Creativity, Peace and Friendship with ARTreach at Agave Road!

Dear art friends, ARTreach offers a monthly three-hour Expressive Arts retreat in Katy, Texas. Profits gleaned from these retreats go to support ARTreach programs. ARTreach is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to bring art-related programs and services to children at risk, troubled youth, adults living with illnesses, victims of crime, the elderly and the community at large. This Expressive Arts retreat can energize your ability to think outside the box and reconnect with your creative impulse through the use of art media. In the retreat you will explore your mind in an open ended way and discover layers of your inner world. You can also use the retreat to explore an issue in order to increase your awareness and search for solutions. These retreats are guided by Lorena Fernandez, M.A. who is ARTreach program director for Expressive Arts. "The Expressive Arts retreats have nothing to do with artistic skill or experience at all." Fernandez explains. "It is about exploring creativity and imagination with the help of tangible things, such as art materials, but it includes music, sound, movement and writing. The purpose of each retreat is to stimulate the finding and expressing of personal insights hidden in the non verbal, and then add words to that. It is intense imaginative play for grownups, 18 and up." This monthly three-hour retreat takes place at Agave Road, a beautiful private estate located among the trees of a 30-acre wildlife sanctuary. Agave Road's address is 1016 FM 1463, Katy, Texas 77494. To learn more about the location visit their website: www.agaveroad.net The next retreat will be on February 25, 2009. The cost is $42 per person, 18 and older. To ensure a relaxed atmosphere, the maximum number of participants per session is 20. Participants should bring a pen, notebook, comfortable clothing and a snack. Sign up online in Fernandez's website www.LFcreative.com Future dates are: Feb 25, March 25, April 29, May 27, August 26, September 30, October 28 and November 25. All dates available this year are open for enrollment. The "The artistic object that comes out from each activity could be a good initial idea to be developed further in the studio, for artists. Writers get exciting ideas for poems and other writings. People who do not consider themselves artists usually come away with powerful insights into their own behavior in the world. The retreat can be useful in helping anyone reduce stress and anxiety by giving those emotions a tangible shape and by putting words to that representation in a non judgmental, non competitive atmosphere. It is also an opportunity to meet very interesting people," says Fernandez. Lorena B. Fernandez, M.A. is an artist and certified Expressive Arts facilitator currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Expressive Arts from EGS. She is the author of the bilingual art memoir Spiritual Healing with Art, Curación Espiritual Con Arte available at Amazon.com. For more information, contact Lorena B. Fernandez at (281) 748-1477 via e-mail at L.Fernandez@artreachonline.org or visit her website www.LFcreative.com

Location: Agave Road 1016 FM 1463 Katy, Tx 77494 phone: (281) 395-5070 website: agaveroad.net Agave Road has graciously donated its gorgeous location to ARTreach for these monthly retreats. The Expressive Arts activities included will vary every month.

What if I am not an artist... Can I still do Expressive Arts? Yes! No art experience is necessary! The only thing that matters in Expressive Arts is to give yourself the freedom to create something that comes spontaneously. General guidelines: * All criticism is left outside the front door. * The atmosphere is non-competitive. * There is no right or wrong way of doing things. * No experience with art media is necessary. * All feelings are allowed. * Individual dreams, aspirations, revelations and insights are given respect and encouragement. * Emotionally Safe environment. What to bring: Something to write, a notebook, a snack, comfortable clothes that you won't mind getting dirty. ArtReach will offer an Expressive Arts Workshop at Agave Road the last Wednesday of every month. If you have any questions, please email me. Have a wonderful day! Lorena B. Fernandez M.A. Lorena B. Fernandez M.A. Is an artist and Expressive Arts facilitator. She is also the Program Director for Expressive Arts in ArtReach a 501(c)3 non-profit organization striving to provide equal access to the arts while inspiring, empowering, increasing self awareness and cultural awareness.

Goal Setting Expressive Arts Workshop for 2009 in Houston/Katy Texas!!

Dear art friends, I am happy to announce that ArtReach in conjuntion with the beautiful venue Agave Road will offer an Expressive Arts Retreat on Wednesday January 28 2009 from 10am to 2pm. The retreat will be facilitated by yours truly, Lorena Fernandez. The purpose of this experience will be to set New Year Goals and intentions in a more effective and holistic way informed by the arts -such as collage, visualization, drawing, clay, movement and painting. Location: Agave Road 1016 FM 1463 Katy, Tx 77494 phone: (281) 395-5070 website: agaveroad.net Agave Road has graciously donated its gorgeous location to ArtReach for these monthly workshop. The theme of the workshop will vary every month.

Goal Setting with Expressive Arts Can help: To become aware about new strategies to achieve your goals To ignite your creativity and problem solving abilities To become aware about new interests To reconnect with your creative impulse To express your feelings through art media To explore your mind in an open-ended way To energize your ability to think outside the box To discover layers of your inner world What if I am not an artist... Can I still do Expressive Arts? Yes! No art experience is necessary! The only thing that matters in Expressive Arts is to give yourself the freedom to create something that comes spontaneously. General guidelines: * All criticism is left outside the front door. * The atmosphere is non-competitive. * There is no right or wrong way of doing things. * No experience with art media is necessary. * All feelings are allowed. * Individual dreams, aspirations, revelations and insights are given respect and encouragement. * Emotionally Safe environment. What to bring: Something to write, a notebook, a bagged lunch, comfortable clothes that you won't mind getting dirty. Cost and Signing Up Sign up here at www.LFcreative.com For the general public the cost is $42 For ArtReach volunteers, teachers, veterans, professional caregives and cancer survivors the cost is $18 Sign up here at www.LFcreative.com ArtReach will offer an Expressive Arts Workshop at Agave Road the last Wednesday of every month. If you have any questions, please email me. Also, email me about whatever you want. Also, if you don't want to receive this newsletter, unsubscribe below so that it won't happen again. Have a wonderful day! Lorena Fernandez LF Creative Lorena B. Fernandez M.A. Is an artist and Expressive Arts facilitator. She is also the Program Director for Expressive Arts in ArtReach a 501(c)3 non-profit organization striving to provide equal access to the arts while inspiring, empowering, increasing self awareness and cultural awareness. She lives and works in Houston and Katy Texas.

Safety - Poem by Lorena Fernandez

That gargantuan tree striving to touch the clouds

Its juicy bark and climbing limbs curl around in coiled crowds

Thick twisted branches in a dance,

Would I climb them now, if I had the chance?


I notice my lack of an adventurous stance.


I see a man walking on a tree trunk,

Both of them, the log and the man, rough, dark and dirty

Attempting their task with courage and spunk


Not such risks in my secure life...

In it I can lose my bones and muscles like Lot's wife

Fleeing from and eliminating all worlds of strife


I admire the wild turkey with its irrepressible temperament.

Fear never prevented her from expressing her resentment

In a loud and disorganize race for the face.


Nature and the stormy sky,

Highlight my monolithic shelter

Inside it I kiss no frogs,

All that touches my lips has been sanitized.

Perhaps I could do a better job.

Giving Thanks, Nov. 2008

Dear art friends, Given the Thanksgivings celebration in the USA, I decided to send an email thanking you for your feedback and your interest in my art! Below are two paintings that I had in the works, now completed. If you can think of some titles for them, I would be glad to know them. You can click on the paintings to see a bigger version. .................................. untitled 24inx36in Acrylic on Canvas ...................................... untitled too 24inx36in Acrylic on Canvas ............................... I am planning some Expressive Arts classes in the Houston and Katy communities beginning January 2009. If you want to be informed about that, reply to this email. Email me about whatever you want. I love to get your emails! Also, if you don't want to receive this newsletter, unsubscribe below so that it won't happen again. Have a wonderful day! Lorena Fernandez LF Creative Lorena B. Fernandez M.A. Is an artist and Expressive Arts facilitator. She is also the Program Director for Expressive Arts in ArtReach a 501(c)3 non-profit organization striving to provide equal access to the arts while inspiring, empowering, increasing self awareness and cultural awareness. She lives and works in Houston and Katy Texas.

New works for November 2008

Dear art friends, I hope you are well and enjoying life. Here are a few of my new paintings I wanted to share with you. .................................. Melancholy 24inx36in Acrylic on Canvas ...................................... Shraddha inspired this... 24inx36in Acrylic on Canvas ............................... un-x 24inx36in Acrylic on Canvas .................................... There are a few more new paintings and works on paper. To see the paintings visit: http://www.lfcreative.org/Painting.html And to see the prints and works on paper visit: http://www.lfcreative.org/Prints.html Please email me about whatever you want. Also, if you don't want to receive this newsletter, unsubscribe below so that it won't happen again. Have a wonderful day! Lorena Fernandez LF Creative

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Opening at Elder Street Gallery Oct. 11 2008

Dear art friends, I hope you had as much fun at last night's art opening as I did! It was wonderful to share time with you yesterday at Elder Street Gallery Women on Women show! I took a few pictures that you can see here, but I'm sure better pics will be available from other sources. New ideas regarding Expressive Arts were discussed last night, it will be great to make them come true in the near future! Let's talk more!! Why Expressive Arts? Here are two explanation from the leaders in the field: From "The Creative Connection" by Dr. Natalie Rogers PhD (1993) Expressive arts therapy uses various arts- movement, drawing, painting, sculpting, music, writing, sound, and improvisation - in a supportive setting to facilitate growth and healing. It is a process of discovering ourselves through any art form that comes from an emotional depth. It is not creating a 'pretty' picture. It is not a dance ready for the stage. It is not a poem written and rewritten to perfection. We express inner feelings by creating outer forms. Expressive art refers to using the emotional, intuitive aspects of ourselves in various media. To use the arts expressively means going into our inner realms to discover feelings and to express them through visual art, movement, sound, writing or drama. We use the arts to let go, to express and to release. Clients report that the expressive arts have helped them to go beyond their problems to envisioning themselves taking action in the world constructively. Involving oneself intensely with the creative process brings an alignment of mind and body, creating an opening to receive divine energy. Discovering one's spirituality through creativity actually happens. From "The Foundations of Expressive Arts Therapy" (1999) by Dr. Stephen and Dr. Ellen Levine Wholeness and self-actualization are seen as the goals of therapeutic work: the arts are necessary precisely because of their capactity for expressing the totality of the self. No matter what the framework, we sense a common concern with human suffering and the possibilities of an artistic response. Expressive Arts are those activities in which creative expression fosters psychological, physical and spiritual wellness. Let us keep in touch! Sincerely, Lorena Fernandez LF Creative

An art opening invitation & news about Expressive Arts Therapy in Houston

Dear friends, I hope you are VERY WELL and enjoying life! Here you will find: An art opening invitation & news about Expressive Arts Therapy in Houston I want to invite you this coming Saturday October 11th from 5pm to 10pm to the opening of an art exhibition where I am participating at Elder Street Gallery, here are the details provided by the gallery: Women on Women: The Feminine Perspective on View at Elder Street Gallery Elder Street Gallery invites you to enjoy art and become familiar with the feminine perspective! The exhibit Women on Women offers an intimate view from the vintage point of sixteen Houston Women artists! Each artist submitted two works, resulting in a diverse and exciting show. Artist's include: Lynet Mc Donald, Tanna Bennett, Judith Johnson, Linda Chateautex, Lorena Fernandez, Julie Zarate, MaryAnn Lucus, Sue Donaldson, Victoria Lewelling, Dune Tencer, Stephanie Guajardo, Lindsay Peyton, Carla Bruce, Susan Goettsche, Jerri Glidden. The reception will be held on Oct 11 from 5-10 pm. Musical entertainment will be provided by guitarist/vocalist Danny Jones. An original John Alexander lithograph will also available at this event. For more information on Women on Women show at Elder Street Gallery, visit the Web site at http://www.elderstreetartist.com/ or contact Terrence Boggs at (281) 250-4889 or via e-mail at elderstreetgallery@gmail.com. Elder Street Gallery is located at 1101 Elder Street, (down Dart Street off Houston Ave.) in the Inner Corridor, near I-45 and I-10. In Expressive Arts News: Lorena Fernandez is the Program Director of Expressive Arts for ArtReach What is ArtReach? ArtReach is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides mentoring and art-related programs to a growing population of children at risk and to others in need. See their web site here: http://artreachonline.org/ The mission of ArtReach is to bring art-related programs and services to the underprivileged and the under served, including children at risk, troubled youth, children and adults with living with illnesses, recovering from drug addiction and other special needs, victims of crime, and the elderly. ArtReach wants to provide equal access to the arts while inspiring, empowering and uniting people and increasing self awareness as well as cultural awareness. Sadly, Texas is the 49th state in the USA when it comes to budget allocated to the arts. ArtReach is funded by people in the community that care about the well being of all. Why Expressive Arts? Here are two explanation from the leaders in the field: From "The Creative Connection" by Dr. Natalie Rogers PhD (1993) Expressive arts therapy uses various arts- movement, drawing, painting, sculpting, music, writing, sound, and improvisation - in a supportive setting to facilitate growth and healing. It is a process of discovering ourselves through any art form that comes from an emotional depth. It is not creating a 'pretty' picture. It is not a dance ready for the stage. It is not a poem written and rewritten to perfection. We express inner feelings by creating outer forms. Expressive art refers to using the emotional, intuitive aspects of ourselves in various media. To use the arts expressively means going into our inner realms to discover feelings and to express them through visual art, movement, sound, writing or drama. We use the arts to let go, to express and to release. Clients report that the expressive arts have helped them to go beyond their problems to envisioning themselves taking action in the world constructively. Involving oneself intensely with the creative process brings an alignment of mind and body, creating an opening to receive divine energy. Discovering one's spirituality through creativity actually happens. From "The Foundations of Expressive Arts Therapy" (1999) by Dr. Stephen and Dr. Ellen Levine Wholeness and self-actualization are seen as the goals of therapeutic work: the arts are necessary precisely because of their capactity for expressing the totality of the self. No matter what the framework, we sense a common concern with human suffering and the possibilities of an artistic response. Expressive Arts are those activities in which creative expression fosters psychological, physical and spiritual wellness. I am looking forward to helping the Expressive Arts Program in ArtReach grow and I am looking forward to your ideas, feedback and any help that you can provide.I'm looking forward to seeing you at Elder Street Gallery Saturday night! It will be lots of fun!! Sincerely, Lorena Fernandez Art making experience provided by ArtReach