Lissa Jensen

Lissa Jensen is a visual journalist who has filled a lifetime’s worth of journals, letters, and odd scraps of paper with imaginative art and text. Previous to earning an MA in Myth, Literature, and the Unconscious (U. of Essex), Lissa traveled widely, working at the Taize Community in Burgandy, France, homeless shelters in Edinburgh, Scotland, and as a tea-hostess on the “English Riviera,” St. Ives, Cornwall. Published in 13 languages, her work includes a series of Hans Christian Andersen’s illustrated fairy tales, and three series of Famous People of the Bible.

Student Feedback for Lissa

This was by far the best online class I have taken. Lissa is an amazing instructor: positive, professional and perceptive. I loved everything about the class and wish it were offered more regularly — even a part 2. Linda Roehl

Lissa is a generous and warm teacher. Her assignments were interesting and created a space for a student to delve into their own insights and interests. I really loved this class. I looked forward to each week’s assignment. Barbara Santucci

I honestly don’t know how Lissa finds the time to respond as copiously as she does, with incredible detail, helpful suggestions, references to other resources. She is beyond generous. One of the joys of this class was that I didn’t feel pressure to conform to a given standard, but was rather free to explore and experiment. That’s liberating. Before taking this course, it had been nearly 40 years since I’d done any sort of visual art to speak of. I was apprehensive about my abilities, and horrified by my first efforts in the class. Lissa unfailingly gave me the encouragement I needed with each and every assignment. Now that the class is ending, I feel as if drawing in particular, and visual art in general, are back in my life in big and meaningful ways. Leslie Stainton

Lissa was superb. She took the time to give detailed feedback and her ideas were inspiring. The way she presented the assignments, using her own ideas and imagination showed she really walks the talk and she obviously loves teaching and giving feedback to the students. Pip Fowler

I fell in love with this course! The material was beautifully organized and presented, offering just enough background and lots of prompts, sparks, and ideas. Lissa is a kind, knowledgable, and inspiring teacher. Our group quickly felt like a community, which I especially appreciated given the times. I felt encouraged to experiment — and I’ll keep going. Sylvia Foley

Lissa Jensen gave excellent critiques. She guided and inspired and encouraged. She also submitted her assignment right along with students as further examples. She give in-depth critiques to each student. This has been the best class I have taken with Writers so far. I really liked the freedom of the assignments. It was just enough to get the creative brain thinking. Marylou Brashler

The content was wonderful. Each assignment seemed to build on the one before as well as create a space for the unexpected to arrive… I really value, Lissa. She takes the time to respond and guide each student according to their needs, who they are and encourage them to grow in the directions they are showing wether they are aware of it are not. Very Insightful… I have taken this class twice and have grown exponentially– the assignments, although the same, touch me in different ways since each time I am never in the same space. So meaning and inspiration are different… I really love the classes and space writers has created. When i cone across people with an interest in writing, I spread the word. Tanya Reiss

What an incredible course! Lissa Jensen’s “Creating the Visual Journal” gave me well-organized weekly content and technique tips that helped me go from someone who didn’t draw at all to someone who can’t wait to wake up in the morning and create with my visual journal. Lissa is a gifted artist but also a talented teacher. She provided a wealth of resources, including videos that walked us through Lissa using a particular technique, inspirational visual art pages and thoughtful, interesting themes. Lissa’s particular gift is that she made me everyone in the class feel like part of a community of artists. She created such a sense of community that we didn’t want the class to end! Mona Voelkel

Creating the Visual Journal was terrific. Lissa Jensen is so creative, encouraging, and enthusiastic about the idea of expanding written journals with expression in art–art of many types and in many different mediums. The lessons and assignments were thoughtful and stimulating, and with her tremendous artistic background and talent, Lissa helped enrich each lesson with examples of her own work, work of other artists, and ideas about how to work with different materials… I think any writer who has not yet used art to enrich journaling would learn a lot from this class–as would anyone interested in exploring new ways to meld visuals with words in a friendly, collegial setting. Thanks so much for this wonderful opportunity. Marge Osborn

Lissa was great. She created a very positive and caring environment for people to share their work and spent a great deal of time and energy reviewing and giving great feedback to each and every student. This is a great class – and lots of fun. I have gotten soooo much from your classes. Cherie M Sands

Lissa was amazing, extremely dedicated, talented, thoughtful and knowledgeable. Paula Lowenstein-Boano

Lissa was very encouraging and appeared genuinely interested in what the class created. I felt a connection to her. The feedback was the most detailed I’ve ever received considering that I’ve taken many online courses over the years. She sparked new ideas for me to explore and I continue to do so. I regularly look back on the pages I created and feel proud of what I achieved. Helen Whitaker

Lissa Jensen was excellent.She is a great artist and teacher. I appreciated the progression of assignments.  I learned a lot of art techniques that I actually applied.  Lissa was clear with her direction and showed great creativity. I now have a journal that I am proud of…and, some day will add to!  I have certainly benefited from all classes I have participated in. I always recommend writers.com to everyone interested in writing. – Linda Kirsch

Lissa was a very encouraging and inspiring teacher, taking a great deal of time and trouble with our work and questions. Joanna Paterson

I thoroughly enjoyed the class with Marlee LeDai and Lissa Jensen.  They were outstanding teachers on every level, from giving extensive and encouraging feedback to providing an enormous wealth of ideas and materials for guidance and inspiration. I would very much like to take future courses with Marlee and Lissa. I am impressed by the range and quality of the Writers on the Net courses and have recommended them to others. Winnie Hayek

This is the second time I have taken this course and I will enroll again if offered by Lissa Jensen. Her method of presenting information, inspiration and freedom of exploration is perfect for me. The exceptional detailed critiques have provided the encouragement and understanding needed to continue. Lissa demonstrates on a how-to video to further explain the assignment. She is caring and takes extra time if needed. Great class! Marylou Brashler

I really loved the class.  The teachers and the content materials and their suggestions were awesome.  I thought it was brilliant to have an art class that blended writing or not depending on where we were as students.  That was a great assistance. I discovered things and connections that the art allowed me to discover that words would have never ever allowed me to touch and explore. I think its a great part of Writers.com. I hope you have more classes like this. Tanya Reiss

Creating the Visual Journal with Lissa and Marlee was the most amazing class I’ve ever been a part of, in my whole life!  I could have never imagined what new ideas, art and writing the class brought out in me. Lissa and Marlee are the nicest, most talented and inspiring people.  They created a magical, loving, encouraging and thought provoking environment. Only in this space could such a wonderful community have developed. The way I see writing and art will never be the same! I learned so many new things that I would have never come across. I highly recommend this class for ANYONE, who would like to create new things in any medium at all / discover new things about yourself / experience life with new perspectives. Maytal