Cover the happy artist studio 1

Are you ready to take your art
to the next level?

You know you're an artist.

You've been taking courses, learning techniques, and honing your skills. You know how to use your supplies, how to start and finish a painting. You're no longer a complete beginner.

But you're looking for more. You want to move beyond making art in the style of those who've taught and inspired you. You want to make work that's more expressive, more consistent, and a true reflection of your unique voice and vision as an artist.

The Happy Artist Studio is designed to help you take your art to whatever the next level is for you.

Whether you want to express yourself more freely, move into confident abstraction, or finally build that body of consistent, distinctive work, {or all of the above!}, the courses on offer in the Studio are dedicated to getting you clear, focused, and fully capable of making the art that only you can make.

And once you can do that, you can take your art anywhere you like, from a fulfilling hobby to a professional career, and anywhere in between.


​​​​​​​"I want to say a huge thank you for creating this Happy Artist Studio. You’ve already helped me such a lot by moving me on and allowing me to develop and take a huge leap to create the kind of art I knew I wanted to, but just didn’t have the confidence to tackle. But now being able to access so much material at once feels like a genuine luxury. I’m so glad that I found you in amongst the myriad of art support out there." 
Sarah Stuart

​​​​​​​

The Happy Artist Studio is for you if:


  • You're ready to stop copying and being heavily influenced by other artists and find out what's truly yours about your art
  • You're committed to your artistic development and are ready to invest in it
  • You're self motivated, and thrive with some fresh ideas, a little guidance, and some flexible structure
  • You're open to experimenting, exploring, and learning as much as you can about yourself as an artist
  • You're keen to start making more consistent work
  • You're curious and persistent in pursuit of your art
  • You'd like access to a range of courses on the theme of uncovering and developing your unique artistic expression, to work through at your own pace
  • You'd like to create an income from your art, but feel like you're missing the uniqueness, consistency and confidence you need

The Happy Artist Studio isn't for you yet if:


  • You just started dipping your toe into art
  • You struggle to call yourself an artist
  • You don't feel at all confident using art supplies
  • You need a lot of handholding {this isn't wrong! It just indicates an earlier stage in an artist's development}
  • You haven't reached a point where you're ready to actively and consistently create space for your art in your life
  • You're not keen on experimenting and just want to get it 'right'
  • You believe that 'consistent' means 'limited' {it doesn't have to but this is a phase many of us need to pass through - I absolutely did}
  • You find that challenges put you off continuing with a project
  • You're not interested in uncovering and developing your unique voice as an artist at the moment, because you're happy dabbling and playing for now
"I am very happy to have joined the studio. The concept of a studio with all the courses in it, feels like a long needed form of 'companion' on my journey as an artist. As I am not in any art school (never have been) it is a bit lonely, and a lot of issues arise that I sometimes talk to with artist friends, but in this way it feels like I always have somewhere to go for some encouragement ... I have an every day support station/connection to a creativity-boosting-source. Thank you!"
Alexandra Berggren

About Tara

Avatar tl artnotes

If we haven't met before, hello! I'm Tara. I've been teaching online since 2013, and making art and writing about it for a lot longer.

The courses I create all revolve around a single theme, about which I am passionate: you, making the most expressive, true-to-you art you can make. Not copying, not trying for perfect accuracy, not being heavily influenced by the artists whose work you love so much. Sounds pretty simple, but for many of us it's a challenge we can spend years trying to overcome. I did, and I discovered and developed all sorts of tools and processes along the way. I put them first into my blog, and then into online courses, which have helped hundreds of people from all over the world.

The Happy Artist Studio brings together all my courses under one roof - a bit like an art school, but without the timetable, intimidating critiques and grades! My approach is process oriented, and rooted in experimentation, exploration, and encouragement all the way. You don't need an art degree to make art that is a true expression of your deepest self. {I don't have one.} It's entirely possible to be a fully expressed, happy artist, and to do that in a way that works for - and with - who you are. {And if you're not quite sure about that part, the art will help you with that too.}

Why 'The Happy Artist Studio'?

Well, the short version is that I believe the world needs more happy artists  - and yes, we each get to define what that means for us as unique individuals! It needs more people fully expressed, self aware, self fulfilled, and making work that reflects who they are and what they're here to share. I use the hashtag #happyartistmovement on Instagram, have written about it on the blog, and one of these days I'll finish the book I've half written on the same subject!

To me, a happy artist is one who understands that art is not always about rainbows and unicorns and public admiration; it's about getting up close and personal with your process, and honest and real self expression. Sometimes that's murky and frustrating and deeply challenging. But that willingness to dig deep and tell the truth is where the happiness comes from; truth is empowering and gives us agency in our own lives. 

​​​​​​​{Yes, that really is the short version! For the long version, go here.}



"Tara is a brilliant facilitator with a warm heart who brings out the best in people who love making art. I’ve gained so much by playing, working and learning in her Happy Artist Studio. I highly recommend this excellent online learning place."

Carol-Lynn Bond

A selection of the courses you'll find inside ​​​​​​​
The Happy Artist Studio

​​​​​​​

Loosen Up
Release the realism and make more expressive, abstract art.

Discover Your Painting Language
Explore your own unique painting language with focus, and a fun and practical approach to discovering and developing what’s ‘you’ about your art. A good one for reviving and even completing old, stuck paintings! 

The Happy Artist Workbook
This 46 page workbook is an opportunity to take a deep and clarifying dive into yourself, your process, and your practice as an artist. Works well with Touchstone.

Touchstone
Explore your process, beliefs, dreams and plans for yourself as an artist, and deal with the demons so that you can start to build a solid foundation for art as a non negotiable in your life.

Expressive Charcoal
Curious about charcoal but not sure how to use it in your art? This course will get you messy, yes, but also confident and full of ideas for using charcoal in your mixed media work.

Ten Days to Art You Love
Based on 10 of my most popular, practical, and helpful blog posts ever, all focused on clearing the way for you to make the art you want to make. 

Free Up Your Art
7 simple lessons containing easy 'ways in' to start making more expressive, freer art. A great introduction to longer courses like Loosen Up and Abstractify.

Artist Inspired
Inspiration without copying. Revitalise and develop your work with ideas from the {male} masters.

Artist Inspired II
Dive into a diverse mix of female artists from past and present, explore their ideas and techniques, play and experiment to your heart's content ... and use what you learn to develop the unique voice of your own art.

Calm from Chaos
A bitesize 3 part workshop designed to help you carve out pockets of time for art, using a quick and simple process for soothing yourself and filling the well during times of stress and overwhelm

Practical Intuition
Develop your intuition - an essential skill for an artist - by creating your own personalised and unique deck of oracle cards.

Into Nature
Collaborate with the natural world to make art, restore your wellbeing, and get through creative down periods.

+ more courses, printables and audios to support you on your artist path, inside!

Join The Happy Artist Studio today 

Most Flexible

Monthly Payments £49

  • Immediate access to 14+ courses valued at £1500 
  • Full access to these and all future courses for as long as you’re a member
  • Downloadable course PDFs and worksheets
  • Ask questions and share with other students
  • An easy to use layout for finding and navigating the course you need 
  • Audios + printables
  • Pay monthly means you can pop in and out as you like 

Join the Studio

Convert to your currency HERE

Best Value

Annual Payment £539

  • Immediate access to 14+ courses valued at £1500
  • Full access to these and all future courses for as long as you’re a member
  • Downloadable course PDFs and worksheets
  • Ask questions and share with other students
  • An easy to use layout for finding and navigating the course you need 
  • Audios + printables
  • Pay for a year and use it to give yourself a bespoke art degree!
  • Includes 1 month completely free!

Join the Studio

Convert to your currency HERE

“I have never felt better about my art, my style(s), my marks than when I have taken your courses. I really relish them. For that I am so appreciative and thankful for how you give of yourself. I have a huge value and need to be authentic in my art and you have helped me discover and deepen that.”


Penney Mellen



"I've really enjoyed poking around the Happy Artist Studio and worked my way through your new class Into Nature. A perfect pick-me-up as we all struggle with the strains of the on-going pandemic. Your inspiration and enthusiasm are much appreciated."
Louise Donnelly



Questions & Answers

Who is the Happy Artist Studio for?


It's for artists who have reached a point in their art where they've taken a lot of courses and developed a comfortable level of skill with supplies and techniques, but are stuck on the conundrum of how to move from making art that they're taught {art from the outside} to making art that expresses their unique artist voice {art from the inside}.

If you're struggling to undo habits of realism when you really want to be painting more expressively or abstractly, and if you're committed to deepening your artistic practice now that you've decided you are indeed an artist {whatever that may mean for you - it doesn't have to be about selling the work}, the Happy Artist Studio is for you.


How do I know if this is right for me and where I'm at with my art?


Since you can cancel at any time, the best way to know is to simply join for a month and get as much as you can from the courses available. But if you really aren’t sure, you can always email me at [email protected] with questions before joining, and I'll be happy to help you find clarity.


Does it matter what part of the world I'm in?


Not at all! Once you're a member, you have full access to everything available inside The Happy Artist Studio, 24/7. The beauty of the internet!


What if I only want to do one or two of the courses?


Jump in for a month or two - however long you need to work through the course{s} of your choice. If you've learned all you need after that, simply cancel your membership. But maybe have a look and see what else is available first. ;)


Can I get feedback on my work?


While an important part of developing your work to a higher standard is cultivating independence and autonomy, of course there will sometimes be questions that come up. There are comments sections below the lessons of the more in depth courses for you to ask questions, receive responses from me, and share with fellow students.

Please be aware that while asking questions and getting feedback is absolutely available for you inside the Happy Artist Studio, the main focus is self study, making it ideal for the self motivated, and those who like to work independently at their own pace. If you're looking for a very community focused membership, this may not be the one for you.

Note: I'm looking for an option that allows for easier connection and community, and will update the Studio as soon as I find something.


Can I download the courses?


All PDFs and worksheets are downloadable for you to print out and keep. Course videos and audios are not downloadable.


How does billing work?



Once you click on the 'Join the Studio' button, you’ll be prompted to enter your credit card information. This is done via Stripe, which is a secure payment processor. I do not have access to your credit card details. Once you’ve done that, you’ll receive a welcome email with your log in link for the Studio, and a confirmation email for the Happy Artist Studio email list mentioned below. Your credit/debit card will be billed monthly or annually until you pause or cancel your membership.

Please note that, when you sign up, you will automatically be added to the The Happy Artist Studio email list, which is used to notify you of new offerings when they're added to the Studio. This list is purely for communicating information about the Studio, and you have the option of unsubscribing from the email list at anytime. (Though I recommend you stay on it as long as you are a member so you don’t miss anything.) If you cancel your membership, you will be removed from the email list.


Do you accept payment in dollars/euros/other currency?


Yes! The currency is automatically converted when you check out. You can find out the price in your currency using this handy currency converter.


Any other questions?


If you have any other questions about The Happy Artist Studio, you can email me at [email protected]
“Tara's courses bring out what no amount of art lessons can do. I've come to believe that her courses are just simply magic, via what she puts into them!”
Elizabeth Winters

​​​​​​​“Tara is a very generous artist with her resources and experience. Her enthusiasm is contagious and she is passionate about helping you create 'the art that only you can make'.”


Jane Hinchcliffe






taraleaver.com