CVP Alumni Testimonials

Arron says: "I consider myself a beginner... I'd taken a couple of art classes after high school, then trained to become a registered nurse. Art is my self-care.

Joining CVP gave me the confidence to just go for it, to move forward in my art making.

I got that confidence from all the support that CVP offered and continues to offer, even 2 years later. I talk to a CVP-er every day now.

Now it's not just me in this lonely art world. I have a whole team of people encouraging me and supporting me, pushing me forward and saying: you can do this! It's amazing... it's a great feeling."

Susan Says: "This course has been life changing for me - not only in my art practice but in my whole outlook.

I have such a consistent practice now and am looking within for inspiration. I am having FUN!! I was truly amazed at how quickly I have changed my thinking and attitude from one of fear and negativity to one of joy and positivity.

Even though mindset was probably my biggest hurdle, I have also benefited from all the principles (which weren't taught at my art school), and my painting has improved so much.

I recently had a solo show at a regional gallery, which was meant to be all ceramics, but ended up including about 15 paintings, almost all of which sold. There is no way I would have achieved this if not for CVP, which gave me the kick to just go for it!"

Nicki says: "I wanted to find my own voice in my art making, and someone recommended CVP to me. I included a photograph of a falcon taking flight that had inspired me for years in my first CVP inspiration board...

I turned the inspiration of this image into a 25ft tall art installation at Burning Man the following year, and I have since then created a small art and design business, painting, sculpting, and what is most dear to my heart, creating functional sculpture / installations.

I feel I'm still in the beginning phases, but CVP and Art2Life have been an amazing stepping stone and tool for me to open the doors to my transformation, find my own voice, and build the confidence to go for it."

Chantal says: "CVP changed everything. Before CVP, I painted with a specific outcome in mind.

I enjoyed the beginning freshness of my work, and of course the outcome if it was good, but if things went wrong in the middle, I typically gave up. I had no idea how to continue and get beyond that “ugly” stage.

Now, after CVP, the middle part of painting does not worry me much. I know my intentions. I ask myself the questions CVP taught me to ask about the principles, and how my art feels.

I know how to work on another piece and come back later. But most important is that I don't worry or give up!"

Jacqui says: "Before CVP I thought that I needed a plan before I started... it was kind of stressful. Creating wasn't so fun - it felt like a lot of pressure.

Now, I just go down and paint. I don't care so much about the final result and it's a lot more fun now.

I'm trusting the process. I'm enjoying the uglier stages... and through watching Nick's demonstrations in CVP, I could see how much fun he was having.

And that's important... because if I'm stressed while I'm making it, the art is going to feel stressed too... Now I trust that I'll get there."

Tom says: "I had this feeling that there was some part of me that was not quite developed. And when I was painting... I found that.

I hadn't put paint on a brush for 35 years. I just didn't know to begin that transition to creating my own art.

I could have easily continued on the path of being a successful business person... but I wanted to make art, I wanted a richer life... and that process is still unfolding.

With these little steps... just 2 years later, I see myself as an artist. It's pretty amazing considering where I started."

"Before CVP, I would get bent out of shape when my work didn't turn out the way I wanted.

I didn't know the concept of playing, experimenting, and layering. I didn't know the concept of consistent exercise, showing up regularly is more beneficial than an irregular long working day in my studio.

CVP has changed the way I view my practice. I now understand where I'm going and how I phase myself to get "there". My "there" is actually not my goal after all. It's about regular practice and exercise for the long game. For as long as I shall live.

I found my renewed commitment to the craft and the joy of creating something out of nothing.

More importantly, I also learned about the abundance mindset from Nick and the crew. There is enough to go around, share the knowledge with others, ignore the external noises, and turn down internal negative chatter."

- Nino Yuniardi

"One of the main things that's so great about CVP is the group dynamic. I didn't realize I would get to chat and become friends with other artists -- other artists who are beginners like me, and others who are professionals. It's so helpful. I was shy at first but everyone is so encouraging.

Especially now with COVID, this is such a good way to be connected with people. I'm still friends with people I took CVP with - we applaud each other, we're there for each other when we're feeling bad. It's really a great program."

- Darla Claire

"Before CVP I worked on one painting at a time, working it into the ground. I had a few successful pieces, but they were becoming less frequent the more frustrated I became.

During and after CVP I developed a new way of working which was really just me all along. It was both looser and freer but also more considered.

Before CVP I had some basic notions of composition and even colour, but now it all fits together and (most of the time) it feels so much more simple. And now, crucially, I am not scared of going wrong because I have the tools to review my work and bring it back.

Since starting CVP in 2020 I have sold 10 paintings, received 2 commissions. I moved to a new, bigger studio space with a painting wall I can dance around (if I want). I am working on 6 paintings instead of one, and each painting teaches the next one along.

But more important is the transformation in my head. I'm free to enjoy my painting now, and I have CVP to thank for this wonderful change."

- Jenny Fermor

"For most of my teaching/painting career, my main criteria for judging my results was the opinion of others. I took many workshops, etc. thinking that if I could just paint like that person, I would be successful.

After becoming bored, restless, burnt out and ignoring my studio, I stumbled upon CVP through Nick's Sunday conversations on line. His ideas really resonated with me, so I took the plunge (worried about spending THAT much money), but it has been one of the best things I have done for myself as an artist.

It was worth every penny. I now have the tools and support to follow my own voice, my own path. Am I there yet? No, but making art has become an adventure, not a chore, an open road limited only by my own imagination."

- Donna Arnold

"I started painting as a hobby about 6 months before I joined CVP, but was very frustrated with my progress. I came across the program and decided to make the investment.

Shortly after CVP ended I sold a large piece of art I had been working on/off during CVP that pretty much paid for the program for me. (I wasn't even trying to sell anything. My neighbor happened to see the piece--my studio is my garage--and just kept pressing me to buy it!)

Later that same year, I took Nick's suggestion to enter some juried art competitions. I recently learned that one of the galleries has selected some of my art for a show, and they want to award me a gallery contract for my art. I really don't think any of that would have happened had I not taken CVP."

- Mark Carrara

"Prior to CVP, I knew I needed to do something different creatively. I wasn't satisfied with what I was painting. I wasn't really sure what I wanted.

Nick's amazing art technique and fundamentals teachings pushed me to try new ways of working. He creates a wonderful community which helped me feel more connected to other artists during the program.

Nick also taught me about generosity and being yourself when you show up, especially in marketing and as well as in teaching. So much about life is that. Not copying how others do things. Instead, fully tapping into what makes you most alive and creating / living from there.

I'm braver about posting on social media and sharing more of my studio life there. I've also become more ready to say yes to things, to take risks and to explore new interests I hadn't thought I'd be incorporating into my life."

- Patty Ripley

Laurie says: "I found making good work much harder than I thought it would be. I was working from reference material and I didn’t like most of the work I was making.

Saying “yes” to CVP was another step to saying “yes” to myself, which was very new to me. I learned so much in CVP that I took it twice and repeated many of the lessons throughout the year.

What I love most is that I never have to use reference material! I love to paint because I love the process of discovery. The feeling of being at peace and in the moment!

It’s incredible that I get to share my work and have made so many friends with other artists, collectors and people that like art! I no longer feel out of place or awkward because I have connected with like-minded people and I feel right at home."

"Life since CVP has been a whirlwind. When I look back at the vision board I created in the first weeks of the program it is amazing to see what has happened in just a few months time.

I have a new studio. My artwork won cash prizes for 1st and 16th place in a contest of over 5,000 submissions at Minted.com (where I sell prints of my work).

I'm currently working on a large commission, and have installed a dozen paintings that I worked on during and after CVP in my local City Hall, with another local installation planned for November.

What I learned in those 12 weeks was nothing short of life changing. I came into the program lacking direction and confidence...

For the first time in my life I feel like I am making art from a place inside myself.

I am really enjoying both my process and the results.

And I am gaining the courage and confidence to just keep painting and see what happens.

- Jennifer Pierce Daily

"Joining CVP has been a major reorientation for me in my inner life and in my art.

I will spend the rest of my life with a level of joy and contentment that I’ve never manifest before!

I feel I’ve been really pushed, but gently, very gently, past my previous stopping off point!

You really are with us on our creative journey and because of the timescale, the frequent live coaching sessions with your team of approachable and experienced artists...

The professional way your wonderful material is being delivered to us, I sense that my art practice and my life are being transformed, little by little, but truly!

What is happening is deep and expansive!"

- Jaci Dunsford

"At the very beginning of the course, I was afraid that an on-line course couldn’t possibly touch in for people on a really personal and really deep level. WRONG!

I was involved in an in-person year and a half professional painting group class and, at the end of that time, I don’t think that the instructor even knew everyone’s name. There were about 21 people in the group...

And then there’s Art2Life, CVP, on the opposite end of the people to people, heart to heart spectrum. As artists we DESERVE and need to be contacted on all levels of our being. The Art2Life approach and team are outstanding, remarkable and SOULFUL in every way.

They not only share their own art journeys in real and vulnerable ways but make it a safe and accepting environment for all participants to do the same."

- Terrell S Minton

"As a beginning artist, I’ve only attended a few workshops and it seemed to me that EVERYONE in the class but me walked out with a finished painting at the end of the day.

I thought I was the only one who got ’stuck in the mud’ with no idea what to do next.

What this course has provided for me in only 6 weeks is the recognition that getting ’stuck’ is something that all artists experience.

AND, more importantly, I’m learning how and where to place the stepping stones to cross the ‘mud puddle’ without fear, and continue painting until I’m satisfied."

- Becky

"I can see how my style is slowly emerging, almost from day to day now.

I was so stuck with a limited way of painting and it all ended up the boring same.

You show us a variety of tools and there’s a whole new world opening up.

You expanded my horizon and gave me the permission to be so much more of myself, even explore sides I didn’t know I had.

And whole process is being even more powerful because of the incredibly variety of our group.

I have never learnt so much in just a few weeks!"

- Lisbeth Lingas

"Do it! Trust me. Just do it! Sell your first born. Donate blood. Do whatever you’ve gotta do...but, make it happen! (A bit dramatic but...you get the idea. It’s just fantastic).

In comparison to an art degree, it’s pennies! In comparison to a “workshop”, it’s up there in price!

Trust me when I say...it’s no workshop! This is a 12 week intensive!

The material you learn in the 12 weeks...multiple group calls, art critiques, pages and pages of valuable online information, more videos than you can imagine, connections made with artists across the globe...is available to you for an entire YEAR!!!

It’s so great! I am a nurse working 5 days a week! Even if you miss the “live” group calls, everything is recorded!"

- Aaron Buttram

"This has been (and will continue to be) a joyful, challenging, stimulating, super educational, profoundly deep and life changing / enhancing experience!!

I am eternally grateful for the program that you all have created for us here, it has brought artmaking back to my life and given me the tools and perspective to have a healthy, thriving, joyful practice and lifestyle.

I had some long years of not making art, working in a toxic environment and suppressing myself...now that I'm making art again, and with the wonderful soulful guidance of you and the CVP team, I see myself changing..I feel more like my old self...

Making art again within the dynamic teachings of CVP has enlivened me so much, it is taking me back to my soul. This course has truly been a catalyst for so much re-awakening. I'm thrilled."

– Marca Cameron

Arron says: "One of my fears before clicking the enroll button was... would I really have time? Would I get the value out of the course?

The answer is absolutely yes. I would finish a 12 hour shift and come home, go into my studio (my dining room table) and just put something on the canvas, or watch a quick video from the program, or visit the portal.

Little bits at a time worked, even 20 minutes. Even the busiest person can find 20 minutes to do something.

It doesn't have to be a grand thing. But often, that 20 minutes turns into something more, and much more progress than I was expecting."

Since joining CVP, Kate has taken her art from a part-time hobby to a thriving business that has generated 6 figures in income in just 2 years.

Kate says: "When I first heard about CVP, I just knew it was going to be good for me. I could structure it with my work and family life.

When I see all the things that we were taught in CVP, and how it was sadly lacking in my university degree... I see that this is what I needed.

If I had to sum it up, it's that I gave myself to permission to paint without judgement."

The Creative Visionary Program Gets Results.

BEFORE AND AFTER TRANSFORMATIONS

MORE PRAISE FOR CVP

QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ABOUT THE CREATIVE VISIONARY PROGRAM

BUT... IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?

A final word from Nicholas...