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 Welcome to the Hero's Art Journey, a take at your own pace e-Course with
Dr. Mira Reisberg, award-winning illustrator/author, editor and art director,
former literary agent and former kidlit university professor.

Discover a creative side that you may not know you have and fall in love with your own abilities whether you are a very beginning artist, an art challenged writer, or an award-winning multi-published illustrator or fine artist. During this course you will learn new ideas and techniques that will help you grow in ways that you cannot imagine.
Here are some questions that might help you decide if this is right for you:
  • Are you a children's book author who would like to learn easy, fun, art-making skills to illustrate their own work?
  • Are you a beginner wanting to learn to access their creativity?
  • Are you a therapist, a social worker, a teacher or someone in the giving professions wanting to add new dimensions to your work while also nurturing yourself?
  • Or are you an accomplished artist or illustrator who would like to learn new traditional and contemporary techniques to reinvigorate their art?

If the answer is yes, then you've come to the right place!!!
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Inspired by Joseph Campbell's work on narrative and the Hero's Journey in folk and fairy tale stories and mythology, as well as Valerie Frankel's The Heroine's Journey that looks at these things from a female perspective, you get to explore your own journey in the comfort and safety of your own home at your own pace. You will learn to draw and paint people, animals, and landscapes while learning a lot about yourself as you break through old blocks that have held you back.
While this course isn't a slick children's book illustration course, nor a paint like Michaelangelo course, you will learn a lot about children's books and a whole lot of art techniques for beginners to professionals. Even more importantly, you'll learn about yourself, your own strengths and how to claim your power as a creative.

​Here's a wee video about the course:

During the 5 weeks, you get to do as much or as little as you like, using as many or as few of the materials and techniques as you like - the course is for you and totally permissive.

Mira will demo techniques and materials in many ways but you get to choose what materials you want to buy and use and how you choose to approach the projects.
This is one of the few places in life where there is no getting it wrong.

What You'll Get


In this process-oriented 5 week online course (with an additional ONE YEAR's access) you will join a wonderfully supportive keep forever private online group, as you:
  • Explore how diverse eras and types of art are connected
  • Learn LOTS of easy fun art making techniques and how to work with a wide range of materials and techniques
  • Begin to understand your own visual style and symbol language
  • Learn about historical, contemporary, and multicultural art AND children's picture book illustration
  • Learn about archetypes and mythology from a wide range of cultures and spiritual traditions to see how they are reflected in your own life as part of the hero's journey and how they appear in children's literature
  • ​Adapt the projects for your own needs to create art for personal development, exhibition, sales, or inclusion in your children’s book illustration portfolio
  • Explore lots of children's books, traditional, contemporary, and multicultural fine art, art history, and mythology that will benefit you wherever you are in your journey.
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The moment I signed up for the Hero's Art Journey, I wasn't aware of what I was doing, or why. I had just finalized the Picture Book Academy's Writing Course (which I highly recommend to anyone interested in the process of writing for younger children) to improve my PB writing skills and flesh out a couple of story ideas. Although I consider myself more of a writer than an illustrator (never had any art education or art classes in my life), I have illustrated some of my children’s books that were published here in Aruba, because of the lack of professional illustrators and my stubbornness to create books in Papiamento (island’s native language)...There are many online art courses available for us, aspiring but isolated artists in the world, but I’ve never encountered an online art class like the Hero’s Art Journey. If I may share this with anyone who’s willing to understand: I truly believe this course changed my life. It shifted me (body and soul) to a place that was meant to be ; I made art I never thought I was able to create, I discovered a part of myself I wasn’t aware of... I can go on and on, but that’s just my personal experience. I would rather grant any aspiring artist on our planet this incredible journey of discovery and courage. Thank you for giving so much to so many. With much appreciation and admiration y cu hopi cariño.
- Liliana Erasmus, Travel Writer USA Today 10 Best, Writer & Illustrator
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There is so much material, including demos and interviews. I consider this course a “must have” experience. The videos are very well done. The material is well organized and presented at just the right pace. I am very thankful to have found Mira because her gifts of instruction have helped me immensely.
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- David Le Roy, Author & CBA Graduate

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What I liked most about the course was that it was not just technique, not just personal growth, not just art history, but a fabulous combination of these things and more. It also felt like a very caring community of artists, which I desperately needed being an insecure beginner! This was a terrific experience!
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- Michelle Lansdowne, Beginning Author & CBA Graduate

Here's a peek at some of our guests and contributors:

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To see more this amazing author illustrator, visit YuyiMorales.com.
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Check out more work from this talented fine artist and YA cover illustrator at HughIllustration.com.
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Get a better look that this talented fine artist and kids book illustrator's work at ClaireBCotts.com.
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To see more work from this talented fine artist and author illustrator, visit MayaGonzalez.com.
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Check out the fine artists amazing work at TracyLewisArt.typepad.com
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To check out more work from this author illustrator, visit MarissaMoss.com.
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To see more work from fine artist and illustrator visit ElizabethGomezArt.com.

So how much does this investment cost?

The Hero's Art Journey home study e-course comes with over 20 lessons that include both written and video content, interviews with experts, and video technique demonstrations, lesson plans and tons of resources.
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Here's What's Included in the 20+ Lessons You Can Access at Your Leisure:

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  • Watercolor
  • Collage
  • Drawing and Painting Faces
  • Historic and Contemporary Self-Portraits
  • Tracing and Transferring Images
  • Article on Self-Portraits and Visual Culture
  • Interview with Maya Gonzalez
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  • Working with Texture and Pattern
  • Drawing Animals and Animal Art History
  • Inspiring Interview with Elizabeth Gomez
  • The Fundamentals of Art
    • Elements of Art
    • Principles or Art
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  • Acrylic glazes
  • Xerox Transfer, Making Stamps and Stamp Embossing
  • Creating a Landscape
  • Victorian Silhouette - Tree of Life: in Cut Paper
  • Magic Acrylic Markers
  • Interview with Clair B. Cotts
  • Article on Landscape Painting and Manifest Destiny
  • BONUS Article on Dada and Surrealism in Fine Art and Advertising
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  • Obstacles, Trials and Fearsome Things
  • Drawing and Painting Monsters and Dragons
  • Monsters and Dragons in World Culture and Art History
  • Interview with Hugh D'Andrade
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  • More Watercolors and Acrylics
  • Experimental Painting Techniques
  • Gods, Goddesses and Guardian Angels in Art History and World Mythologies
  • Interviews with Valerie Frankel, Elisa Kleven, Yuyi Morales, Jim Averbeck, Maria Van Lieshout, Lissa Rovetch, and Marissa Moss About Who They'd be as a God or Goddess
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FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q: When does the class start?
A: Whenever you want: it's an instant access course!

Q: When does registration end?
A: Registration for our instant access courses is ongoing.

Q: What will I need?
A: Computer and Internet access, a great attitude and open mind, and a willingness to play with language and ideas.

Q: Are there any specific time requirements?
A:  Nope

Q: What do I do if I have further questions?
A: You can call Mira directly CALIFORNIA time at 503.256.0152 or email mira@childrensbookacademy.com with "Children's Picture Book  Course Question" in the subject head

Q: How long does the course stay open after it ends?
A: Students have an additional 6 months or more access to the course after it ends. 

Q: Do you offer refunds?
A: Sorry, there are no refunds. Because we give bonus passwords at the time of purchase, it is impossible to offer refunds. We appreciate your understanding. However, we do offer a 100% learning money back guarantee, that if you read the lessons, participate during the course, and do the work, and at the end of a year, don't feel that you learned a lot, we will refund your money in full.
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You have opened doors which I would never have walked through without this course offering. My eyes opened to alternative thoughts about me in regards to my present, past and the deep recesses of my repressed, troubled memories. I took things off their shelf and examined how I could turn a negative into a positive. Most of my life has been focused on others and this focus on myself felt selfish at first. As I wrestled with myself, I realized that I am important and deserve to take some valuable "me" time. I have delved into loosening up on my art, concentrating on using different mediums to accomplish a project, and most importantly, finding myself in every aspect of my endeavors. You have opened up about yourself and pulled me into a secure environment where I could grow with your sincere inspiration and encouragement. Thank you for this incredible journey! 

Charlotte Dixon, Creator and CBA Graduate
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When I signed up for the Hero’s Art Journey, I had in mind to work on illustrating a story I had written in Dr. Mira’s Picture Book Writing course. Mira had said this Art Journey could be used however I wanted. (She’s flexible like that!) However, when I began the lessons and assignments, I felt I needed to just go with this journey....Thank you for this wondrous experience! 

Gayle Wind O'Donnell, Writer Illustrator and CBA Graduate
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One of the boons I received during this course was the precise opposite of what I was hoping for, but a boon just the same. One of the reasons I started this course was to have something of my own, apart from my children, who have been my priority and my "career" for the past ten years. But one of the great gifts I have received during the course is inspiring them to create art and to try new techniques. It has also been very gratifying to see their appreciation for my work and know that they are seeing me in a new light.

 So, what started as a way for me to establish an identity apart from my children, became a way to connect me to them even more deeply! 

Michelle, Mother and CBA Gradute
If you are ready to go on your own hero's journey right here and open up to all sorts of goodness, click below!
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  • Home
  • WRITING
    • Mastering Great Graphic Novels >
      • 2023 Mastering Graphic Novels Registration
    • Craft & Business of Writing Childrens Picture Books
    • The Chapter Book Alchemist
    • New!! Middle Grade Mastery Instant Access
    • 2022 Kidlit Palooza >
      • 2022 Palooza Program
      • 2022 Palooza Faculty
  • ILLUSTRATION
    • NEW!! Craft & Business of Illustrating Children's Books Instant Access
    • Never a Dull Moment Workshop
  • TECH
  • About Us
    • Why Us?
    • Meet the Faculty, Lives & GT Judges
    • Testimonials
    • Books by Students
    • Our Bookshop
    • As Seen In
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Blogfish
  • MN Course Access
  • Community
    • Our Bookshop
    • Come Play With Us!
    • Resources
    • Course Scholarships >
      • Yuyi Morales Picture Book Scholarship
      • Andrea Davis Pinkney MG CB Mastery Scholarship
      • Rafael Lopez Illustrating Childrens Books Scholarships
      • Larissa Marantz Merit & Need Scholarship