Willa Workshops
Escape inTo YoUr CreativiTY
Creativity changes the way a life feels.
Not because you become a famous artist.
Not because you suddenly get “good” at art.
But because making things with your hands has a way of bringing you back to yourself.
At Willa Workshops, we believe art is not reserved for the naturally talented, the professionally trained, or the creatively fearless.
Art belongs to anyone who feels the pull to make something.
Even if you’ve spent years saying:
“I’m not artistic.”
“I’m too late.”
“I’m not good enough.”
“I don’t know where to start.”
You do not need experience to begin.
You do not need permission to create.
And you do not need to earn your way into creativity.
What you do need is a space that feels welcoming instead of intimidating.
A space where curiosity matters more than perfection.
A space where experimentation, play, color, texture, and discovery are part of everyday life.
Because creativity is not a luxury.
For many of us, it is how we breathe again.
Give Yourself Something That Exists Just for You
Not for work.
Not for productivity.
Not for anyone else’s approval.
Just for the experience of making something.
In a world that constantly asks us to perform, achieve, optimize, and keep up, creativity offers something radically different:
Presence.
A few quiet hours where your attention belongs to color, texture, paper, paint, ideas, curiosity, and play instead of stress, obligation, or noise.
You do not need to create masterpieces for art to change your life.
You only need the willingness to begin.
Because sometimes the value of creativity is not what you make.
It’s how you feel while making it.
What You’ll Find at Willa Workshops
Willa Workshops is an online creative learning space for people who want to make art in a way that feels inspiring, freeing, and deeply human.
Inside, you’ll find:
online art classes you can take at your own pace
live on Zoom creative workshops and community experiences
mixed media, collage, art journaling, bookmaking, watercolor, hand lettering, textile art, sewing projects and more
beginner-friendly classes that don’t assume prior experience
advanced techniques for seasoned creatives looking to grow
encouraging teachers who believe creativity should feel expansive, not intimidating
a warm and welcoming creative community filled with people just like you
Some people arrive here because they want to learn new art techniques. Others arrive because they miss themselves. Both belong here.
Whether you want to experiment in an art journal, learn mixed media layering, create handmade books, explore watercolor, or simply reconnect with your creative spirit after years away from it, there is space for you here.
No gatekeeping. No perfection required.
No pressure to become anything other than more fully yourself.
Hi! I’m Wendy Solganik (Willa Wanders)
I didn’t start making art because I wanted to be impressive.
I started because creativity made me feel more alive.
For decades, art has been the place where I return to myself. Not to be perfect. Not to produce masterpieces. But to think, breathe, experiment, process, play, and remember who I am underneath all the noise of the world.
And honestly? I think more women need that.
So many women spend their lives trying to become lovable.
Trying to get it right.
Trying to be useful enough, attractive enough, productive enough, successful enough.
Meanwhile, the part of themselves that longs to create quietly waits in the background for permission to exist.
That’s why I built Willa Workshops.
Not to teach people how to become “real artists.”
But to help people reconnect with curiosity, beauty, expression, experimentation, and joy through creativity.
Because making art changes something. Not necessarily your career. Not necessarily your skill level. But your relationship with yourself.
You do not need talent to begin.
You do not need perfection to belong here.
You only need the willingness to start.
Start Where You Are
There is no right way into creativity. Just begin.
Stay Close to the Creative Life!
SUBSCRIBE HERE to my newsletter where I share what’s happening inside my creative world.
It’s the best way to stay connected to everything happening at Willa Workshops and Willa Wanders.
When you subscribe, I’ll also send you my Mixed Media Madness Mastersheet Project as a welcome gift.
Whether you’re just beginning your creative journey or have been making art for years, you’re invited in.
You’ll hear about:
new classes and workshops
special promotions and sales
upcoming creative experiences
projects I’m working on
inspiration from the studio
favorite materials, ideas, and discoveries
honest reflections about art, creativity, and creative life
As Seen in…
Everything You Need To Know
About why StuDentS LOVE Willa WorKsHoPs
Hi Wendy,
I do not use social media but I want to let you know how much I enjoy your Watercolor for Relaxation course and your Willa Journals course, and your Imperfect Lettering course, and your Wonky Bits course, and all of the many courses I have purchased from your Willa Workshops website.
After completing your week’s lesson, which featured watercolor florals, in the Wanderlust 2022 course I was taking during 2022, I searched you out on the web to find out more about you as an artist, and found you had courses on your Willa Workshops website. That brought me to signing up for Fodder School 2, and also 1, then I jumped into every month’s lesson on FS2 and almost every month of FS3, and I’m taking FS4 now. Your watercolor and lettering courses are especially interesting to me as they are both media I enjoy, and your lessons taught me so much about color mixing, finding which colors I’m drawn to, and painting for the fun of it, but also reignited the love of watercolor and lettering that I’ve not fully used over the years. I’ve been doing art since I was a kid and have always found it relaxing and so easy to get immersed in the actual doing of it. It’s good to be back in a creative zone after many years away from it. Thank you!
Christine
Hi Wendy. I’m new to your fan club and want to introduce myself . . . You’re one of my art heroes and I kind of feel a kinship with you although we’ve never met. I didn’t really understand what a mixed media artist does until I found some of your work on Pinterest and began to explore your website and the work of other artists that you find inspirational. It has really helped me to look at my long history of making things in a different light. I’ve always been sort of disappointed in myself for having difficulty sticking to just one area of interest; my list of hobbies is long and varied and I find it difficult to resist a deep dive into something new that intrigues me. Now I’m starting to see how all of these seemingly disparate interests can intersect and meld into a more cohesive expression of who am I am what I want to share with the world. Thank you for the encouragement, positivity, and inspiration you’re sharing.
— Joan
People Say The Kindest Things…
“Just wanted to tell you that I have just done the first mixed media colour video and I am so happy. I don't know anything about mixing colours, the colour wheel, etc etc, so using colour in my art was always a stumbling block for me because I just assumed I had to have more training in the "formal" art theories. You helped me to "exhale" about all of that.
I'm not interested in getting serious about my art - I just want to have lots of FUN with it and be excited & look forward to doing MORE fun art. The fact that I can choose my fave colors AND a surprise colour (like neon pink - OMG) and use the "mother" principal is so exciting!!! It's just the best news ever! And so sensible.
You are officially my Art Teacher and it's changed/improved my world. Thank you so much for that, Wendy. You are truly a gifted, sensible & giving artist. I'm still not sure how I stumbled upon you on IG last year but I am forever grateful to this Divine intervention!!! Now on to Lesson #2!!!! Yay!”
—Jane McGregor
ShOW UP OR SHUt UP PoDcAsT
Listen AnD SubscRiBe to SHow Up OR Shut Up
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