I have been incorporating How to Draw an OWL in my creative engagement for years. My must-bring tools always include: The china marker is the essential drawing
Author: Kat Thorsen
Artist, author, craftivist.
“To prepare a face to meet the faces…” the Williams Lake portraits
There will be time, there will be time To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet… – TS Eliot — On my
What the sock pigs taught me…
This past Sunday morning- hanging out on Vancouver Island, my 4 friends and I had a hankering to create sock pigs. There is such magic
Routine? No, ROOTine.
The word ROOTine came up for me the other day when I was texting with my daughter who is on a life-changing journey, travelling in SE
Release attachment to the outcome…
To feel the anguish of waiting for the next moment and of taking part in the complex current (of affairs) not knowing that we are
A reminder that sometimes it is OK to do less.
I have been slow all day– I am trying to allow myself time to stop without guilt, to allow this feeling of weariness, this reminder
Is this where they’ll find me?
Is this where they’ll find me? In the tub, laying back, my neck resting on the edge, my face covered with a book? Is this where
She is filled with secrets. Journal exercise.
In honour of Laura Palmer, central character in Twin Peaks, who disappeared on the night of 23 February 1989 after a date with her boyfriend, we
Still willing to eat that shit sandwich!
It’s been a year and a bit since I came across this article by Mark Manson that asks 7 fabulous and profound questions re: finding your
Recalling a declaration from “my future self” on July 25, 2015
Working on my graphic novel, I pull out research and reference materials from my files and come across a journal entry from July 25, 2015
Three years ago, with shaky hand, I signed…
Three years ago, with shaky hand, but empowered to move my life forward, I signed bankruptcy papers. And my grown children and I signed a
Celebrating 95 pages with a vulnerability hangover…
I am workshopping my graphic novel through a weekly online serial. So far… we have been witnessed a crime: Looked at the original headlines: I’ve
Boundary by Emily Cowan
Wow. Emily Cowan, comic book artist, has just completed an extraordinary book: What a beautiful journey it has been to dive into Paige’s teenage life. My cheeks
A mother’s eulogy by Beverley Pomeroy
by Beverley Pomeroy (posted with permission from author) Well, it’s a difficult thing to have to write a eulogy for your child. Where do you
For I need to SPEAK FREELY. Without restraint…
So, I’ve been doing a lot of chatting in the past few days about my passion project: Molly- a true crime analysis: I’ve been chatting,
The best things in life are free…
Sitting here, surrounded by drawings and notes and cold coffee in multiple cups… butterflies in the stomach… I want to honor Molly, who reached out
Poststreet custom order sock monkeys.
I’ve had some interesting requests and ideas over the years and I do love the challenge of finding materials and interpreting the subject. Here are
My weekly serial format serves as a means to workshop the graphic novel…
My Molly site mollygraphicnovel.com launches with Part 1A on Sunday. The work is presented in an experimental form. I will simply allow the creative process
Traditional craft: handwoven treasure by “Domestic Intervention Co.”
Being Swedish, I was raised surrounded by beautiful handwoven cloths. When I think about Sweden, I see looms. Textile art is in my DNA. My
Slithering pancreatic serpent. #griefprocess
In November 2007, Dr. Ebrahim sat knee to knee with my mother. I was on the other side of the little examination room. I recall
Here’s to us crawling to the finish line…
Touch me life. Not softly. – Maya Angelou And my GOD, life has touched us this year. Here’s to us crawling to the finish line,
Eliza’s Story
“210 years later, Eliza Hamilton’s orphanage — now a family services agency called Graham Windham — is still helping kids get their shot. Graham Windham
Last minute gift idea: pet portrait gift certificate!
Special holiday price: $45.00 CAD includes shipping TO ORDER FOR YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY: Email transfer to britakatarina@gmail.com or PAYPAL Recipient of gift certificate can
The creative life putters on with audacity and hope.
China marker, pastel, linseed oil on wood. Based on Edvard Munch’s “Puberty.” (author of quote unknown) I have been quiet on here for a while.
MOLLY, my true crime online graphic novel serial, launches in 1 month!
Look for Part 1A on January 15, 2017 MOLLY- A TRUE CRIME ANALYSIS at mollygraphicnovel.com An analysis in 5-acts. … to dissolve the very boundaries
Dec 13 #Lucia- childhood memories of wearing a crown of candles
Today is Lucia Day in Sweden. As I was the only daughter in our family, I was the one to wear the crown of candles
Molly- a true crime analysis, a visual serial goes online January 15!
How do you escape from a convincing story? After enough repetitions, the facts come to serve the story and not the other way around. –
Art Sale: Frida and the Wounded Bird #fridakahlo
ART SALE: A special panel from my DRAWING ON PAIN Frida Kahlo is an icon and muse that I return to again and again. I am
‘Asta Sollilja of Summerhouses’ exhibit
My 1998 solo exhibit: Asta Sollilja of Summerhouses ONE OF THE PIECES FROM THE SHOW: The House, 1998, Katarina Thorsen It was a house and a
Mind mapping creates, hears, discovers, gathers, teaches… #graphicrecording
What is mind mapping? A Mind Map is a powerful graphic technique which provides a universal key to unlock the potential of the brain. It
My Frida hung there…
I love the evolution of the street art creative process- the pasting of original art and letting it go into the world… Like the journey of
Operation Sock Monkey Project Sophia
SOCK MONKEY THERAPY AND CRAFTIVISM PROJECT SOPHIA Sophia, age 16, was born with a life limiting condition and she has been part of the Canuck
I’m back in a stall- some kind of school washroom… #dream #innercritic
I used to have a recurring dream— it started in my adolescence and continued into my early 40’s- I would dream that I was getting
Around 3 am… I felt a tap on my shoulder.
Around 3 am yesterday morning (November 19) I woke up because I felt a tap on my shoulder. More like a double jab. On my
Special BLOG Portrait Sale! Only $35 CAD until Dec 15!
SALE ENDS DECEMBER 15, 2016 MIDNIGHT! Your fave subject interpreted in my signature style. How to: Make payment (see below) Email photo plus mailing address
I am a star, glimpsed through a sideways glance.
Working notes, Molly, a True Crime Analysis
You are motherhood. You are the greatest mystery. Karin 17/09/36-08/11/08
Only do not forget, if I wake up crying it’s only because in my dream I’m a lost child hunting through the leaves of the night for
I’ve given myself space-time.
This week started with some bristling uneasiness. But instead of falling into fear and trying to figure out next steps, I decided to give myself
Journal exercise: I Found My Way Home
I have been ruminating on the concept of home. The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go
We were drawn together on Saturday- and now I know why…
I love family. And we have shared so much- all the life markers, the ups and downs of life and through it all there is
“Always, remember, you are the best.” No, you were, Pappa. #toliveuntilwesaygoodbye
My greatest cheerleader was my Dad. 4 years ago today, his heart stopped beating, but his spirit lives on. His pep talks were the best.
Delicious book! ‘Awakening Joy- for kids’ by Michele Lilyanna and James Baraz
I reconnected with a sweet friend/soul-sister/colleague last Friday, sharing sacred hours at my kitchen table. When I lived on the Sunshine Coast 1996-2003, I was
Digging deeper, the secrets become aviatic.
Working on Molly, and I remain fascinated that I find it easier to dig deeper into the story by using the image of birds. Somehow,
Ode to the carnation- “nature’s bastards”
A flower is a miracle. A carnation certainly so. Did you know carnations are “banned” as decor in certain facilities? They are supposedly cheap, low class,
Love letter to Toronto
6 AM Despite living in Canada most of my life, I had never been to Toronto before this year and now I am on my
On Autumnal endings and beginnings in October
This is such a beautiful tender time of the year for me. The autumn is both a time of loss and renewal. My parents passed
What being ace means to me. #asexual musings
Being age 54 and “single” I am often asked (by people my own age), Are you dating anyone now? When my response is one
Partnering to Create a Culture of Care.
I am happy to announce a new site: my collaboration with Beverley Pomeroy! CULTURE OF CARE Earlier this year, Bev and I were invited to facilitate a
Woot! @BigDrawVan at @strathcentre turned out beautifully!
Recall: BIG DRAW VANCOUVER IN THE MIDST OF COMMUNITY CENTRE ACTIVITY, WITH KIDS PLAYING BASKETBALL AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES WALKING THROUGH, DRAWN TOGETHER WORKED
‘Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.’ Journaling exercise
Today you are a newborn and you are starting fresh! Draw a baby. Draw brainstorm bubbles above “your “head. Write about what it may be
Big Draw Vancouver Oct 1! Join me at Strathcona Community Centre for DRAWN TOGETHER
I LOVE teaching drawing! Join me on for BIG DRAW VANCOUVER on October 1 2016 10:30 AM-12:30 PM PT at Strathcona Community Centre in Vancouver BC (601 Keefer)
Stillness of the hummingbird.
I recall the wonder of seeing a little hummingbird, amidst my sunflower garden, staring in through my kitchen window (when I lived in Roberts Creek). Nothing
“I recall a childhood dream…” with visual storytelling.
Toying with creative process. Thumbnail sketches and experimenting with storyboarding the PREFACE (preamble) portion of Molly, a true crime analysis: RECALL:
The inverted detective story approach.
Huge thank you to Patti Henderson who encouraged me to consider the inverted detective story approach on Molly- a true crime analysis. I thought I needed
I am obsessing about Molly’s wandering soul.
I am obsessing about Molly‘s wandering soul. I have written before that Molly somehow chose me to tell her story. Eve Lazarus refers to it
My mother’s tapestry…
Today would have been my mother’s 80th birthday. It was joyous to celebrate her by celebrating my nephew’s 5th birthday (his official birthday is on
A dream- the dead cygnet. A message from Molly.
A message from Molly? Questioning my commitment to see this story through? I am on the path. I promise stay on it. I am the cygnet
“I put myself back in the narrative…” and ugh- LOG JAM. #innercritic #onwriting
On the gross creative process, the ugliness, the inner critic, the log jams, the writing… Log jam. Log jam. After feedback FEEDBACK from multiple sources
First line… let’s go.
Recall: I sit now surrounded by my manuscripts, references, inspiration and pressing fingertips to keys and (re)typing. (Re)COMMITMENT! This version will be from the pelvis. First
A visit to Artrageous Pictures and Framing!
It was wonderful to finally have a visit with Bill Pomeroy at Artrageous Pictures and Framing on Commercial Drive today! LOCATIONS: FRIDA!!! Check out
