Congratulations to our three winners:🥳 Anne Luedtke, Esther Kommer and Louise Cox! Please check your emails — you should have a message from us with the good news.
And thank you to everyone who participated! ❤️
Didn’t win? You still have a chance to join us for PYHaS2027: Around the World Through Art.
There are just a few spots left at the $119 early-bird price — that’s less than $10 a month for a whole year of creativity, learning, inspiration, and new art every week.
Summer is officially over, and here in New Jersey we’ve already started with the gloomy, rainy days. As winter is coming, I feel especially grateful to have art in my life.
When the world outside turns gray and cold, my studio stays warm and full of color. Art is what carries me through the dark months, and I truly believe everyone needs that. Everyone deserves a creative hour that lifts the spirit, no matter the weather outside the window.
That’s exactly what Paint Your Heart and Soul 2027 is: 50 weeks of painting, inspiration and creative friends to carry you through the whole year, starting January 6, 2027.
And today I’m thrilled to introduce six more of the amazing artists who will be teaching in it!
🎨 **Heidi McKay** (South Africa): an acrylic still life of South Africa’s national flowers, plus a mini lesson on color theory and mixing colors
🎨 **Jenny Manno** (Kenya and Greece): an expressive portrait inspired by traditional Kenyan Maasai beadwork in chalk pastel and PanPastels, plus a loose Santorini architectural study
🎨 **Christa Forrest** (USA): turning your old family photos into lively portraits, plus a quick color study on the shapes and planes of the face
🎨 **Keeley Chan** (Japan and Hong Kong): whimsical watercolor koinobori with soft colors and wishful Japanese patterns, plus cute ink doodles of Hong Kong neon motifs
🎨 **Regina Mailloux** (England): interpretations inspired by the Old Masters in oils, plus a flora and fauna mini lesson
🎨 **Pat Rios** (Brazil and Spain): a sweet and funny capybara in acrylic, plus a white stork mini lesson in acrylic gouache
That’s 27 incredible instructors and 50 weekly painting projects, one creative family.
And a quick reminder: our giveaway is still open! You could WIN A FREE SPOT in the course. But hurry, entries close September 30 at 12 PM EST, just 3 days away.
Something exciting is happening for Paint Your Heart and Soul 2027: Around the World Through Art! 🌎🎨
This year, we’re giving you a chance to win a free spot in the 2027 program!
For 50 weeks, we’ll travel around the world through art, painting together with 27 wonderful artist-instructors from different countries and backgrounds.
We’ll explore beautiful faces and different skin tones and features, traditional clothing and outfits, animals and birds, flowers, landscapes, food, and so much more.
And, of course, we’ll keep the heart of PYHaS the same: painting, inspiration, and a wonderful community of artists creating together.
How to enter the giveaway
Just follow the link below, scroll a bit there until you see the giveaway registration form, fill it up (basically, just leave your name and email). That’s it!
And if you’ve already purchased PYHaS2027 and your name is selected, you will receive a full refund. ❤️
The raffle is open until September 30 at 12 PM EST, and the winners will be announced later that day.
And if you haven’t joined PYHaS2027 yet…
There’s really nothing to lose by entering the giveaway!
You can enter for a chance to win – and if you decide to join now, you can still take advantage of the Early Bird pricing while the current spots are available.
I would absolutely love to have you painting with us next year.
Come for the painting, continue for the experience, and stay for the community. 🌎❤️
Do you remember those paintings and pictures of kittens in baskets?
Maybe you remember seeing them in your own home, or at your grandmother’s house – on a wall calendar, a little figurine, a greeting card, or tucked into some corner of the house.
My grandmother absolutely loved them.
Her home was filled with cats and kittens in every possible form: from wall calendars to little figurines. And as a child, I adored it.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but those images became part of my visual memory. And years later, they came back to me in a painting.
Meet Double Trouble
I’m so happy that I can finally share Double Trouble with you!
This painting was created for the Cat Art Show at CatCon 2026 in Pasadena, California, and I have to admit – it was an absolute joy to paint.
When I started working on these two little troublemakers, I found myself thinking about those beloved kitten images from my childhood. Double Trouble took me back to those happy, carefree moments of being a child at my grandmother’s house, surrounded by all those little cats and kittens that I found so enchanting.
Double Trouble, 11x14x1.5″, oil on gallery stretched canvas.
It all started with Creack.
Last summer, my daughter rescued a tiny kitten from a dumpster during a heatwave in Philadelphia. We named him Creack because he couldn’t properly meow and instead made a funny little creaking sound.
We love him so much! And he definitely changed my art by adding cats to it.
Funny how life works. A little kitten arrives unexpectedly, and suddenly you find yourself painting cats, remembering your grandmother, and preparing a painting for an exhibition at CatCon.
Double Trouble at CatCon 2026
I’m incredibly excited to be participating in Cat Art Show at CatCon 2026, taking place October 10–11 at the Pasadena Convention Center.
CatCon is a wonderful celebration of everything cat-related, bringing together cat lovers, artists, designers, creators, and of course, plenty of cats! There will be art, shopping, workshops, special guests, meet-and-greets, and all kinds of feline fun.
And perhaps the most wonderful part: kittens and cats looking for their forever homes will be there, too. Through CatCon’s adoption program, visitors can meet cats and kittens available for adoption. So you can come to celebrate cats, admire art, meet other cat lovers, and potentially leave with a new family member.
I can’t think of a better place for Double Trouble to make its debut. Because in the end, this painting isn’t really just about two kittens. It’s about the memories we carry with us. The things we loved as children. The people who introduced those things to us. And the unexpected little creatures who come into our lives years later and somehow inspire us all over again.
I hope Double Trouble brings you a little bit of that feeling, too. ❤️
And if you remember kittens in baskets from your childhood, or from your grandmother’s home – I would love to hear about it.
First of all, a huge thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway — your support and excitement mean so much! 💖
We picked one winner from Facebook, one from Instagram, and one from my Blog. That’s why the announcement took a little longer than planned — I had to enter all the names manually.
To keep things fair and fun, we used a random generator called “Wheel of Names.”
And now… the winners are: 🎉 Lisa Segal 🎉 @kreartivehoch2 🎉 Char Struble 👉 Please email me at pyhas2018@yahoo.com to receive your access information. If you’ve already purchased the class, just attach your receipt and we’ll refund you. Congratulations on winning this amazing journey with us — I can’t wait to see your beautiful artwork in the course next year and to welcome you as an active member of our online community! 🎨✨
For everyone else — don’t worry, there are still 27 more chances to win! 🥳 Each of our incredible instructors is giving away a FREE spot. You can check the full raffle schedule and details below:
Early Bird Reminder: You can also secure your spot now at the early sale price. If you happen to win later, we’ll happily refund you — so you don’t risk missing out. Tier 1 – First 600 spots: sold out 🎉 Tier 2 (ongoing) – The next 600 students Tier 3 – Once Tiers 1 & 2 are sold out, the regular price applies. No further discounts will be offered.
My dear friends, I’m giving away 3 spots to PYHaS2026! Woohoo!
🎉❤️If you purchase the class and then win a free spot, your payment will be refunded. ❤️🙏
To participate:
Comment what is your favorite medium (like: acrylics, or oils, or other)
Comment what is your favorite subject to paint (like: portraits, or pets, or other)
I’m hosting this giveaway across all my social media platforms, and every comment you leave there counts as an extra entry!
For those of you who don’t use social media, I don’t want you to miss out — you can also participate by commenting right here on my blog. 💕
💕I will announce a winner September 10, around 12 PM ET
🌟 To increase your chances to win – you can enter all giveaways from our amazing artist instructors below, but you can only win once — only your first winning draw will count: CLICK AT THE LINK BELOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY SCHEDULE: Paint Your Heart and Soul 2026 Giveaways – Olga Furman Art
If you don’t see where to enter – contact to artist directly
Please remember — the Early Bird spots for PYHaS2026 are limited. If you wait and the raffle doesn’t go your way, you might miss the lowest price. If you’d like to secure your place now (and still get a refund if you win), grab your Early Bird spot today!
I’m looking forward to see you in class! <3 Much love, Olga
These 25 projects are just a sneak peek of PYHaS 2026! More than half of the projects aren’t shown yet, as our artists are still creating them. Stay tuned for even more inspiration!
What’s New in PYHaS 2026?
For years, PYHaS has brought together artists from around the world to create, grow, and support each other. And in 2026, we’re taking things even further:
✨ 25+ amazing instructors will guide you through their unique styles and approaches. ✨ PLUS, we’ve added a new dimension: historical art movements and the styles of the artists who shaped them: JohnSinger Sargent, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Titian, James McNeill Whistler, Frederic Leighton, Alphonse Mucha, Gustav Klimt, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, Kees van Dongen, Camille Pissarro, Frank Mark, and more! We’ll also explore the joy and charm of folk and naïve art, bringing fun, playful lessons into the historical art movements. Each instructor will bring their own perspective: some teaching traditional methods, others offering personal interpretations – so you’ll get to explore a rich variety of styles and ways of creating. ✨ This means you’ll experience both: modern and historically inspired lessons – double the inspiration, double the fun.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned painter, PYHaS2026 is designed to spark new ideas, help you experiment, and support you in developing your own unique artistic voice.
Early Bird Registration
💖 To keep PYHaS accessible, we’ve kept our tradition: the first 600 students will receive the best Early Bird price (under $2 per lesson/project, when joining the whole course) This has always been our way of making sure everyone has a chance to join, no matter where they are on their journey.
The Artists Instructors
We are so proud to present the incredible teaching team for PYHaS 2026! More information coming up when registration opens Monday, September 1. (You might already spot some favorite instructors, and there are exciting new voices to discover as well!)
How to Join
📅 Mark your calendar: Registration opens Monday, September 1st at 12:01 AM (New York Time).
👉 Bookmark this page and come back Monday for the link to sign up!
I can’t wait to begin another inspiring year of painting, learning, and community with you. 💖
Art is more than what we see: each piece holds a spark of emotion, memory, and inspiration from the artist who created it. Today, I’m excited to share the stories behind the paintings from the first four artists participating in our current auction.
“Azure Vista”, 19.6”x11.8”, oil on canvas, by artist Svitlana Prokopenko “Long before I ever lived in Italy, I used to paint Mediterranean landscapes from my dreams — from books, postcards, and a deep inner desire to be there. I didn’t know back then that one day I would walk those winding coastal paths in person — but my brush already felt at home among cypresses, cliffs, and the deep turquoise of southern waters. Now I live in Ukraine, far from those sunlit shores — but every time I paint them, I return. This painting is a quiet memory of a summer that lives in the heart: salty breeze, buzzing insects in the grass, warm rocks under bare feet. It’s not just a view — it’s a place where I’ve been, in soul if not in body. And maybe you’ve been there too…”
“One Of Those Days”, 24″x 28″x1.6″, mixed media/oil on canvas, by artist Saskia Van Drunen. This painting is part of the series ‘Unfettered’. This is a series about discovering a mode of life in which your spirit can express freely, to be who you are, to live according to your rules and values. The birds are used in a symbolic way to express this letting go of restrictions that no longer fit you, and letting your thoughts go freely.
“Just Us”, 10″x 12″x 1.5″, oil on canvas, by artist Jacqui Haksever “Outside my bedroom window is a huge pine tree, it’s the home to many birds and lots of life.. and although I’ve never seen it I just know there is an owl living there, I hear it’s calls in the night! When I wake up in the early hours she lulls me back to sleep. This painting like many of my works waves between reality and a dreamlike environment, a place that I wish I could be! How I would love to sit quietly in the forest with my owl friend, maybe one day my night time window hooter will join me there, even if it’s only in my dreams!!
“Memory no.2″, 8″ x 8” x 0.6″, Mixed media/oil on cradled wooden panel, by artist Andrej Blazon “This painting is part of the “Earliest memories” series, which is about the precious memories etched in the heart, of the times long gone but still present through the feelings that get awakened by the wonders we witness enjoying life. Summer vacation is a time that can generate such long lasting memories. A spark of inspiration for the series partly came from a line from one of my favourite movies and with strongly resonating in me, I believe is perfectly encompassing my visual intention: “They all think it’s about more detail. But that’s not how memory works. We recall with our feelings. Anything real should be a mess.”
🔔 Early Access ends TODAY at 12 PM EST. After that, any unsold works will be available to the public through our Facebook auction group.
Art and poetry have always shared a deep connection—both are born from emotion, storytelling, and the desire to capture something fleeting yet profound. In our recent “Poetic” Auction, this connection has come to life in the most beautiful way.
As part of our celebration of art and words, we invited poets to create verses inspired by the paintings and sculptures in the auction. The response has been nothing short of incredible! Seeing how artists’ visual works spark poetic narratives has been a reminder of how creativity flows across different mediums.
Today, we’re thrilled to share three beautiful poems from our community, each inspired by a different piece from the “Poetic” Auction. (Scroll down to read them!) These poems remind us that every piece of art holds infinite interpretations—one painting can inspire countless stories, emotions, and connections.
The Auction is Still Open – CLICK HERE or find Heartful Soul AC auction group on FB!
If you haven’t had a chance to browse, the “Poetic” Auction remains open for bidding until 3 PM EST today! Don’t miss your opportunity to take home a piece of art that might just inspire your own creativity whether in words, or emotions that linger long after the auction ends.
✨ Read the poems below and let us know, does a particular artwork from the auction speak to you in verse? Share your thoughts in the comments!
In a crimson poppy’s silky embrace, A fairy sleeps with delicate grace. The moonlight dances, soft and slow, Bathing her wings in a silver glow. Her gossamer shimmer, a radiant hue, Like morning dew kissed by celestial blue. Her dreams take flight on a honeyed spree, Floating from bloom to bloom, wild and free. Among blossoms bright, she spins her tale, With laughter like chimes in the nightingale’s wail. Her friends surround in a joyful haze, Their mirth ringing soft through the moonlit maze. Oh, fairy of dreams, so tender and sweet, Nestled in petals, a refuge complete. May the night hold you in its gentle sway, Until dawn calls with the break of day.
I haven’t been very active on social media lately, and there’s a good reason for that—I’ve been fully immersed in working on my new paintings. I’ve taken my time to create each piece with as much care and intention as possible, as the Dutch master Johannes Vermeer once said: “Als ik kan” (actually he’ve signed his paintings with those words 🙂 — which means “As good as I can” — this phrase perfectly captures my approach to my work.
The paintings were included at the exhibition, titled “Roots,” which will be held at Nanny Goat Gallery, a charming and inviting space known for showcasing captivating and thought-provoking art. Many incredible artists are participating, each interpreting the theme in their own way—some exploring nature, others reflecting on family and ancestry. For me, everything begins with the Inner Child.
The Inner Child is where creativity is born, where curiosity and imagination take root before the world tells us to be practical or restrained. It holds our first artistic impulses, our sense of wonder, and the emotions that shape us. I wanted to reach into that space, to explore what remains of childhood within us all.
I’m presenting three paintings in this exhibition: “Playday,” “The Bond Beyond Time,” and “Lioness.” Each of these pieces tells its own story of joy, of connection, of strength — yet they are all deeply tied to the idea that our past selves, our inner child continue to live within us, shaping who we are.
The show opens on February 21st, and I’d love for you to come and experience it, in person or online. Whether you connect with art through nostalgia, emotion, or simply the beauty of a well-crafted piece, I hope my work will offer something meaningful to you.
There are many beautiful pieces on display from the most amazing artists — perfect to add to your collection or to start your journey as an art collector.
Let’s celebrate the roots that ground us, and the ones that set us free.
If you don’t see where to enter – contact to artist directly 
