So how do I use my notebooks? I used to take notes on both sides of every page of my notebooks. I did a little research on the Cornell method and attempted it during my summer class but it didn’t fit with my style of note taking and reflection. It really didn’t fit with the composition books I chose. The comp books were simply too small to effectively use the Cornell method. My method uses color coding, post it notes and tabs, codes, and headings.

I take class notes, reflect on my readings, and journal about classes and experientials on the right side page. Any ink color can be used on these pages, but I usually avoid red. Each page gets a “code” in the upper right hand corner to indicate what is on the page:

R= Reading reflections

C= Class notes

J= Journal

G= Group work
E- Experiential

At the top of each page, in the larger line I add a subject line and date. If the class that day is a about CBT Therapy then that is the subject line. If the page is reflections on a reading then the title and author go on the top line of the page. If I’m journaling about an experiential paper, or particular idea then the name of the experiential or idea is indicated on the top “subject” line.

While I’m reading I don’t take notes but highlight. If I think something is of particular importance I will write it down on a post it note or put a tab next to the area in the book. I’ll write in the margins of books I plan to keep or of printed articles. The post it notes are stuck on the right side page opposite of my reading reflection pages. I time my reading reflections to 5 minutes and try to keep the reflection to one or 2 pages. The goal in the reflection is to get down my ideas about the article, any criticism I had, and to get a general idea of the contents. I also make note of what I think the professor is hoping I get out of the reading. This timed method was suggested during a workshop about managing the readings for class, and thus far it has worked really well for me.  I’m not filling up a dozen pages per reading, and I’m not wasting a lot of time focusing on information that is not pertinent to the class.

The left hand page is generally left blank during notes and journaling. If a professor gives out specific information about an assignment, I’ll make note of if on the left side. This acts as a call out. I use the left side to reflect on things that come up during class, experientials, journaling, and readings. These are specifically my ideas and differentiated from journaling that I do on experientials. These can be spontaneous ideas that pop into my head as I read and reflect on articles. These reflections are always done in red ink to differentiate it from any specific info given out by the professor.

If I am going to use a particular page for a paper it gets a blue post it tab. These are removed after the paper is finished. My current page gets a green or yellow post it flag mostly so I can flip to it quickly when I get to class or I need to reflect on a reading.

Occasionally when I have a paper coming up for class I’ll sit down and do a mind map of all the ideas that come up from the questions the professor asks, I will then use the mind map as a launching point for any journaling I do for the paper. The mind map will span the left and right side of the pages.

On the inside front cover of each of these notebooks I’ve made a pocket so I can stuff in any handouts or art made during class. This has been working pretty well so far. Though most of my classes do not have hand outs but a few of the workshops I’ve attended have. The pockets have proved useful.

This is an evolving method. I’d abandoned some things- like highlighting within my notes and simply moving to whatever ink color I’m using that day and red. In some of my notebooks I remembered to leave a page blank at the start, and wish I’d done it for all of them, this will allow me to index the notebook when I shelve it. When I do shelve it I add a label to the spin indicating what class the notebook was for and what dates I used it. The idea is that I’m able to quickly go back to class notes and refer to them as needed. The other really positive thing about this method is that it is cheap. I’m using a 50 cent notebook, a pack of colored post it tabs, some post it notes, and several colors of pens. It could be done with only 2 ink colors if you really wanted to pair it down.

Anyway, that’s how I use all those notebooks and pens I wrote about in my last few posts. I should probably stick the school stuff on one particular day of the week but it is my life right now so, yeah, my blog reflects my life. 😛

Grad school requires that I write, a lot. I’m not a computerized notetaker, I prefer pen and paper because it helps me to learn and remember. I thought I’d write up a post about what I’m using for notes as well as drawing. Yes, drawing! The great thing about getting a graduate degree in art therapy is that art is part of the program.

First, notebooks.

I’m almost exclusively using Staples brand composition notebooks that are made in Brazil. I purchased a bunch of these when they were on sale for 50 cents. 20 of them to be exact. Why so many? After being burned on the Staples Sustainable Earth composition notebooks, I really didn’t want to get into the depth of the semester and have to search out another decent composition notebook. Once I did the work in figuring out what composition notebook I liked with the inks I planned on using, I didn’t want to be frustrated with notebooks. It looks as though I’m going to fill one per class and more for classes where I’m doing more reflection. I’ll have to write up a post about how I use my notebooks, because it’s different than how I thought I’d use them. I also carry a no name sketechbook from Artist and Craftsman that I need to review at some point. It's heavy, but the paper is great.

Writing Pens

I’m almost exclusively using one of 4 pens, depending on my mood, color desired, and what I’m writing.I take 2 of these with me to school as well as an assortment of pens to draw with.

First I have a TWSBI 530 medium nib, I change the ink up as I feel like I want to change it. Right now it’s loaded with Diamine Chocolate. I love this ink and pen combination. The flow is just amazing, the color is like writing with semi-sweet chocolate, and it has lovely shading with this nib. Awesome.

Second I have a TWSBI 540 fine nib that I have loaded with my Scribal Workshop blend of Siren Blue. Now that I have this ink flowing well, it’s just awesome. It flows well, looks great and has nice shading, plus it’s not a boring blue. I also use this for margin notes on my readings.

Third I have my Kaweco Sport Classic in clear with a medium nib. I’ve converted it back to eyedropper since the sack conversion left it leaking into the cap, which it doesn’t do when eyedropper. I’ve got it filled with Private Reserve DC Supershow blue. I love this ink, even with it’s long drying time. I use this for my short reflections on my readings.

Fourth I have a Platinum Preppy medium converted to eyedropper loaded up with a 50/50 mix of Noodler’s Nikita and Red Fox. The Nikita lends it’s bloody red color and the fox gives some water resistance. I use this for reflections for classes on the opposite side of the page. (This is where I need to explain my note taking and reflection  method. I’ll get  a post up about that soon.) I also use it to reflect on my reading notes, again on the opposite side of the page. I will also use it to circle or underline stuff in my notes.

Highlighters

I exclusively use refillable highlighters. I’ve written about my Platinum Preppy highlighters and my mix of ink previously, so I won’t here. I’ll just point out I have 2, one that I take to school with me and one that stays on my desk at home, so I always have one filled.

I’ll get to the pens I use for drawing tomorrow.

This is a begining list of instructors that have technique based instruction. If you know of another person who does online technique based instruction, add a comment and I'll check it out and add them to the list. Just because someone is on this list does NOT mean that I personally endorse them. If I've seen their instruction before I'll make note of it.

Daisy Yellow Clear easy to follow instruction, bright photos, interactive online, thriving FB group.

KellyKilmer Has done a lot of classes. Friendly online, what instruction I've seen is clear and easy to follow. Does reasonably priced online and in person classes.

iHanna Loads of online instruction, clear easy to follow instructions, pretty pictures.

The Land of Lost Luggage I have taken 2 classes with Julie. Instructions are clear, easy to follow and technique based. Videos are a little long and and include every step of the image made with a voice over. It can get boring. BUT the instruction is clear and understandable. After you finish a LoLL course you will know how to recreate the technique.

Joggles (I know nothing of this site, just when I looked it's all technique based mixed media classes.)

 ArtJournaling.ning.com This is my site. There are free and fee based workshops run by a variety of instructors. These are all technique based. The forums are loaded with artists and journalers sharing their personal techniques. Lots of pictures of art journaling.

Diana Trout Her blog is ful,l of arty goodness and I love her YouTube videos. Her book Journal Spilling is one I suggest to many people when they are looking for a good place to strat with art journaling.

Roben-Marie Smith teachs many technique based classes. I have not personally taken her classes.

What can we as instructors do to help potential students make the proper choice? After all happy students mean more happy students.

#1. Accurately describe classes.

#2. If you say you are going to cover something, do it!

#3. Don’t confuse potential students with a lot of fluffy descriptions. A concise description will tell us more about the class than a lot of TV infomercial style writing.

When I was teaching my supervising teacher had me write lesson plans. These plans included a brief statement of what I wanted to accomplish in the class, how long the class was going to last, what I’d cover in the class, and what part of the school and state’s learning goals I was going to meet. Then I’d do a step-by-step plan of the actual classes. I’d include notes on what I would say to students and when. These were serious business, it allowed me to maintain my licensure. If I skipped on these, she’d make me do them again. They were  a lot of work. The thing is, they were so important and helpful for me to be able to accurately teach my students. It was so useful I have made them for all my online classes and classes I hope to teach one day.

If #1 and #2 are too hard, maybe a lesson plan would help. Summarize each lesson into a brief description. If you can’t summarize it, break up the class, add another day. A class can’t be all expansive. Teaching everything is impossible. This was the hardest thing for me to learn as a young teacher. I had each class for about 50 minutes each day. I had to be able to summarize my lessons into something my supervisor could figure out in a moment.

What I’ve learned from this discussion is that there is a viable and lively group of people looking for honest, in depth mixed media and art journaling instruction online. What this group wants is safe classes with art and no diving deep into the subconscious, no mind-body connection, no promises to jumpstart creativity, just honest-to-goodness mixed media and art instruction.We can all hold dear the idea that art heals, but we can all also find that in our own personal practice of art journaling if we want it.

I also get why some teach the healing they have learned. It’s natural to want to show this thing you’ve learned with everyone. It’s awesome and we should be proud of the deep internal work we’ve done. That is some powerful stuff. When we have spontaneous healing of wounds we’ve dug out of “the deep” of our subconscious, it’s mind blowing and even life altering. Personal revelation does not necessarily make a good class. Nor does self healing qualify us to take others on that journey. We need to modify what we teach so that it is safe for anyone who takes a class with us. I’m advocating for us to care more for each other, and with that to be careful with the possible hurts that people may feel.

I'm going to make a brief list of the instructors that I know who only do technique based classes but I'll post that in another day or two. If you would like to shoot me an email with a class you tink should be listed feel free. You can also add it in the comments of the post tomorrow.

Anyone who is my twitter friend knows I love me some yelp. I’m a second year elite  member and review every new place I go to eat. I love it.

Well, I was thinking, Yelp let’s us review any business. This won’t put anyone who hosts a review site in any possibly legal hotwater. Yelp is a big company and they can handle all that.

So, what you can do, is sign up for a yelp account, you don’t have to use your real name if you don’t want to, or you can tie it to your facebook or twitter account. Once you do that, you can then load up any business. you can also search to see if anyone else has loaded them up. From there you can rate them with a 1 to 5 star rating and then give a narrative.

From there you can share the ratings on blogs, facebook and twitter.

Anyway, follow this link, read some of my reviews, check out what yelp is like, and consider if you'd like to "yelp" about online classes.

What do you think? a good palce to review online classes and instructors?

I think it’s important that I share with you a time I failed on everything I have written about in the last 4 days. I decided to run a workshop on AJ Ning to work through Journal Fodder 365. It’s a great book. Powerful. the problem with it is that it’s art as healing. Though it has a strong art journaling base the journaling questions are deep and tough. It’s fine to work on the book on your own, maybe even with a therapist. It really helped me to clarify myself. I decided to work through the book with the group, but I started a month in advance. After 2 months I knew this book was too much for an online group. The questions were too deep for us to approach in an online forum.

Other people in the group concurred.

I loaded up links to online help and hotlines people in the US could call.

We kept it up for about 6 months before the workshop kind of quietly died.

Had I worked through the book before I started the workshop I never would have done the online workshop. The information is simply too deep and too much able to expose a raw nerve ending, leaving people in crisis. While I wasn’t prepared to be there for someone in crisis I am (and was) in a place in my life I am able to do so. That is also not a place I should have put people into. The work was too deep for the medium.

That is my failure- to not see this before I started. Leaping before I looked. It sucked that the group died out and that it was really too much for the online medium but it clarified tome why I had (and will) always do only technique based workshops online, the deep stuff doesn't translate well, SAFELY, in this medium.

Failure is part of the process. But it's what we do after we fail that changes us.

I've had the fortune to discuss this series with a number of online instructors. Two said that after review and reflection they either scaled back, scrapped or revamped some of their healing classes. Why? It didn't feel right for them to be offering stuff that went so deep as quickly as online allows us to go.

For us as instructors we have to examine our motivations as to why we offer a course. Is it to share a technique, to make a living, or for our own healing? These are questions instructors must ask ourselves, before a class ever comes to light. before we commit time to it's creation. Especially if we are going to consider offering something that is healing, deeply reflective, or therapeutic.

From a few of the FB message I got the feeling that some readers felt I might be writing these posts with a direction at one person. I think ti's really important that people understand that this isn't about an issue I've had with one particular person, this is about pervasive issues I've witnessed as online teaching of mixed media and the arts gain some ground. I see people throwing about terms like therapeutic as if it means the same thing as healing or spiritual healing. This is not a one person issue, this is a pervasive issue in mixed media and online teaching.

I fully believe that this conversation is needed for so many reasons. First, I think there need not be any shame associated with being online bullied or treated poorly in a class. Secondly when someone is unethical it should come to light, and will, eventually. Third, we need to talk about this, without conversation about bad behavior, and activities, shame will perpetuate and we'll never get rid of these things poisoning our community.

Next Installment, Part 5,

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I just want to let everyone know that I'm hoping to respond to some of the comments to the last few blog posts in a blog post, but I've got school tomorrow and that means I'e been reading all day adn I'll have to get to it after school. So be patient with me. 🙂

I'llleave you with a quote from my readings that pertains to art journaling:

The amazing Catherine Moon suggests that we not talk "about the artwork behind its back." (p. 177)

I think that's a perfect quote for how we shoudl treat our art journals.

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So, how does one pick a safe online art journaling course? That’s the $64,000 question isn’t it? This will be highly personal and different for everyone. I’ll give what I think to be some guidelines, add more in the comments. I’m interested in what works for you and what you feel has kept you safe online.

#1. Does the person offer therapeutic or healing classes? If so what are their qualifications? Are they a certified life coach or registered Mental Health Counselor or Social worker or Art Therapist? If you email them and ask about where they got their life coach certification do they tell you? They should be happy to tell you where they got it and how long they studied. In fact this should be somewhere on their website.

#2. Is this person willing to interact with you? If you email them asking a question about the class before you sign up, how long does it take them to get back to you? Do they answer all of your questions? Do they answer them completely? 24 hours is a reasonable wait time, many online instructors don’t answer email on the weekends.

#3. How do they portray themselves online? Will this be a good fit for you personally? Google them. Look for past issues with students. Read back in their blogs. Are they dramatic? If so, you can probably expect that in their classes. If their blog is full of accusational blog posts, even without naming names? If they are drama filled now, imagine what that will be like behind closed doors.

#4. Is the class offered as an art course or self help? In this case you have to ask yourself do you want just an art class or do you want self help. If you want just art you might find yourself less than happy with  a self help styled class.

#5. Do they proclaim special or magical abilities, mystical help? Do they offer a series of other add ons you can buy as part of their class? Is a skype “counseling” session you can buy from them? Again, with this one, go back to #1 and ask yourself, “Is this person qualified to help me with my issues?” If they are not a licensed mental health care professional or life coach (depending on your issues and need) then it is likely illegal for them to offer a phone based counseling session for money. This is a safety issue, not just a legal one. It is one thing for someone to offer advice to a friend, it’s another for them to pose as a counselor or therapist and take money. Not only is it likely not legal it won’t feel right*.

#6. As SusanJane suggested in her comment on part 1: Ask some of your online friends and past instructors about their good experiences. Recommendations are a great way to get a better idea of course content, the teacher’s methods, and how the teacher will interact with you. It might give you an idea of if you will like the person. I asked a friend of mine what she thought of a class I was thinking of taking and she told me, “Girl, I love her, but the cray cray is dripping off her and she’s a nutbag.” She then went on to describe all kinds of woo woo frou frou stuff I knew wouldn’t be right for me. So, I passed on the class.

#7. Money. Can you find a local class for less? Sometimes you can find an in-person drop in art center run by real honest to goodness art therapists with a sliding scale fee, or set lower cost classes. the Artful Life Counseling Center and Studio (in lovely Salem, MA) offers $20, $30, and $40 classes depending on length of class, they go from 1 to 2 hours. They also offers $10/hr of drop in open art studio time. That is real value for your money. (from their current brochure 2013) Now, if someone is offering an e-book for $100 with no one-on-one time is that a value for your money? If someone is offering you a class with no one-on-one time that will take you 4 hours to complete for $300 is that a value? If you don’t have access to a Place like Artful Life, then yeah, it might be. Again, I urge you to be aware of the monetary influences going on behind the scenes of these business. How much of this can you find on youtube?**

Now after reading these questions you’re thinking, “Hey so-and-so fits some of this… But, Less, they worked with this good person and this good person, and they are pretty famous. Shouldn't that tell me they are okay?”

Sadly, no. I’ve noticed that in several of the “big name” art journaling and mixed media circuses that there are many instructors who claim to be healers, offer therapeutic classes, and are downright horrible people***. The people who run these large grouped offerings are lending legitimacy to these horrible people because they bring in money, and a lot of it.

Let’s be honest for a minute, when you are paying $80, or $100, or $150 for a group offered series of classes, so are 400, 500, or 1000 people. The math is simple, it’s big bucks. When an art instructor can bring in an additional 200 or 300 people the fact is, that’s a lot of money exchanging hands. Am I suggesting that these group offerings aren’t worth it? Nope, in some cases they are absolutely worth the money. But I think you also have to be aware and understand that this is not only a class it’s also a business and sometimes when money changes hands perceptions change.

When you venture away from the big group classes, you need to be careful and know that some of the people in the classes are not safe people to take classes from, they may have been on their best behavior in the group. Even if they are involved in multiple big classes or have been involved in several over the years. You need to decide what classes are for you not let someone else decide.

Keep in mind that art is powerful medicine in trained hands. With the right help it can push you into uncharted areas of healing, make you feel better, and yes, even, soothe your soul. Art is one tool that can be used to assist you in healing. If you suffer from anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, use online classes as a supplement to in-person therapy from a qualified person. Someone licensed who has devoted their life to healing. Art will make you feel better but you also need a safety net. If you are dealing with minor stresses an art class may be all you need, but again, I look at online healing classes as something you can do along with a therapist. If an online art class is your gateway therapy which will lead you in person therapy, try it out.

I can attest to the power of my initial training in mental health counseling and art therapy. I am evolving as a person, and my mindset and beliefs about people are changing. I’m learning more than I thought possible in a very short time. Graduate work in mental health counseling and art therapy is immersive and life altering. My life is better than it ever has been before, and I will be a better art therapist for it. Please expect more for yourself than people who claim to be healers who haven’t done the work. You are worth the time and effort of real therapy, or a drop in art therapy inspired workshop with a real art therapist.

Therapeutic implies therapy implies therapist.

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