The Artful Bachelorette: Origin Story - Fleur’s Sketchbook

Before there was The Artful Bachelorette, there was just me—Fleur and another Aussie gal called Samara Hodgson. Two fresh-off-the-boat Aussies, wide-eyed and wandering the cobbled streets of NYC, looking for community, creativity, and a good cup of coffee.

Fleur Childs, Founder

ORIGIN STORY

It all started over a glass of wine and a wedding invitation. One of my American girlfriends was getting married, and like many brides, she was totally stumped about what to do for her bachelorette party. I casually said, “Well, obviously… you draw the hot nood dude.”

She blinked. “Wait, what?”

And that, my friends, was the moment I realized: the classic Aussie hen’s night tradition had not yet landed in America. 

A Cheeky Aussie Tradition

Back home in Australia, it’s tradition to gather your girls, pour some bubbly, and spend the night drawing a gorgeous nood model—guided by a playful (but skilled!) art teacher. It’s cheeky, creative, and wildly fun. It celebrates the human body, friendship, and the art of letting go.

No one’s expected to be an artist. You just show up, giggle, sip, sketch, and soak in the hilarity of it all. The nudity is never crude—it’s beautiful, bold, and tastefully done. It’s about connection, not objectification.

And I thought: Why doesn’t this exist in NYC? I live in the cultural capital of the world!

Birth of a Brand

So I did what any slightly crazy but fully committed creative would do: I started my own thing.

I gathered a few brave friends, sourced some charcoal pencils, found a willing (and very charming) model, and threw our first party in a Brooklyn loft. There were nerves, laughter, a lot of wine—and by the end of the night, everyone was glowing.

Word spread fast. Turns out, Americans love a little art and n*dity too.

A Business Rooted in Celebration

That night became The Artful Bachelorette. And over the past 13 years, we’ve grown from a single party to a multi-city experience across 14 U.S. cities.

We’ve drawn with brides, bachelors, divorcees, new mamas, birthday queens, and “just because” babes. We’ve turned milestones into memories with nothing but paper, pencils, and a lot of heart.

We now host events in homes, studios, rooftops, hotels—even backyards under the stars. Every model and art guide is hand-picked. Every party is infused with joy, positivity, creativity and loads of laughs.

Running this business has been one of the greatest adventures of my life. I’m still the Aussie girl who believes deeply in the power of art, humor, and community. And I’m so proud that a little tradition from down under is now helping people across the U.S. reconnect—with themselves, with their people, and with their inner artist.

So if you’re ever wondering what to do for your next celebration, may I suggest: a little champagne, a lot of laughter, and one very artful muse.

Book an Artful Drawing Experience with us

With love (and charcoal smudges),

 Fleur

 Founder & Muse-in-Chief, The Artful Bachelorette