Make Happy Art, Clothes and Jewelry that light you up.

Splash paint freely and create with abandon!

For most of us it's the fastest way to go from feeling anxious, depressed or lonely to feeling confident, happy and joyful. Plus -  you get gorgeous things that you can SEE, TOUCH and WEAR.

For timid beginners to advanced creatives and those who think they are not creative (a myth!).
No talent required.

Welcome to creating with unconventional, simple methods and patterns.
 
They are playful and faster than traditional ones.
Yet - you can get high-end looking results that light you up, boost your confidence and put a smile on your face!


Most of these methods and patterns are not available anywhere else.

Only 2 seams!
Plus: "Fabulous and Fast" painting method
.
From the Hand painted Art Tops, Happiness an Joy course.

"It's so simple!
It's brilliant!"

"I always thought that your art must be complicated and involved.
But it's so simple!
It's brilliant."
Michelle B. - artist and international art instructor

How you light up from the inside, stand taller and be happy:

Extensive scientific research and my 38 years of working with thousands of women show:

  • when you create with your hands,
  • when you look at happy art,
  • when you wear happy clothes and jewelry,

your eyes light up, you stand taller, your voice is stronger and you are joyful from inside.

When you feel joyful inside, you can deal with personal and outer challenges while staying calm and finding creative solutions.

Give your mood a boost with my FREE Gifts to you:

They are a compilation of several fun, fast ways to jazz up your clothes, make something beautiful to wear or create art for your walls.

You can make each piece within minutes to less than an hour.

1 rectangle, 2 holes.
Gorgeous Drama Vest!
Wear it 5 different ways.

1 shawl, 1 short seam.
Wear it 6 ways.
Hand paint it for extra fun.

From the FREE Joy of Creating with Fabrics.

Have any of these things kept you from creating?

  1. you don't think that you are creative.
  2. you don't like complicated or lengthy processes.
  3. you can't stand those frustrating patterns with multiple pieces.
  4. you don't want any messy mixing of dyes.

You are in the right place.
Here we keep it simple and fun with instant gratifications at every short step - while getting gorgeous art, clothes and jewelry you don't see anywhere else.

Oh!
Are you also one of those who loves art, but can't paint for the heck of it?

Awesome!
I am the same way.

But I make fabulous, unconventional art.
And I teach you how you can do the same!
NO brush required.
NO talent required.

Check out the playful Creative Joy course - and register to get notified when it opens!

Some Client love:


"You get instant gratifications."

"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 - Wearable Art Designer


"It is quite liberating!"

"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 - multi Creative


"... so much joy and happiness..."

"I haven't had joy or happiness in my life for many years.

Your course is giving me so much joy and happiness!
Thank you!"

Dale Hardy - Photographer

A sampling of what you can create - or shop for - inside the Monika Astara Studio:

Make your heart jump with joy:
create abstract ART without a brush.
Within minutes. In the Creative Joy Course.
Daily life is more fun with flattering, happy Tops & tunics. They only have 2 seams!
Hand painted Art Tops, Happiness and Joy Course
Home Decor, Bags. Accessories etc. that jazz up daily life.
Easy, fun methods. Stunning results.
From calming ZEN to vibrant WOW styles:
create fun, unusual collage fodder and make beautiful collages and Mixed Media.

Or keep scrolling for 5 beautiful ways to create with me.
Including the FREE ones.

Hello, I am Monika Astara, your Guide on soothing, creative Journeys.

"You have no creative bone in your body!  
God must have been asleep when He created you!"  

That's what my art teacher told me for 6 years.

If you've heard similar stuff - you can ditch it!
We are all creative in our own ways. Just watch kids play.

And I am living proof of it.
Despite my teacher's dire assessment of my creativity, I have been a successful, full time artist and designer since 1987.

From the very beginning I've always come up with my own fun methods and patterns.


My teacher wasn't a fan of my unconventional ways.

My clients say they have never had this much fun, happiness and joy.

I love inspiring and guiding you to create from your heart for the sake of having joy.
Whatever you create then, is authentic, raw and full of your light and passion.

That kind of creating can take you through times when you feel like you've been in a spin cycle for too long and all you want to do is pull the covers over your head and hide. 

With the playful, fast acting tools for creating that you get here, you can stay calm and happy inside - and come up with creative solutions.

5 ways we can create together 

1. Joyful online Courses and exclusive Digital Downloads
Fee and Free

- Do you want to have more fun, more energy, more joy?
- Do you want happy art that makes you feel uplifted?
- Do you want to wear clothes that light you up?
- Do you want exclusive downloads for your collages and art?

Only 2 seams and mind-bogglingly simple, fun painting method.
Part of the Signature course "Hand painted Art Tops, Happiness and Joy".

2. Immersive Creative Vacation 

In person.
1-3 days.
At my Studio in Austin, Texas, USA.

Relax and recharge your body, mind and soul.
Celebrate your transitions in life, your milestones, birthday, Mother's Day, Mother/Daughter Day, Sister Day, Friends Day.

Step into your full potential!
Create art, clothes and/or jewelry that support you on your brave current or next steps in life.

3. Private Creative Joy Sessions with Zoom

It's like treating your body, heart and soul to a soothing spa experience.

Choose from 1 - 3 hour sessions.
Or a series of sessions designed specifically for you!

Sandy immediately framed her first doodle.
Her husband loved it as his Father's Day gift.
Have fun doodling and "smudging" papers.
And printing them onto clothes etc..
It's also part of the Creative Joy Course.

4. Private Creative Joy Retreats 

On Zoom, at your Home or Retreat location.

Create special memories with family or friends.

When hands and minds are engaged creatively, it opens the hearts. Your conversations flow and love grows.

Plus, you get beautiful things to wear and/or happy art to hang on your walls.

5. Creative Joy Sessions and Retreats for Corporate Offices

Boost employee confidence and joy.

Happy employees are healthier, more fun to be around and more likely to cooperate.

They are more focused and get more done in less time - which increases productivity and the bottom line.

Playful asemic writing, torn and cut paper pieces - made into a striking Zen Collage.

Sign up for the Creative Freedom e-letter.

Look forward to it once or twice a month.

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

Peak behind the scenes - without any filters.
Get fresh inspirations - for creating, styling, living a happy life.
Enjoy exclusive previews and V.I.P (Vibrant Inspired Person) special offers.

Fast and Fabulous painting method - with a ketch-up bottle.

Swinging into Light - A Story of Transformation and Gratitude

Shop for finished Happy Art, Clothes and Jewelry.

Create in a FREE private community where you can experiment, learn, support and be supported.

Join the free Creative Freedom and Joy Club.

Recharge and relax with the Creative Freedom and Joy Blog:

Bruised and Beautiful

Engaging in Creative Ways is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

Be your own Valentine!

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.

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