Creative Joy
Fun, playful ways to create on Paper. Using the Golden Key to create and live with sustainable joy.
It's exquisitely soothing, calming and joyful.
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YAY!
Creating "Joy-on-Demand"© is here!
The health and heartbeat of our business and personal life depends on our ability to stay calm, focused and happy - even when our personal or outer worlds are going bonkers.
Take charge of your joy!
The Creative Joy Course is specifically designed as a natural antidote to the energy and joy zapping stuff in the world - which has most of our nervous systems rattled.
You cultivate exquisite inner calm and joy - by playing with short, unconventional ways to create on paper.
Knowing how to cultivate being calm and happy helps you to stay joyful and strong when things are going crazy around you.
"When you can stay calm and joyful, you significantly reduce the time you spend on being depressed, frustrated, lonely or overwhelmed.
Instead you can be happy and find creative solutions."
Good news!
You don't have to sweat in a gym or twist your body into a bretzel to feel relaxed and happy.
For most of us, creating with the hands is the fastest and most playful way to feel calm and happy.
What happens when you create?
When you create, the brain shifts into the pleasure giving center.
Most often faster than with meditation - according to research.
You experience exquisite inner peace and happiness.
You then work more efficiently - with better results.
Being more efficient automatically saves you a bunch of time that you can use to do more of the things you love!
Including creating for the pure joy of it.
This is backed by extensive scientific research - and LOTS of personal experiences.
Playfully "smudging" paint with trash items is exquisitely calming and gratifying.
You'd love to create - BUT creating can
- make you feel tense?
- get you frustrated?
- make you feel like you are no good at it?
I know those too well! It happens to everyone!
But I discovered:
The "GOLDEN KEY" is in HOW you create.
Having it makes a significant difference in the benefits you get from creating.
It can prevent you from getting frustrated and tense.
Instead, it allows you to create "Joy on Demand".
In Creative Joy you use the Golden Key to explore playful ways on paper.
They are designed to ignite and deepen the natural creativity and joy that you were born with.
The methods are fun and faster than traditional ones.
Each lesson is SHORT - and complete in itself.
It's instant gratification at every step!
And no matter how old we are - don't we just love "short" and "gratifications"?!
Special Treat:
Discover the soothing effect of Monika's
Signature Asemic Calligraphy©.
As well as playing like a kid with therapeutic doodling, paint smudging and paint dipping.
It's awesome for Mark Making, Collage fodder, Collage, Journal covers, Art Books, Cards...and more.
Unconventional, playful methods - Deliciously calming and joyful results.
Sign up to get notified when "Creative Joy" opens.
The Creative Joy course - in a nutshell.
(The full curriculum is at the bottom of the page.)
Have fun making exciting, unusual papers:
doodles, asemic calligraphy, smudged papers, dipped papers etc..
They are fabulous for collage fodder, covering journals, making cards, making pendants and earrings.
Find out how to make vector images from your papers - in seconds - and discover how to layer those papers for extra special collage fodder.
Make 2 collages with your papers.
As a super Bonus Monika shows you how to have your papers turned into awesome art to wear - and to hang on the walls.
As well as accessories, home decor and more.
It's all about living and creating with joy - and surrounding yourself with everyday products that constantly reinforce that joy.
Journal cover - colorfully "painted" with the Fast and Fabulous Dip and Pull Method
This course, its methods and the Golden Key give you the tools to create your own Joy-on-Demand within minutes - so you can stay calm and happy - even if the world around you goes topsy-turvy.
A brief look inside the Course
Simple Supplies
You most likely have all of these items.
The paints are available at most craft stores - and online.
They can be substituted with whatever paints you already have.
When you use less materials for multiple results, it stimulates the creative center of the brain - and boosts your confidence and joy.
You can easily put some supplies into a little pouch and create on the go.
Classic Black and White
Remember the doodling you did as a kid?
It is still one of the fastest ways to calm down and feel joyful. Especially if you use the Golden Key from this Course.
I show you elegant and playful doodling, asemic calligraphy and more.
And how to turn it all into intriguing Zen style art that makes you proud.
You can do this ANYTIME and ANYWHERE.
Even with your kids and grandkids.
Uplifting Colors
A little fooling is a good thing sometimes.
You'll create art and collage fodder that looks like abstract painting. But it's done without a brush!
When you use materials and methods that are unusual, it can greatly expand your ability to come up with creative solutions for challenges in your daily life.
At the same time, it's also a super fun way to make practical things like greeting cards, journal covers, collages. You can have them printed onto pillow cases and more.
Priti is deciding which part of her first doodle to frame.
Sandy framed her very first doodle immediately.
Simple - all the way!
This totally boosts your confidence and makes you smile:
wear a shirt and drink out of a mug that are printed with detail photos of your joyfully smudged papers.
No talent required!
No special space required.
You can even create sitting in your recliner with a piece of cardboard on your lap.
No fancy supplies.
Just (copy) paper, scissors, pen, Sharpie, 3-5 small craft store paints, a simple brush and a few things you usually throw in the trash:
bottle caps, an old credit card or stiff lid from a food box.
Yes! It's THAT simple!
You can even do it with your kids and grandkids - or with your parents and friends.
"Seriously?!
I can smudge paint and switch into being calm and happy? "
YES!
That's exactly what kids do!
It's about giving your brain the conditions and methods to relax, so you can access and expand your Natural Creative Joy that you were born with.
Absolutely no talent required.
I know! It sounds crazy good!
And it really is!
In my world it's gotta be SIMPLE and JOYFUL!
That's why I have always come up with my own unconventional methods.
They are playful, fun and faster than traditional ones.
And - YAY! - they really do give you instant gratifications.
Gorgeous art created in 5-10 minutes.
No paint brush and absolutely no talent required.
What Clients say
"I thought I was quite relaxed.
But this is taking it to a whole other level - and...
...you can apply the same principles in everyday life.
I've even tried it when I was in the gym. With zero motivation.
It WORKS!" Lynn Edmonds
"Even doodles you do better!"
" I really enjoyed it!
Even doodles you do better!"
Susan Kroeplin
"It's very relaxing!"
I’ve been doodling at night before bed and it is very relaxing … an added bonus - when I’m mindfully doodling, I’m NOT mindlessly eating junk food!
Chris Carlson
"It's brilliant!"
" I always thought that your art must be complicated and involved.
But it's so SIMPLE!
It's brilliant!"
Michelle B., artist
"It's quite liberating!"
"Monika, what you are offering is something so special. I haven't seen anything like it.
I must say I quite enjoy the freedom to splash paint freely. It took me out of my comfort zone.
It is quite liberating."
Lindsay Cash
"There's real substance..."
"Monika, you have the happiest voice I think I’ve ever heard! Just finished watching the first set of modules!
I can’t believe you’re making so much wonderful (and joyful!) information available!
There’s real substance!
Thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏❤️ !"
Chris Carlson
"...ignited the child like creativity..."
Monika's decades of passion and love for the art and creativity really ignited the childlike delights within each of her attendees.*
Our creative juice flew under her inspiration...
It is very heartfelt and relaxing.
Sandy Shum
*Parts of the first round of this course were delivered in Zoom sessions.
All the videos with all methods, playful ways of creating and the Golden Key are in the online videos of this course.
Do you think you are not creative?
That's a devastating myth!
We were all born creative!
Just watch kids play.
We'll bust that myth.
And you can create happily ever after.
Doesn't this look like multiple layers of paint were applied?
Surprise! It took less than two minutes!
Relax with shirts that you can have printed with your doodles and smudged designs that you create within minutes - like these.
It's utter pleasure!
Don't have time for creating?
Ohhh - "no time" has been one of my "favorite reasons" to say NO too many times to things that would BRING ME JOY.
"No time" - it sounds so logical!
Except - it doesn't hold up.
All I have to do is look at the time spent scrolling on social media.
And - BAM! That excuse is totally out.
Or: what about watching Netflix? Shows?
Sitting around lost worrying for hours at a time?
Can you relate?
And - what do you choose?
I invite you to choose CREATIVE JOY.
Join this beautiful journey into feeling calm and happy - regardless of inner or outer circumstances.
P.S.: one of the coveted benefits of creating is, that you actually can get all other work done faster and more efficiently.
Which leaves you with more time to do the things you love.
Including Creating.
Meet Monika Astara, your guide on this fabulous journey.
"You have no creative bone in your body!
God must have been asleep when He created you!"
That's what my art teacher told me for 6 years.
You most likely have your own version of this in your life.
It might also have hampered your creativity for a while - like it did for me. So I became a teacher first.
I was teaching in public schools, community colleges and a prison.
But after 10 years my passion for artful expressions won.
I took the plunge - and have been a full time, successful artist and art wear designer since 1987.
From the very beginning I have always come up with my own playful unconventional methods. They are totally simple and fun.
My students say they haven't had this much joy and happiness.
And that they haven't seen most of the methods anywhere else.
It's my greatest joy to inspire and guide you to create in ways that light you up and boost your confidence.
I look forward to playing with you INSIDE of CREATIVE JOY!
Sign up to get notified when "Creative Joy" opens.
Let's round up the goodies you've gained by the end of Creative Joy
You have joyful, simple tools that can take you from feeling overwhelmed, depressed or scattered to feeling calm, happy and focused.
This kind of creating can make you more focused and efficient at work and at home.
That frees up precious time that you can use to do the things that you love!
You can use the black and white tools anywhere and anytime. Even while sitting in a meeting or in a waiting room or on a plane.
You have experienced that something as simple as playing on papers absolutely can shift your mood within minutes.
You can do this with your kids or grandkids.
Creating together with simple methods provides you with quality time that feels relaxing and rejuvenating for all.
Overall it can greatly increase your joy in life and at work.
Your Super Sweet Bonus:
Sometimes you just need an extra boost - without having to "DO" anything!
I show you how and where you can have even your most humble designs turned into gorgeous printed creations that lift you up on those days.
Imagine drinking your coffee out of your own art mug.
Or sitting at your desk or strolling around in your own art shirt.
Or looking at your own art on the walls.
Can you feel how it lights you up?!
How it makes you smile and you relax - just by being reminded of your natural inner joy?!
The T-shirt is printed with a detail photo of a delightfully smudged paper. Imagine wearing your own art!
Have detail photos of your art printed on a variety of products.
T-shirts, mugs, pillows, accessories, sweatshirts, kimonos, art prints and much more.
They carry that joy you had when you created on paper.
It fills you and your space with that joy - over and over.
You get several sources for printing.
Hot TIP:
Have your art from the course printed onto products as gifts!
It saves you a bunch of money and time having to search for gifts.
And you give gifts that the recipients will actually love and treasure!
Doodles and smudged paper photos turned into special designs to make family and friends happy.
Imagine - your own Art on the Wall!
Be blown away into bliss - turn your Asemic Calligraphy, Smudged Abstract Art and Doodle Art into fabulous wall art. For your home, office and for selling.
Let your inner Creative roar with joy!
Join the Creative Joy Course - and AMAZE yourself.
Questions you might have:
How long is this course available?
It's available indefinitely.
When does the Course begin?
You get immediate access after signing up.
I am still filming and uploading a few lessons.
Starting October 12, 2024, 10pm CST, the entire Course is available ONLINE indefinitely.
Add Monika@MonikaAstara to your contacts.
Otherwise you may not get the notification emails and LINKS!
How do I view the Course?
You can access it from a computer, phone and tablet.
It might be most fun on the computer, where you get clear, big views.
What happens after I signed up?
You have immediate access to the Course!
You get
- an email from Monika@MonikaAstara.com and
- an email confirmation from New Zenler, the platform host.
Please complete your registration.
Make sure you
- mark the page where you access the course,
- save your logins and
- the email you signed up with.
What if I need help?
Easy-peasy!
Join the private FREE Facebook "Creative Joy Club".
Ask your questions there. I will be checking in there at least twice a week.
Or email me!
We also have live Zoom sessions where you can ask your questions.
What supplies do I need?
Nothing special is needed.
You most likely already have everything.
Pen, Sharpie or Posac pen or any acrylic black pen, paper (copy paper), a few acrylic paints - black, white and 2 colors.
If not - it's all easily available at your local craft store or big box store or on Amazon.
The supply list is in your Playstation 1 - aka Module 1.
To begin, use what you already have.
Experiment with your supplies before buying anything else.
What are the advantages of an online course - versus in person?
In person courses are fun. However, they cost significantly more.
Plus you have to add in costs for travel, meals, accommodations.
It can get pretty expensive.
They last only a few days. Then you are on your own.
You have to rely on memory and a few notes.
With online courses you always have a front row seat.
With a clear view of everything the instructor does.
You can watch the videos over and over. You can stop and go as you need it.
You get awesome PDF downloads.
You can create at any time of the day or night. In any outfit - or even in your birth suit.
Plus you get continued support in a private Facebook group. And several live Zoom sessions!
You get the course for indefinite length - and can go back to it anytime you need a boost or want more joy.
Deep inner joy spreads like sunrays...
Deep inner joy is that delicious, nurturing feeling that spreads like sun rays from your heart and mind throughout the body.
It sparkles up your eyes and it makes you smile. You feel confident, content and happy from deep inside.
When you create like kids do - exploring without expectations - you open the space in your brain and heart where natural joy lives.
The more you create, the calmer and more joyful you become.
You can access that space faster with the help of the Golden Key.
You can then create "Joy-on-Demand" - often within just minutes.
"Even thinking about it makes me feel happy."
"Prior to this course, I was someone who didn't really draw.
But your doodling methods were a revelation.
I CAN draw and it was fun!
Even thinking about it makes me feel happy."
Cassandra Martin-Himmons, Master your Stress, Self care coach
