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