A SHINY HAPPY CHALLENGE FOR YOU
I'm often asked about different art supplies... and it's true... I do have a BIT of a collection 😉 (I remember an old friend and student, Ros, saying that coming to my studio was like visiting an art shop but being allowed to try everything 😅 ). What I'd like...
Paint it again (Sam)
PAINT IT AGAIN. That's my message for today. The more you look at a subject, and then paint or draw it, the more you will SEE. Here's a photo of Cape Tribulation that my friend, Larah, has taken - I painted it (small) as part of my #shacards series and then again...
The new improved Shiny Happy Club will get you painting!
On New Years Day 2017 I started deliberately trying to sketch every day. I decided on 'everyday-ish' and the first sketch was not about much - an empty chocolate nuts bottle and a pair of scissors or something... sketched with coloured biros. As much as I've always...
So, what’s a #shacard?
It's a Shiny Happy Art Card - and the hashtag I gave to my July/August 2020 Facebook Live project! I painted all 54 playing cards in a jumbo deck, in acrylic, with flowers, birds, cups and landscapes. It was a painting a day (ish) and I had a lovely group of regulars...
Drink and Draw (in lockdown)
It seemed, that because we're all home on Saturday nights during COVID, it was a great opportunity to have a global Drink and Draw - social drawing session. So I did. For 8 weeks in a row. And it's been AMAZINGLY GREAT. All the live videos are still there in the...
My #5minutemay Sketch Challenge!
Just because there wasn't enough going on, I got it in my head that I REALLY needed to do a #5minutemay sketch challenge. And of course, June wasn't going to cut it - alliteration rules my life. So I have begun! Each day in May I'm doing a LIVE video on my facebook...
Whites & Blue Skies in Watercolour
Watercolour paints last really well and can be an heirloom item to be passed down from generation to generation. Don’t hesitate in buying the best set you can afford and use them often. Painting 'white objects' can be struggle for those just starting out with...
Which Brush is Best?
Choosing the right brush size and shape can be a big decision when you are just starting out as a painter. In my opinion, size does matter - especially if you are painting a big canvas, I recommend you start with a big brush. The shape of the brush matters too - to...
Fill your book
Are you onboard yet? Are you painting and drawing regularly? My mission is to share the joy of drawing and painting because … I have found that it simply makes life better. I invite to you look for every opportunity to include painting and drawing in your life....
Where’s your favourite place?
Or even your second favourite place? One of my favourite places is Rainbow Beach. I have lovely memories from my childhood, and have a fun bunch of terrific rellies to visit there... I just feel really connected to the place. I visited last weekend and finally made...
November’s Paint Along is BUTTERFLY SKY
Members of the Paint Along of the Month Club will have already received access to "Butterfly Sky" guided videos, transcripts and printables on the site. If you are not a Member and would like to Paint Along online with me, just click through and purchase for instant...
Out and About with your Shiny Happy Sketchbook – FREE WEBINAR 20 June
Last month we talked about setting up a lightweight sketchbook kit to suit any occasion or location... so now... what are we going to draw when we are out and about? I'll share my tips for getting started when you are sketching in public. It'd be great to have...
DIY Sketchbook Webinar – May 2019
Thank you so much to everyone who joined me for my Webinar today! We had a RECORD NUMBER of attendees from around the world which is extremely exciting. 🙂 In case you missed, it, here's the replay for your viewing pleasure. The password is just below the video....
How to Save Money on Paint
It's the Thursday before the 25th of the month, and that means it's... WEBINAR DAY! I get to share more info about some of my favourite things (paint!) and the doors open for this month's enrolments into the Paint Along of the Month Club (they close again on the 31st...
March Paint Along of the Month is LIVE!
This month we're painting LLAMA FIESTAs in the Paint Along of the Month Club and you are invited! You have four options: wait two months until it goes on sale to non-club members for $44 AUD (still very good value, I promise) sign up to a monthly subscription for $33...
Join the dots and draw
There are so many ways to approach a drawing. And so many types of drawings in general! I think it's great to find out how different artists approach drawing, just to see if their way makes sense to you. Because I believe drawing is the foundation to good art, and...
Come to my LIVE Webinar – Thursday 24 January
UPDATE - you can see the Webinar replay here - Length: 47:33 Password: water For years I've wondered how I could do a webinar, because painting demonstrations can be a pretty slow process, but just last week I figured out a way! I've made a list of the things I say...
REVIEW – Dare to Sketch by Felix Scheinberger
I have found this to be a terrific book, full of bite-sized inspirational lessons that you can use in your sketchbook straight away. Scheinberger's use of expressive line and restrained colour is delightful in its loose details. Of particular interest is the section...
The entire Chook mural in 2 minutes!
I loved painting this mural in late 2018! The mailboxes were from a photo I took at the Bunya Mountains in March and all the chooks now live in one of the Toowoomba Hospital Paediatric Oncology rooms. Huge thanks to the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation for supporting...
Give an online workshop
With Christmas around the corner I've had a lot of enquiries about how to give an online workshop as a gift. Here's how to do it. Simply purchase a gift voucher to the value of the course you'd like to give. (If the denomination you need isn't listed, please let me...
Join the Club. You’ll love it.
You are invited to become a Member of the Paint Along of the Month Club! What's this all about? It's simply the best Online Paint Alongs I can offer - with more details than ever before, delivered to you every month for a whole year. So your creativity can flow all...
Day 6 #shinyhappy7
Today I am introducing the very first Shiny Happy Art A5 sketchbook covers that have ever been available for sale. The students on my recent Norfolk trip received sketchbooks with covers like these as a special gift - and they were a big hit! My favourite design of...
Win an Art Prize Pack valued at over $500.
As part of my #shinyhappy7 promotion, every purchase made via my website between 12:00am Saturday 1 December AEST and 9:00pm Sunday 9 December AEST (2018) will go in the draw to win these items pictured. It's quite a haul! Anna Bartlett, Shiny Happy Art, is the...
Day 5 #shinyhappy7
Today it's all about ORIGINAL art. These nine paintings have been painted by me, using Artists Quality acrylics, on original sheet music affixed to a cradled birch panel. And if that all sounds pretty special, that's because they are! I'm quite proud of this little...
Day 4 #shinyhappy7
Today is a BIG ONE! I'm releasing FIVE new Online Paint Alongs, along with a great 'bundle' price for the school holidays. In Australia, Christmas means summer and LOOOONG school holidays. So here's some festive creativity for you and the kids - it's screen time, but...
Day 3 #shinyhappy7
Today it's a special little release. I have some cushions and calendars in stock and it's time they went out in the world. But there are only a few. Take a look. If you like what you see, but they're sold, you can order directly from my page on Society6 here. Please...
Day 2 #shinyhappy7
I love painting these little gems of canvases - they’re just 10cm square, and they’ll hang on your wall or stand on a shelf, desk or bedside table. They’re just lovely. The concept behind these artworks is ‘A Cup Of’. We all know someone who could do with a cup of...
DAY 1 – #shinyhappy7
Today - the first day of this fun promotion - I am releasing my two flagship online courses from 2018, Shiny Happy Drawing and Shiny Happy Colour, IN FULL, for a great price. Valued at $132AUD each, for the next THREE DAYS ONLY, you can get them for $99AUD each OR, if...
Murals come to life
Huge thanks to the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation for engaging me to paint 6 new murals in the Paediatric Outpatients clinic. I've spent quite a bit of time in there and we're now 4 down, with 2 to go 🙂 Here are two timelapses of the process (if I could afford the...
If you want to learn how to draw with no stress, take this class.
That's exactly what Brannan Lawson said when she finished the last module of Shiny Happy Drawing earlier this year. Now, the long and short of it is that I truly believe that drawing makes life better - more colourful, more detailed, more vibrant. So I invite...
Paint Irises with me!
I absolutely LOVE spring. Here in Toowoomba we have a big 'Carnival of Flowers' every September, and I just love the carnival feeling in the air. And I like to do something special each Spring. This year I've filmed my 'Irises' Paint Along and so it's now...
The FAQs about Shiny Happy Drawing
I’ve had a few questions about my upcoming drawing eCourse… (and most were from my Mum – thanks Mum!) I’m talking about ‘Shiny Happy Drawing’ . It goes live on Sunday 1 July and includes 6 weeks of videos and projects (one will be released each week). (If you’ve...
Bookings are now open for Norfolk 2018!
We had such a great art holiday last year I'm going back just one more time! Join me on beautiful Norfolk Island from 16 to 23 October, for art, culture, food and relaxation. It's a wonderful getaway and you can do as much or as little art as you like (I like a lot!)....
Coming up in the studio this June
Huge thanks to everyone who has joined us in the studio so far this month! I ran sessions for two brand new subjects this weekend just gone - Dreamy Landscapes, and Bottlebrush and Bird - and they both went swimmingly! (That doesn't seem like quite the right word when...
Free video project for Donna Downey’s Artist Gang
It's an interesting exercise when you are given an art supply and have to think up a project with that as the starter! That's exactly what I had to do with my latest Donna Downey Artist Gang video. I used her 'Chicken Coop' stencil to create a layered and textured...
My first podcast interview
And it was fabulous to speak with Patty Palmer of Deep Space Sparkle. I have been following Patty's blog for years, and regularly recommended her site to teachers who asked me about art for kids, and last year I signed up to be a 'Sparkler' on her membership site. As...
Art Teachers will LOVE this online Workshop
I'm BESIDE MYSELF excited to be part of Patty Palmer's team for her 'Draw Paint Make' Workshop in July! That's me, bottom left 🙂 For years I have been referring teachers to Patty's blog, "Deep Space Sparkle". She has SO MANY fabulous art projects available, and when...
Come and draw with me
I truly believe that drawing makes my life richer. It's also the basis of good painting, so that's handy from an art point of view. So let me introduce you to Shiny Happy Drawing. It's 6 weeks of step-by-step drawing instruction, complete with videos and photo...
When bigger is better
Late last year I was SO HAPPY to facilitate a group painting project for TRC here in Toowoomba. This Team Building painting activity brought together 75 team members, some of whom had never met, to work together, problem solve and paint a multi-panel artwork. I had...
Take a tour of the studio with me
I'm a bit of a fan of the ol' Instagram. And on Tuesday this week, the 'good hair' vibes and the 'not too untidy' situation collided, so I recorded a little video tour of the Shiny Happy Art studio here in Toowoomba. Now, because it was recorded for insta, I am...
So you want to learn brush lettering?
UPDATE!!! Intro to Brush Lettering is happening! Toowoomba - Sunday 18 March, 2-5pm Injune - Saturday 24 March, 2-5pm ******************** But you can still join the 'First Dibs List' and you'll be emailed as when I announce new dates. Here's the link 🙂 Thanks and...
Just letting you know I’m in a Gang.
OK, OK, OK... it's an Artist Gang. Donna Downey's Artist Gang. So, I have been asked to do some tutorial videos, featuring Donna's Signature Stencils, and to date I have done two. And, as I don't usually use too many stencils in my projects, it's pushing me... in good...
Wonderful Norfolk Island – October 2017
2017 was a year for firsts! And this was a BIG one! With the encouragement and support of two of my most enthusiastic Wednesday Wonderers, Linda and Kim, we went to Norfolk Island! The fun actually began long before we left as introductions were shared on...
The planning calendar I use – my gift to you
It's no secret that most of us are trying to keep a lot of balls in the air. I've tried SO MANY systems, online and off, and while things have still been known to fall between the cracks, I feel like it's going ok at the moment. Right now I use Google Calendar and a...
This Christmas
Kids Holiday Workshops coming up
We love making art with kids! This is the third school holidays we've offered special, kid-friendly workshops, here in the Shiny Happy Art studio and this is the program for December 2017. We work hard to make sure these are the very best art workshops we can deliver...
Why painting is good for you
I've been thinking a lot about why I encourage people to paint. Why I think it's good to connect to your creative self and exactly why I encourage people to draw and make their daily life richer. And this is what I came up with. Reason 1 Artists are...
Brand new subjects for Term 4 Painting Parties
I'm so keen to get started on the new Painting Party subjects this term! "Clothesline Memories" can be personalised for your own family, "Gum Blossoms" is a beautiful, "loungeroom painting" that I'm very proud of, and there's a great Christmas design still to come....
Multi-canvas Painting as Team Building Event
This week I was so happy to spend Wednesday afternoon with the fabulous team from Power Tynan here in Toowoomba. Only a month ago, I met with Lauren from Power Tynan, and we discussed a Team Building event that would take the five key words from a new storyboard the...
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 pdf.
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 too!
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 pdf):
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 recipe.
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 recipe.
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 of them!
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...