Lisa Cheney:  

Ok... so some of you may recall in the dusty cobweb filled areas of your minds, that I liked to draw. Actually, being the shy and somewhat awkward teen that didn't quite fit in with any of the "crowds" art was the only outlet that I really connected to in Junior High and High School. Unfortunately, as much as I loved it, I wasn't encouraged to pursue a profession that included art. In fact, if I recall when I talked to counselors and a few teachers in Highschool, I was actually discouraged from applying at an Art Institute. I was told the "Commercial Art" field was just too competitive.... so I shied away from the thought... Three years after High School (2 of which I spent at ISU with a major undeclared, 1 year in San Diego at the "school of life" as my father once described it) I splurged and took a Drawing class as my one elective that semester at ISU. A whole new world opened up for me...at the end of the term the professor encouraged me to change schools and pursue my dream. Despite the misgivings of my family, I packed up again and moved to Boise. It was all worth it to see the pride on their faces when I got my first job as a graphic designer while in my second semester. I continued working full time as a graphic designer for the University until I graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design and a minor in Illustration. After graduation I continued to work for the University as the manager of the Graphic/Promotions Department. The job had all the creative freedom a new designer could hope for. Later, I went to work for a local design agency as the Sr. Art Director and Sr. Designer. I loved my job and the challenge it brought each day. The long hours that were asked of me (55-70 hrs wkly) the last year I was there took a toll on my family and me. So, in 2005 I took a leap of faith and broke out on my own. I now enjoy the freedom of freelancing as a Graphic Designer/ Illustrator and teach bookmaking and Visual Journaling workshops throughout...Expand for more