We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Karen Jenifer Lopez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Karen Jenifer, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

In 1996, LACMA provided a Chi Gong and movement activity for all the students that attended the Gallery field trip. We were taking a break after a full day of walking from one exhibit to another. The ceilings were high, the hallways were long, and the art was crispy in contrast to the flat burgundy walls. Although I don’t quite remember the art work itself, I remember the feeling of elation and interconnectedness of that day. With out this language to identify this sentiment I experienced this palpable gnosis that I was in my element.

As a shy and reserved kid I’m surprised by my boldness and tenacity to have stepped on the stage set up in the middle of the food court. In retrospect, I realize this pattern is activated from a heart space. I sentimentally moved to frequencies that filled the room. We were encouraged to transition from structure chi gong movement to move “however we wanted”. There must have been a sepia and cinematic filter in my memory complex that has predated our current world. My heart was full and my child imagination may have even captured glimmers fairy dust through the sun beams.

This core memory is dear to my heart as it highlights this deep knowing that Art forms are powerful channels of healing and life force energy. Perhaps this is when I first new I wanted to live in my Artistic truth. I don’t believe I have ever seen it any other way.

It is the essence of who I am.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an Artist, Self-Embodiment Facilitator, and a Holistic Psychotherapist.

I pursued my undergraduate degree in Visual Communications and Humanities with an Emphasis in American Indian Studies followed by my Masters in Psychology with an Emphasis in Art Therapy (LMFT).

Between psychotherapy clients, 1:1 mentorships, and Art projects the deep intention is to support the collective in embodying all aspects of the self through radical acceptance, non-judgement, and freedom of expression through tapping into the natural world for healing, artistic expression and true connection to Spirit. I help individuals who feel stuck and unfulfilled in their lives and are at a crossroads. I support them in truly transitioning into a more authentic way of being.

I enjoy Art Visualization and Creation as a tool to help connect with the psyche and bring unconscious processes into conscious awareness. It is life giving for me to engage all the senses and guide others through magical spaces with guided imagery.

Stay tuned for my Art Psykhe Circle launch where we will dive into guided meditation and art activities to support us in uncover unconscious programming and shift our personal realities.

“Art Is Energy Made Visible”
— Pat B. Allen, A Fellow Art Therapist

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
-C.G. Jung

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

As a human with an IQ about 160, Einstein affirmed that “Imagination is more important than knowledge”. What a genius, right? Although linear processes of thinking are valuable, it is not in completion with out the full integration of the right brain creative expression.

Imagination is the seed of creation and is necessary for growth, innovation, and our graduation from survival mindset to a place of thriving.

In addition, imagination is the engine for effective problem solving. I learned that I am most effective in solving math problems through imagination and visual representations of numbers. I arrive to mathematical conclusions when I trust my intuition and follow my creative impulses, rather than following traditionally pragmatic ways of solving problems. This also translates in the way I solve problems in life and practice resiliency during life’s challenges.

I have found that allowing myself to quiet the ego mind and instead connect more deeply with my creative being helps me release sense of control and allow the answers to flow effortlessly. Our Creative ways of being is interwoven with our intuition.

A book a recommend that dives deeper into this process is “Modern Man in Search of a Soul” by C.G. Jung

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I pulled a story from my resilience jar today and I have to say this is a good one. It was a dark night when I parked my Xterra on a hill overlooking the city. I was working many hours on my Master’s, an internship, and my little money making job at the time.

I had hit rock bottom in many ways, or so it seemed at that moment. All my belongings lived in my car and so did I, most nights. Some nights I couch surfed at friends homes. It was a very humbling time for I had fallen hard from the lofty “good girl” archetype persona and I was undergoing a deep transformation that required for my foundation to be re-established.

It was a time when I was deeply misunderstood and felt isolated. And yet, I felt a deep sense of inner confidence that all would be more than okay. I refused to give up on my studies for I knew my external circumstances were part of my initiation process. I needed to be humbled and so I was.

Like an REI sticker of a wanderluster sleeping in their truck under a starry night, I felt encompassed by a deep overwhelming love and inner peace. At that moment I was overwhelmed by this inner knowing that I would again find a home but first I would find it within myself.

I kept showing up with presence to all my classes, to my internship, and to my work (inner and outer). It built my discipline and self confidence from the inside out. I learned where to place my value during this process. It was rough, painful and beautiful. I learned authenticity.

This experience helped me see people more deeply as well. I believe it has supported me in providing a warm non-judgmental space for my clients. We all have a story or 2 and they are so powerful in our evolution.

This is not the hardest thing I have experienced but it is an essential chapter of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.atenakeartbykarenjenifer.com/
• Instagram: @atenake_art