Hiring me is like having a personal trainer…

but for your creative practice.

Compassionate, confidential, helpful
(and affordable!) services for creatives and artists of all ages & stages in their journey.

Whether you’re just getting started, returning to art after many years away, or an emerging artist ready to level up their game, I have a wealth of knowledge and experience that I am keen to share with you, and a whole lot of empathy and compassion.

I know we all have amazing creative potential, and I’m so invested in helping you achieve yours!
We can have a single session, or I can help you develop a strategic roadmap to get you where you want to go.

Let’s take a closer look at the services I provide, so you can decide which one best suits you:

If we’ve worked together previously, you can book here!

Services Menu

Welcome, and have a browse through the menu. Whether you’d prefer coaching, consulting, expressive arts facilitation, or a personalized series of art lessons, I have got you covered.
My services blend well into one another, so you may find yourself switching around from time to time, and that’s ok, because my rates are the same. Whichever format you choose, you will walk away with an expanded sense of possibility, some ideas and action steps, and the knowledge that you have caring support available to you should you require it.

Please scroll all the way down to fill out an application, and you will be redirected to book your meet & greet appointment in my calendar.

  • I can meet you at your current level and provide instruction in several media types, techniques, subject matter, and/or theory. Drawing in graphite, charcoal, pen & ink, coloured pencil; Painting in watercolour, gouache, or acrylics, and of course provide advice on tools and materials, observational drawing skills & artistic license. We can discuss concepts like colour theory, values, composition, proportion, perspective, detail, and texture. I will offer step-by-step techniques, thorough demonstrations, and ask for project-based homework. I am also happy to (gently & constructively) critique artwork for improvement, IF you ask for it, and dependent upon your current goals.

  • Periodically I will offer group classes and workshops on the following subjects (and others), but you’re also welcome to book me for them, too, for your own groups and private gatherings.

    • Nature Journaling

    • Creative Journaling

    • Watercolour

    • Gouache

    • Acrylic painting

    • Drawing

    • Cyanotype

    Students are usually responsible for their own materials, unless prearranged for an extra fee. To the person booking, please be responsible for securing your venue. I am willing to travel outside of the CRD, however I reserve the right to charge for travel and accommodations if necessary.

  • You have an idea or a goal, be it improving your skills or finishing a specific project, but sometimes you don’t necessarily need instruction, you just need someone there. To get you started again, help you build momentum, break down the overwhelm, quiet the inner critic, or provide prompts, suggestions, or help you strategize when you get stuck.

    I will not be watching over your shoulder… here we will work alongside each other and I will be here for you when you need.

  • The act of creating is therapeutic and healing… making art for art’s sake has the added benefit of renewing our spirits and boosting our mental wellness! Sometimes when we are feeling stuck or blocked, we need some gentle guidance, permission, and support to get us started and keep us going. I will create a safe container for our sessions, cut out the overwhelm with specific materials and prompts, and help you build skills of self-compassion, resilience and courage. We will release self-judgement and let our inner child have some fun!

    Disclaimer:This non-clinical service is not art therapy, psychotherapy, or counselling and not a substitute for such—please see a medical professional or licensed psychotherapist for mental health concerns.

  • You’d love to grow and develop your creative practice but might feel blocked, overwhelmed, frustrated, or confused about what’s next. I will listen and hold space for your experiences, help you feel seen and heard, and will ask powerful questions that provide perspective, context, or insights… I will provide support, guidance, and resources while you set your own course and find your way forward. You’ll be amazed at what we can accomplish together.

  • Much like coaching, but much more specific or technical. You may have a specific goal or creative project in mind and want specific advice or suggestions on how to get there, from someone with experience. Whether you want to apply to art school, start your creative business, begin to take commissions, build an audience on social media, begin attending markets, pitch and hang your first solo show… Pick my brain! I have plenty of ideas and resourcefulness, and can help break down the overwhelm.

  • While commissions are a separate service I offer, you can still book your complimentary meet & greet via Zoom through the same form below, & my calendar. Please also visit my commissions page for more information…

Motivation

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Accountability

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Skill-building

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Technique

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Feedback

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Guidance

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Advice

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Encouragement

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Motivation • Accountability • Skill-building • Technique • Feedback • Guidance • Advice • Encouragement •

Results since launching in Fall 2021.
I have seen my clients:

  • 🌱🐛🦋 Create an exciting series of new paintings

    🧠 Uncover and overcome limiting beliefs

    📚 Start and finish a sketchbook, and start another one

    💐 Begin sharing their artwork on social media…

  • 🧑🏼‍🎨 Introduce themselves as Artists when asked what they do

    💌 Print their artwork on greeting cards

    👋🏼 Reach out and make connections in their local & online art communities

    ⏱ Make time for and prioritize their daily practice…

  • 🪢 Reconnect with their personal values and sense of self

    🌸 Feel their artwork take on greater ease and a deeper meaning

    🎨 Experiment with new media

    👑 Begin to notice their personal style emerging…

  • 🎓Register for a continuing education University Arts Certification Programme

    📝 Write about themselves and their work in an Artist’s Statement and Biography

    🖼 Pitch their artwork and land a solo show

    ✅ Set up a portfolio website

  • 💵 Price their artwork for sale

    ⛈ Brainstorm ways to begin freelancing

    🔥 Begin to take on professional commissions and get PAID

    … and we’re still going! What will you add?

Selected Testimonials

  • Melodie

    “My coaching experience with Jen Burgess has been an amazing collaboration. In a relatively short time, I have been able to move through issues that had negatively impacted my artwork for years.

    Jen's careful listening, thoughtful comments and provocative questions helped me to gain insight into some of the barriers that were holding me back and with her suggestions and gentle guidance, I have been able to take my creativity and confidence to a new level.

    The coaching experience is one that I can truly say was life changing and one of the best things that I have done for myself and my art!”

  • Andrea

    “Jen has been so thoughtful and invested helping me develop my goals… Her knowledge and experience is beyond!

    …Even after our first meeting I jump-started into action when I had been putting things off for months. Many months. She’s non-judgmental and really understands my approaches to art and life which makes it easy to work with her.

    I already made a portfolio website and have so many new ideas. Her emails after each session are solid gold. I am so thankful to have met Jen.”

  • Bonnie

    “As a creative coach Jen holds a safe space to think, create and explore ideas; a space where I can shut off the influences from the outside world so my ideas brew and come to life.

    Each coaching session I am able to access Jen's large range of creative talent and knowledge; thus being able to see the multiple dimensions for solutions to issues which create more imaginative ideas than I originally began with.

    I love my client notes that quickly follow each session. Client notes are full of discussion summaries, powerful inquiries and valuable resource materials that keep me accountable as I refine and breathe into my goals until our next session..

    Jen's style of coaching shines a light on my creativity path where I am actually feeling art in my bones!!”

  • Cassandra

    “I hired Jen as a coach because I decided I want to be a scientific illustrator and pursue my dream, but I quickly realized I had no idea what I was doing with the business side of things. Knowing she was an illustrator previously, I wanted to hear about her experience and learn about how to be a professional and work with clients.

    She helped me get my contract ready to send to clients and come up with strategies to seek out the kind of work I want to be doing. Not only that, we have had some insightful conversations around ways of shifting unhelpful thought patterns relating to creative and professional barriers. I’m happy I have her in my corner as I work toward achieving my goals, and I look forward to continuing to work with her!”

My risk-free guarantee to you:

While I prefer that you pay up front, if you’re feeling cautious and curious, you can opt to pay after our first session, on the honour system. My guarantee to you is you will walk away inspired and motivated, and if not, if you felt absolutely no benefit, don’t pay. It’s that simple!

I want us to both be genuinely excited to be working together BEFORE we begin. That’s why our first session is a 30-minute complimentary meet & greet. My services may not be for everyone. So if you have any questions in advance, please let me know. A certain amount of nervous excitement/anxiety is normal, but if you feel that something is wrong during our session, please speak up and let me know what you need, and I will do my best to make it right for you. However if you decide you wish to cancel our agreement during our first session because it truly isn’t right for you, I will refund your fee & we can cancel any future agreements.

All sessions are fully confidential! Of course, note that results will vary and are not guaranteed because they are contingent on your efforts; with accountability and follow through you should experience transformational or therapeutic results, however it is very important to note the difference between coaching and therapy. Coaching is neither therapy nor counselling and should not be substituted for such. Actual traumas and mental health issues should always be discussed with a licensed therapist or medical professional. Please review our terms and conditions.

Apply here for your first
Mentorship Session

Please fill out this form in full!

The more information you can provide me with, the better I can serve you. If you need more time to think, you can leave a few of the long-form boxes blank and get back to me by email before our appointment, as only the asterisked * questions are required. All responses will be kept strictly confidential. All the information you provide, including contact information, will not be used for any other purposes or shared with any additional parties. Asterisked fields* are required.

After you fill out the form you’ll be redirected to my calendar to schedule our first meeting. After we’ve had our meet & greet, I’ll send you a link to pay in my shop or we’ll arrange an e-transfer to pay for your upcoming session(s).

isolinestudios@gmail.com