Shiny Happy News and Ideas

Hello again! It’s Anna!

Hello again! It’s Anna!

Hi! I'm Anna Battle, the original shiny happy artist, founder of the Shiny Happy Art Club and author of 'Painting Party: Acrylic Painting for Beginners'. And I don't mind a bit of colour! I'm a mum with two kids still at home and we live in a quirky pole house in...

What’s with the mess???

What’s with the mess???

Are you a messy painter? Or a neat-ster? You know what? The only art supplies wasted are the ones left in the tube... or the pan... or perhaps the shop! And it doesn't actually matter if you're naturally neat or naturally messy. That's a by product of the activity and...

A funny story for you!

A funny story for you!

So I was downtown at Banter Coffee Kitchen for our informal but very fun #rumballrumble a couple of weeks back (yes, I won, soz Kevin) and a lady was coming out of the shop with her coffee and when I said hello she said she knew who I was because she had JUST chosen...

Flora is waiting in the literal wings…

Flora is waiting in the literal wings…

There’s never been a better time to join the Shiny Happy Art Club because we’re rolling right around to the start again - to ‘Flora the Chook’! The refreshed version of Flora, in both acrylic and watercolour, will be released next Thursday 1 February as we mark the...

Starting the year with stories to tell

Starting the year with stories to tell

How good is radio? And being interviewed!?! I spend so much time videoing and talking to myself on camera, it was a delight to be properly interviewed by the lovely Rosemary Peterswald. Rosemary has known my parents since the 60’s and invited me to speak on her show...

Post-birthday thoughts

Post-birthday thoughts

I woke up this morning thinking about ways to finish what you start (in a bedroom still with unpacking to be done - that’s probably why). Of course, it applies to art. It always does. There are the usual things like: Choosing your project wisely and understanding your...

Missing Maeby

Missing Maeby

Our darling Maeby (#maebythestudiodog), my long-time muse, companion and family member slipped away from us late on Thursday 8 December.  She gave us sixteen years of unconditional love (which is about 87 in dog years I believe), devoted companionship and...

How do you know when your painting is finished?

How do you know when your painting is finished?

Ahhhhh! The age old question asked by beginner (and intermediate… and some experienced) artists everywhere! How do you know???? The answer you probably don’t want to hear is: You’ll know when you know. Knowing a painting is done and it’s time to down tools is a skill...

What’s the story then? Why a club?

What’s the story then? Why a club?

Here’s a story for you! Way back in late 2018 I had an idea. I'd been offering face-to-face Paint Alongs since 2011, and online art classes since 2015, but I knew that painting REGULARLY was where the joy of art really lay. The idea was an ONLINE Art Club that would...

Take a peek INSIDE the Shiny Happy Art Club!

Take a peek INSIDE the Shiny Happy Art Club!

Thanks so much for your interest in the Shiny Happy Art Club! And congratulations on figuring out a way you can bring more creativity into your life! You only live once, right?!? In this 13 minute video I take you INSIDE the Club so you can see what's there and...

To practice art…

To practice art…

I love this quote by Kurt Vonnegut:   To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.   But what to sketch?   Well, it's winter in Australia, and it's the little things I love: Hot chocolate in your favourite...

What is Art for?

What is Art for?

With so much going on in the world, it's difficult to write about and make art. The news of war and flood weigh heavily and donations don't seem enough.  But having offered Drink and Draw's since the early days of covid, I know that so many people find release in art,...

5 Ways to Make More Art in 2022

5 Ways to Make More Art in 2022

Don't know where or how to start when it comes to art? Try a few of these ideas on for size.1. Have Art Kits for all occasions Just like meal planning, set yourself up to succeed. My real-life art kits include watercolours, a brush, pencils and a sketchbook. Start...

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 14

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 14

Experience ‘the ugly stage’ and keep going! Imagine me cheering you on to get through the other side. Join me in the Shiny Happy Art Club and experience the joy of drawing and painting every single month. Here's the link for you...

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 13

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 13

Seeing your progress will keep you going!Transcript This is episode 13 of the Art Fit Podcast. Hello, I’m Anna Battle, Shiny Happy Artist and your host of the Art Fit Podcast. Now, just as physical fitness is good for your body, Art Fitness is good for your mind. And...

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 12

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 12

Colour is one of the joys of my life. But in this episode I’ll tell you what I believe is more important, and how to use it to improve your drawings and paintings.Transcript This is episode 12 of the Art Fit Podcast. Hello, I’m Anna Battle, Shiny Happy Artist and your...

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 11

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 11

Start with an understanding of the primary colours - experience them - and you’re building skills that you’ll use in every single sketch or painting.  Start by 'really seeing' but know there is a time when you can step away from your reference and add to your sketch...

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 10

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 10

Explore your freedom and see what works for you. I have a few ideas you may like to try.Transcript This is episode 10 of the Art Fit Podcast. Hello, I’m Anna Battle, Shiny Happy Artist and your host of the Art Fit Podcast. Now, just as physical fitness is good for...

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 9

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 9

Helping you stay interested and make ‘everyday-ish’ happen.Transcript This is episode 9 of the Art Fit Podcast. Hello, I’m Anna Battle, Shiny Happy Artist and your host of the Art Fit Podcast. Now, just as physical fitness is good for your body, Art Fitness is good...

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 8

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 8

Think about what’s closest to you - everything’s a possibility! This is what makes your everyday life richer.Transcript This is episode 8 of the Art Fit Podcast. Hello, I’m Anna Battle, Shiny Happy Artist and your host of the Art Fit Podcast. Now, just as physical...

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 7

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 7

Whether you have a little or a lot, it starts with acceptance, and then a plan. You'll be amazed at what you can fit in to even a 5 minute window, as you get more Art Fit.Transcript This is episode 7 of the Art Fit Podcast. Hello, I’m Anna Battle, Shiny Happy Artist...

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 6

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 6

Allow yourself to learn from your teachers. Drink up their experience and instruction, then let your art flow out of you with the mark of YOUR hand. Transcript This is episode 6 of the Art Fit Podcast. Hello, I’m Anna Battle, Shiny Happy Artist and your host of the...

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 5

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 5

How can you set your space up for success?Transcript This is episode 5 of the Art Fit Podcast. Hello, I’m Anna Battle, Shiny Happy Artist and your host of the Art Fit Podcast. Now, just as physical fitness is good for your body, Art Fitness is good for your mind. And...

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 4

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 4

Leave your perfectionism at the door. It's time to jump in!Transcript This is episode 4 of the Art Fit Podcast. Hello, I’m Anna Battle, Shiny Happy Artist and your host of the Art Fit Podcast. Now, just as physical fitness is good for your body, Art Fitness is good...

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 3

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 3

It's time to become aware of the words that go through your head when you're drawing... and to CHOOSE to speak to yourself kindly. It really does make a difference!Transcript This is episode 3 of the Art Fit Podcast. Hello, I’m Anna Battle, Shiny Happy Artist and your...

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 2

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 2

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable - because that's what learning can feel like!Transcript This is episode 2 of the Art Fit Podcast. Hello, I’m Anna Battle, Shiny Happy Artist and your host of the Art Fit Podcast. Now, just as physical fitness is good for your...

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 1

ART FIT Podcast – Episode 1

So, you feel it in your bones that you'd like to be able to draw... and/or paint?!?  Well let's take a few moments to think about where that feeling is coming from.  Then once you know where you want to be, we can plan the workouts and the exercises to get you...

Sketching out and about

Sketching out and about

If you've ever wanted to the confidence to sketch out and about, here are two tips: 1. Start practicing at home. Draw your own table. Your window view. Your hands. Your favourite coffee mug. 2. Have friends who are happy for you to sketch while...

Not Minimalist

Not Minimalist

Here's what I think. Many people believe they are no good at drawing and painting because they stop too soon. They get to the 'ugly stage' of creating and think it's not working and give up. I say ADD TWO MORE THINGS! It's double the opposite of what Coco Chanel...

I know art-making makes me happy (as I type that, I remember the time I did a presentation about 'making art' and three of my friends came up to me at the end and told me that everytime I said that it sounded like 'making out' 😂😅🤣 - anyhoo, both are good). All you...

Thank you Injune

Thank you Injune

An ice cream bus showing up at lunchtime? They know how to show a huge group of women a good time at the #injunecreativeodyssey!!! Great job Sue Pukullus, Fiona Vincent and team! Paul (“Squeezy Man”) and I wrapped up the weekend with the first live class of “Natalie...

ACRYLICS V WATERCOLOUR

ACRYLICS V WATERCOLOUR

I'm often asked whether I prefer acrylics to watercolour and I honestly have to say I love them both.   ACRYLICS are great to get stuck into a painting on canvas and hang it straight on the wall. I usually work from darks to lights and can easily alter the...

New Online Paint Along for July 2021

New Online Paint Along for July 2021

I'm delighted to share 'Caravan Dreaming'. Quite a few years ago, my sister and her family set off on what was planned to be a 12 month caravan dream holiday. Except it wasn't a total holiday. She'd be home schooling her 9 year old son and the two younger ones would...

The true beauty of a Collection

The true beauty of a Collection

Ahh! I love a #collection! One painting invites scrutiny. It’s easy to pull apart and be critical. Two are a pair. Your eye is looking for the similarities as well as the things that ‘don’t quite fit’. And they’re often easy to find. Three? Well that’s a ‘few’ and...

May the Fourth

May the Fourth

I'm not a huge Star Wars fan, but I love the challenge of painting or sketching something for May the Fourth Be With You day each year, and seeing the progress in my art. This year I surprised myself with this sketch, and I can honestly say I have NEVER sketched C-3PO...

One way to impress yourself as an artist!

One way to impress yourself as an artist!

I've had five Zoom calls with lovely Shiny Happy Art Club Members this week, and I found myself recommending SAMPLERS a few times.   These two are on Scrap Book Covers (I use them for planning) from 2017 and 2018.   The thing with Samplers is: - you get to practice...

Painting a home

Painting a home

How do you fit a long house in a square format? I decided to focus on the front door and attempt to capture the pure FUN of this home. This secret commission was a true exercise in 'creative decision making' and such a joy to paint I actually had a few goes at it,...

A SHINY HAPPY CHALLENGE FOR YOU

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 (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...

So, what’s a #shacard?

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...

Whites & Blue Skies in Watercolour

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?

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

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?

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...

DIY Sketchbook Webinar – May 2019

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

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!

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

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...

REVIEW – Dare to Sketch by Felix Scheinberger

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!

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

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...

Day 6 #shinyhappy7

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.

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

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

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

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

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...

Murals come to life

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...

The FAQs about Shiny Happy Drawing

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...

Free video project for Donna Downey’s Artist Gang

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

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...

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?

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...

Wonderful Norfolk Island – October 2017

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...

Why painting is good for you

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...

Teacup Collages for Mother’s Day

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...