2009 Artist's Way Women's Retreat in Lakeside, Ohio

I participated in this retreat last year as a session presenter and an attendee of the other retreat offerings, and it was a wonderful experience. Please check out the website at the title link for information on rates, early bird specials, and registration information.

Retreat organizer Wendy Fedan does a great job of pulling everything together to make it creative experience of self discovery and expression, relaxation, and fun.

"Create-A-Way" artist retreat – Lake Logan. N.C. - May, 2010

Mark your calendars for Wendy Fedan's 2010 "Create-A-Way" Artist's Way retreat in North Carolina, at Lake Logan, May 7-9.

There are three cottages for for participants, and EVERY bedroom has its own bathroom!

Here are the rates:

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: (for those who send a $200 deposit by October 1, 2009
SHARED ROOM: $375
PRIVATE ROOM: $425

IF REGISTERING (with $200 deposit) AFTER OCT.1, 2009:
SHARED ROOM: $425
PRIVATE ROOM: $475

We will have ALL NEW workshops next year, with some familiar workshop leaders and a couple new ones.
One workshop description has been finalized:

"DRAWING FROM NATURE"

Whether you are “unable to draw stick figures” or a seasoned artist, you will delight in the freedom of this class led by Kristen Boyesen. The emphasis will be on the movement, shapes, observations, and curvy lines found in nature. Finished drawings are not the object of the class, but observation and immersion in the joy and the beauty of nature. Let go of your notions about whether or not you can draw, or that you are a “good” or “bad” artist. All such self-imposed structures and labels dampen creativity!

Delve into the moment. Abandon the everyday world of lists and duties to the sublime world of shape, light & dark, and the glorious variety of the natural world. You will be pleased and surprised at the results … within … and on your paper. Bring your own supplies or use those provided for $3.00. (Keep your drawings, return the drawing instruments.)

Website with more information to be added soon.
For more information email Wendy Fedan: wfedan@earthlink.net

Arising-Heart Meditation, Cleveland OH

Meditation comes in many forms. The first get-together of the Cleveland-Akron meditation group, Arising-Heart, will be on Saturday, June 20, 8:30 to 10:00 AM at the Art Experience/Imagination Arts studios, 64 Wandle Ave, Bedford 44146. This beginning session will have two 20-minute meditation periods, a presentation, discussion, and refreshments. $5, payable below. Registration is required. Space is limited to 20. Registration is by email: WildernessArtist (at) sbcglobal.net or through Linkedin "send a message" service.

Learning Self-Control through Family Fun Activity

Art Smarts!
There are very few activities parents and children can do together where both parent and child are equally challenged, equally experiencing something new, and equally vulnerable. Such a sharing between parent and child creates new bonds of closeness, awareness, and understanding of each for the other.

Learn easy exercises for connecting with the world and with each other.

Experiential: do the exercises, feel the results.

Useful: Learn a technique to do at home, in the car, while waiting in lines, to help change mood.

Ages 5 and up. At least one parent must accompany children.

TIME: Saturday, April 18, 9:00 to 10:30

COST: $15 per family

LOCATION: Chagrin Falls Middle School Library, 342 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

INSTRUCTOR: Kristen Boyesen

REGISTER: Call 440-247-5375 - (Voice Message 24 Hours a Day.) Leave your name, phone number, course title, and if you are a resident or non-resident. You will be contacted for further information.

Kristen Boyesen is a Life Learning and Creativity Coach, member of COSE, Cleveland Coach Federation, American Holistic Medical Association and Eldercare Professionals of Ohio. She has over twenty years’ experience as an art instructor and exhibits her art in galleries in New York and Ohio. She is pursuing graduate studies in Art Therapy at Ursuline College.

Stress Busters Workshop, Chagrin Falls

Take a break from stress, routine, and deadlines. Learn to change your perception, mood, and behavior through easy exercises based on meditative drawing (without looking at the paper).

Retrain your brain.
Let go and be free.

Materials included. No art experience needed. (Follow-up advanced classes are available on request.)

TIME: Monday, April 20, 6:30 to 9:00 PM

COST: $22

LOCATION: Chagrin Falls Middle School Library, 342 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

INSTRUCTOR: Kristen Boyesen

REGISTER: Call 440-247-5375 - (Voice Message 24 Hours a Day.) Leave your name, phone number, course title (Stress Relief Workshop), and if you are a resident or non-resident. You will be contacted for further information.

Active Imagination Interactive Event, Chagrin Falls

Experience “aha’ moments, ignite creativity and feel a sense of community through meditative practices, word games and interaction with percussive instruments. Learn an easy meditative drawing (without looking) technique for inner peace, wellness, and activating intuition. Short lectures are followed by instruction, practice, and group discussion.

Excite, feed and retrain your brain.
Let go and be free.

Materials are included. No art, writing, or musical experience necessary. (Follow-up advanced classes are available on request.)

TIME: Saturday, April 25, 9:00 AM to Noon

COST: $22

LOCATION: Chagrin Falls Middle School Library, 342 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

INSTRUCTOR: Kristen Boyesen

REGISTER: Call 440-247-5375 - (Voice Message 24 Hours a Day.) Leave your name, phone number, course title (Active Imagination), and if you are a resident or non-resident. You will be contacted for further information.

Workshop Opportunity for Cleveland Area Schools

Click on image for enlargement.

Spring is in the air!

Provide students with an innovative tool to:
• Focus
• Activate Imagination
• Calm Spring Fever
• Ignite Creativity

All age groups benefit, including teachers!

The Imagination Arts program uses a motivational talk & slide show, instruction, and a beginning drawing exercise to teach students to let go of circular thinking and enable concentration. Doing the exercises is calming before tests and opens the brain to contemplative thought for creative writing and problem solving.

The program can be matched to the hosting class, whether it is English, math, art, or social studies. Each teacher requesting the class may give an overview of what is being taught and how innovation and creative thinking would help excite the students to the current topic.

One room for the program should be provided for all day presentations to ease set-up time. With time between classes, the program is mobile. Tables or writing surfaces are required. Pens and clipboards are provided. The school should provide two reams of copy paper per day for supplies.

The cost for this all-day opportunity for your students is $200.


Kristen Boyesen has 20 years experience as an art instructor for workshops and private lessons, as college adjunct for drawing classes, a public speaker-demonstrator for groups and organizations, and motivational speaker at wellness facilities.

Creative Play for Kids, Cleveland East Side

Give your kids a treat next time you have an appointment, or need to go to work on a "snow day" or teacher's conference day. Click the title link for more information.