parchment and gilded with genuine gold leaf, rubbing with burnishers for a...
‘Peeking’ for Breast Cancer
Geez it's been a busy week! Last night one of my closest friends rang me from Brissie at 10:30pm. She needed to tell me that after her single mastectomy, aggressive radiation and chemo, TRAMS rebuild and then a single breast reduction only last Monday, they had found...
Two whites can’t be wrong
I first found out that there were different kinds of white many years ago in calligraphy class. We were using gouache paints (a type of opaque watercolour) and I can remember learning that there were four different types of Winsor and Newton whites, and all had...
Alternatives to Black
Now, this tip applies to artists that use lines in their work (as I do with my illustrative style), as well as people looking to paint darks and shadows... The background story - my mother, Diana Battle, is a very talented artist. She can paint beautifully in both...
Guesso Gesso
You know those canvasses that say they're pre-primed... and unless you are making them yourself with a fabric like linen or calico or some other sort of canvas, most of the ones you buy would be 'pre-primed'. Today's tip is simply to make sure you prime them...
Fields of Hope
Just a couple of weeks ago I was asked (by my friend Jo Capp) if I'd like to create a Daffodil themed Paint Along to help launch Daffodil Day here in Toowoomba. How could I say no? It was a Paint Along subject I hadn't covered yet and I knew...
Canvasing for Quality
At the moment, wrapped, clean edge canvases are my surface of choice. Sometimes they're called 'gallery wrapped', which basically means the staples are not on the edge, they're on the back. These canvases have been a good thing for artists, as the cost of framing can...
Why I love Paint Alongs
The concept of 'Paint Alongs' is HUGE in the USA. The company 'Painting with a Twist' was the #1 franchise in the 'Paint and Sip' category (they have their own category!) just last year. They have a terrific story and great fancy websites. They fit in stacks of people...
Art videos coming soon
I spent today in the studio filming! Paint Alongs, introductions, Dragonfly instructions and flower painting ideas fill my head. Can't wait to have Shiny Happy Art captured on film to share beyond lovely Toowoomba! If you are interested in online Paint Alongs, please...
Mojo Memories
The ever delightful Tracy Verdugo came to town last weekend and left her mark on all the lucky participants in her Paint Mojo workshop, held in my Shiny Happy Art studio. On Day One we connected with symbols, shapes, colours and ink alchemy...
Keep calm, it’s free
I was delighted to be on the panel that thought up the idea of 'the coffee conversation' and these takeaway coffee cups are the result. If you're a lady over 40 and haven't had a mammogram lately, this is a message from the universe 😉
Circle Painting with the fam
Most Easters we are incredibly lucky to go semi-camping at a very generous and welcoming cousin's gorgeous property at Wivenhoe Dam (thanks Jennie and Peter!!). This year there were 52 family members and 8 dogs, and we spent three glorious...
DIY Dragonfly
You know I do love a dragonfly or two. Their little, elegant wings add movement to a garden and a 'special something' to a flower painting. My stylised dragonflies are simply five lines - a slightly curved body (place and pull your brush), then two sets of wings - a...
Paint Mojo hits Toowoomba
Tracy Verdugo is coming to teach her Paint Mojo Workshop in my Shiny Happy Art studio here in Toowoomba! (I'm seriously excited and it's hard not to put ten exclamation marks at the end of that sentence!). I flew to Melbourne in August 2012 to do this workshop and it...
Flower Shower (curtain!)
When I was 11 I made a Get Well card for a friend who was super impressed because I'd put her name on the card in rub-on Letraset letters. So the fact that you (and I) can now get my art on SHOWER CURTAINS is sort of blowing my mind. They're $68 each + postage (and...