a new course available on Willa Workshops

Without sounding too woo woo, this handmade mixed media art and journaling book has become a personal prayer book.

"Throughout this journey of life I've always wanted to be ‘that person’ who kept a consistent diary. Until I started working with the JIYA art journal, consistency totally escaped me. Now I am drawn to this book multiple times per day and words are pouring onto the pages."

-Wendy Solganik (that’s me!)

About six months ago Megan Quinlan and I began talking about the possibility of having the Willa Workshops host her first ever solo course: Journal Into Your Art (aka JIYA). Of course I didn't hesitate to say yes to Megan. I mean, this was “the” Megan Quinlan after all and she is a creative superhero for many of us.

It's been a lot of behind the scenes work of getting everything ready for the launch of a new course, and almost one month ago I actually made my first JIYA book and began using it.

Not a single day has gone by that I haven't filled that book with stenciling, collage fodder, my thoughts, letters to dead relatives (thanks for that suggestion Leaca Young), quotes, mantras, and anything else I want to remember or unload. This book is so raw and special to me that I haven't actually shared any pages from it publicly.

It's as if this book has become my personal prayer book uniquely tailored to my current emotional life and personal development challenges and not only do I add new art and quotes, I find myself reading it's passages over and over.

If you struggle with wanting to be “a journaler” like me, but you haven't been able to find the consistency within your busy daily life, perhaps what Megan has dreamed up will change this for you as it has changed it for me?

I know that for me, the combination of words and art is where I find my deepest joy with my art practice. I love to paint and collage, and I also love to add truly meaningful text to my pages.

The problem was, I wasn't consistently showing up to one book or one artistic practice. There were so many variables and too many wonderful art journaling ideas out there that drew my attention all over the place. I needed a way to consistently focus my art journaling and writing energy and I hadn't found it yet after 5 years of almost daily art practice!

And then this happened.

MEGAN CREATED THIS BOOK AND COURSE AND MADE IT SUPER EASY AND STRESS FREE with her magical JIYA lessons.

Whether or not you take this class and engage with the community of artists in JIYA, I hope you find inspiration in what I am trying to convey in this blogpost:

I needed to really simplify my options while also keeping the joy in the practice in order to show up regularly.

I don't need to wrack my brain always trying to come up with pretty or cool or even super unique journal art to then add my thoughts to. Megan has created fool proof recipes that anyone can do for pages that are fun and great looking and I really love how they come together. to popular myth, projects don’t spring forth into artist-instructor’s brains out of thin air. At least they don’t for me. And I suspect I’m not alone.

Credit Megan Quinlan

The JIYA book is incredibly yummy. Once we've created one, we can easily prepare the pages using Megan's twelve simple but great looking formulas, leaving room for writing, adding thoughts and quotes to them when the need arises . . . which for me is every day right now (who doesn't feel a lot of stress these days?)

If what I'm saying resonates with you, Megan and I would love for you to join our small community of artists and journalers who are “journaling into their art.”

This journey is only beginning, and you can be a part of it.

Credit Megan Quinlan

I’m overwhelmed with gratitude to be a part of Megan's special world. Here are some things that you may be wondering about:

Do you need to purchase specific stencils in order to create this book and work in it?

Nope. Use what you have that you already love.

Do I need to be a big writer in order to enjoy using this journal?

Nope. You can add short quotes or lengthy passages, that's completely up to your taste and personality!

Do I need to be an experienced art journaler to be able to do these lessons?

Nope! Megan teaches us everything we need to know.

Do I need to have neat handwriting or fancy hand lettering skills to work in this book?

Hell no. Megan shows us so many ways to jazz up our regular writing to make it fun.

Is there an optional private Facebook group for this course?

Yes

Will this class have subtitles?

Yes, English subtitles will be added very soon.

Are there written materials to go along with the videos?

A full and glorious manual has been created for you to printout to go alongside this very special course. It will be invaluable as you continue to work in your JIYA book because you won't need to memorize the page formulas!

Will there be bonus content?

Do birds fly? Is the sky blue? Is this a Willa Workshops course?

What is the regular price for this course?

$127.00 USD plus tax. Regular pricing begins on November 7, 2022. Register now for Early bird pricing ($30 off, no coupon necessary).

When can I access the lessons and for how long?

You will have instant, lifetime access to this class, which is hosted on the Willa Workshops school within the Teachable platform. All of the lessons are prerecorded and you can watch them at anytime.

Credit Megan Quinlan

Megan and I would love for you to join us!