Shannon Christensen • Artist & Creativity Author
  • Creative Roadmap
    • Blog - Creative Roadtrip
    • 1 Lifestyle - Be Brave
    • 2 Learning - Be Bright >
      • 2 LEARNING Landmark
    • 3 Living - Be Bold
    • 4 Loving It - Be Breathtaking
  • MEMBERSHIP
  • PASSPORT
  • JUMPSTART 8 CPH
  • MORE
    • Portfolio
    • Benefits of Creativity
    • Shop >
      • Supplies - LIFEBOOK
      • Supplies List - CHBC
      • Supplies Lists - SKILLSHARE
      • Backpack Gift Guides II
You Are Leading.
​You Are Not Following.

BE BOUNDLESS

5  LEADING  LANDMARK LEVEL
WHEN CREATIVITY IS YOUR BUSINESS​ & YOU NEED IDEAS ON DEMAND
Shortcut To Your Signature Style Using The 8 Creative Power Habits
IS THIS YOU?

​You feel like an imposter. An artist with no artwork? A portfolio with blank pages? Procrastination instead of being productive? New opportunities you're not ready for? Copycat instead of originally you? No signature style of your own? It's time to quiet that voice and stop feeling like a fake. 
​
​A Professional is= A person who means business. Those who are willing to work, are busy building skills, and becoming really great at something with the intention to do good and make money. You're Superstars!
DO YOU WANT THIS?
Membership is all about YOUR ARTWORK.

Build your portfolio. Take a shortcut to your Signature Style. Use The 8 Creative Power Habits to go deeper into your work. Increase your skills. Use industry themes. Set commercial goals. Commit time. Be accountable. Get critiques. 

Weekly Studio Time &
​Monthly Mini Collection

WHICH SKY TRAVELER ARE YOU?
THE SKYMAP TO YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE - COMING SOON!
Picture

Day Star

STARTING OUT STAGE
(For More Info Click on the +)
Is This You?
Let's be honest - you're not really sure what you're doing but you know you want to do it anyway. You're just starting out with your art. It's not as good as you're hoping for but it's going to get better.

You hesitate to call yourself a creative, let alone a professional artist, not having done anything professional-ish. You understand the difference between the two, but aren’t afraid of the work that it’s going to take to get to a professional level.  And your art? You’re a little insecure. Okay, maybe a lot. Right now, you copy others because you don’t know what else to do. Pinterest is your creative BFF. You have no style of your own, so your body of work isn’t you. You feel embarrassed even to think you belong here. You’re intimidated but hopeful. You’re ready to take control and Build Your Body of Work.
You're a Day Star
You’re a DAY STAR at the STARTING OUT stage. At this stage, you tackle your knowledge base, inconsistent effort, the integrity of originality, and start to recognize yourself.
Everyone uses all 8 Creative Power Habits while building their portfolio and signature style, but you’ll hyper-focus on #1 IDEABOOK and #2 THINK TANK.
What Will You Work On
  • Make a monthly Brief Board
  • Build your Color Deck - Explore color experiment
  • Work on drawing
  • Experiment with color palettes
  • Learn visual storytelling
  • Learn ethics in art


 Here's an example.
Picture
Using The 8 Creative Power Habits (8CPH) you'll learn how to come up with original ideas based on your own experiences, not Pinterest. Another example with notes using the 8CPH.
Picture
To Move to the Next Level 
  • Identify yourelf as a creator  
  • Edit & curate artwork into color palettes
  • Develop your own Signature Style Color Story
  • Have a Color Deck
  • Recognize emotional connections to color
  • Understand the difference between a professional and personal hobby
Picture
Picture

Rising Star

SEEK STAGE

(For More Info Click on the +)
Is This You?
You still don’t feel like a “real” artist, but you’re starting to think you might have what it takes. You have ideas, but they are vulnerable when put next to someone else. You believe you’re inadequate and sometimes even get jealous. Feeling safe inside your creative comfort zone, you’re afraid to go outside of it. What’s in your head doesn’t come out right on paper. Your skills aren’t where you want them to be. You’re unsure how to get where you want to be, wandering in an aimless direction. You’re ready to explore and experiment to Build Your Body of Work.
​
You're A Rising Star
You’re a RISING STAR at the SEEK stage. At this stage we tackle inadequacy, vulnerability, lack of skill, and aimlessness. 

Everyone uses all 8 Creative Power Habits while building their portfolio and signature style, but you’ll hyper-focus on #3 SKETCHBOOK and #4 PLAY•OSITY.
What Will You Work On?
  • Make a monthly Brief Board
  • Build your Pattern Deck - Explore mark-making
  • Work on patterns and illustrations
  • Experiment with different mediums, take risks
  • Learn Art & Design Principles
To Move to the Next Level ​
  • Identify as an artist  
  • Edit & curate artwork into 
  • Develop your own Signature Style Medium

Shooting Star

SIFT STAGE

(For More Info Click on the +)
Is This You?
You’re feeling pretty good about your skill set and work, but your style is still a little all over the place. It worries you that you work isn’t getting any traction and, worse yet, being ignored. Even with all you’re doing, at times, you’re still doubtful you can master a signature style. You second-guess yourself after every letdown, leaving you hesitant to put yourself out there again. On top of it all, you’re making the journey and doing it all alone. You’re ready to dive deep to Build Your Body of Work
You're a Shooting Star
You’re a SHOOTING STAR at the SIFT stage. At this stage you Sift options down, breakdown industries, and pull together your style Superpowers. 

Everyone uses all 8 Creative Power Habits while building their portfolio and signature style, but you’ll hyper-focus on #5 X•X•O and #6 SUPERPOWERS..
What Will You Work On?
  • Make a monthly Brief Board
  • Build your Text Deck - Explore lettering
  • Work on superpower combos
  • Experiment with different industries
  • Learn to work within a shorter deadline
  • Learn to look at trends
To Move to the Next Level ​​
  • Identify as a Professional  
  • Edit & curate artwork to your Signature Style
  • Develop your own Signature Style Message
  • Seek specific industry for artwork
Picture
Picture

North Star

​SIGNATURE STYLE STAGE
(For More Info Click on the +)

Is This You?
You’re getting a handle on your signature style, but you just don’t have enough of it. You don’t feel ready to pitch your portfolio. Nor are you consistently putting out new work, so when opportunities arise you’re just not ready for them or you can’t get the work done fast enough to take advantage of the chance. Even with all your hard work you still have imposter syndrome. You feel like you haven’t quite made it yet. You’re ready to embrace your designer identity and Build Your Body of Work with your Signature Style.
You're a North Star
You’re a DAY STAR at the SIGNATURE STYLE stage. At this stage you have your Signature Style and you’re ready to put your peddle to the floorboard and take off with your portfolio in your Signature Style.

Everyone uses all 8 Creative Power Habits while building their portfolio and signature style, but you’ll hyper-focus on #7 VISION and #8 SHOW & SHARE.
What Will You Work On?
  • Make a monthly Brief Board in Signature Style
  • Build your Style Deck - Signature Style
  • Work on creating in Signature Style
  • Experiment with different industries for Style
  • Identify as a Surface Designer
  • Edit & curate artwork to your Signature Style
  • Develop your own Signature Style Industry
  • Presentation including mockups

What is a Brief Board?

It’s like a storyboard but briefer. It’s like a brief but broader and more visual. It’s a visual jumping off point when added with your written ideas. It’s your Ideabook summarized in visual assets. The assets vary slightly, but generally are an Illustration, lettering, patterns, icons, border, and other elements.
Picture
Picture
Picture

Why Have a Brief Board?

A Brief Board is a way to get ideas down in an abbreviated form that ultimately can be used and developed in a bigger context like patterns, quotes, collections, or more developed illustrations. It's the start of your art process without having to do all the work if you're not sure of the end use yet. You can also publically show all or parts of your Brief Board without showing completed designs that might be "borrowed" (think theft) by others. Your Brief Boards can be sent monthly to art directors or companies to keep you top in their minds while sharing your visual story and progress. It also shows that you are consistently putting out new work. It keeps your ideas at the ready for any opportunities that come up with a short deadline because you've already done the foundational work with your Brief Board. We'll use the Aqua & Oyster Brief Board as an example below.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

The Monthly Brief Board At Each Starship Stage

THE DAY STAR
The Starting Stage
  • Make a monthly Brief Board
  • Build your Color Deck - Explore color experiment
  • Work on drawing
  • Experiment with color palettes
  • Learn visual storytelling
  • Learn ethics in art
Picture
Color Study for Brief Board

THE RISING STAR
​The Seek Stage 
  • Make a monthly Brief Board
  • Build your Pattern Deck - Explore mark-making
  • Work on patterns and illustrations
  • Experiment with different mediums, take risks
  • Learn Art & Design Principles
Picture

THE SHOOTING STAR
​The Sift Stage
  • Make a monthly Brief Board
  • Build your Text Deck - Explore lettering
  • Work on superpower combos
  • Experiment with different industries
  • Learn to work within a shorter deadline
  • Learn to look at trends
Picture

THE NORTH STAR
The Signature Style Stage
Makes a Brief Board
in Signature Style
THE NORTH STAR
The Signature Style Stage

• Work exclusively in Signature Style
• Creates Presentations & Pitches in Signature Style
• Make a Specialty Deck for Signature Style
Picture

What is a Deck?

A Color, Pattern, Text, or Style Deck is a collected resource to use in your art making process.
DayStar • Color Deck 
Picture
Rising Star • Pattern Deck
Picture
Shooting Star • Text Deck
Picture
North Star • Style Deck

Shannon Christensen

Ten Things About Me
1) I married my teenage boyfriend and sewed my wedding dress and his suit.
2) Mother of 9 children.
3) A stay-at-home mom (SAHM), reinventing myself as a Licensing Artist and Creative Coach.
4) I graduated from BYU with a BFA in Illustration at 42, the same day as her 19-year-old daughter, Leila, graduated with a BA in English.
5) Started painting at 5, crocheting at 8, sewing at 12, embroidery at 13, first quilt at 14, drawing at 15, pattern design at 18, paper crafts at 22, portraits at 25, acrylics at 30, computer graphics at 33, gouache at 38, oils at 40, watercolors at 52, fabric designer at 55, and author at 60. 
6) Taught art, craft, and lifestyle classes for 35 years and currently teaches.
7) Past creative lives include – a watercolor teacher at Sundance Resort, a fine artist featured in Western Art Collector magazine and museums, a one-time TV appearance for studio space inspiration on HGTV’s Rate My Space, an illustrator for magazines, a parade float maker, a candy window display designer, 365 days of Creative Life live video tips, and a speaker about my art to an International Delegation for the Family Policy Center.
8) Lover of all things flowers with three Windham floral fabric collections.
9) Over the last several years, I've lived in Jordan, Sweden, and Montenegro, and loved the creativity it’s sparked. 
10) Believes creativity is for everyone and helps others on their Creative Roadtrips.   ME + YOU = Look What We Can Do!
Picture
Picture

Everyone Uses
​The 8 Creative Power Habits for Our Process

Everyone in the Build Your Body of Work Membership uses The 8 Creative Power Habits while making their monthly Brief Board. It's a creative training that draws ideas out of you and helps you learn how to get ideas on demand..

The 8 Creative Power Habits are found in my book Jumpstart Your Creative Engine. You will get a free digital copy of the book when joining the membership. If wanted earlier, it's for purchase on Amazon.
Don't wait for the Membership to have fun. Download this Creative Roadtrip Passport. We'll use this a lot in the Build Your Body of Work Membership.
The Creative Lifestyle page
​The Creative Living page
The Creative Learning page
The Creative Loving It page
Shop Backpacks & Bags
Shop Class Supplies List - Skillshare
Shop Class Supplies List - Creative Heartbeats Club
Shop Etsy Shannon's Studio 
2005 - 2023 © shannon christensen • ShannonsStudio@gmail.com
  • Creative Roadmap
    • Blog - Creative Roadtrip
    • 1 Lifestyle - Be Brave
    • 2 Learning - Be Bright >
      • 2 LEARNING Landmark
    • 3 Living - Be Bold
    • 4 Loving It - Be Breathtaking
  • MEMBERSHIP
  • PASSPORT
  • JUMPSTART 8 CPH
  • MORE
    • Portfolio
    • Benefits of Creativity
    • Shop >
      • Supplies - LIFEBOOK
      • Supplies List - CHBC
      • Supplies Lists - SKILLSHARE
      • Backpack Gift Guides II