I work and play in beautiful Bear River, Nova Scotia at Green Willow Studio. I paint with oils, acrylic and watercolour – whatever inspires me. I also weave, sew and explore the surprises of monoprinting. And I garden, volunteer in the community, and count my good luck every day.
I moved here from my hometown, Toronto 5 years ago to pursue my yearning for the countryside and to create art fulltime. In my late teenaged years in the 1960’s, I attended a fulltime 3 year fine art and fine craft program that still operates today in Toronto. It was wonderful to be able to try out so many different mediums – clay, sculpture, printmaking, weaving and painting at the Art Center at Central Technical School.
From there I travelled to the German Democratic Republic to spend three years immersed in a new culture and language in socialist Berlin. Those years had a profound influence on my world view, my artistic development and helped me to develop an understanding and compassion for others who find themselves ‘a foreigner in a foreign place.’ During my time at the Kunsthochschule Weissensee, Berlin I painted under the guidance of Professor Wolfram Schubert, a superb painter and printmaker.
After returning to Canada, I met Larry, my life partner and together we pursued art while raising 2 wonderful, creative children and working 9 – 5.
Thirty years later, in 2007 our children were grown and Larry and I were able to leave the city behind and to resume chasing the dream of painting and silversmithing fulltime in a rural village in eastern Canada.
You can see more paintings at my website FloraDoehler.ca
OMG! I stumbled on your painting as sometimes I just google ‘loose paintings’ when I have 10 min to spare. I found yours and was so enchanted by the style and colors. When I tried to see where this Flora person was from I couldn’t believe it was Bear River!
I am in Halifax and paint as well. I will definitely try and get down to see your studio. Do you have art anywhere else?
Fabulous work Flora
Louise in Halifax
LikeLike
Louise, thank you for your enthusiasm! I have googled you and found your wonderful paintings and your blog
I love your work too…the colours, the style. How wonderful that we are in the same province.
Have you been to Bear River before? We totally love it here. Right now we are in moving/renovation hell…well almost at the end of it and although we have a studio at the Oakdene, we haven’t been there much this summer and you will understand why when you take a look at our main blog. By the fall we should have our new studio set up and I can’t wait to paint, paint, paint this winter.
I have some work at the Flight of Fancy in Bear River, but this winter I’d like to investigate additional venues.
Thanks again Louise. The kudos from another artist are especially meaningful!
Flora
LikeLike
Wow! I love your work… The Yellow Surprise is awesome!! Cheers, Julie
LikeLike
I’m also a fan.I think this is one of my favorites. Brooke
LikeLike
Brooke, thank you so much!! Do you paint too?
I’ve just put together a site to display the finished paintings. You can find it here: http://floradoehler.ca
LikeLike
Hi Do you do workshops in printmaking for student artists in the summer at all? My daughter has an opportunity to apply for a scholarship to travel to an art class of interest to her but there isn’t anything mentioned at any of the art schools such as Sheridan, OCAD or NSCAD. She’s especially interested in printmaking since taking a course at Red Deer College this year.
Can you offer any suggestions?
Thanks.
LikeLike
Hi Rose Ann,
I have sent you an email with further questions. Thanks for your interest.
Flora
LikeLike