learning Archives - alena hennessy

LifeBook the actual BOOK Giveaway

December 9, 2017November 12, 2017

Hello beaming creative! Tamara Laporte from Willowing Arts has written a book! It’s called ‘Create Your Life Book: Mixed-Media Art Projects for Expanding Creativity and Encouraging Personal Growth’ and I get to give away a copy! Let me tell you a bit more about Tam’s new book in case you haven’t heard about it yet! …

What Do You Stand For?

November 20, 2017November 20, 2017

I’ve always had a soft spot for animals, their magic, their clear disposition or presence, and beauty (examples of how vast and mysterious the nature of creation is). I enjoy giving back to Animal Legal Defense Fund and Mercy for Animals. But lately, I’m driven in a different direction… and that is the protection and …

A Grand Giveaway: Winners Announced

September 4, 2017September 11, 2017

My annual giveaway is upon us and it’s totally the best ever. The list of super amazing prizes: ~ A space in my brand new A Year of Painting (going to be SO fab this year). ~ An original painting. ~ A **very sweet discount** to a retreat/workshop hosted by me. ~ One on one …

Life Book 2018 Blog Hop & Give Away!

August 27, 2017November 9, 2017

Hello everyone! I have some wonderful & exciting news! I am going to be teaching on Life Book 2018 next year! This is my 3rd time teaching for Tam and her crew and it has been a sincere pleasure each time. The connections I’ve made with past participants has been a joy. And as you …

Giveaway Time!

May 30, 2017June 3, 2017

Hey everyone, I’ve missed you. I feel like its been awhile since we really connected. I’ve also been reflecting softly on what I can offer to you at this juncture after 11+ years of teaching art for the empowered spirit. After some thought this course came to me as I recall some of my most …

A Year of Super Fresh Creating!

September 13, 2016September 13, 2016

YOU ALL! This feels so so good. It’s that time of year again and this time I am re-doing it all over again with brand new lessons and painting adventures… it’s time to go on an art retreat ~ virtually ~ all year long! So just to let you know, we are filming brand new …

My Stardust Darling

July 11, 2016August 10, 2016

Quiet friend who has come so far, feel how your breathing makes more space around you. Let this darkness be a bell tower and you the bell. As you ring, what batters you becomes your strength. Move back and forth into the change. What is it like, such intensity of pain? If the drink is …

New Workshop Coming!

March 17, 2016March 29, 2016

Hi there! My Soul Painting workshops in our sweet gallery space tend to sell out pretty quickly (within a day to a few) so I wanted to give you all a little more heads up for the next one for the glorious Summer season in Asheville! (Think river swimming, big blooms and waterfalls)! The exact …

A Big Love Giveaway! (Winners Announced)

October 21, 2015October 28, 2015

Usually about once a year I have a biggie giveaway ~ and that time has come once again! How perfect that I have an array of virtual offerings or learning experiences in which you can enter to win any and all of them!!! This is a MEGA-GIVEAWAY as I will be gifting the following: 7 …

Soul Painting Autumn

October 2, 2015October 9, 2015

Above 3 photos by Yulia Mikhalchuk. Above two photos by Miranda Wildman. Again, it was an incredibly soulful and transformative experience! We soaked (hot springs), we laughed, we journeyed, we ate ridiculously well, we danced, we hiked, we sat, we reiki’d, we cried, we laughed some more, we biz talked, we flower crowned, …

Nothing Compares to You ~

May 22, 2015June 2, 2015

Still floating, still smiling, still grateful for my first Soul Painting retreat… It all felt so divinely sweet and a time out from everyday life, or “the true reality”, as one participant described. I am simply in awe of these women who showed up for themselves for this week together. What risk, what blossoming, what …

Radiant Heart Giveaway: Winners Announced!

March 23, 2015March 29, 2015

All the windows of my heart I open to the day. ~John Greenleaf Whittier Are you wishing for more sweetness and warmth in your life? Do you wish to create paintings and photos that come from an authentic place, that deeply resonate within your soul? Do you sometimes feel you need help with boundaries or …

A Year of Painting Giveaway!

December 15, 2014December 26, 2014

So the time is drawing near to begin a fresh 365 days of my most popular e-course to date, A Year of Painting. What an enriching and whole-hearted experience the first year was. It warms my creative heart to read the feedback given, with phrases coming out from participants like now I believe “anything is …

Soul Painting Retreats 2015

December 8, 2014December 9, 2014

With much reflection and consideration, I have decided to host two retreats next year near my beloved and beautiful town of Asheville, NC in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Please take a moment to read about both offerings below. Space is limited in each, with special attention given to what I would just love and need …

Current Colorway Inspirations *

October 15, 2014October 21, 2014

Been painting up a storm for my Year of Painting classes and these are my current favorite color combinations. I love how color can cause us to think outside of our creative box! I have been really trying to push my typical color range into new hue fields and relationships.

Current Turn-Ons

October 5, 2014October 5, 2014

The gorgeous work created in my Year of Painting class, starting with Jennifer Sheffield Currie (top), Cathrin Gressieker and Tara Francesca (just above). These two created by the wondrous Julia Godden in our Co-Lab offering. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for the absolutely amazing women I get to interact with daily through my online …

The Overflowing Heart + LifeBook Giveaway

September 23, 2014October 6, 2014

UPDATE: the winner is Genevieve Camp!! Thank you everyone for entering. Be sure to sign up for Life Book right here! “And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The …

True Gifts of Collaboration

September 16, 2014September 21, 2014

This mixed media photo painting was one of the most fulfilling projects I have taken on in a very long time. Learn how to create dynamic work such as this in Co-Lab. There has been a very special project I have been involved with all year that I have kept pretty mum about… until today. …

Art Transforms Life

July 21, 2014

Lately I’ve been pondering just how much art making, painting, and active creative pursuits have impacted my life. I began to realize that it’s influenced so much…perhaps everything. For this, I am endlessly thankful, in fact I often tag my Insta photos with #thankfulartistgirl. It just fits. So I thought I’d write a simple post …

Cara Italia, My Love is True

May 26, 2014September 21, 2014

I happen to believe we have kindred spirits all over this Earth, which for me, is most delightful especially when they are of the creative kind. These kindred beloveds can also be countries, or certain parts of the world. Fifteen years ago when I was the ripe age of 22, I discovered my first true …