“AWAKE… This is such an appropriate title to this course. AWAKE is exactly what I did once I joined Sebastian Michaels’s fabulous course. I thought I was just joining an 'online course' to extend my photography skills.
I didn’t just extend my photography skills or learn about art and how to create it, I learned how I want my future to look like and how to live it! I never put a photograph up on my walls in the twenty something years I have been photographing, I guess because I didn’t want to brag, but now I have ALL my compositions on my walls that I have created from this course. I am selling them, displaying them in galleries, and have even developed a book about them. I am so happy and I AM living the ARTISTIC LIFE! Sebastian Michaels has opened up my life and I am shining! I can truly say 'I AM an artist!' Thank you, Sebastian, for changing my life!”
— Barbara Case
“I first came across the Photoshop grunge course in 2015 and the concept really piqued my interest. After signing up I was amazed at the content and the knowledge that I picked up, so when Sebastian opened up the AWAKE course, it was a no-brainer to sign up!! I am an experienced Photoshop and Lightroom user but this course provided me with something that I was desperately missing…inspiration! Sebastian does a fantastic job introducing new content and really, really cares about the direction and value of AWAKE. A lot of courses that I’ve signed up for in the past have long since been created and have no updates or refresher by the instructor. Not so with AWAKE. Along with Sebastian the work that the other students put out is nothing short of amazing!! They are so good it is almost intimidating! If you love creating artistic work, need inspiration, or want to take your images to the next level… do yourself a favor and sign up for AWAKE. Thanks again Sebastian for all that you have done, this is an amazing ride!”
— Chad Goddard
“I have never had any formal art or Photoshop training and describe myself as not having an artistic bone in my body. Art, especially creative artistic composition does not come easy for me. I struggle to put down on the digital canvas what I see in my head. Awake has helped me learn to do that.
Sebastian and the AWAKE course, along with the wonderful ‘family’ that came with it, have changed my life. We share ideas and techniques, support one another and grow, not only as artists, but as people. Sebastian is a teacher, mentor, inspirational coach and cheerleader all wrapped up in one incredible person, who shares everything he has to make us better. Every day, I am learning how to be AWAKE, not only as an artist but, more importantly, as a person. Even though I still feel like I am floundering some of the time, I know I have a wonderful AWAKE family I will always be able to ask for help and advice.”
— Denise McNickle
“Coming into the AWAKE course, I knew little about art, composition, color, blending or compositing. Your extensive knowledge, enthusiasm, presentation and organization has helped me develop far beyond what I could imagine. I’m honored and proud to be in the group. You make learning a pleasure.”
— Ruth Wiens
“Wow! What a year it has been! I can’t believe it is over already. When I started this AWAKE journey with you January 1st I had just started learning to crop and do basic edits in Photoshop. I had just signed up for your Fine Art Grunge course a couple weeks before, I felt so out of my league starting AWAKE. Even blend modes scared me! You have done such a great job of addressing things like self-doubt, inspiration and ambition I couldn’t help but learn and grow.
Not only did you teach me technical skills, you taught me to live more intentionally in every moment, see the artistic possibilities in every situation, take chances and you nurtured my confidence until I realized that you had fulfilled your promise to turn me into an artist. There is more to it than that for me though. You not only turned me into an artist, you also gave me an outlet for my traumatic past and a way to cope when things in life are rough. Photoshop artistry is one of my best tools to keep myself emotionally well.
There are no words that can express my gratitude for the incredible gift you and the AWAKE class have been in my life. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You have helped heal a part of my soul.”
— Julie Mae Thies
“For me the AWAKE Photo Artistry course has been challenging but very exciting not least because it has made me aware of how photography (and art in general) can allow vision into aspects of life previously unsuspected. The course is driven by Sebastian’s enormous professionalism and enthusiasm.”
— Richard Strange
“If you are, as I was when I took the course in 2015, a sometime photographer, occasional collage artist and only a little familiar with a few features of an older version of Photoshop, you will LOVE this course. I had reached a point where I was getting tired of trying to find just the right colour, image, size of image, layout and paint to make my pieces come alive. Using the course material, and Sebastian’s encouraging words, I have improved my knowledge of composition, use of colour and images, layering and special effects as well as my ability to bring my imagination to life, and, many features of Photoshop that I didn’t even know existed. The course is multi-dimensional, many layered and covers both technical use of the products and creative use of their features. There are an incredible amount of images supplied and free or nicely discounted add-on packages from time to time. Lots of 'cheat sheets' too, for learning and quick look-up of instructions for actions you don’t use very often. And you can work as quickly or as slowly as you like so the learning and creating can fit into even a tight schedule.”
— Solange Belleforte
“Sebastian’s AWAKE course will teach you more than you ever thought possible about creating art – but that’s only the beginning. You’ll find yourself immersed in an incredibly supportive, inspirational community of like-minded souls, led by an instructor with a true passion for teaching and uplifting others. There are constantly updated tutorials, inspirational talks, and freebies of all sorts. I have gone from being frustrated at not being able to express myself artistically to understanding how to create what I see in my mind.
This course has been nothing short of life-changing.”
— Nicole Wilde
“It is not often – in this ‘me, me, me’ world – that you can find someone who is willing to do what they say — and then give so much more! I have been a member of the Photoshop Grunge Course, the AWAKE Course, and now the Black and White Photography Course. I can say without hesitation that Sebastian Michaels’s courses are top notch in content, instruction, and motivation. Sebastian’s private Facebook Group for the AWAKE Group has also provided a great format for community spirit and encouragement among the fellow members. Do you want to take your photography skill set to the next level? Do you want to expand your artistic reach? Do you want to challenge yourself to be a better artist? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you owe it to yourself to become AWAKE!”
— James Bethanis
"I have been on the AWAKE journey since its inception and I could not imagine my life without it. It is what keeps me going on some days. Sebastian is a phenomenally generous man and has shared so much over the years and constantly amazes with everything he does for us. The artists here are so generous of spirit and nurturing which has made this such safe place to create and share.
Sebastian has truly created a wonderful haven for artists to reach for the stars and actually touch them."
— Laurie McKay
“Why should you join the AWAKE group? First, it’s a natural next step from the Grunge course. Second, you get to see exactly how seasoned artists create their stunning images. Third, you get the support of the whole group to help you along. Fourth (and this is the best reason for me), you get to see beautiful images day after day on our private Facebook page. You get inspired the best way possible, by seeing the work the other students are producing . . . and believe me, being part of all that is well worth the course fees.”
— fellingmal
“One day, doing a Google search, I stumbled across a site offering a course in Photo Artistry by Sebastian Michaels and I thought, Why not? I had a love of art and photography yet still felt I hadn’t touched the surface of Photoshop. I joined the course, thoroughly enjoyed it, learned so much and then after completing it yearned for more. Then I received an email one day from Sebastian notifying me of a new course that he was introducing in 2015 called AWAKE. … I had seen so much amazing art during the Photo Artistry course, I jumped at the chance to join. I was accepted into the AWAKE course and thus the journey began. Throughout this course I have had my eyes opened to a new world where everything is possible if you keep at it. The core videos where assignments, encouragement and leadership were given; to course content material for downloading to use in your work; to the videos on training where established artists pieces were broken down to show how they were created, this course has surpassed any I have undertaken previously. The AWAKE Facebook page where we all gather and post our pieces is a source of inspiration and support for me and other members of the group. The AWAKE magazine where our work is published can be purchased to show friends and family our art. Sebastian has been my mentor, listening to me during periods of self-doubt and then offering encouragement to me (and I am sure many of the others within the group). He has shown me how to live a more AWAKE life by opening my eyes to the world out there that others just do not see. My art has flourished under his guidance and teachings.
Sebastian’s generosity astounds me and his tireless work for the group makes me so proud to have been a part of this amazing journey. I encourage you to join us on a brand new journey through the upcoming year and you too will begin living the AWAKE Life.”
— Ann Wehner