Monika Astara Studio
When the outer world is going bonkers, let your inner creative soar - and restore your natural JOY in the process!
Make Clothes, Jewelry and Mixed Media Art that light you up.
Even as a beginner you can get stunning results with SUPER SIMPLE methods and patterns. They are fun, playful and DIFFERENT from anything else out there.
"Mindboggling-ly" simple, fun methods - stunning tops.
More details on how we can create together are also further down on this page.
Welcome to a World of Fun, Unconventional Approaches and Methods where You Create for the Pure JOY of it.
In the process you restore your natural inner calm and joy that you were born with.
You get beautiful clothes and jewelry to wear and happy art to look at.
NO talent required.
Whether you are a retiree, a mom, a full-time professional, a beginner, an advanced creative or think that you are not creative, Monika Astara Studio is your studio...
...where you have permission to be messy, experiment and splash paint freely.
...where you find out how to side step the inner critic, so you can create and live with sustainable joy instead.
....where you get instant gratifications at every short step.
....where you get fresh, unexpected methods and patterns that are faster than traditional ones.
...where you can get stunning, high-end looking results with super simple methods - even if you are a beginner or think that you are not creative.
You can make this in your sleep:
Only 2 seams!
Plus: "Fabulous and Fast 1" painting method.
From the Hand painted Art Tops, Happiness and 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
Start with my FREE gifts to you
"1. Love and Peace"
Printable Download
2. Pick a freebie that lights you up.
- Create art.
- Jazz up your old clothes,
- Make something beautiful to wear.
You can create these within minutes to less than an hour.
1 rectangle, 2 holes..
1 shawl, 1 short seam.
Simple, creative ways to heal during these unprecedented times.
Like for most of us, your nervous system might be rattled to the core.
While appearing "normal" on the outside, you might be feeling anxious, angry, lonely, unmotivated on the inside - and silently suffering in functional freeze mode.
Even creating can seem like too much effort.
I know this well from my own journey over many years after debilitating effects from anesthesia. The outer world going bonkers threw fuel on the fire.
As a result, I developed creative methods and patterns that are different from anything else out there.
They are simple, playful and have been proven to be highly effective to reclaim and cultivate sustainable inner calm and joy. Even during times of outer or personal adversity.
Why creating and having happy art, clothes and jewelry are not luxuries - but necessities.
- What you do with your hands,
- what you wear on your body and
- what you look at on your walls,
affects how you feel and think.
Extensive scientific research - and my working with thousands of women - has proven that
- engaging creatively,
- wearing a happy wardrobe and
- surrounding yourself with happy art
increases your well-being on all levels:
emotional, mental and - YES! - even physical.
Marilyn in her custom necklace to support her brave next steps in life.
Are you in a transition or on a spiritual journey?
Nurture yourself and transform your life without the pain that often accompanies transformation.
When you combine your desire to feel happy and peaceful with the simple, fun and proven creative methods and patterns you get here, and you show up for yourself, your life transforms gently and powerfully:
You'd love to create, BUT...
- you don't think that you are creative. It's a myth. We'll bust it.
- you don't have a designated art space. You can create in your recliner, with a piece of cardboard in your lap - like I do.
- you don't like complicated or lengthy processes. Neither do I.
- you can't stand those frustrating clothing patterns with multiple pieces.
- you don't want any messy mixing of dyes or endless rinsing.
- you don't want to waste money on a bunch of supplies.
- you are at a place in your life where you just want to relax and enjoy yourself.
Nothing challenging or time consuming any more.
I'm totally with you on # 4 - 7 too.
You are in the right place.Here we do unconventional, simple and fun with instant gratifications at every short step.
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
"...something so special, I haven't seen anything like it"
"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 - Retiree
"I thought I was quite relaxed. But this is taking it to a whole other level."
"And you can apply the principles in everyday life.
I've even tried it in the gym.
With zero motivation.
It WORKS."
Lynn Edmonds - Artist
Hello, I am Monika Astara, your Guide on fabulous, 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 hissed at me for 6 years.
And that's why I am passionate about inspiring and guiding you to create as freely and joyfully from your heart as I do.
You might have internalized it and started believing those voices in your head.
You can ditch it. Especially after you read my story.
I love art and splashing paint. But I have no clue about painting "art" in traditional ways.
However, my teacher wanted the rules. I never understood them.
So I became a teacher first. And loved it.
In 1987 I took the plunge to follow my dream:
to create comfortable, artful clothes so women light up from inside and love themselves the way they are right now.
I have been a fulltime artist and designer ever since.
From the very beginning I've created in MY WAYS. My patterns. My painting methods.
My students say they have never had as much joy and happiness as in my courses.
The Monika Astara creations have been selling in high-end boutiques, galleries, my own boutique at a resort and at trunk shows. I have worked with thousands of women from every walk of life and dressed them for their jobs as cashiers, for presidential inaugurations and everything in between.
The transformations have been astounding.
You have the freedom to discover methods that are authentic to YOU and filled with your passion.
I am here to inspire and guide you to freely express yourself.
Ready to create happy art, clothes and jewelry that make you feel confident, content and proud?!
Here are 7 beautiful ways we can create together:
Here are 7 beautiful ways we can create together:
Hand painted Art Tops, Happiness and Joy
Online Signature Program with live Zoom and private Facebook Club support.
Want to feel happy, stand taller and make your eyes light up?
Create flattering tops that uplift you and boost your confidence.
Super simple, 2-seam patterns. You can sew the pieces in your sleep.
Delightful, simple painting methods you will not find anywhere else.
Stunning, high-end results. Even if you've never created before.
Creative Joy
Online program with live Zoom and private Facebook Club support.
A brand new concept!
If you are feeling the pains of our unprecedented times, this is the most simple, playful way to cultivate and restore your inner calm and joy.
In the process you create art - without ever trying to make art.
NO brush, NO talent required.
Digital downloads and all courses - fee and FREE
Let your inner creative soar with joy!
- Fascinating, exclusive, unusual downloads for your mixed media, journal covers, cards etc..
- FREE fast ways to create something beautiful to wear or look at.
Private Studio Day(s)
In person at my Studio in Austin, Texas, USA. 1-5 days.
Relax and recharge your body, mind and soul.
Experience and experiment with the transformative power of "right-for-you" art, clothes and jewelry.
Create your special pieces accordingly with refreshing methods that are pure joy.
Celebrate your transitions in life, your milestones, birthday, Mother's Day, Mother/Daughter Day...
Private Creative Sessions
In person at my Studio or on Zoom.
It's like treating your body and soul to a soothing spa experience.
It's especially uplifting if you are on a self-discovery or healing journey.
Or you simply need to tune out the world and tune into yourself.
Private Group Retreats
On Zoom or at my Studio.
Create special memories with family or friends.
Have beautiful clothes, jewelry or art to remind you of your bonding time.
Creative Sessions and Retreats for Corporate Offices
On Zoom - in person in Austin.
Boost employee confidence and joy.
It increases cooperation, productivity and the bottom line.
Diane was convinced she wasn't creative.
But she was longing to create.
With one of the "Fast and Fabulous" methods she turned her old T-shirt into an art shirt - within 5 minutes.
It threw the doors open to her abundant natural creativity - and her confidence in it.
SIGN UP to get updates, inspiring stories, creative things you can do and share.
Look forward to it once or twice a month.
Fast and Fabulous painting method - with a ketch-up bottle.
You don't have to create alone.
Get supported and support others in a community.
Join the FREE Creative Freedom and Joy Club.
Swinging into Light - A Story of Transformation and Gratitude
Relax and be uplifted with the blog.
Bruised and Beautiful
Follow your passion - and help shows up when you need it.
Let's bust the myth of "not being creative".
Art as Therapy
Happy Creating!
Create freely and be proud of what you do.
Life's too challenging and too short to waste it with being hard on yourself. Instead - celebrate yourself, your ability to create and to smile!
You ARE beautiful and creative as you are RIGHT NOW.
