Resume

INTRODUCTION

My name is Connie Solera. I have dedicated my entire life to being an artist and in 1996 I started my 25+ years of experience teaching art and creativity professionally.

In 2008 I founded Dirty Footprints Studio online. Which later became ConnieSolera.com in 2018.  I have been completely self-employed as an artist and teacher since 2010. Before that I worked multiple jobs as an artist, art teacher, art history researcher, art handler, gallery assistant, and costume artist.

Below is a list of my accomplishments and work experience as an artist, teacher, and writer.

Thank you for your interest in my journey.

ONLINE PROGRAMS & PROJECTS

2024 | Into The Heart
Ten-weeks online workshop creating a body of work based on the heartspace and learning the Paint WIsdom framework for creating a body of work.

2024 | DISSOLVE
Six-weeks online workshop creating a body-of-work using watercolors and water-soluble crayons intuitively.

2022 - Present |  Paint FEARLESS® Mentorship
Three-months online immersion.

2023 - present | B.O.W.
Four-months online immersive for mentorship alumna's only.

2023 | DISSOLVE
Six-weeks online workshop creating a body-of-work using watercolors and water-soluble crayons intuitively.

2020 - 2023  Paint Wisdom Sessions
Zoom sessions focusing on a specific theme/concept related to the Artist Soul.

2023 | Daring & Brave
Six-weeks Zoom class exploring being more daring & brave in our creative practice.

2023 | SKETCH
Seven-weeks online workshop on the basics of sketching with watercolors and pens.

2022 | Winter Solstice Paint Wisdom Circle
Online live Zoom call

2022 | NOURISH
Three-weeks online workshop where we nourish the Artist Soul with a daily studio practice.

2022 | Breathing Room
Three-hours virtual Paint Wisdom Laboratory where we explore bringing more "breathing room" into our paintings by leaving white and open space.

2022 | Art Graf Love
Three-hours virtual Paint Wisdom Laboratory where we explore the Art Graf materials.

2022 | Skinny Mini's 
Three-hours virtual Paint Wisdom Laboratory where we explore a "Skinny-Mini" substrate.

2022 | Monopalette
Online Yearlong Workshop co-taught with graduates of my IGNITE Teacher Training program.

2012 - 2021  |  IGNITE Teacher Training
Six-months teacher training for artists.

2021  |  Little Things
Online Self Paced Oil Pastel eCourse.

2021  |  PLAY!
Mini-workshop on integrating play into a studio practice.

2021  |  SMUDGE
Mini-workshop on intuitive drawing with soft pastels.

2013 - 2021  |  Painting The Feminine
Four-weeks online workshop that ran for sixteen sessions straight every Spring and Fall. (Becoming a self-paced eCourse in late 2021.)

2020  |  Night Vision
Intuitive drawing with soft pastels workshop that ran live in Spring 2020 and is now a self-paced eCourse.

2020  |  Connie Bundle
Mixed-media, self-paced eCourse containing ten of my workshops from my former 21 SECRETS program.

2010 - 2020  |  21 SECRETS 
The very first mixed-media online collective workshop of its kind.  I published 20 editions spotlighting over 300 artists before retiring it in 2020.

2017  |  Online emBODY Painting Challenge
21 days painting challenge and video series.  Search #21emBODY on Instagram.

2017  |  Paint Riot Video Series
A video series I co-created with Chris Zydel on intuitive painting.

2017  |  New Moon Painting series
A video + painting collaboration with my husband Hansel Solera.

2016  |  Art Journal Jam 
Online art journal series co-hosted with Natasha Reilly.

2015  |  Take A Peek
Video series on art journaling.

2014 - 2016  |  21 SECRETS Conversations
Online interview series with artists from my 21 SECRETS mixed-media program.

2014  |  Art Journal Wisdom
Ten-days art journaling mini - workshop / blog series.

2014  |  Creative Circles Guidebook
I transferred the content from my Creative Circles Workshop into a downloadable Guidebook.

2013 October  |  Gather, Retreat, Paint, & Repeat
Two-days, online FEARLESS® Painting retreat.

2013 July  |  Gather, Retreat, Paint, & Repeat
Two-days, online FEARLESS® Painting retreat.

2012- 2013  |  Creative Circles Workshop
Online workshop on organizing and hosting Creative Circles.

2012  |  Inner Breath
A  monthly FEARLESS® Painting membership program for BIG and DEEP alumni.

2011 - 2013  |  DEEP:  A FEARLESS® Painting Adventure (Part 2)
Second of two online FEARLESS® Painting workshops that focus on my intuitive painting process.

2010 - 2013  |  BIG:  A FEARLESS® Painting Adventure (Part 1)
First of two online FEARLESS® Painting workshops that focus on my intuitive painting process.

2010  |  30 Journals / 30 Days
Online interview blog series highlighting 30 art journaling artists in 30 days.

2009 - 2018  |  FEARLESS® Painting Video Series
Video series on FEARLESS® Painting.

2009 - 2010  |  Total Alignment
Mini-workshop/ blog series on the basics of FEARLESS® Painting.

2009 - 2010  |  Art Journal LOVE Letters
My very first online workshop. It was four weeks long and hosted on a private Blogger account. I ran it four times before retiring it.

2009 - 2010  |  Creative Juicy Life 
My very first podcast show hosted on Blogtalk Radio.

2009 - 2010 |  Art Journal LOVE 
Video series on art journaling.

2009  |  Wreck This Journal series
Video series based on Keri Smith's Wreck This Journal.

2008 April  |  Started Blogging 
Started blogging on DirtyFootprints-Studio.com (now ConnieSolera.com).

IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS, RETREATS, & CLASSES I TAUGHT

2024  April  |  Paint FEARLESS Sedona, Sedona, Arizona
5-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat

2024 January  |  Paint FEARLESS Mexico Patterns & Passion, Oaxaca, Mexico
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat

2023  September  |  Paint FEARLESS Mexico Patterns & Passion, Oaxaca, Mexico
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat

2023  May  |  Paint FEARLESS Sedona, Sedona, Arizona
5-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat

2022  October  |  Paint FEARLESS Mexico Patterns & Passion, Oaxaca, Mexico
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat

2022  September  |  Paint FEARLESS Mexico Mythos & Magic, Oaxaca, Mexico
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat

2022 May | Paint FEARLESS Sedona, Sedona, Arizona USA
5-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat

2022 April  |  Wonky-Tonky Faces, Peoria, Arizona
4-days workshop on making loose, dynamic faces

2021  October  |  Paint FEARLESS Mexico Alumna-ONLY, Oaxaca, Mexico
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat for alumna students only

2021  October  |  Paint FEARLESS Mexico, Oaxaca, Mexico
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat

2021 September | Paint FEARLESS Sedona, Sedona, Arizona USA
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat

2020 January  |  Paint FEARLESS® Mexico Alumna-Only, Oaxaca, Mexico
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat for alumna of Paint FEARLESS Mexico.

2019 November  |  Paint FEARLESS® Mexico, Oaxaca, Mexico
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat.

2019 May  |  Paint FEARLESS® Sedona, Sedona, Arizona
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat.

2019 March  |  Paint FEARLESS® Costa Rica, Nosara, Costa Rica
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat.

2019 January | Paint FEARLESS® Mexico, Oaxaca, Mexico
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat.

2018 Late November | Paint FEARLESS® Mexico, Oaxaca, Mexico
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat.

2018 Early November | Paint FEARLESS® Mexico, Oaxaca, Mexico
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat.

2018 February | Paint FEARLESS® Mexico, Oaxaca, Mexico
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat.

2017 Late November | Paint FEARLESS® Mexico, Oaxaca, Mexico
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat.

2017 Early November | Paint FEARLESS® Mexico, Oaxaca, Mexico
7-days FEARLESS® Painting retreat.

2017 August  |  IGNITE In-Person Immersion, Camano Island, Washington
7-days Immersion for IGNITE Teacher Training alumni.

2017 May | Paint Riot, Oakland, California
4-days retreat co-taught with Chris Zydel of Creative Juices Arts.

2016 September  |  IGNITE In-Person Immersion, Camano Island, Washington
7-days Immersion for IGNITE Teacher Training alumni.

2016 May | POETIC, West Palm Beach, Florida
1 day FEARLESS® Painting workshop.

2015 March | FEARLESS® Painting Circle, West Palm Beach, Florida
1 day FEARLESS® Painting workshop.

2014 July | Heart Opening, Tempe, Arizona
1 day art journaling and yoga nidra workshop co-taught with Opal Keen.

2013 September | Total Alignment, Sedona, Arizona
4-daysFEARLESS® Painting workshop.

2013 July | Creative Women's Circle, Cleveland, Ohio
1-day FEARLESS® Painting workshop by Lake Erie.

2013 May  |  IGNITE In-Person Immersion, Sedona, Arizona
7-days Immersion for IGNITE Teacher Training alumni.

2012 October | Total Alignment, Sedona, Arizona
4-days FEARLESS® Painting workshop.

2011 September | Total Alignment, Sedona, Arizona
4-days FEARLESS® Painting workshop.

2009 September | Creative Dig, Cleveland, Ohio
1 day art journaling, clay, & writing workshop co-taught with Andrea LeBlond and Christine Claire Reed.

2007 - 2010 | Full Time Elementary & Middle School Art Teacher, Surprise, Arizona
Taught art to grades K-8  | Dysart School District

2006 - 2007  | Full Time Elementary Art Teacher, Phoenix, Arizona
Taught art to grades K-3  |  Cartwright School District

2006 February | Visiting Artist, Cobano, Costa Rica
Taught art to multi-ages  |  Escuela de Cobano

1996 - 2006  | Part-Time Art Educator, Cleveland, Ohio
Taught art to multi-ages.  |  Cleveland Museum of Art

2004  | Part-Time Montessori Art Teacher, Broadview Heights, Ohio
Taught art to ages 3-6.  | Children's Home Montessori

2002 - 2004  |  Part-Time Art Instructor, Cleveland, Ohio
Taught art to adults with disabilities. | Art On Wheels

2000 - 2004  |  Part-Time Art Educator, Akron, Ohio
Taught art to multi-ages. | Akron Art Museum.

2003 October - December | Visiting Artist  | Rocky River, Ohio
Taught art to grade 9-12.  |  Rocky River High School

2003  August - October  |  Visiting Artist | Westlake, Ohio
Taught art to grades K-8.  |  Saint Bernadette School

2003  January - April  |  Visiting Artist  |  Cleveland, Ohio
Taught art to grades 6-8.  |  Thomas Jefferson Middle School

2002  August - December  |  Guest Art History Teacher | Westlake, Ohio
Taught AP Art History | Magnificat High School

2000  June-July |  Art Teacher  |  Lyndhurst, Ohio
Taught art to grades 3-6.  |  Hawken Day Camp

1996 - 1997  |  Visiting Artist  |  Lakewood, Ohio
Taught art to grades 1-3.  | Garfield Elementary

GUEST TEACHER / CONTRIBUTOR (ONLINE PROGRAM/ WORKSHOP)


2020  |  Jeanne Oliver Network

Taught "Deep Conversations" mini-workshop in June 2020.

2020  |  Get Messy Art Journaling Community hosted by Caylee Grey
Taught "Painting As Affirmation" mini-workshop in April 2020.

2019  |  True Colors Art School hosted by Kellee Wynne
Taught "Tiny Sketchbooks" mini-workshop in November 2019.

2019  |  Make Create Express hosted by Galia Alena
Taught "Talking To Trees" mini-workshop in June 2019.

2017  |  Life Book hosted by Tam LaPorte
Taught " Shields of Light" mini-workshop in Week #36.

2016  |  Give A Girl A Journal hosted by Jamie Ridler
Contributed my story on art journaling.

2015  |  Inner Alchemy Cards hosted by Mindy Tsonas Choi
Contributed six cards and a mini-workshop.

2015  |  Documented Life Project hosted by Art To The Fifth
Taught a mini-workshop on travel journaling.

2014  |  SPECTRUM hosted by Hali Karla.
Taught "Move Your Body, Move Your Brush" mini-workshop.

2013  |  Woman Is A River hosted by Pixie Lighthorse
Contributed an essay on my relationship to money as an artist.

2012 | Wish Big eCamp hosted by Mindy Tsonas Choi.
Taught "Let It Loose" mini-workshop on FEARLESS® Painting.

2012  |  Life Book hosted by Tam LaPorte.
Taught a mini-workshop on art journaling.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS / PANEL DISCUSSIONS

2023 July | Art, Healing, & Healing with Art | Hosted by Michelle Fauvreault of the 1st annual Paint FEARLESS® Exhibition | Online
Discussed the healing process created during the making of the Paint FEARLESS® Exhibition.

2023 June | First Annual Paint FEARLESS® Exhibition Online Opening
Discussed the BOW program and the process of creating this exhibition together.

2021 May  |  Scaling with Support Panel Discussion | Hosted by Quinn Tempest of Create Your Purpose Collective | Online
Spoke about the pros and cons of hiring a team as a creative entrepreneur.

2021 April | Promoting and Launching An Online Class Panel Discussion | Hosted by Betsy Cordes of the Art Brand Alliance | Online
Spoke about my experience teaching online since 2009.

2017 October  |  Art Journaling In Circle  |  Gather The Women Conference | Lyons, Colorado
Spoke about the basic techniques and considerations of bringing art journaling into a circle.

2010 October | How FEARLESS® Painting Helped Me Quit My Job  |  Joyfully Jobless Jamboree hosted by Barbara Winter  | Austin, Texas
Spoke on how my painting practice gave me the courage to quit my job and become fully self-employed as an artist and teacher.

PUBLICATIONS

2022 November | Paint Wisdom Cards
My 52-Card deck!

2022 September |  Painting The Feminine: An Art Journal
My book!!!

2021 November  | Get Messy Art by Caylee Grey
Contributed a chapter on art journaling.

2021 June  |  Peps Le Magazine De La Parentalité Positive (French Publication)
Contributed the article: "Cultiver l’âme d’artiste de notre enfant" (Cultivating the Artist Soul In Children)

2018 October  |  Awakening Your Creative Soul by Sandra Duran Wilson
Contributed a chapter on intuitive painting.

2017 January  |  Find Your Style by Kristal Norton 
Contributed a chapter on how to find your unique style as an artist.

2014 May |  Pathfinder: A Creative Journal For Finding Your Way by Heather Plett
Contributed an essay on being a pathfinder as an artist.

2012 May | Sacred Pregnancy: A Loving Guide & Journal For Expectant Moms by Anni Daulter
Contributed an essay on pregnancy.

2011 May/June  | Somerset Studio Magazine  | Becoming Brave Issue
Contributed the article  "FEARLESS I Paint".

2011 June  | Regiving: The Gifts Of Kindness & Laughter by Amanda Oaks
Contributed an essay on the funniest experience of my life.

2011 March  | Sophia Rises: Changing The World Through Feminine Wisdom by Heather Plett
Contributed an essay on Feminine Wisdom and painting.

PODCASTS / INTERVIEWS

2023 June | Art Talk with Connie Solera | Hosted by Visionary Art Path

2023 March | Love What You Love! Nurturing the Artist Soul with Connie Solera | Hosted by Elle Billing

2021 August | Inspired To Create: A Chat With Connie Solera  |  Hosted by Jennifer Steck

2020 May | Left Brain Artist Podcast Episode #159 Hosted by Suzanne Redmond

2020 April | Get Messy Podcast Episode #13 Hosted by Caylee Grey

2019 February | Purpose Driven Entrepreneur Series Hosted by Quinn Tempest

2018 October | Left Brain Artist Podcast Episode #45 Hosted by Suzanne Redmond

2017 October | Choosing From The Heart  Hosted by Amy Maricle

2014 April  | Creative Living With Jamie Hosted by Jamie Ridler

2014 March | Holistic Creative Chat  Hosted by Hali Karla

WORK RELATED EXPERIENCE


2018 - present  Founded Connie Solera, LLC and ConnieSolera.com
My online teaching business and studio.

2008 - 2018  Founded DirtyFootprints-Studio.com
My online teaching business and studio.

2006 - 2008  Founded Dirty Footprints Studio, LLC 
My Ceramics and Pottery Business

2002 - 2003  Art History Research Assistant  |  Center For Sacred Landmarks,
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
Conducted research for the Sacred Landmarks Monograph Series.

1994 - 1998  Gallery Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator  | SPACES Art Gallery, Cleveland, Ohio
Responsible for administrative, creative, and customer service.

1996  Art Handler  |  Museum Of Contemporary Art Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio
Responsible for hanging and taking down shows.

1996  Artist Assistant | Joseph Kosuth | Cleveland, Ohio
I assisted Joseph Kosuth in the research and execution of his Urban Evidence piece at SPACES Art Gallery, Cleveland Museum of Art, and Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland.

EXHIBITIONS

2023 | First Annual Paint FEARLESS® Exhibition | Online

2018 | Postcards From Oaxaca | Online Exhibition

2018  |  Paint FEARLESS Mexico Solo-Show  | Art House Oaxaca Gallery, Mexico

2017  |  Mexico Works On Paper Solo-Show  | Art House Oaxaca Gallery, Mexico

COSTUME & WARDROBE ARTIST


2004  | MaDaCol Dance Company | Mather Dance Collective |
Cleveland, Ohio

2001 - 2002  | Tony & Tina's Wedding | Hannah Theater  | Cleveland, Ohio

2002  |  Tom & Susana Evert Dance Theater | Cleveland, Ohio

1998  |  Cleveland State University Theater  |  Cleveland, Ohio

PRESS

2013 February | Be A Free Range Human by Marianne Cantwell
Marianne Cantwell writes about my life as a "Free Range Human" in her book.

Education


2001 - 2003  |  Multi-Age Visual Art Education Licensure

Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio

1997 - 2000  |  Bachelors of Art in Painting and Art History
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio 

1994 - 1997  |  Completed Artist Foundation Program + 1 Year of Painting Major
Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, Ohio