Alumni Art & Praise for Nancy

Praise for The Artist's Journey Course: 

The Artist Journey course does exactly what is promised:  it starts a spark in each of us that ignites all the little creative parts we have been reaching for but may have been sleeping! 

It helps to have companions on this journey who can feel your pain when you work through exercises that feel awkward but so ultimately helpful.  To look at your "ugly" work along the way and cheer it just as you cheer theirs.  And see their incredible progress as they see yours. 

Nancy is amazingly kind and generous with her talent and she has a gentle way of explanation that allows you to relax and know you will be able to grasp it, if not this time then when you listen again and again.  She is a wonder.

Praise for Experimenting with Color: 

I am very happy with this course and although I "finished" it a few weeks ago I return to it so often.  Today, in fact,  I continue trying to work with new combinations and trying to focus on both the art and the color!  Sometimes that is difficult since I fall in love with the colors! 

I adored the course.  I loved the way Nancy spoke slowly enough in her explanations with the samples.  Needed.  Of course watching her paint is the most fun and I could do that all day.   

I enjoyed the course and the journey that I was taken on . Exploring the different elements of painting was enjoyable and developed a self awareness of what I look for in painting and then to have confirmation from Nancy as to what was happening.

I am a very visual person and sometimes I feel more of a designer than a painter but I think now they are entwined in my mind. It was exciting to see what happened when the line happening became part of the unexpected and how with visual impact it could always lead to a work that I was visually happy with.

With fond wishes to all who contributed to the journey

~ Janet Malloch, Artist’s Journey® Course Alumna

Praise For Activating The Canvas:

Straight up? I like it a lot. Without getting too deep into the weeds: a while ago I bought a Kindle and with that read “The Artists Journey: Bold Strokes to Spark Creativity.” That lead me to the website and some other things including a conversation with Bruce. While I have never before thought about painting abstracts, I decided to give it a try. Turns out Activating the Canvas is just right for me and I’m having a lot of fun with it. I strongly recommend it to anyone wanting to get started in creating abstract works.

Praise for The Book: 

I'm liking' the book so much. More importantly it is going to serve as a practical Manuel for me as will the videos.

Praise for Color Secrets of the Pros Workbook:

What I found was a concise and simple treatment of color concepts that I have found to be overwhelming in other books and manuals. I like the straightforward explanations and examples.

I’m so glad I found you on-line and registered for one of your courses. I’m having a lot of fun now painting with your approach.

I have found the course to be both interesting and challenging.

I have not done a lot in the area of abstraction but I wanted to do something that took me away from my “controlling” self and the exercises and weekly challenges have done just that. I have deliberately chosen to spread the course out over 3 months so that I can savour every moment yet still be able to further my other art/horse training commitments.

I have found a lot of parallels in the Course and training horses which comes as no surprise as you are a horsewoman, too. Such as; to ride in harmony with a competition horse you have to be prepared to be straight with yourself. It takes courage to step out of your comfort zone but the gains are always worth it. Be prepared to make mistakes, learn and move on. Surrender yourself to the process and not get caught up in the “in order to’s”.

Each horse/painting is on a different journey to the one you rode before. Make lots of starts it improves the chances of success. Every test/painting is a WIP not the “Be All and End All” of Success. And most of all to lighten up and have fun with it.

Thank you very much for your commitment to us all.

I am enjoying your book and working to incorporate the principles into my art making. I’m working through the “ugly” paintings. I had done the mind map for “ugly” and then painted four ugly paintings based on some of what I saw there.

Now I am up to the chapter where I need to reflect on the “ugly” paintings, and I have found that the paintings themselves are not so “ugly” in their execution as they are in their content.

I’m not sure how I feel about them right now. I think I need to sit with them longer and journal about them. Since they’re coming from a place of feeling such anxiety, sadness, and bitterness in 2020, it will be very interesting to look at them again in 2021 and see what has changed. I hope I (and the world) has moved forward toward something more beautiful by then!

Thank you again for your book. It was something I really needed right now.

I like the Artist's Journey book very much. I especially like the connections and references to work by Carl Jung! Your book is inspirational!

I loved Activating The Canvas. It directly addressed some techniques I wanted to learn... layering, veils. I love the encouragement to keep working and producing works of art and the push to use any and all tools that help express what you feel and the suggestion to stop overthinking and judging.

Nancy Hillis' work has re-ignited my passion for art. I especially like the references to Carl Jung and the important role the unconscious mind plays in self-discovery and acts of self-expression. She inspires artists to keep working...to move beyond criticism and judgement!

I am finding that this book shows me how to get new inspiration on how to move forward from representational work. It has shown me how to let go, how to give myself permission to just play and see what happens.

I have tried the tips in the videos got on really well. Felt very free. It is amazing that I for one needed to be told that it was OK to just paint like you did when a 4 year old. I have painted for 50 years. Sold quite a few but have always felt ‘not Good enough’. Now I don’t worry about it.

I am enjoying the painting process now and look forward to going into the studio to paint. Many thanks for the book. 

This has been a wonderful course for me! Beginning with reading THE ARTISTS JOURNEY in the first days of lockdown to how I feel now is amazing.

Nancy has freed me from a more observation based working method to intuitive free mark making. A combination of the two is beginning to surface which is probably my true self!

Nancy is a true Renaissance Woman and has generously communicated so much through her teaching. I have no hesitation in recommending this course to anyone who is prepared to commit their time and energy to it.

Gratitude, inspiration, a sense of aliveness and connectedness with my artwork is what I feel after participating in the "Creating Your Deepest Work" email course.

The artist Ana Paz recommends Nancy's article "What You’re Afraid Of Is Where The Juice Is" on overcoming creative blocks. This is how I became aware of 'The Artist's Journey'.

Nancy thoughts and questions, insights and experience are motivating, profound and encouraging.

I "met" Nancy at just the right time as I was making a media change and felt a little overwhelmed.  Signing up for The Artist's Journey Masterclass was exactly what I was looking for to help me get over the hump of anxiety I felt about this change.

Nancy teaches from a positive perspective.  Her lessons are open enough to allow for your vision but structured enough to give you a starting point.  She is very generous with her knowledge and her beginning to end painting videos are wonderful examples of that.  I don't know many artists who would share that process.

In addition to technical information, Nancy shares material for contemplation and personal growth. This material supports the desire to create.  I highly recommend this course for artists and those who desire to be artist as the next step in developing a studio practice. 

I’ve painted most of my life. There were so many times I’d just run out of the studio and not go back for hours, days, sometimes months. I wished to be able to have the attention span to paint all day.

It didn’t happen until I took Nancy’s classes. I had a realization that why I had the pattern of quitting painting like I did was that I’d run into the ugly paintings and fear of failure! Once I accepted them as part of the process, I’ve been able to paint indefinitely, sometimes all day! 

Those old patterns in the brain reoccur sometimes and I have to remind myself to experiment and ask myself what- if questions. 

I’m so grateful to have found Nancy with her background in Psychology which puts her in a unique position to help artists confront and work through the dark night of the soul.

You know I paint every day - I have learned a lot from Nancy - at first I was not impressed by her spontaneity (and to be honest her paintings) but I felt I was learning from her. Over the past two years I have matured and have new appreciation for both her methods and her work. 

I have a beautiful studio, I get juried into shows, I’m signing with a local gallery,  and I have two big solo shows coming up later in 2020.  Nancy was my quiet in the storm of doubt and gave me the confidence to start my journey.

I stay on with the yearly subscription so that from time to time when I need inspiration I can check in with her.  I have taken several ‘masterclasses’ from other artists in the past two years but Nancy is still one of my favorites.

I was very content with the Masterclasses. And eternally grateful for the Artist Journey year course. It was life changing for me. It helped me in so many ways. To understand concepts, learn many many things, materials, tools and also how to approach the white canvas...which was scary!

I am eternally grateful for Nancy and her Artist Journey classes all year around. And for giving me another year to keep enjoying it. 

In 2019, I enrolled in Nancy Hilli’s online course Artist Journey- 3 secrets of the masters.

This course has inspired and provided me with all the concepts that forms the foundation of abstract painting. A step by step guidance by Nancy throughout this course also gave me confidence in becoming a better painter.

Moreover, through the Facebook group of this course I have received multiple feedbacks from other talented artists who have contributed towards my authentic painting in this course.

I have really enjoyed this course. Thank you Nancy and the team!

I enrolled in the Artist Journey about a year ago. It seemed at the time a big financial and time commitment for a non- professional artist. After completing the course it became clear to me that it was a most worthwhile investment. 

I loved the clear and detailed structure of the course, the excellent instructional videos, and the reviews of important aspects of painting, including mark making, elements of composition, color, restraint, risk taking, trust etc. For me, it was especially helpful to be encouraged to trust my own creative expression and to distance from the inner critic. This process of opening and accepting was beautifully facilitated by concepts like „many starts“ and the Marquettes.

I have used everything I learned in this course over the past year and I find that my work is evolving in new and exciting  ways. 

I will be forever grateful to Nancy for offering this course and would recommend it to anyone. By the way, I also took the Color course and found it equally satisfying , informative, and rewarding. 

Last, but not least, I have been following Nancy‘s blog articles, they are food for my soul (and intellect).

I absolutely loved The Artists Journey and recommended it to quite a few friends who want to deepen their practice or feel like they are stuck with their painting. It's actually something I would love to have access to forever!

I kept going back to different parts of the course to push it further and remind myself to keep coming back to being free to experiment. It's extremely relevant to experienced artists as well as people wanting to start creating art. Having painted for quite a few years I was concerned that it might not suit me.... so wrong... I have such a new energy to my work and a very different process, especially when painting plein air. I get a real sense and energy to the landscape which I can bring home to the studio to work up into bigger paintings.

I am about to start the experimenting with color course... I haven't accessed it yet due to family commitments etc.. but I am looking forward to it and hopefully I will get to the The Studio Journey at some point.

The yearning to fulfill the creative desire was something I was born with although there have been starts and stops along the way. Always the inner critic, I generally ended up frustrated and it was easier to just not do anything. I would have to say that just before signing up for the Artist’s Journey course, my creative landscape was resembling a desert!

There’s an old saying that goes something like this, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears”. In looking back at the beginning, I don’t recall exactly how the teacher, Nancy Hillis appeared (email or Facebook), but it doesn’t really matter as the call was answered. 

Enrolling in this course has been a blessing in that I really needed a creative boost.  Nancy provided insights in a clear, concise and intuitive manner that provided me the freedom to explore and experiment in ways that are still unfolding. 

Through simple and profound instructions such as activating the canvas, contrasts, a little of this a lot of that, liberation can begin.  

With each step beginning with the “Why”, I started letting go and like peeling away an onion skin, the acts of shedding the inner critic, self imposed restrictions, worn out patterns and tired techniques are continuously falling by the wayside.

In my heart I know that the journey is the experience rather than the destination. Immense gratitude to Nancy for being a guiding light along the path of this artist’s journey.  I would highly recommend this course to every artist that wants to expand on many levels.

Reading Nancy’s book The Artist Journey has given me the freedom to trust myself and make ugly paintings. Before I would cover my “ugly paintings” with gesso and start over. I didn’t realize that being an artist was about finding your way through these uncomfortable moments. I have learned so much about my inner self and knowing it’s all ok. Thank you!

I have been a mixed media artist for 10 years. I have always been an extremely empathetic and creative person yet I have this “math and science” brain. After my health interfered with me working, I assumed that I could just turn that part of my brain off and get busy creating the mixed media art that I loved so much. I created fast and loose.

I identify with your student you use as an example in your book. Some of my best work was created in less that an hour. Within the first year of painting I had two pieces accepted in a juried show, one sold. That started my downward spiral. I tried to recreate what I had done. I tried new styles when I was told my style was linear. I took that as a bad thing? I tried doing what other artists were doing. I truly sucked at everything I tried which, in hindsight, gave me even more reason to not trust myself.

I maxed out my credit card getting the supplies that I thought would help. I thought if I could just get it right, maybe I could make money with my art. My time creating was already limited by my health. I figured I missed my window of opportunity. Depression and emptiness started taking over and I stopped creating all together.

The desire to create never went away. It was like a toddler pulling on my pant leg, trying to get my attention.  I nervously gave in and set up my art table. I tried finding creative groups where I live without any luck.

Then COVID19 came and everything is shut down. I knew I had the desire to create. I knew I had the ability to create. I knew I had done some pieces I actually loved so much. I also knew I needed help. So I started searching Amazon for books on creativity. I found The Artist’s Journey and took the leap and got it. It’s been a game changer for me.

I have taken notes, done the exercises, bookmarked pages, to say the least, I have taken it seriously. I believe the reason I can resonate so well with the book, besides that it speaks to my life as a creative, is that you Dr. Hillis talk in a language that I understand so well. The zero to one theory makes so much sense. When I read this book, my creative and logical mind blended somehow. I realized linear is okay, that’s me, as is creating quickly. I am back to getting messy and starting to play again, something I stopped doing for a long time.

Also, I have watched all your YouTube videos and enjoy each and every one.

I can tell you put your heart and soul into helping anyone with a creative journey find that path. I am forever grateful and dream of one day attending one of your retreats.

I LOVE both of the Journeys very much!!!

And I am very happy and inspired to do my work more structured than ever before. I always say to my family “my Nancy” because she became a part of my artistic life. I learn so much (also English language!) and I love the high level of her thoughts, also her exchange with her loving partner. 

The painter and art critic, Roger Fry, once asked a little girl how she set about drawing.  She replied," First I have a little "think" and then I put a line around it."  that is the great beauty in children’s art.  They are serious about what they do, and they paint with an innocent eye, not what they see but what they know.  Their emotions become the binder in the paint as they tell their stories.

In her program, Nancy is exceptional at encouraging her students to think and explore endless possibilities while at the same time urging them to look inside and tell their stories with freedom and the pure joy of creating.  

I am about 75% through the course and it is all coming together for me. Nancy's way of explaining and doing her demos have been extremely helpful. Being able to go back and forth with the lessons has been a great advantage for me.

Nancy has been very generous with what she has shared. Many workshop teachers aren't as giving as she has been. 

The course has been wonderful, am very happy I am taking it, and love The Artist's Journey book she wrote as well.

When I started the online course Nancy Hillis was offering last year, I was looking for tips and directions but soon I found that what Nancy was providing the answer for all those questions, deep in the night, that all artists face when doing new creative work, and it was the lesson of reassurance...of ‘keep going and you’ll get there’. 

There were no answers about WHAT you were doing. But just to continue doing it because this was the way you wanted to go..and never mind the result because this would take care of itself. And it does.  

My journey continues but rather than limiting her reach only to those who take her course, Nancy has also produced a book, The Artist’s Journey, where you can read her guidelines and follow her direction in undertaking this inner journey. 

If you would like to further explore your creativity, I strongly recommend you read this, whatever your method of expression. It changed my life. I hope it may change yours.

I don’t know what I’d do without Nancy. She intuitively offers just the right advise exactly when I need it most.

Nancy’s incredibly generous instruction is such a loving gift to us all. I have truly become a devotee.  She is inspiring, amazingly insightful, nourishing, life-affirming and encourages me to be a better artist. I feel connected to her and her tribe on a whole other level ...  a ”Zeitgeist” level.

Nancy's courses were the best online courses I have ever attended. For a long time I was looking for my own way of painting, in which I feel comfortable and which suits me. At Nancy I finally found what I had been looking for for so long.

Each lesson is supported by a video in which Nancy paints a picture from start to finish. That was very helpful for me.

It is such a great gift that I was able to experience thanks to these courses. I have finally found my way to paint as it suits me.

When I paint, I feel that I paint from my innermost source. And when the picture is done, it's exactly what I want to show. I can finally identify with my pictures. I would like to thank Nancy for that.

Having wanted to paint my whole life, I have 56 years of painting energy bottled up that must come out. Having only been painting a little over two years I have painted over 40 paintings to date. As an art spectator, I was always drawn to and connected with modern abstract expressionism.

I purchased The Artists Journey on Audible around the first of April 2020. I am on my third listen. The Artists Journey has been the best art experience and technique book I've come across because it did three main things, and many more:

• Related exactly the range of thoughts and feelings I have experienced many times during the creative process, helped me recognize where they are from, how to handle them and re-focused me on the art, through me.
• Helped me trust myself in the creative process and reveal "me" in my work.
• Showed me specific technique steps in the creative process that have unleashed other elements of creativity.

Most importantly, The Artists Journey has helped me identify the boredom I was feeling by allowing the artists I love such as Frankenthaler, Krasner, Pollock, De Kooning, Klee, Kandinsky, and others to influence my process to replicate their styles of work instead of focusing on the art inside of me.

The Artists Journey is a must-read for anyone, anywhere in their art journey.

I'm slowly working my way through the journal and the immersion program. The way you synthesize concepts from so many disciplines is a delight to me. You instigate deeper and better thought and are a catalyst in helping me solidify my own changing art practice. 

I don't know where to begin.  I will say this, no one can accuse you of hyperbole.  Your masterclass has, indeed, been a "game changer" for me.  So much in life is timing and you and your message have been there for me at just the right moment.  

I am so glad that I decided to jump into your class mid-way, after speaking with you.  While the progression wasn't the orderly manner in which I would normally approach things, it was there, nonetheless.  I have just finished going through the modules and now I am looking forward to going back and completing the many exercises that I couldn't manage on my schedule.  I have never taken an online course before, and this has really worked out well for me.

Your lessons are well structured and the demos, very helpful.  Most of all, your positive encouragement and attitude helped me realize that I am in the right place, with the right "guide" to move me along my journey.  I have also enjoyed making the leap to use acrylics and paper, both firsts for me.  I have been painting with oils forever, and the change up in mediums has been fascinating.

Thank you so much, Nancy.  

Nancy's courses have been a fabulous investment in learning new skills and valuing my own ideas and impulses.

In November, I took leave from my teaching job for health reasons and knew that I'd better have something to keep my brain busy. Activating the Canvas served that purpose-- and then some!

In January, I resigned my teaching job and, again, decided to "double down" with the program and Nancy as painting guide during the transitional time.

Now we have COVID? Good grief... I keep returning to the videos and then painting daily and the discovery process (finding something from a blank nothing) is a positive lift. Symbolic of what we're going to need to do in the future? Absolutely.

In daily painting and painting over, I'm practicing more than the studio concepts which means the skills can be applied in more than the studio.

I didn't know what my life could be with daily art in it. Thank you Thank You THANK YOU to Nancy!

Your course has made such a difference in my abstract painting.  I can’t tell you how glad I am to have found your courses! Thank you! A teacher had mentioned you in class so I googled you and signed up for your email updates.  When I was able to, I signed up for both of your classes. You have made such an impact on my life. You have helped me be better at something I am passionate about. For that, I can’t thank you enough!

I’ve just started working through the journal and I love it! I keep it by my bedside so I can make it part of my daily routine. Its really helped me reflect and discover more about myself. My favorite book purchase of 2020 so far!

The Studio Journey was great! And will be for me forever great!

As a teacher myself of traditional oils and abstract concepts, I was pleased to find Nancy on Pinterest and decided to enroll to learn more techniques so I can bring them to my own work and to my students. 

I had no idea that I would be so grateful for what I discovered from Nancy. Not only is she a great articulator, her amazing continuous knowledge of how the human psyche works and how our creativity is derived from a subconscious level is tremendously effective. Her research is stunning and her delivery is spot on. The circle of creativity she brings to me continues to infinity with her inspiration which I can redeliver to others. 

I adored the studio journey with my whole heart. It was the best experience of my own journey so far. I tear up when I think about what that course did for me. And how I love Nancy for bringing it into our world.

It caused me to have the courage to create my own online course. Her book is my bible and I advertise it as such in my course. Nancy is a generous soul who understands the inner struggle artists face. I will never forget her. 

A BRILLIANT BOOK ...No Artist Should Be Without It....Full Of Inspired And Knowledgeable Information . Nancy Is Uniquely Able To Speak About Everything An Artist Experiences. The Good, The Sad , And The Wonders Of "The Ugly " Paintings. READ IT ... OFTEN! It's life saving!

Praise for The Creativity Reflection Journal

This journal is beautifully illustrated and includes inspiring quotes together with plenty of space to 'think in ink' and doodle too. It's a workbook that can help get your imagination flowing, whatever your creative field, and free up new discoveries to develop or evolve your artistic endeavors.

It's full of prompts, exercises and activities to help you gain clarity on your unique way forward as a creative. Because the author is a working artist, art teacher and existentialist psychiatrist too, she is perfectly placed to guide your inner journey of reflection, exploring and opening up your creative work to what's meaningful and possible going forward.

I recommend this journal for anyone wanting to delve deep into their practice and find out about themselves in the process.

Praise for The Artist's Journey Book

Nancy Hillis has produced something rare in the cacophony of reads available for contemporary artists and creatives: A practical and inspiring call to create original, astonishing work. Highly recommend.

I am half way through an exciting month long online course run by Nancy Hillis, who is an existential psychiatrist as well as an abstract painter, based in the USA. The class is based on five modules, it  consists of video demonstrations, written course material, workbooks to keep up, and interaction with other participating artists in a private Facebook group. Each week we are given a painting challenge to put the lessons into practice. I am finding this a liberating and exciting experience.

I am loving the interaction with like minded people from across the globe and finding the painting challenges a blissful way of giving expression to my deep sorrow and fury that has resulted from nearly half the population of the UK being dragged out of the EU against our will.

Teresa has experienced a turning point in her art

I have a Bachelor of Arts degree, (Beaux Art de Paris), we were taught art history, painting techniques, observation, etc. But never was the key to true creativity given to us, and it all lies in our attitude, trust, taking risks, experimentation, accepting our errors and dark nights of the soul, which you reveal so well in a clear and comprehensible manner, speaking from the heart!

“The Artist’s Journey” after 50 years of painting, was the turning point in my work, I have never felt such enthusiasm with my work. 

Thank you Nancy for your truly enlightening words and videos, every artist whether debutante or established should know about your teachings.

Can never thank you enough for all you have done and are still doing.

~ Teresa Pisani, Artist’s Journey® Course Alumna

I am very excited about Nancy's book, The Artist’s Journey. Having started on her course I have been reading the book and I can verify that she knows the artist’s mind through and through.

I am very pleased with the Studio Journey course. It is challenging yet supportive and provides a wonderful approach to doing intuitive work. Nancy Hillis is extremely generous with information. She is a prolific and exceptional writer and her Studio Journey is enhanced by all she shares.

You are an amazing woman and your sharing of art and the normal challenges of creation, lights the path for others. It often seems like the times I am in the worst cycle of self criticism are the times I receive one of your inspiring emails with messages guiding the way back to light. Learning to accept the struggle as an indication of growth. Now I have another of your quotes to keep: “A dead woman produces no books”. I think I will post a note to myself: “What amazing paintings are lost if you die before you create them”

I am absolutely enthralled by your courses. It really has brought a lot of joy to my life, and put a spring in my step.  I think it's your philosophy about believing in yourself.  

I  understand what you mean by many starts, mine end up being a blank canvas.

Now I practice mark making before I start, getting into that stream of consciousness. This happened in my last painting.

These are heartfelt words, and, even though I have painted continually for over 50 years, and have been successful, I never before truly felt that my art was from my heart. Now, it is flowing , and I have a show on now, with one large painting sold before it went up.  This is from paintings that I truly was not thinking of sales or who would like them, or even if they would even be seen. You and your “bundles” brought me through the extremely difficult years of my dear husband’s illness and death. The art journals that I made, and the experiments during those dark times brought me to today with light and peace. 

 BLess you and the courageous artists that follow your ideas!  They DO work!

I would like you to see what I have done In The past 6 months. You turned me on to my own deep thoughts and with the art journey I took with you, I became the painter that I want to be. Take a look at what you have Inspired.

I've started from the beginning of the course and am reviewing like crazy, so much great information you have shared. Your insights, particularly about composition and value, have already helped me progress as an artist, and I will continue to apply this knowledge as I delve further. Many thanks again, Nancy! You are an inspiration.

I've had the privilege to work with Nancy as an artist. She paints with great passion, boldness, and spontaneity. Her enthusiasm and childlike playful freedom in the painting process is infectious. This is one infection I'd like to catch!

Betty found her own style

Nancy's course allowed me to experience for the first time an acceptance and love for my art through my mark making and my own style. Not only did I learn about the fundamentals of creating abstract art, but I learned them in a way that was deeper and easy to understand. The weekly lesons, videos, and assignments helped me hone in on techniques through practice. The FB form was an amazing group of supportive artists and Nancy's feedback, guidance, and support were invaluable. It's been the best online course I have taken and completed!

~ Betty Franks Krause, San Jose, California, Artist’s Journey® Course Alumna

Chrissy now understands the path to her best work

My yearning to create on a deeper level and a desire for understanding the principles of making good art were answered beyond expectation. Nancy gives the gift of soul work with intuitive abstract art, moving through fear and into the present moment with joyful experimentation. I now understand the path to my best work, to be able to paint with an expressive aliveness, and am deeply grateful for Nancy's genuine care and individual attention. The content is presented sincerely and simply, and is deeply motivating.

~ Christine Scurr, Australia, Artist’s Journey® Course Alumna

You’re an inspiration, Nancy! My dream is evolving every day, as I move from improving my mastery of technique to creating more authentic, more original art. This applies to my painting and also to my silver-work. One feeds off the other. In the past year, I felt that I have undertaken some very deep learning and I thank you for triggering that process in me and for guiding me still.

Tammy got magical insights as she began to believe she could paint

Dr. Nancy Hillis combines a deep professional experience in psychiatry with an intuitive, creative approach to painting. Magical insights come out of this wonderful mix. Through her own personal art journey, she has thought and lived deeply the process of painting through fear and self doubt.

She teaches with such heart and enthusiasm that even people who think they can't paint begin to remember that they can!

~ Tammy Pittenger, Santa Cruz, CA

I’d like you to know you've been so instrumental in my finding my way back to painting, to exploring who I am and sharing those discoveries with others. I’m forever grateful for your clear, candid and creative teaching videos and I feel so lucky to have found you through social media. Your written words strike a chord deep within me and you have my profound thanks.

~ Beth Ojalvo,Artist’s Journey® Course Alumna

Like a junky, I powered through the first three videos for module 3 and Nancy, they are fabulous, incredible game changers, and just darn right brilliant! (I called in 'sick' so I could do this!).

The most astounding result from taking your course is that my so called 20 year studio practice of occasionally dabbling but quickly losing interest in anything that I would start now has some “legs”.

I feel a huge surge of continuous momentum and excitement about the abundance of ideas that I want to explore. And most importantly, I have insight about the creative process in general and as a result, a daily studio practice.

As a result there’s a confidence and excitement in my life that I haven’t experienced in a long time as there’s now a direction and focus which I was craving. The overall course structure as well as your compassionate teaching and wisdom- it is masterful.

~ Kim Swanson, Artist’s Journey® Course Alumna

I really appreciate your supportive approach. I need constant reminders to trust myself, experiment and play, which you emphasize. This has to be tempered with some technical considerations which you teach as well. 

I felt the lesson on composition techniques beneficial. I’ve never been taught them as clearly. The challenge is to use them, but not be ruled by them. I’m very interested in your intuitive approach. I found myself having difficulty coming up with work I liked in the composition module. I painted and repainted one particular painting , and took photos of what I came up with at various stages. This was emotional and discouraging for me, but I continued on and now feel better. I’m now trying to practice stopping when my instinct tells me to.

I love the kind of large mark making in the rhythmic starts exercise. You go on to talk about developing paintings from them. I liked that idea of cutting up to get a new composition.

I’m enjoying the exercises in the value module. I’m on the Create What You Love exercise. Your lessons on value are valuable:) There is very good information on where the eye goes and how value can help move your eye around the painting. Again, more complicated in practice, but good to know. I’d never been taught this before.

I like the direction to work on your sketchbook very day. There seems to be a freer mindset when working in the sketchbook, but I don’t want to jinx it by saying too much.

The written part of the course is new for me, but I’ve been doing it. I have a lot of limiting, negative beliefs and I’d like to change that. One of the things I write down under Your Big Why (you create) is that I feel I need to prove my self worth. I have other reasons too that are not negative, but I wonder if this sense of self worth comes up much?

Even though I’ve done much of the course, I feel I’m just beginning. I’m so glad I found your course.

~ Eleanor Liebman, Artist’s Journey® Course Alumna

The course is a revolution in my life! I love everything about it, really ! I am painting everyday , but not always what I want. I have a job till the end of the year which sacks my energy and it is a struggle. But I can see already now how much freer I can paint and use the knowledge from the course.

I've read your book which I like very much. You gave me motivation to start experimenting and find myself! I have been through major traumas in my life and a very long depression and I thought my life was over... You gave me an a musing too, Nancy !

My first painting was a black tornado, so much energy got liberated !!! I am now learning how to restrain the tornado ! I am also learning basics, things I should've learned in kindergarten! My "back pocket " is half empty, I have to catch up.

I've rushed through the course because I was so impatient and curious, now I want to start it all over again, from the beginning. Thank you so much Nancy for everything !!! Greetings from Hamburg.

~ Christina Czarnecki, Artist’s Journey® Alumna & Book Reader

First of all, I’m thrilled to be part of this adventure. I learn, I play, I resist. Sometimes I’m confused because I feel I just waste paper and paint and I say to myself, what the hell is going with me. The bottom line is I’m having fun and I’m so happy to re-introduce painting in my life.

I enjoy all the videos you provided so far, including the Facebook live which is wonderful and helps me stay connected. I would say that, sometimes, I am intimidated by the work of other participants. When will I get there? I know it is practice but it is also a matter of creating a good amount of time experimenting things in the studio.

I have not taken advantage of the journey guides which is also a great idea. I think the community is great as well. I’m just looking forward to be much more involved.

So, in conclusion, thanks for having created this. It suits me.

~ Lucie Arsenault, Artist’s Journey® Course Alumna

I really love The Artists Journey: 3 Secrets of the Masters ?. Thank you for all you've done to bring it all together.

This is my first time doing an Online Course. The student log in and teaching portal is user-friendly. I've never once had a problem logging in or browsing through the modules.

I love activating the canvas , or in my case the paper. It gets me going and allows me to move freely and with confidence into the unknown. I like to just move my hand freely without thinking what will happen next. The stop (pause) and stare allows for more possibilities.

I'm very comfortable working in black and white. Perhaps just need more time to develop before I go in using colour. But I will try as I go along. I think this new journey will really help me communicate my vision.

I love the Facebook Live videos! It pushes me to do more experimentation. Nancy shares some valuable insights. And I can only grow from here.

In closing. I would just like to say that since I've been on this course I've really found a break-through with regards to procrastination. I find myself working till late into the morning hours. I sometimes find myself to be up at 3 in the morning. Maybe I have found my purpose in life. 

~ Veronique Van Boom, Artist’s Journey® Course Alumna

Thank you for everything! I am enjoying your class. You are so talented! You make things real and understandable. I will stand and mark make without even thinking.

I work full time and try to paint almost every day. I have painted for 20+ years, but have really wanted to start selling and would LOVE to retire and paint full time. I am starting a 30 hour work week which will allow me to paint and play more.

Looking forward to more of the class. Keep up the GREAT work! Happy painting!!!!

~ Kim Luther, Artist’s Journey® Course Alumna

Your course gives me the wings to go back on the canvas and experiment on a daily basis, but mostly it encourages me to listen more and more and enjoy what wants to be there, let it be and paint for myself.

~ Anne Clement, Artist’s Journey® Course Alumna

I would not be where I am now without your inspiration, courses and mentoring .. a big thank you .

~ Janet Simpson, Artist’s Journey® Course Alumna

I loved this. Thank you! Now I know why I couldn't (wouldn't?) do what the last artist/class wanted me to do. She was leading me away from myself, making me follow her rules with colors and lines that spoke to her but not to me. This was a very very meaningful workshop for me.

~ W. H., Artist’s Journey® Course Alumna

This class is a gem. This is not just for those who paint abstract as it is applicable to all mediums and all genre where color is used at all. I’m painting with some trepidation and some abandon. My earlier experiences with art were always accompanied by the mentor saying, “no, you’re doing it wrong”. This sticks with me to this day. Then I put paint on canvas and off I go. Thank you!

~ KS, Experimenting With Color™ Alumna

I'm beginning to understand color composition! This is no small thing. I have a lot of education. I have been able to learn everything I put on my plate. But I just didn't get color. Not only was (past tense) this frustrating, but my confidence was subject to small winds. Using neutrals to pull a color scheme together is my ticket to ride (Beatles song, I have very gray hair.) Oh, and you shined a light on the why of chroma, neutrals, contrast, and strong value, also big in my thinking.

Thank you for your good effort in putting this e-workshop together.

~ Wild Bill Lightner,Experimenting With Color™ Alumni

Holy cow!!! These colors are so freeing! Thank you, Nancy, this class is changing my life.

~ GS, Experimenting With Color™ Alumna

Nancy shows you how to awaken your creative soul and find endless possibilities next to you in what she calls the adjacent possible.

She connects you to the eternal quest to be your authentic, self expressive, creative, alive, passionate,
joyful, productive. The transformation is endless, timeless and ongoing unique for each individual. No one could do your homework for you.

You can only learn to swim by getting into the water, not watching other people swim. Nancy’s book provides dozens of learning examples and guidelines to help you on your personal path to self discovery creativity into your true creative self.

Here are a few of the reasons I love this soulful new book:

• The opportunity to take a deeper look at my own reasons for creating.
• You bring home how my "Why" really matters.
• This adds to my confidence about making art.
• Answering the questions, like making art, involves a process that leads to new discoveries.
• Your compassion helps me admit to my struggles.
• The poetry gives me pause with their profound resonance encouraging me to take myself, in my sweet life, seriously.
• Your book requires me to pause, breathe deep and listen deeply to myself.
• I'm inspired by the big ideas you offer and also the practical tips to make my dreams reality. You offer a lovely balance.

This book is no lightweight. It is full of triggers to make me think and write about my inner journey. It is a truly an Artists Journey meditation. 

It is a gem.

It will take me some time to fully utilize it, fill it all in and fully absorb insights.

Your journal is helping me get over talking about myself as an artist and helping me to go deeper into squeezing out a ‘story’ (about me) as I’ve been hell bent on believing I don’t have one.