CLASS IS OPEN!
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This Class is available in Art Soul Living – Creative Academy on streaming
Join me to paint a buzzing, blooming world of joyful art— inspired by the magic of pollinators.
Hi! I’m Eulalia Mejia, an artist and maker from Colombia—also known as Happy Chinchilla.
I create joyful, mixed media art from my home studio in the mountains, where I’m always surrounded by color, patterns, and playful ideas. I love mixing materials, working loosely, and letting the creative process lead the way. My work is deeply inspired by nature and the simple magic of everyday life.
In this class, I’ll guide you through three expressive art projects inspired by the theme of pollination—how ideas and inspiration move and grow, just like bees and hummingbirds visiting flowers. You’ll create a colorful garden painting, a cheerful bouquet full of bumblebees, and a sparkling hummingbird surrounded by vivid pink blooms.
I’ll be working with acrylics and wax crayons, but you can absolutely use whatever materials you already have at home. I’ve included traceables too, so you can follow along with the shapes or use them as a jumping-off point for your own ideas. This class is all about exploration, color, and creative freedom.
Whether you’re new to mixed media or just need a joyful boost, I hope you’ll give yourself space to play, experiment, and enjoy the process. You don’t have to get it perfect—you just have to get started. Let’s have fun and make something beautiful together!
I can’t wait to see what you create!
With joy,
Eulalia
Play video to hear Eulalia´s full introduction.
A Pollinator´s Garden – Eulalia Mejia
CLASS IS OPEN!
***
This Class is available in Art Soul Living – Creative Academy on streaming
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS WONDERFUL CLASS!
“What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it.”
— Gabriel García Márquez (Living to Tell the Tale)
Here’s a description of each of our special projects:
LESSON 1 – A POLLINATOR´S GARDEN
Let your creativity bloom as we paint a vibrant garden with playful brushstrokes and bold, layered color. You’ll gain confidence as we explore loose, expressive techniques together. Most of all, you’ll reconnect with the joy of creating just for you.
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Loose, joyful, and full of color—this is where it all begins. In this first lesson, we’ll paint a blooming garden inspired by the messy, magical beauty of nature. I like to think of this as our starting point on the pollinator’s journey—a place to play with color, movement, and texture while letting go of expectations.
We’ll be working in a very expressive way—nothing tight or controlled here! I’ll show you how I build up a colorful background, add spontaneous flower shapes, and layer in bold marks that give life to the whole piece. You don’t need to use the exact supplies I do—please use what you already have and enjoy.
Along the way, I’ll talk you through my process: the color mixes that surprise me, the moments I feel stuck, and how I keep going anyway. This is not about painting the “right” flower—it’s about discovering what happens when you let your brush take the lead.
You’ll also learn how I add finishing touches with wax crayons, acrylic markers, and playful linework to create depth, contrast, and a sense of movement. We’ll embrace the weird bits, fix what we don’t love, and celebrate the joy of experimenting.
What we’ll explore:
- Loosen up and get started with confidence.
We’ll break through the blank page using bold, messy brushstrokes and color play.Create expressive flowers with layered brushwork. - I’ll guide you through painting spontaneous shapes that feel alive and full of movement.
- Mix acrylics for contrast and variation.
You’ll see how I blend unexpected color combinations to keep things interesting. - Add depth with playful details and texture.We’ll use wax crayons, paint markers, and linework to bring the garden to life.
- Let go of perfection and trust your instincts.
This is your painting—so follow what feels good and make it your own.
“Creating is a form of loving.”
— Claribel Alegría (Sorrow)
LESSON 2 – BUMBLE BEE BOUQUET
Bright blooms and tiny bees come together in this joyful, expressive floral piece. I’ll guide you through playful brushwork, bold color mixing, and sweet layered details—ending with a few fuzzy bumblebees nestled among your flowers. A celebration of color, texture, and the magic of the creative process.
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Welcome to my Bumblebee Bouquet lesson. In this joyful project, we’ll paint a warm, expressive bouquet filled with vibrant flowers—and add a few tiny bumblebees in the act of pollination. Think of them as symbols of creativity in motion, helping bring new ideas and color to life.
We’ll be using acrylic paints, wax crayons, and paint markers. I work very freely and expressively, and I encourage you to do the same—but I’ve also included a helpful PDF with traceables and a finished painting you can refer to if you prefer more structure. You can even use the traceables as a coloring page if you love working with colored pencils!
To begin, we’ll create a soft neutral background—something that supports all the warmth we’re about to bring in. From there, we’ll start painting flowers in layers, using warm yellows, oranges, whites, and even some fluorescent touches. I’ll guide you through a variety of shapes—daisies, marigold-like blooms, and a light-toned anemone that becomes our focal point.
You’ll see how I mix color directly on the page and let my brushstrokes stay visible. I’m not aiming for realism—I’m aiming for movement, joy, and texture. You’re welcome to use your favorite materials or try the colors I used. There’s no wrong way to paint your own bouquet.
We’ll then shift into cool colors to build contrast—adding stems and foliage in blues, teals, and Payne’s grey. I love how these cooler tones make our warm flowers shine even brighter. From there, we’ll refine the centers of our flowers, add texture, and bring in layers of interest.
To finish, we’ll add our tiny bumblebees with paint markers and acrylics. It’s all about playing with marks, shapes, and fuzzy textures. You’ll see how just a few details bring them to life.
This lesson is about exploring and having fun. You don’t need to know where you’re going—you can let the process lead you. I hope you enjoy every part of it, and I can’t wait to see what you create. Tag me if you share your work—I’d love to see your own buzzing bouquet!
In this lesson, you will learn:
- Learn to paint expressive florals without pressure. I’ll show you how to create joyful flowers with loose brushstrokes and no need for perfection.
- Play with color directly on the page. Watch how I mix warm tones and experiment freely to create lively, layered petals.
- Create visual depth using contrast. We’ll use cool shades of teal, blue, and Payne’s grey to make our bouquet pop.
- Explore mark-making with wax crayons and paint markers. You’ll discover how simple lines and scribbles can add interest and movement.
- Get creative with flower shapes and brush techniques. I’ll guide you through different flowers, showing how to “stamp” with your brush instead of painting traditionally.
- Add whimsical bumblebees for a final touch. These tiny details bring the piece to life—and they’re more fun to paint than you think!
- Work with what you have. I’ll remind you throughout that there’s no need for special materials—use what you love and enjoy the process.
“They can cut all the flowers, but they can’t stop the spring.”
— Pablo Neruda (Spain in Our Hearts)
LESSON 3 – FLUTTER AND BLOOM
Celebrate color, movement, and creative freedom in this vibrant mixed media lesson. We’ll paint luminous flowers and a playful hummingbird using expressive brushstrokes, layered textures, and joyful mark-making—inviting you to follow your artistic flow every step of the way.
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In this joyful final lesson, we’ll be creating a vibrant composition with a hummingbird and lots of expressive flowers and foliage.
I absolutely adore hummingbirds—they’re such magical little creatures. I’m lucky to see them often where I live, and they always bring a sense of wonder. That’s the feeling I want to capture in this painting: lightness, movement, and joy.
We’ll be using acrylic paint, wax crayons, and paint markers, but please feel free to use whatever you love and already have. In the PDF, you’ll find a supply list and a traceable image of the hummingbird to help you get started. You can follow it closely or just be inspired by it.
We begin by creating soft layers of color with pastel-like blends of magenta, titanium white, and warm yellows. The flowers aren’t meant to be realistic—just joyful bursts of color, full of brushstroke texture and freedom.
Then we’ll add our hummingbird, transferring it gently onto the background and building it up in loose, playful layers. I’ll show you how to work with transparency, layering turquoise, orange, and pink in ways that give your bird depth and movement without feeling tight or overworked.
Don’t worry about getting everything perfect. This lesson is all about embracing the process and letting your painting evolve on the page. I’ll guide you through painting expressive wings and tail feathers, refining the beak and eye, and using color contrast to help your hummingbird pop forward.
We’ll balance all the bright florals with cool-toned foliage in blues and teals, keeping everything loose and fresh. You’ll also learn how to add shimmer and contrast with metallic paint, and how small touches of white or bronze can completely shift the feeling of a painting.
Near the end, we’ll bring in wax crayons and paint markers to add sketchy, expressive lines, delicate petal veins, and final details that give the piece a sense of life and energy. You’ll see how adding lines and marks can create beautiful movement across the page.
This is a maximalist, joyful painting, full of layered color, mixed materials, and playful contrasts. I hope you feel free to explore, play, and find your own rhythm as you paint.
Let’s begin! I can’t wait to see your version of this expressive, blooming scene.
What You’ll Explore in This Lesson:
- Paint bold, joyful flowers using loose, expressive brushstrokes. You’ll mix pastels and neons to create soft petals full of movement and charm.
- Bring your hummingbird to life with layered color and intuitive mark-making. I’ll guide you through shaping it freely, without pressure for perfection.
- Balance warm florals with cool, watercolor-style foliage. This creates contrast and harmony, making your composition feel alive and vibrant.
- Explore the beauty of mixed media. From wax crayons to paint markers and metallic touches, you’ll learn how each tool adds its own magic.
- Add texture, sparkle, and playful detail. You’ll discover how simple dots, lines, and brush marks can bring depth and personality to your piece.
- Let go of control and enjoy the process. There’s no wrong way to do this—just your way, and I’ll be here with you every step of the journey.
WHO IS THIS CLASS FOR?
This class is for anyone who wants to loosen up, explore color, and enjoy the creative process—no matter your level of experience. Whether you’re completely new to mixed media or have painted for years, you’ll find space here to experiment, express, and play.
I’ll guide you step by step, sharing how I build my paintings using acrylics, wax crayons, and paint markers. You’ll learn to work freely with layers, texture, and vibrant color, while trusting your own instincts along the way.
There’s no pressure to get it “right.” Instead, we’ll focus on staying curious, embracing happy accidents, and letting your artwork grow in its own beautiful, unexpected direction.
If you love nature, color, and expressive mark-making—or if you’re simply looking for a joyful, relaxed way to reconnect with your creativity—this class is for you.
A Pollinator´s Garden – Eulalia Mejia
CLASS IS OPEN!
***
This Class is available in Art Soul Living – Creative Academy on streaming
Supply List
This list gives you a general overview of the materials I use in the lessons—but please don’t feel like you need to have everything. These projects are very flexible, and you can absolutely work with what you already have on hand.
I always recommend using what feels right for you. Maybe you’ll want to try something new, or maybe you’ll simply reach for your favorite tools. Either way is perfect. I don’t use brand-specific supplies, and there are so many wonderful options out there. If you are picking up something new, artist-grade paints can give you a bit more vibrancy—but truly, what matters most is that you enjoy the process.
So go ahead, get playful with your materials, and let’s create something beautiful—just as you are, right where you are.
(These are the materials used across all lessons. Feel free to substitute with what you have!)
WATERCOLOR PAPER
- 140 lb / 300 gsm watercolor paper
- Approx. size: 11 x 14 in / 27.9 x 35.6 cm
ACRYLIC PAINTS
- Titanium White
- Unbleached Titanium
- Titan Green Pale
- Teal
- Turquoise (Phthalo)
- Cobalt Turquoise
- Light Phthalocyanine Green
- Chrome Yellow
- Azo Yellow Deep
- Yellow Orange Azo
- Azo Orange
- Fluorescent Orange
- Fluorescent Pink
- Fluorescent Magenta
- Fluorescent Red
- Permanent Blue Violet
- Ultramarine Violet
- Iridescent Bronze (Fine)
- Payne’s Gray
PAINT MARKERS
- Posca Paint Marker – White
- Posca Paint Marker – Navy Blue
WAX CRAYONS / WATERSOLUBLE CRAYONS
(can be substituted with regular crayons)
- Cobalt Blue
- Turquoise Blue
- Turquoise Green
- Veronese Green
- Chromium Oxide Green
- Malachite Green
- Orange
- Orange Red
- Vermillion
- White
- Magenta
DRAWING TOOLS
- Stabilo Woody (white or similar)
- Graphite pencil
- Scissors (for trimming the printable, optional)
BRUSHES
- A variety of brushes, including round and bristle brushes
- Round brush with pointy tip (for details)
OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT NEED
- Clear gesso
- Paper towels
- Water container for washing brushes
- Water container with clean water
- Palette or container to mix your colors
- Printeables (included in the class)
View a selection of Eulalia Mejia´s Personal work below
In A Pollinator´s Garden, Eulalia will teach you her unique approach to creating stunning mixed meda artwork.