Fernanda Lopez Paintings
Artist Bio
Fernanda Lopez is a Colombo-American community artist and art therapist. She started to use painting as an intuitive healing modality at age 18. At that time, she was dealing with anxiety and depression that resulted from some significant changes and life transitions. As a result, she decided to study psychology, yet kept learning to paint on the side, knowing from experience that art is also a way to heal. During an exchange program in the United States, Fernanda learned about art therapy and consequently changed her career and life path. She enrolled in Lesley University, where she completed a master’s degree in Expressive Arts Therapies and Mental Health.
Currently, Fernanda works as an art therapist serving the Lawrence, Lynn, and Lowell communities. Fernanda is currently focused on strengthening Lawrence Arts House (aka LA House) a community art based studio in Lawrence that promotes the arts as a tool for empowerment, self-expression and healing. Fernanda is also starting a small private practice in Lawrence, offering an open studio approach to art therapy. For any inquiries about these visions, please contact Fernanda directly at lawrenceartshouse@gmail.com
Artist Statement
This body of work is the result of many years of self-exploration. My initial goal was to intentionally show my work to the public. By showing, I am culminating a process of self-acceptance and celebration of the uniqueness of my work.
As an art therapist, I was guided by the question of how to create work that is genuine and congruent to the many ways that I experience myself. As a result, some of these pieces became “process paintings”. From my methodology, “process paintings” are creative endeavors in which self-judgment is acknowledged as an integral part of the creative process. Balancing working with my own therapist and developing a studio practice, I was able to honor self-judgment as an inner part that brings light to my own resistances and the many voices that “stunt” my creative growth. My therapist suggested that I offer to myself the same compassion that I bring to my work with others. I have learned a great deal about self-acceptance and self-love, and as a result (and after many tears and growing pains), I have become more kind and acceptant of myself and my creative work.
As stated above, my goal is to show my work to the public, to allow it to be seen and felt by others, interpreted and imagined in many multitudes of ways. I hope that these images bring vibrancy to this space and that they inspire others to get acquainted with their inner judge, embrace it and make that best out of it.
Display Case – Reference Area -Wool Works by Vicki Murphy
My love of working with wool was a graduated process. It began with knitting, felting and rug hooking, but my preference these days, and where I get most creative, is with wool appliqué. After years of pursuing my hobby, I have a huge stash of wool and yarn, and working with wool is the best kind of therapy, especially during long cold winter months in New England. —Vicki Murphy, MHL Staff