21 Secrets ~ Tools and Techniques!! ON SALE NOW

I am finally relaxing a bit after months of writing up outlines for this new workshop, filming,  and video editing. I am so very grateful for the opportunity to stretch myself a  LOT during the process. I have to be honest, I was afraid of shooting the video myself, had no clue how to edit video, include music, do voice overs.... etc, etc. I have been afraid for years in fact. My last online workshop I had a professional help me and he did an amazing job. But I knew I wouldn't be able to make the venture of offering online workshops that were cost effective without learning and stretching myself. So this time I hired my son, who is taking videography in school, to help me shoot the video and teach me the basics of FinalCut Pro. I loved the process of learning something new!! As I was shooting and editing, I thought about all of you. Would what I was sharing translate on camera? I wanted the video to see what I see when I watch live demos. I want to see the details up close, watch the process, hear the instructor's explanation of their process. So that was my goal. I wanted the camera to follow my eye moments as they followed my hands across the page (Now, that will be a cool thing when a camera will have the capability to do just that effortlessly!) So during shooting I kept asking my boy, "Are you zoomed in here? Are you zoomed out now? Can you see what I am doing?..." He was patient, and always said, "Yes mom, stop worrying, I got it." I was very pleased that what I was envisioning he was able to translate! When it came time for editing, he started and then ran into other school commitments and couldn't finish... so I took over, with LOTS of questions. I loved the editing process!! Even more, it fascinating to see myself work and play. I am generally off in my little bubble and am not aware of much when I'm making art, so what a treat it was to have the opportunity to step back and see it from a different point of view!!

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to seeing and hearing what you have learned from my New workshop "Magic Markers." The 21 Secrets family is amazing and I feel so honored to be a part of the tribe.

To Learn more about 21 Secrets, the workshop I am offering, the other amazing teachers and our "secrets to share", and to sign up click here!!

Please note: Each instructor has an individual affiliate link, so when you sign up though my link above, I will get credit for that, which in turn is how I receive payment for working with you during this fantastic workshop. Though, even if you choose to sign up through another instructor's affiliate link, we all benefit from having a full event... we are one big happy family over here!! 

21 Secrets Spring 2016 ~ Tools and Techniques

Hello dear ones,
It has been an eternity since I've spent time on my blog, not that I haven't been working or creating, just been a bit lost in my life the past while. It has been almost as long since I've taught workshops that weren't local. I've missed sharing with my extended tribe!! So it is with a joyful heart that I announce my brand new workshop "Magic Markers" which is included in the 21 Secrets ~ Tool and Techniques Spring 2016 workshop.

For the past few years I have been experimenting with new ways of using markers in my visual journals and other artwork. Want to learn how I created the artwork below? Then join me in the new 21 Secrets Tools and Techniques workshop. Included in the workshop are detailed videos of the tools and techniques I used to achieve the effects along with two additional marker techniques.

Not only will you receive my workshop, you will also have access to the other 20 workshops in the 21 Secrets collaboration. Registration is open now! Self paced workshops become available April 1st!

"Knock Knock" © Lisa Cheney 2016
Markers and Ink

To Learn more about 21 Secrets, the workshop I am offering, the other amazing teachers and our "secrets to share", and to sign up click here!!

On Sale Now!! Click for more info!

Please note: Each instructor has an individual affiliate link, so when you sign up though my link above, I will get credit for that, which in turn is how I receive payment for working with you during this fantastic workshop. Though, even if you choose to sign up through another instructor's affiliate link, we all benefit from having a full event... we are one big happy family over here!! I look forward to working with you in April!!

21 Secrets Coming SOON!! Sneak peak....

in the background, you can still see the ghost of my self portrait

So, a few weeks ago I began the exciting new journey of filming my first on-line workshop. We are still in the editing phase and tomorrow I get to see how it is all coming together. I am excited and a little nervous...but mostly thrilled to finally be able to jump into the online workshop world and work with individuals that I otherwise wouldn't be able to meet, talk/share with, and more importantly... touch on a deeper level.

After filming the techniques for The Savage Mirror workshop, I ended up with a self portrait (the demo I did for the workshop) that needed it's story brought to life (something I have each participant do with their own portraits)... last night I dove in, and this is were the page currently sits. My eye, and the expression of it is what drew me into the mirror... that is what I wanted to keep. The pages are still in progress, and more needs to be pulled and pushed, more text to be brought forth, and more symbolism incorporated as the story unfolds. I now wish I had my camera to film the progress... but I did take these stills. I will share the continued metamorphosis and final piece with all of you that sign up for the "21 Secrets Art Journaling Workshop." You still have a small window of opportunity to learn how this portrait came about and to join me in the Savage Mirror workshop!!! I hope to see you in a few short weeks!!

Click here for more information about
 "21 Secrets" and how to sign up.

"She Let Go" in progress.... 

21 Secrets 2014!!!!

Click here for more info on 21 Secrets

Last week on my Facebook pages, I mentioned and teased you with the upcoming On-line class I'll be teaching. Before giving you all the details I want to first give a bit of my background, for those just tuning in or that have just recently started following my blog.

My journey with visual journaling began back in 2007, back when I needed a creative outlet besides my graphic design. I have drawn and painted on and off my whole life; for years I had been making books as gifts for others; I had been using the combination of typography and imagery in my design work for over a decade; yet at that time had never combined all this into one art form. In 2007, I hadn't heard of the term "visual journaling", I just wanted to start keeping a sketchbook again. That "sketchbook" quickly morphed into a book that contained both imagery and my writing. I was inspired by joining online sketchbook exchanges, and sharing my visual journal pages with others through my Flickr stream. This lead to being published in 1000 Artists Journals, by Dawn Sokol. I was thrilled and excited to be included along side so many others that shared my newly found passion for documenting their lives. I was just beginning to realize how many others were needing this sort of artistic expression. Soon after, I was approached, by the amazing duo Teesha and Tracy Moore, about submitting a workshop proposal to their upcoming art retreat Journalfest. I swallowed my fears and submitted what I had to offer. That was 2009.... I was hooked. I love being surrounded by like minded creative souls who have a passion for expressing themselves in the book format. Over time my journals have morphed, grown, and matured. I have continued to teach workshops as I am just as inspired by my students as they are from me. My Visual Journals have changed my life, saved my artistic self, and helped me to grow into the artist I am today. They are sacred to me, and a blessing I am thankful for. Through them I have been introduced to artists I never imagined I'd meet and converse with. Through them I have been able to bare my soul and document my "life story."

The past year or so, I've been approached by many individuals to offer online classes. Something I kept adding to my goals list, yet it kept getting pushed down the list as life events dictated more attention.  This past year, I have been embracing the mysterious ways that the universe has been working in my life, allowing those things that have been on my "wish list" to present themselves... and wow have the floodgates been opening!!!

I am excited to finally announce to all of you that the time has come for my first online class!! My popular workshop, The Savage Mirror, is going online!! But I wont be alone in this adventure! I am partnering with 20 other amazing souls to offer you an amazing visual journaling experience! I have joined the 21 Secrets visual journaling family for 2014!! 

Here is the information about The 21 Secrets!

21 SECRETS is celebrating it's fifth year of gathering talented, inspiring Artists eager to share their art journaling secrets with you in a BRAND NEW FORMAT that will make your experience with 21 SECRETS much more personal and in alignment with the rhythms of your own creative life!In other words.... YOU RECEIVE ALL 21 WORKSHOPS AT ONCE IN A DOWNLOADABLE eBOOK WITH UNLIMITED ACCESS! YOU KEEP THE VIDEOS, WRITTEN CONTENT & VISUALS!

With each 21 SECRETS membership you receive the following

• 
  
  • A downloadable eBook that contains 21 art journaling workshops which include instructional videos, supportive content, and inspiring visuals by talented, professional Artists.  No longer do you need to login to a website or find your password--you can keep this eBook on your computer or iPad!

• 
  
  • Unlimited access to all the workshops at once!  You pick and choose which ones you do when and go at your own pace!  There is no time limit--these workshops are yours to keep!

• 
  
  • Membership to the private 21 SECRETS Facebook community and 21 SECRETS Flickr gallery where you can share your art work, be inspired by others, and receive warm, supportive feedback from other members and teachers.

• 
  
  • The opportunity to learn a variety of art journaling approaches, techniques, and processes that will energize your creativity and touch your Soul.  

• 
  
  • Be a vital part of a supportive, loving Artist online community that is going on it's fifth year and celebrates everyone's unique expression and supports all Souls in growing more confidant as Artists.

Even though the workshops don't begin until April 2014, TODAY is the Pre-Launch which means you can get it at a heavely discounted rate!!! Here is the breakdown of the pre-sale discounted prices:

THE NEW 21 SECRETS PRICE SCHEDULE

$59 for buyers 1-50

$69 for buyers 51-150

$79 for buyers 151-300

$89 for buyers 301-500

after 500 members, the cost goes up to $98 so signing up early is going to be a lot more cost effective!!!

To Learn more about 21 Secrets, the workshop I am offering, the other amazing teachers and their "secrets to share", and to sign up click here!!

learn more about all the 21 Secrets instructors!!

Please note: Each instructor has an individual affiliate link, so when you sign up though my link above, I will get credit for that, which in turn is how I receive payment for working with you during this fantastic workshop.  Though, even if you choose to sign up through another instructor's affiliate link, we all benefit from having a full event... we are one big happy family over here!! I look forward to working with you in April!!

dare to dream?

When I was young I dreamt a lot. I dreamt of living in the forest, inside hollow trees, like a fairy. I dreamt of driving my daddy's fast antique cars. I dreamt of designing my own home with a tower that had a view of the sunrise and the sunset. I dreamt of being brave. I dreamt of being liked by my peers.  I dreamt of learning how to make anything just like my dad. I dreamt of being talented like my mom. I dreamt of living by the ocean. I dreamt of being pretty. I dreamt of floating across the land in a hot air balloon. I dreamt of being an artist. I dreamt of rocking my small child to sleep. I dreamt of finding love. I dreamt of seeing far away lands. I dreamt of being able to write, sing, and dance with confidence. I dreamt of being passionate in all that I do. I dreamt of safe places to dream. 

I feel an immense gratitude that many of my dreams have unfolded and brought me on a journey far better than I ever could have imagined. I wake each morning knowing that I will spend many hours of the day doing what I love. I am loved by two fantastic kids, who unknowingly teach me how to be a better person. I have my tribe of friends, family, and creatives souls that bring me up and inspire me. Yet, I still have dreams. 

So many dreams. Some just fleeting thoughts. Some became distant memories, for I was told they were unrealistic due to lack of time, money, or priorities. I was told perhaps someday.... someday, when does someday ever really happen? 

For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of traveling to far away lands. Then in college, the far away lands became the lands were the masters lived. I dreamed of seeing the incredible paintings, architecture, and sculpture created by the masters. To see even a small portion of the art from the history books would be amazing. What would it be like to walk the same streets, see the same sites, be inspired by and connected to artists from the past? Can you imagine!? Top of the list, Paris! I dreamt of traveling there right out of college with a group of artists. However, other life priorities came about and the dream of traveling to Paris was just another distant memory. Until a year ago. I met a artist who was planning on going to France, she invited me to go with her. I recall thinking at the time she was just dreaming, yet I was very excited at the thought of the dream. As the months passed, she continued to refresh the excitement. Could "someday" actually be a reality? There were so many naysayer thoughts jumping around in my head... "Is this even something I should consider? What about the time away? What about the money? Who is going to watch the kids? You are going to get lost in that big old city. What makes you think you deserve this?" Oh, so many critics giving reasons why I shouldn't do this... but, the door was open, I didn't want to walk away from it this time, so I took a deep breath and a leap of faith!! 

In one month, I will be fulfilling a lifelong dream!!! In doing so, the world has been opening up in ways I never imagined. I am so excited to share all this with you!! Stay tuned!!

: My question to you.... What is YOUR life long dream? Dig deep, it is there, still whispering to you. Do you dare still dream about it? Is it in the category of "someday"? What steps can you do to bring it out of "someday" and into reality? :

After the Storm....

"And once the storm is over you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won't even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm you won't be the same person who walked in." ~ unknown

This was the literal dream I had almost exactly 2 years ago, on my 41st birthday. I had no doubts what the dream meant, as much as I was fighting it at that time and continued to struggle with the reality of it for the next two years, the storm had arrived. I easily dealt with the small set backs (the small twister crossing my path), however the worst of the storm was on its way whether i was ready or not. Wrecking havoc in my life and all those close to me.

I have been quiet the past year not only with all of you, but with most of the people in my life, and even with myself. Divorce is never an easy life altering event. Whether you've been married only 1year or 16 years. No matter the circumstances that brought you to this crossroad, it is never an easy choice. I do know that I am no longer the person I was 2 years ago when this all began for me. I am even further from the person I was just 6 months ago. I have grown in ways I never imagined, and am excited to see where my new path takes me. Until recently, I had not allowed myself to process how this event has effected me. For the past year I was preoccupied with my surgery and complications of that, sitting in all the phases of grief yet not really allowing myself to feel them fully, healing from past traumas, and so on... The past 4 months I have been more gentle with myself, by allowing what comes up to be expressed in my journals. Beginning to understand my reality. Finding the lessons to be learned. Embracing the growth. Claiming myself.

Here is my processing, thus far......

"This is no fucking Mid-Life Crisis" ~ in the Book of Dreams 
Awoke to these words echoing in my head. 
Dreamt Feb 2012, completed Sept 15, 2012

"Transformation" ~ in the Book of Dreams
Dreamt of nurturing a baby salamander until it was strong enough 
to survive on its own, only to have a huge toad gobble it up.
Dreamt Jan 2, 2013, completed Feb 23, 2013

My new journal "After the Storm"
Cover is one of my monotype ghost prints that I then went back into and drew over the top with ink & colored pencil. 
7.5"x9"x1.5" ~ paper inside is heavy weight printmaking paper

Dedication page: Inside front cover

"Chapter XXXXII ~ After the Storm"
It was a bit of a break though to find bits and pieces of writing in 
the old book pages that resonated perfectly. 

"Home?" 
Layers and layers of writing, painting, writing some more, painting some more. Learning about my personal symbolisms. I have pages and pages of feedback from trusted artist friends who helped me see just how significant this image is to me. It was like opening pandoras box. Home. What is home now? Where is my home now? Where is home for me now? I attempted to draw a crow, but it didn't feel right. Instead I painted a House sparrow. Yes, makes sense now, yet at the time I wasn't thinking about it. Rather, reacting to what the imagery seemed to need. 

"Chapters" 
Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. 

Don't resist them – that only creates sorrow. 

Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in 

whatever way they like." ~Lao Tzu 

This was first time I was able to come to terms with the fact that I am a single mother now, that I need to allow myself to move into this new chapter. And just as significantly, that my soul knows what to do to heal itself. IF I will allow it and listen to the quiet voice.

"I AM"
claiming who i am. very deep soul work in this book spread. 

"Sloughing Off the Old"
I began this spread with the knowledge I needed to come to terms with my identity. 
Who am I now? 
Our names are often how most people first identify another. I was born to this life, Lisa Christine Cheney. During my brief first marriage I took on my husband's last name as is custom. I felt like a fraud the whole time. I was grateful to have my last name restored. Five years later I was facing the same dilemma. This time I chose to hyphenate my last name. At first it was cumbersome and long. But gradually I became this new name. For 16 years I was known as Lisa Cheney-Jorgensen both privately and professionally. There is no other person out there with my name. Now I was faced with the fact that that too wasn't who I am now. I chose to return back to my birth name. Regardless what happens in the future I will not be taking on another's name again. So this is where this piece started, coming to terms with my identity. This was the first layer that touched the page, my name written over and over. The next layer  and the layer after that was all mind dumping free writing until I could figure out what needed to be brought forth. In the very last open space on the page the title " it's time to shed this skin" appeared. Then I knew. What you see here is an image I have had rolling around in my mind for almost a year. It was realized when I wrote to a friend, "I feel like I am forcing myself back into a skin that no longer fits."  The time had come to move past the fear into acceptance, to slough off the old. All of this was done in the light of the full moon particle lunar eclipse on April 25th.

"Release"
encaustic on a wood panel
This is currently where I am. Cutting cords. Releasing attachments.
 Learning not to hold on tight, but rather to relax, and simply let go of those that I've held onto for too long. 

I still have a lot more that needs to be worked out and put to the page.... works that are still in-process, awaiting the story to come forth. But this is where I am in my healing process. I am not the same person I once was, for which I am thankful. Bit by bit I am learning to love this new woman who stands before me. She has a mission, a purpose, and a path that I need to allow happen. It is all very exciting the doors that are presenting themselves, people who are coming into my life for very specific reasons, and the paths that are laid out before me. I am so close to closing this chapter in my life, so that I can more forward into my new life. Into my soul purpose. My heart is so full with love to all those that have been with me this past year 1/2, both family and friends. And as much of a shock as this may sound to some, I am thankful to my ex husband who has been going through the same events and yet in the end, we have become friends. This in and of itself, is a very rare feat. 

Featuring Magazine!

Back in March I was contacted by a beautiful and kind soul, Marit Barentsen, the Editor in Chief for Featuring Magazine. She kindly asked if I would be interested in an interview about my Visual Journaling artwork. Of course I was honored and thrilled to be contacted by Marit, but also a bit nervous. All the interviews and past articles I have had published have been about my daily or travel visual journals, all of which contain art and sketches of the world around me and how I see the external world. All of which is pretty safe. However, Marit was more interested in the artwork from my other journals. The journals that I express my inner views, struggles, questions, and raw soulful work, both my Book of Dreams and more recently After The Storm journals. (I'll be posting the After The Storm journal here very soon.)

Her questions were very thought provoking and truly made me dig down to find the authentic answers. Questions such as, "What excites you when you draw? Do you have a favorite subject that you love to draw or paint?" or "When you look at your work in your first art journals and compare it to today's pages, there have been changes in style. Can you reflect on that?" I find the act of sitting down to write about the work in my journals actually stirs up all kinds of "stuff". Which is exactly what happened as I sat down (on multiple occasions) to answer the questions given to me. It was hard to open up and be honest with both the readers and myself. But also very rewarding. At first I froze up. Then I went through a whirl wind of getting some long over due soulwork onto my pages. I ended up hibernating for a few weeks. All the while, Marit was patient and supportive as I took my time to answer her questions. The article she wrote was beautifully written and crafted together. I am humbled and honored that she and her staff wanted to learn more about my life journey through my visual journals. I am looking forward to receiving my copy and to see and read about all the other contributing artists!!

Flip through some of the pages in the magazine preview here!!

Pre-order your copy of this popular Art Journaling magazine here. 
Featuring Magazine: Art Journaling, Mixed Media, and More