Monika Astara Studio

Permission to Play.

Create Happy Art, Clothes and Jewelry that Light you up!

No talent required!
And you cannot mess up!

Simple, fun methods and patterns -  stunning results.

Playfully create: Soothing, Therapeutic Doodling - Asemic Writing - Zen Collages - Mixed Media - Abstract Art (without a brush) - Happy Clothes and Jewelry.

Welcome creative rebels, curious and timid beginners, advanced creatives, busy professionals, moms, retirees, those in transitions and those who love to do things differently.

Come in and Create with the Curiosity and Freedom of a Child!

Reclaim Awe and Joy in your Life.

Discover how to Side-step the Inner Critic.

Boost your Confidence, Creativity and Contentment.

We do it with proven, innovative methods and patterns that are fun, simple and different from anything else out there.

Even if you are a beginner or think that you are not creative, you can get stunning, high-end looking results that make you happy and proud.

Only 1 pattern piece and 2 seams.
 1 Fast and Fabulous painting method.

Picture yourself squirting and smudging paint with ketchup bottles, spackle knives, jar lids and creating... 

...Clothes that support and light you up in your daily life.
You make them with just 1 pattern piece.

...Jewelry that nurtures your soul.
You create it with beads, cardboard, fabric and painted papers.

...Abstract Art that fills your heart with joy.
You "paint" without a brush!

...Unconventional dipped and "smudged" Papers that excite and inspire you.

...Zen style Collages and Mixed Media.
You can turn your home and office into an oasis of joy and peace with them.

...hand painted Fabrics and Home Decor that exude your joy and style.

With Playful, Proprietary Processes you can cultivate solid Confidence in your natural Creativity and Joy.

NO talent required.

"It's so SIMPLE! It's brilliant."
Dr. Priti Bhardwaj - psychiatrist

Detail of Art created with a plastic bag.

"It's like a magic pill for having joy in an adverse world."
Amanda Meyer

Start CREATING! 
Start SIMPLE. 
It's FREE!

1.) Make this fabulous Drama Vest to jazz up your leggings and jeans - skirts...pants...dresses.

It's just a rectangle with 2 holes. No seams.
Wear it 5 different ways.

2.) Discover the joy of letting loose and seeing immediate results with a variety of FREEbies.

From T-shirt painting to digital Art.

What clients say:



"I am in my studio again, having fun!

Monika's methods are so much more fun and a lot faster than the dyeing procedures I am used to.
.....
The videos are short and to the point.
And you get instant gratifications."

Linda Thompson


"Monika, what you are offering is something so special. I haven't seen anything like it.

I must say I quite enjoy the freedom to splash paint freely.
It took me out of my comfort zone.

It is quite liberating."

Lindsay Cash


"I thought I was quite relaxed.
But this is taking it to a whole other level.


And you can apply the Golden Key principles in everyday life.
I've even tried it in the gym.
With zero motivation.

It WORKS."

Lynn Edmonds

Are you longing for a gentle - but powerful - reset?
Reclaim your joy and peace with the Virtual Signature Retreat:

One of the methods: Asemic calligraphy - the fastest way to inner peace and joy.
Simple, soothing, fun! We do it on paper. It can be enlarged and printed as art.

Creative Joy - Virtual Retreat

It’s a nurturing, transformational online retreat specifically designed to calm your nervous system and gently bring you back to your natural inner calm and joy.

We use the simplest, most soothing and playful ways to create on paper.
They bypass the inner critic and let you relax deeply.

No talent, and no special supplies required.
And you cannot mess up!

We play with everyday tools like bottle caps, old credit cards, plastic bags and more.
It allows the brain to switch into the pleasure giving center and you experience satisfaction, joy and peace.

Throughout we use my Golden Key Method. It's a very short 3 step process I’ve developed to help you create and live with sustainable joy. Not just during the retreat, but in your everyday life.

The retreat includes easy-to-follow, relaxing online modules, weekly live Zoom sessions with replays, if you can’t attend live, and a private Facebook community so you can interact any time.

"It worked when I was completely at loose ends. It was because you absolutely embody what you teach!
...You are the best example for taking responsibility for one's well-being during adversity...
Your voice and your face exude joy!"

 Christine C.

All Ways we can create together.
Online and in-person :

Hello, I am Monika Astara, your guide on transformational creative journeys.

Whatever stage of life you are in - in college, in a transition, a mom, a dad, a professional, an empty nester or retiree - it's my greatest joy to guide you to leave any limitations in the dust - and instead create with the awe, curiosity and freedom you had as a childSo you can have more energy, joy and fun in your art and in everyday life.

Or do you think you are not creative?
Neither am I. According to my art teacher.

Rolling her eyes in despair, my art teacher snapped at me for 6 years:
"You have no creative bone in your body.
God must have been asleep when He created you and your sense of art!"


You most likely have your own version of this in your life.
Fifteen years later I broke free. And so can you.

Despite my art teacher's dire assessment, I have been a full time artist and wearable art designer since 1987.

I've created thousands of pieces of artful clothes and jewelry that sold nationwide in galleries, wearable art boutiques and my own boutique. And I have worked with thousands of women to use clothes and jewelry as tools to love themselves the way they are.

From the very beginning I've always come up with my own unconventional, fun methods and patterns.
My clients say they haven't seen them anywhere else and that they haven't had as much joy and happiness as they have with my methods and my courses.

And that's why it lights me up to guide and inspire you to side-step your inner critic, smile about outside opinions - and boldly go for YOUR unconventional magic.

SIGN up for the Creative Freedom email.

Look forward to it once or twice a month.

"It's like getting joy delivered to your inbox." Donna Wilson

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Shop for finished Happy Art, Clothes and Jewelry.

Monika Astara is an Austin based artist whose happy clothing, jewelry, art and courses bring joy, aliveness and relaxation to women, men, youth and homes, corporate offices, health care facilities, hotels and restaurants.

All artwork, photos, content on this website is the sole property of Monika Astara LLC and Monika Murphy.
All rights to original artwork and writing belong to Monika Murphy and Monika Astara LLC - even after purchase.