Spiritual Autobiography and Spiritual Memoir Books!

Journey and Story Sharing Books

Welcome to the Journey on Canvas Bookstore!

Find spiritual and inspirational books at Journey on Canvas. Learn how to use a spiritual journal or artistic expression to help you to share your story. Find encouragement in the spiritual autobiographies of others. Enjoy spiritual books and books of encouragement for children and adults. Discover creative ways to share your story. Find new hope as you share.

Purchase Alisa's books on Amazon or place bulk orders by contacting Alisa.

Books about Mindfulness and Creative Expression:

Mindfulness Paintings:

A Book of Creative Meditation Exercises, Artwork, and Art Activities

Release Date: March 2019

Alisa shares the power of mindfulness painting in her latest book titled Mindfulness Paintings: A Book of Creative Meditation Exercises, Artwork and Art Activities. This book explores mindfulness painting and its power to bring us peace, enter us into the present moment, and make us more fully aware. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, this book will help you enter the “Mindful Zone” through a variety of painting and meditative experiences.

Paint, Think, Notice and Be Mindful...

Mindfulness Paintings is a book full of creative meditation exercises, artwork, and art activities that will help you embrace the present moment. You will find suggestions for noticing and accepting your thoughts and feelings through creative techniques. Mindfulness Paintings will help you become more aware of how your body and mind are connected as you try some calming art experiences. An artist’s voice will lead you to notice and observe your own thoughts without judgement or distraction. You will develop more compassion for yourself and others as you quiet your mind and make something new. With each line, stroke, color, and shape you make, you just might pay attention to things you have not noticed before.

Books about Art, Liminality, and Creative Process:

Art and Liminal Space:

Liminality and Creative Process in Life's Places and Spaces

Release Date: March 2020

Art and Liminal Space is the compilation of an artist’s work with reflections that explore liminality’s influence upon it. Liminal spaces are seen through the lens of a mindful art maker. The spaces are then painted and described with an artistic eye. A deeper understanding of the time we spend between “What Has Already Happened” and “What’s Coming Next” is found through the artist’s process. From within the creative flow, in-between moments are captured with a paintbrush and the artist’s voice. A better understanding of our “In-Betweens,” and ways art can give us hope in those places no matter how hard our present places may seem, waits inside Art and Liminal Space.

Transient, Ephemeral, and Undefinable Things...

A freshly painted canvas is my map for understanding where I am in time and space. This map gives unique perspective. It’s a map that creative expression gives to any art maker—objectivity that most can’t find a voice for. Art makers are left with some kind of work that lets them reflect on where they are at any given time and in any given space. Their work shows them where they have been, where they are, and where they are going. Art itself can capture our place in a liminal space.

With great unease, I now take on a daunting task. I will try and catch it (liminality) with my words and painter’s hands—to express this intangible, abstract and fleeting thing. I choose this rocky path that I pray will lead you and me to transformation. May we hover in the “Not Knowing” of the “In-Between” and then stand at the threshold of “What’s Next”—peering in to see a new place taking shape and glimpsing the fruits of crossing over that threshold and into something new.

To better understand the great lessons we learned while we waited in the powerful “In-Between” would be a most amazing thing. Precious would it be to see this strange liminal space that most often keeps us in one place, yet takes us on journeys to where we never thought we’d go. By the grace of God, these meek pages will help us better understand these transient, ephemeral, and undefinable things.

Spiritual Autobiography and Spiritual Memoir Books:

Dancing in the Doghouse:

Sharing God's Presence in Everyday Places

Release Date: October 2009

One woman’s story of hope and encouragement despite struggle, suffering and ordinary life challenges:

Alisa’s life hasn't been easy. Like most, her past is filled with ordinary (yet considerable) challenges -common things not easily overcome. Looking back, she sees struggle and suffering, but she also finds much hope mingled with it. Alisa can see the hope because she has kept an account of it: on papers with a pencil, upon canvases with a paintbrush, using torn papers, pastels, glitter and ink. Reflecting on this account, Alisa discovers that someone has been with her through it all: an ever-present, personal and loving God. Dancing in the Doghouse is Alisa’s inspirational story of hope. She shares it for the chance that others will see its hope, know it and share it too.

-an ordinary story, an ordinary life, extraordinary hope

Angels Holding Hands Collage

Spiritual Books for Children Here:

Purchase Guardian Angels: a Book About Angels for Children Here!
Release Date: November 2012

Angels bring comfort to children. "Guardian Angels: a Book about Angels for Children" will help kids overcome everyday, and not so everyday, fears and challenges. This delightful picture book will bring children comfort in loneliness, in the dark, while getting teased, when facing pressures at school, during the big game and in many other situations children need a little protection. You have found the perfect gift for a child who has trouble falling asleep at night or getting on the school bus in the morning. Help kids face their many fears with Guardian Angels.

Purchase Guardian Angels:
A Coloring Book About Angels for Children Here!
Release Date: June 2017

This guardian angels coloring book helps children (and adults) see that angels are everywhere. Kids will color angels that are women, men, rabbits, horses, cats, dogs and children as they explore the pages of this encouraging book. Twenty eight whimsical, hand drawn illustrations will give any coloring artist (big or small) the comfort that comes with knowing they are not alone. “Guardian Angels: A Coloring Book about Angels for Children” will help anyone relax as they play with color and bring these delightful illustrations to life. Peace will be with you.

Purchase Jesus for Kids Here!
Release Date: February 2017

Confused and Curious have a lot of questions about what they learned at church today. The teacher told them that Jesus died on a cross to take their sins away, and Confused just doesn’t understand what this means. That’s why he goes to Mom for help. Curious listens in while Mom gives Confused the answers to some really hard questions about Jesus. Mom saves the day by keeping it all simple. The story ends with a prayer that helps Confused and Curious find new names.......FAITH and TRUST!

This book is perfect for kids that are preparing for communion and baptism. It’s also a friend of children who just want more answers about who Jesus really is. Salvation, forgiveness and other spiritual mysteries are explained with the simplicity of a child.

About the Author:

Alisa received her B.F.A. from Pratt Institute and has an M.S. in education. She has worked as both a professional artist and educator. Dancing in the Doghouse reflects the richness of Alisa’s experience as a creator and teacher. Through words and images, Alisa points to our creator. Her background brings insight and a unique expression for a daily human experience: the presence of God. Alisa invites readers to share their own experience of God’s presence on her website: www.JourneyOnCanvas.com. Suggestions for sharing one’s own story can be found throughout the site. www.JourneyOnCanvas.com also allows viewers to email Alisa, to share their own spiritual stories, and to inquire.

Alisa is also the publisher of other books for adults as well as children. Check out Mindfulness Paintings, Guardian Angels for Children, Guardian Angels for Children (Coloring Book), and Jesus for Kids. These books are consistent with Alisa's desire to share her story and encourage others to share theirs as well.

Ways to Search Inside The Book!

You can find spiritual autobiography and spiritual memoir books at Journey on Canvas. Search inside this spiritual autobiography and learn how to use a spiritual journal to help you to share your story. Start finding encouragement in the spiritual autobiographies of others by reading Dancing in the Doghouse.

Listen to Readings from a Spiritual Autobiography:

Dancing in the Doghouse: Sharing God's Presence in Everyday Places

Interview on Spiritual Autobiography:

Listen to the Michigan Literary Network Interview the Author of Dancing in the Doghouse

Read an Excerpt From a Spiritual Autobiography:

My mother-in-law made me this fantastic coat. It’s full of colors and patterns and it’s quite unique and very thoughtful. It’s a one-of-a-kind creation just for me. It’s awesome.

The biblical Joseph got a special coat from his father. Much like mine, it was made especially for him. It was a reminder that God had a special future for him. The coat spoke of his potential before he stepped into it. His brothers ripped his jacket from him, and did their best to strip him of all he was to become, but they couldn’t stop God from fulfilling all that He had promised and planned. They tried to destroy Joseph’s inheritance but actually helped fulfill it. God used the brothers’ efforts to destroy Joseph in order to bring him into the fullness of everything He meant for him to become. It took time but eventually Joseph became all the things his coat promised he would be.

I don’t know if my mother-in-law realizes it, but the coat she made me speaks. It speaks of what I am to be: a unique, awesome, one-of-a-kind creation. When I wear it God whispers to me. He says, “I have special plans for you. Just be who you are. Walk with Me in confidence. You will step into all I’ve promised you.”

I don’t feel comfortable in my coat yet. It needs to be broken in. The wearings and washings will make it soft and pliable. Attempts have already been made to strip it from me before I’m comfortable in it. I’ve been teased for wearing it. The coat felt awkward and wrong on me as I was teased. I kept on wearing it, though. I knew that one day I’d put it on and it would feel just right. No one will have a chance of teasing it off of me when that day comes. I’ll understand all the things my coat calls me to be, and I’ll see that I am stepping into its promises. No one, and nothing, can stop that day from arriving. God will be sure of that.

I have a dream about my Joseph coat. In the dream some words are spoken to me: to be shut forever. The words are encouraging words. They make me feel like there might actually be a way to shut the door on the bad things in my life. In my dream I see myself emerging from a dark, underground crypt that has stairs and a door leading to brilliant light on the outside. The walls of the tomb are thick, dank and heavy. When I open the door to the light the door moans and creaks. I have to push hard, and lean in with all my body weight, to find my way out to the light on the other side. When I step out from the darkness I notice that I’ve been wearing my colorful coat all along; it’s just been too dark for me to know it. My eyes squint in the light. They’ve been in the dark for so long it takes a while for them to adjust. I step out fully into the freedom of the open air around me. I raise my hands to God and celebrate my escape from below. I live in the light now. Angels soar around me singing, “To be shut forever. What has been is finished. Come dance in the light, Alisa. Your days of darkness have ended. Come celebrate. Come celebrate the light.” As I hear the angels’ words I notice that my coat of many colors, for the very first time, fits just right.

I know my dream is a promise. Against the reality of what seems to be stands the promise of my dream. One day I will step out of the place I now find myself and into a new place that is full of wonder and joy. I will step into the place that God meant for me all along.

I tell Jesus about my deepest fears, regrets, confusion, sadness, humiliation and frustration and I do my best to surrender it all. I don’t expect a “magic genie” answer. I just talk to Him because I know He’ll listen and answer me in His way. More and more, His gentle way of offering me and others grace is becoming enough for me.

Jesus gave grace. Jesus never stopped loving the people who missed who He was and what He was all about. He protected those who murdered Him. He went so far as to make a way to Heaven for his executioners. He celebrated with people who were miles from perfect. He celebrated with tax collectors, law breakers, adulterous women and other evildoers like me. He sacrificed for people who couldn’t even sacrifice a night’s sleep before His crucifixion. He loved without expecting anything in return. He loved those who hated Him, gave Him nothing and gave Him very little.

I love who I am today. It’s the miracle of unconditional love for others that I’m now after. I don’t want to feel squashed and angered by the fingers that accuse and belittle me. Instead, I want to be secure in how Jesus sees me. I want to talk to Jesus and ask Him how I can learn to love others. I want to ask Him how I can better see how He loves me. I have a way to ask Him these things, so I ask:

Hello, Jesus,

How did you do it? How did you love all those people who mocked You and hurt You? (I didn’t place My trust in people. My trust was in My Father in Heaven.) How is it that You didn’t get wounded? (I felt all the pain you feel when someone hurts you. I loved them anyway. I didn’t expect people to be perfect. I didn’t expect that they wouldn’t hurt Me. I just loved them. Do you think you could learn to love like that?) I will have to trust that you will help me. It’s so hard for me to love the hurting people who hurt me. (If you want peace, Alisa, you will have to empty yourself of the need to have others be what you trust in. You will also have to accept the emptiness that comes with knowing that I am the only thing you can trust. Do you think it was easy to love on that cross?) No way. (It won’t be easy for you to love those who persecute you either.) Love like that seems so impossible. (You must work to relinquish your pride and place your trust in Me. As you open yourself to Me in spite of the pain, sin and unfairness of this world you will learn to “let go.” People, like you, are clinging to the hope that the world has something to offer their deepest needs. I am their deepest need. Do you see that I am your deepest need, Alisa?) Right now I do, but I forget and get caught up in trying to get my needs met elsewhere. Maybe, deep down inside, I just don’t want You enough? (Your desire for relationship with Me is insatiable. That’s why your deepest needs won’t get met in the world, Alisa: not in your family, in your kids, or even in your own husband. When you stop expecting your needs to be met on this earth, you will love freely. Meanwhile, you and I will dance this bittersweet dance: you choosing to move away from Me empty, and Me drawing you back full. There is pain in the dance. It’s the pain of knowing you can’t have your deepest needs fully met on this earth mixed with the sweetness of My love for you. Are you willing to dance with Me, Alisa?) I deeply desire to. (I will dance with you. You will dance with your Father who loves you perfectly. I will let you move away and feel the emptiness apart from Me until the force of your desire drives you back to Me.) I’m afraid of how much it will hurt when people don’t love me back. (You can’t find an answer to your emptiness in this world. You must bring your fear and emptiness to My feet. Then I can bring you peace and make you full. I will also use you to help others find fullness. I will help you as you journey and I will bring you closer and closer to the day when you will love perfectly and your peace will be complete. All of it will be done in Me.) I look forward to that day. (I do, as well.)

Secure in Your love,

Alisa

There’s so much to live for. I have blessings and I have a chance at enjoying them. I sleep at night with the rest of the world. I feel fantastic. I’m not just a person who feels good, though. I’m a person who’s got a shot at cashing in her anger and bitterness for some love. I’ve got a shot at loving more every day. I’ll do my best to give back something different than what others have given me. I’m going to do my best to give them something good like love, grace or patience. I believe Jesus is going to help me give others these good things. He told me He would and I trust Him.

I trust Him. Today, that’s the story I have to share. It’s not a story of miraculous healing, a perfect ending or a quick-fix solution. It’s the story of an up and down life walked alongside a God who can be trusted. Some people aren’t ready to hear my story. They aren’t ready to face the realities of living in this broken world because they haven’t been broken yet. I’ve been broken. That’s why I have a broken story to share. The people who are ready to hear my story often listen and respond. They give me the comfort of the realities of their own broken life and how it has also been touched by God. Sharing like this is one of the greatest encouragements this life has to offer. With God, every broken life is a powerful story to be shared.

This selection is taken from Dancing in the Doghouse: Sharing God's Presence in Everyday Places
Use the "Search Inside the Book" feature on Amazon for a deeper look into Dancing in the Doghouse

Out from the Darkness, Age 38

Spiritual Memoir!

Find me on Amazon!

Guardian Angels!

Find me on Amazon!

Teach Kids About God!

Available on Amazon!

Spiritual Coloring Book!

Available on Amazon!

Celebrating Work!

Take Apart 1,
Age 45

This is one piece of art, but its parts are from 8 different works I created in the past. I selected the 8 pieces carefully, cut them up and then reworked them. Creating this piece was like doing a puzzle. Each piece got moved around, and spun around, until it fit with the other pieces around it. There would eventually be a sense of satisfaction with the placement followed by some tweaks: maybe some additional color, a little more glitter or additional texture. I repeated this process over and over until I felt the whole thing worked together. Perhaps it doesn't sound like much, but you'd have to try it to understand the challenge. The reason why this piece has continuity is because all 8 of the original works were created by the same artist. Over time, artists develop a style that comes with artistic maturity. There is a quality of line, a sense of color and an emotion that clearly shows the signature on each creation will be the same. The fact that this is true often goes unnoticed by others. You need a certain level of experience to see it. You might look at this and think I'm nuts. You might think this piece is downright ugly. Your first impression might be that it looks like a hodgepodge? Maybe you see some really bad art? I have confidence that comes from decades of others' scrutiny. It's confidence that allows me to close my ears and trust the work that pours out of me. I know what I see. I know what I made is good. I'm fine with celebrating alone.

Unlimited Work!

Unlimited Realm,
Age 42

The Unlimited Realm is all about wanting more. It’s the place where you believe that God is gonna go all the way for you. It’s where you expect Him to fill your emptiness COMPLETELY. In the Unlimited Realm God always has some new adventure for you to go on: there’s always some new way to find more freedom. If you didn’t know about the Unlimited Realm until now that’s OK. I had to be taught about it too. I didn’t believe in it right away either. The seed has just been planted within you and it will grow. Someday soon you’ll find that you’re a believer too.

Don't Live in a Small Place
Age 42

With great enthusiasm I heard the words “Don’t live in a small place.” I thought about my small place: the place where life was better than it had been and I was resigned. Something stirred inside me and said, “Maybe there’s more, Alisa?” I thought about how I once prayed. When I prayed I could imagine the very arms of Jesus holding me. I sensed His presence: my arms tingling, tears spilling out of my eyes and my heart full of joy. I realized this was an experience I no longer had since the pill and I realized my resignation. Some part of me had died when I decided that this experience would no longer be mine. I realized that I was living in a small place. I saw how I believed that God wasn’t big enough to bring me back to Him.

Liminal Art!

Space Travel,
Age 51

Better Work!

Take Apart 2,
Age 45

I am in the throes of taking apart my old art: the art that doesn't please me in its entirety. I love pieces of these pieces though, so I start to use them. I make some new work that is not entirely new. I make something better from something not quite right. It is satisfying.

Fitting Work!

Art Journal

Journal on a Canvas
Memories,
Age 45

The memories I have are pieces that fit together to make me. Each memory has changed me: not always in good ways and not always in bad ways. God takes both the good and the bad and somehow he fits it together in a way that works. Memories are a part of me and I accept them. I try to figure out how each one can be used to make a better me.