Hello and Happy Day (or Night) to YOU!
I want to share my experience, so far, in 21 Secrets LIVE, an online art journaling workshop.
About 21 Secrets LIVE
Connie Hozvicka, the creator of the successful 21 Secrets, wanted to do something special to celebrate the fifth year of the 21 Secrets "art journaling playground". She decided to gather people virtually, once per week, for a live art journaling session. On Wednesday evening (in my time zone), there is a host, either Connie, Lisa Wilson, or Hali Karla, and a featured teacher. The teacher often shares her art journals with us, then demonstrates how she works in her journal. There is a live chat happening to the right of the screen where participants can connect and ask questions. It is an AWESOME hour and a half! It is like we are all hanging out together at a coffee shop, working in our journals. (Except the only journal we see, is that of the instructor). However, there is a private Facebook group where people often post pictures of the pages they created while working through that particular lesson.
My Experience with 21 Secrets LIVE
As you may all know, technology is not perfect. So honestly, sometimes it is hard to see what's happening on the screen. This can be slightly frustrating. However, the wealth of information that the teachers share, makes up for any glitches in technology. Often the teachers will post pictures on the private Facebook group, which is really great. It is nice to see their finished journal pages clearly.
Here's how I prep for 21 Secrets LIVE:
- Read email sent prior to each session.
- See if there are any supplies I need to gather ahead of time.
- Set my phone alarm to remind me one hour prior and again 15 minutes before showtime.
- Login in to Spreecast, so I know I won't be late (I don't want to miss anything) : )
- Rush around gathering stuff, like a cup of water for rinsing paint brushes, and water for myself to drink (art making can make one thirsty).
Once the Spreecast session starts, I usually type a quick hello in the chat box. It feels nice to read all of the "hellos" being called out from all over the US and sometimes from the other side of the world!
I am a note taker by nature, so I usually leave 1-2 pages in my journal for notes, then I work on the following 1-2 pages and create along with the teacher. I start with writing a heading like, "21 Secrets LIVE-(the date)-(featured teacher)-(theme)". There is not always a theme for the lesson, but sometimes there has been. Typically I am not someone who is drawn to working in themes, but I have really enjoyed the times we have worked around a theme. A theme gives one a starting place and can sometimes help eliminate the fear of the blank page.
Because of participating in 21 Secrets LIVE each week, I have completed a journal. A completed journal is such a delight! (Since I have a blank journal addiction, I often start many, and finish few. Anyone else out there have that problem?!) Anyway, not everything in my journal is 21 Secrets LIVE material, but the majority of it is. The teachers that Connie chose have all been amazing! I have been inspired and impressed by each and every one. (I just realized that the teachers for 21 Secrets LIVE have taught in one or more previous 21 Secrets workshops, so you know they are good). To read about all of the amazing teachers, visit Connie's 21 Secrets LIVE teacher page.
Here are some of my pages done during 21 Secrets LIVE, including some pictures of my completed journal.
And if you really want to see inside my journal, here is a video I made, flipping from page to page.
There are not very many sessions left for 21 Secrets LIVE 2014 (visualize my sad face). Registration is closed, but on Connie's site, I see that 21 Secrets LIVE will be offered as a self-paced program and will be available this summer.
If you are in the market for a new online class, 21 Secrets Spring is currently for sale on Connie's site. Also, check out Connie's free offering called Total Alignment.
If you have any thoughts or questions for me, please leave a comment below this post.
Thanks for being here!
Many Blessings to YOU!
-Briana
