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THE JOY OF ABSTRACT 
Online Course

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🎨Are you ready to unlock the secrets of abstract art and discover your unique creative voice?

Creating abstract art can feel overwhelming when you’re unsure where to start or how to take your work to the next level. The endless possibilities can be exciting—but without guidance, it’s easy to feel stuck, frustrated, or even doubt your abilities.

🎨 Find Your Artistic Voice & Create with Freedom!

Let go of the pressure to conform. Embrace your intuition. Trust your instincts. Your true artistic style emerges when you stop overthinking and start creating from a place of authenticity.

✨Experiment boldly, make mistakes and  find joy in the process. When you create without fear, your art becomes a raw, honest reflection of YOU.

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Join Me Today in an online course that will  located in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges for a monthly guided
Abstract Art Class!

Take A Look Inside!

3 Things That Will Stop You From Finding Your Artistic Voice!


🫤Lack of Confidence –You hesitate, overthink, and second-guess yourself. What if it’s not good enough? What if I mess it up?
The truth is, confidence doesn’t come from waiting until you feel ready—it comes from taking action. Real growth happens when you let go, embrace the mess, and allow mistakes to be part of the process. The more you create without fear, the more you’ll discover the magic in imperfection.
😏Believing You’re Not Good Enough – That nagging voice telling you that you’re not “a real artist” or that you don’t have what it takes? It’s lying to you. Every artist– even the ones you admire—has struggled with this. The only difference? They kept going!
🤔Comparing Yourself to Other Artists – Nothing kills creativity faster than constantly measuring yourself against others. Your journey is yours. Your voice, your vision, and your art are meant to be unique!

💡So, what’s the solution? You need a process—a way to explore, experiment, and develop your style without the fear of “getting it wrong.”
🙂A clear process gives you a foundation to build upon, so you're not just aimlessly throwing paint on a canvas and hoping for the best. It removes the guesswork, allowing you to create with intention while still leaving room for spontaneity and discovery.
😊This is when your unique style begins to take shape. The more you practice within a framework, the more confident and expressive you’ll become.
😀When you develop confidence in your work, everything changes. You stop second-guessing yourself and start trusting your instincts. Your creative process becomes more fluid, allowing you to take bolder risks and embrace the unexpected. Instead of seeking validation from others, you create from a place of safety and authenticity—making work that truly resonates with you.! And the best part? That confidence is contagious. Others will see it, feel it, and connect with your art on a deeper level.

👉 THE JOY OF ABSTRACT is a  6-module mini-course that will guide you  step-by-step through the creative process, allowing your to break free from self-doubt, trust  your instincts, and create work that is truly yours.
We take a deep dive into the 7 steps of the creative process—the key to unlocking confidence in your process–how to avoid common pitfalls that prevent artists from moving forward, and how to finish your work.
 

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YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO...

Simplify Your Colour Choices!       

Master the art of selecting and combining colours effortlessly.

Harness the Power of Contrast!   

Learn how to make your work stand out with effective use of light and dark.

Create Compelling Compositions!   

Discover simple techniques to build strong, eye-catching compositions with ease.

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Simplify Colour Choices

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Explore Mark Making

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Create Compelling Compositions

 This mini-course will guide you step-by-step, over 6 modules, through the creative process, allowing you to break free from self-doubt, trust  your instincts, and create work that is truly yours!

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MODULE ONE | making a start
 

  •  explore three key principles of abstract painting: colour, contrast and composition

  •  take an in depth look into the creative process. The creative process lies at the heart of all artistic expression, and we will explore how to break it down  through fearless experimentation

  • take a deep dive into colour theory (the easy way)

  •  a video demonstration which will show you the various tools + materials that we will be using throughout the course.

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  •  first  video demonstration in which I will demonstrate my creative process from beginning to end.

  • cover the purpose and outcomes of the exercise, the chosen colour palette and how to mix it and the various tools and materials that will be used in the demonstration.

MODULE TWO | demonstration one
 

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  • ​ composition and finishing your work. 

  • demonstrate  the post-painting process. 

  • showcase two different methods for finishing your work 

MODULE THREE | composition + framing
 

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  • the second video demonstration of the creative process

  • demonstrate a different colour palette

  • mix the colours and employ a slightly different surface preparation 

  • showcase an alternative method for finishing the artwork 

MODULE FOUR | demonstration two
 

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  • presents the third and final video demonstration of the creative process

  • explore a new colour palette and a different approach to the layering process. 

  • post-compositional process

  • scaling up the artwork

  • finishing with a larger format for framing.

MODULE FIVE | demonstration three
 

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  •  overview of the work created throughout the course

  •  highlights three important actions you can take to continue your journey  

  • delve into techniques for studying your work critically and thoughtfully

  • share personal insights from my own journey of discovering and refining my voice, offering guidance and inspiration for your creative path forward.

MODULE SIX | conclusion
 

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Cathryn Sofarnos

I am a multi-disciplinary abstract artist and for many years I worked with textiles, a medium I enjoyed immensely for its potential for abstract expression.

However,...

some years ago I transitioned from textiles to painting as I was seeking a new way to express my ideas.I thought this would be

an easy shift..

as I already had a good understanding of colour, composition and contrast.

However, the reality was

quite the opposite!.

Learning to paint presented significant challenges and frustrations as...

I struggled to find my voice and style!..

At times, I thought I would never develop my ideas and even considered

giving up altogether!.

But through perseverance and many hours of experimenting, I finally experienced some breakthroughs and...

was finally able move forward!

This course is designed to help you simplify the endless choices and decisions in art-making, and...

fast-track your creative process!

In this course I will demonstrate a

PROVEN METHOD...

that will get you creating beautiful and authentic abstract compositions, whether you're new to painting or an experienced artist!

So join me today!!

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  • Do I need any previous experience in abstract art?
    Not at all. This course is designed for all levels, including absolute beginners. Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your existing practice, you'll find guidance and inspiration every step of the way.
  • Do I need to purchase additional tools and materials to do this course?
    No, it’s not necessary to own all the tools and materials shown in the course. In fact, you're encouraged to use what you already have. This approach not only makes the course more accessible but also helps you develop your own unique style using familiar materials.
  • Do I have to follow along with the demonstrations?
    No, you’re welcome to simply watch and learn. This program is designed to support your individual process, allowing you to follow along in your own way and learn at your own pace.
  • Are there any extras included with this course?
    Yes! The course includes comprehensive downloadable notes to support the information and demonstrations, a journal with helpful prompts to guide your own creative process, and a PDF download listing all the materials and tools used throughout the program.

Testimonial!

"The Joy of Abstract Mini Course has been an enriching, inspiring, and transformative experience for me. I have always admired abstract art but felt uncertain about where to begin to create it. Through this well-structured and thoughtfully paced course, Cathryn completely demystifies the process. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned artist you will gain so much from this course, as you are guided step by step from initial concept to completed abstract piece. 

I especially love how Cathryn emphasised the importance of finding your own style. I felt encouraged to embrace my creative instincts without worrying about rules. The demonstrations are incredibly helpful, showing not only how to use the various tools and techniques, but also how to experiment and add your own personal touches with them. The composition section was also eye-opening and it taught me how to think more deeply about the elements of art.

I now approach my creative process with a greater sense of freedom and I feel more confident in my abilities. This course exceeded my expectations and it is a must for anyone wanting to explore abstract art." Nicola Walsh 

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By the end of this course you will have...
 

a newfound understanding of the abstract process

more confidence in your own intuitive process

a substantial collection of finished works

Cathryn Sofarnos

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© 2025

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