I hope the exit is joyful and I hope never to return. – Frida Kahlo Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away. – Frida Kahlo
Category: Art inventory
Artwork inventory from collections and archives
SOLD: STUDIO CLEARANCE SALE: Painting entitled “The House,” 1998
Raising FUNDS, clearing SPACE and LETTING GO. STUDIO CLEARANCE SALE (Vancouver BC) FOR SALE: A favorite piece from my 1998 solo exhibit: Asta Sollilja of Summerhouses SOLD e-transfer or paypal: britakatarina@gmail.com CONTACT: EMAIL You pick up in West End, Vancouver The House, 1998, Katarina Thorsen It was a house and a stable in one. All that was…
Burr, Washington, Jefferson, King George sock monkeys. Hamilton in my heart.
I had planned to be in New York City on July 28th this summer, sitting at the Rogers Theatre with my daughter celebrating, watching Hamilton, the Musical. We would have just completed two days of sock monkey workshops at Graham Windham with children and families (Eliza Hamilton’s orphanage). I was going to bring my sock…
Heron Panel donated to “Hear Me Now” youth film fest
As part of the 100 Herons Art Project that has been supporting arts programming for refugee and immigrant youth, this panel will be donated to the HEAR ME NOW film festival for their silent auction! “Muslim Food Bank’s HOPE for Youth Program (Healing Opportunities through Prevention and Education) is hosting The Hear Me Now Film…
‘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 stable in one. All that was visible of the inner, wooden shell was the door and its frame, the door so small, the threshold so high that one had to…
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 Artrageous on: FACEBOOK: TWITTER: INSTAGRAM: I LOVE that Artrageous supports artists and has several extraordinary pieces for sale at the shop: LINK I’m looking forward to seeing how the shop frames…
The permanent analogy of things by images which participate in the life of truth.
“I took a deep breath and listened to the old brag of my heart. I am, I am, I am.” ― Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar What am I trying to convey in my work? Is it of value? Does it matter? I remind myself that it doesn’t, that it CANNOT MATTER how I “fit…
Embroidered drawings and forensic taphonomy
My passion project, Molly- a true crime analysis, centres around a 63 year old Vancouver cold case. On January 15, 1953, the skeletal remains of two children were found in the forest of Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The victims became known as the Babes in the Wood. The physical evidence indicated that the children were killed…
MOLLY TERESA O’DWYER APRIL 25, 1924
Molly Teresa O’Dwyer (April 25, 1924 Costel, Ireland- November 6, 1947; suicide, age 23 in Vancouver, BC, Canada (Mountainview Cemetery, Vancouver) — My passion project, Molly- a true crime analysis, continues. Stay tuned. On January 15, 1953, the skeletal remains of two children were found in the forest of Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada….
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Frida No. 4: Frida and her Magic Cone of Truth
I’m celebrating my blog with an art event. The event honors the woman who inspires me to keep it going as an artist: Frida Kahlo. — For 10 Tuesdays, I am creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo in some form/medium or another. It may be a drawing, an object, a doll, whatever… A surprise. I…
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Art Blog Event. Frida No. 2: “The Dream”
I’m celebrating my blog with an art event. The event honors the woman who inspires me to keep it going as an artist: Frida Kahlo. For 10 Tuesdays, I am creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo in some form/medium or another. It may be a drawing, an object, a doll, whatever… A surprise. I will be posting…
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Art blog event. Frida No. 1: sock doll. #recycledcraft
I’m celebrating my blog with an art event. The event honors the woman who inspires me to keep it going as an artist: Frida Kahlo. (How many of you that know me are right now rolling your eyes and saying, “duh”…!?!? I realize I am a tad obsessed.) For the next 10 Tuesdays, I will be…
Sock sparrow. #recycledcraft
My personal therapy is randomly picking up an old scrap, grabbing needle and thread and seeing what happens. In this case, I was donated a cozy pair of wooly socks and their color just told me- make a sparrow. Recall: Pay attention to the birds: SPARROW “The sparrow reflects self-worth. If a Sparrow totem…
My Dress Hangs There. One of a kind Frida Kahlo portrait paper dress.
UPDATE: May 2, 2015 1:48 PM- DRESS IS SOLD! It will be worn at the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Detroit exhibit! THANK YOU for your patronage- Laura Mack! — ***SOLD!*** It’s truly one of a kind double sided wearable street art/ wall hanging. These are my own interpretations of Frida Kahlo with…
Introducing Frida Kat-lo. My @kidrobot #Trikky as Frida Kahlo. #munnyworld
China marker, marker, acrylic on white 6.5″ Munnyworld Trikky
Evolution of a #wheatpaste. Portrait of @ThaneKoi, one year later
What is the point of a piece that is meant to be temporary? Work that is impermanent reminds us that nothing in life is permanent, that every state is temporary and transitory. Contemplating this concept teaches us to embrace change in our life, instead of working against it. When others notice a piece that is…
My china marker portraits on @bypoststreet’s limited edition Winter Collection t-shirts!
The bypoststreet limited edition Winter collection t-shirts now available at bypoststreet.com! @bypoststreet features unisex luxury and sportswear inspired t-shirts designed by our creative director. Our eco-friendly luxurious bamboo/cotton cloth is milled in Canada and our t-shirts are designed and produced locally in Vancouver. Our collections feature limited edition portraits by our in-house artist. All our t-shirts…
“Drawing on Pain” at Espana Gallery closing early due to protests from tenants.
UPDATE! It as an interesting experiment to have “Drawing on Pain” exhibited in a lobby gallery. Experiment has to end early as some tenants are expressing concern over the subject matter and have asked that the show be taken down. Understood. Thank you, The Espana Gallery, for the opportunity while it lasted! The show will end…
Unfold your wings as you fall. Drawing on Pain at Espana Gallery Aug 29-Oct 13
Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall. – Ray Bradbury DRAWING ON PAIN Aug 29- Oct 13, 2013 ESPANA GALLERY 689 Abbott Street, Vancouver BC Curator, sales manager: Angie Heintz 778 773 2861 infor@angieheintz.com ARTIST’S STATEMENT: “My painting carries with it the message of pain.” – Frida Kahlo…
Drawing on Pain at Espana Gallery Aug 29-Oct 13: exhibit list
A huge thank you to Angie Heintz and The Espana Gallery and to everyone who attended the August 29, 2013 opening. What a fabulous crowd! Thanks for listening so intently and for your support. Thank you as well to those who provided interviews for the documentary FEAR NO ART w. Patti Henderson. You have all empowered me and I am so…
“Fear No Art” Documentary. A 20 year inquisition w. filmmaker Patti Henderson
I am so honored to be working with filmmaker Patti Henderson as we revisit a project started twenty years ago. “Fear No Art” Documentary. A 20 year inquisition. by Patti Henderson The documentary will address protests that occurred back in 1991 and my reflections on my art 20+ years later. We are diving in now…
Bury me with a China Marker and a pad of newsprint.#essentials. Latest portraits.
Nardwuar, the human serviette Camille Claudel Jocelyn Louise in my graphic novel Lyndi Barrett Anna T Fabulous As mentioned before, China Marker is my medium of choice for my graphic novel. When I die, bury me with a fresh china marker box and a pad of newsprint. Then cremate me ’cause I’m claustrophobic. —
A morning with Joe… trying printouts, multiple copies. #streetart #wheatpaste
Trying wheatpasting printouts of originals for the first time! It worked! They didn’t run! Today’s subject: Joe Average I had fun going back adding to the last wheatpasting spot. Be sure to check out Joe Average’s new site! —
Joe Average’s new site! #art #photography
We are SO LUCKY to be able to access more of Joe Average’s work on his new site! Check it out! It’s like drinking a cool glass of clear, clean, beautiful water. Joe Average (born 1957) is a Canadian artist who resides in Vancouver, British Columbia. Diagnosed HIV+ at age 27, Average made the decision to commit the rest of…
“Walking the streets of dreams” wall is growing! #streetart #wheatpaste
— Thank you Morgan, Justine, Amanda-Lynn, Ernst, Kevin and Anthony at Intersections Media for today’s session and for being my subjects: Amanda-Lynn added several of her portraits as well! See more: China Marker Bowie and other portraits Portrait: Jacqueline Latest updates This is how we do it Once it’s up, let it go Something…
The Social Life hits the streets! #streetart #wheatpaste #thesociallifeyvr
Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don’t come up with a picture to cure world poverty you can make someone smile while they’re having a piss. — Banksy (Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall) Huge thank you to The Social Life, Anna T Fabulous, Josh…
We’ve gone national!!! #Vancouver to #Toronto. #wheatpaste #streetart
4 portraits were pasted by my team in Toronto this morning! WOOT! Huge thank you to Matt and Owen: Matt’s reflection: So it was a pretty interesting experience. We were a bit nervous, mostly cause it was inside public domain and generally busy. But no one said anything besides a little kid who kept gasping…
“Do you know what it takes to do a global art project? People, energy, glue.” #Vancouver #streetart
Do you know what it takes to do [a global art project]? People, energy, glue. – JR I met up with Elijah yesterday so he could paste the portrait I created of him and his beloved dog, The Baconator! Thank you, Elijah, for an inspiring afternoon! The city’s the best gallery I could imagine. I would…
Beauty in the deterioration Part 2. #wheatpaste #streetart
Recall: Beauty in the deterioration Part 1 Watching the pieces change is intriguing and almost as delightful as seeing them remain unchanged! Here are a few changes: Make sure to check out Raziel Reid’s article in Xtra! about the Pride 2012 wheatpaste campaign: Also see: China Marker Bowie and other portraits Portrait: Jacqueline Latest…
Walking the streets of dreams… #rudeboy #ska #wheatpaste #streetart #portraits
It’s hard to imagine a day without a china marker now… The joy I feel in sharing my art freely and for free on the streets is intoxicating and liberating. Laurel Aitken will be pasted soon… experimenting on larger pieces now…
“While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey, I hear it in the deep heart’s core.” #wheatpaste #streetart
The lastest pasting session was interesting as it brought me into new locations and into new dialogues. I pasted BLU by myself- first time I didn’t have my team with me. I almost made it to a train, but glad a found a perfect, “permanent” spot instead. My friend, Darcy, joined me for a session…
Mia More in the morning. #wheatpaste prep. #streetart #creativeprocess
Mia More Art is an evolutionary act. The shape of art and its role in society is constantly changing. At no point is art static. There are no rules. ― Raymond Salvatore Harmon, BOMB: A Manifesto of Art Terrorism See more about wheatpaste art: China Marker Bowie and other portraits Portrait: Jacqueline Latest updates This is how…
Wide-eyed with a twist of the lips and a glimt of teeth. #wheatpaste prep. #streetart
See more about wheatpaste art: China Marker Bowie and other portraits Portrait: Jacqueline Latest updates This is how we do it Once it’s up, let it go Something this fun has got to be illegal! Beauty in the deterioration… Joe Average
Joe Average. #wheatpaste prep. #streetart
He is one of my biggest inspirations… Thank you, Joe, for allowing me to draw you! These pieces will be pasted next week. Joe Average See more about wheatpaste art: China Marker Bowie and other portraits Portrait: Jacqueline Latest updates This is how we do it Once it’s up, let it go Something this fun…
Beauty in the deterioration, in the static, in the anticipation. #wheatpaste #streetart
Walking through our “gallery lane” in the Downtown Eastside, Vancouver, it’s beautiful to see which pieces remain untouched and which are changing. I haven’t revisited our pieces in the West End yet. I’ll be curious if different neighborhoods have different lifespans. Some samplings of check-ins: Prepping new pieces: See also: China Marker Bowie and other…
Something this fun has got to be illegal! #wheatpaste #streetart #westend
Huge thank you to Nancy Kirkpatrick, Maryellen Groundwater, Megan Low and Dustin Whymark for a beautiful day! The Social Life Is it GUERILLA ART if you’re openly squealing with laughter?! Captured moments:
“Once it’s up, let it go.” #wheatpaste #streetart #downtowneastside
Most of the pieces remain untouched, even after several weeks, even after a year. But some have been altered… … so we added back. And we added more. Maryellen cutting out my Dead Bird series Patti Graphic Novel Stay tuned for Pride 2012 Wheatpaste Campaign!
This is how we do it! #wheatpaste #streetart #downtowneastside
See also: China Marker Bowie and other portraits Portrait: Jacqueline Latest updates Start with a drawing: Cut it out: Add detail: Find the right spot: An assortment of delicious moments from the past week: —
Latest updates from our #wheatpaste (aka Marxist glue) #streetart blitz, #downtowneastside.
Wheatpaste (also known as Marxist glue, or simply paste) is a liquid adhesive made from vegetable starch and water. It has been used since ancient times for various arts and crafts such as book binding, decoupage, collage, and papier-mâché. It is also made for the purpose of adhering paper posters to walls and other surfaces (often in graffiti). Closely resembling wallpaper paste, it is often made by mixing roughly equal portions of flour and…
China Marker #Bowie and other portraits.
Oh, China Marker I doth love you so. It’s my medium of choice for my graphic novel. When I die, bury me with a fresh china marker box and a pad of newsprint. Then cremate me ’cause I’m claustrophobic. Here are some samples from this week’s China Marker portraits. See: Jacqueline Portrait #wheatpasting
Scenes from an art room… #wherewecreate
Guest speaker in my journal today is Richard MacMillan: Written March 29, 2012 on our last day for Session 4 at Intersections Media
Last chance! ART HEALS exhibit open today 11-5 or by appt until Feb 7 @RubbleGallery
In order to help with fundraising efforts, I will be extending the RAFFLE of my piece, MORFAR’S KLASS until my next art event in the Fall. All current raffle ticket holders will be given an extra ticket as a thank you for holding on till then! If you drop by the gallery today and want…
Dad is facing a new challenge! So does art actually heal? @RubbleGallery Jan 21 #fatherdaughter #arttherapy
As Dad enters a new chapter, essentially a new battle for his life (cancer has reappeared), we are grateful that art is helping us process this and is distracting us from the scary road ahead. On Friday, after a scope, I loved watching Dad excitedly get back to his desk to get back to work….
View Dad’s amazing journal “Paris trip 1952 on a 250 BMW” at ART HEALS @RubbleGallery Jan 21
Roar Thorsen Roar at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Paris, 1952
ART HEALS: my father-daughter exhibit at The Rubble Gallery, Vancouver BC Jan 21-Feb 7
ART HEALS Featuring dual art show/fundraiser of therapeutic works by father and daughter: Roar and Katarina Thorsen January 21- Feb 7, 2012 at the Rubble Gallery! Closing event (with an interactive art corner) date TBA!!!!!! Cash bar, snacks, music, art. As life-long artists, my father and I use art to dialogue, support each other and to…
Lost art: mermaids from 2001/2 for movie set.
Only two lousy photographs. I recall the original was about 5′ x 8′ (acrylic on canvas) and was used for a movie set.
My sketchbook is digitized! View it online! The Sketchbook Project 2011 @arthouse
Recall I participated in THE SKETCHBOOK PROJECT 2011! I just got the notice that my sketchbook is now online! View it here: To join THE SKETCHBOOK PROJECT 2012 go to:
The way the crow flies. The journey of one piece of artwork. #fullcircle #lettinggo #Frida
My Frida series is ever evolving. Recall posts: 1. Woman-Artist-Pain-Power 2. 6 panels of my Frida series 3. The most popular piece of the night 4. A very private piece Today I drive the piece below west to east to a wedding shower- the way the crow flies- to give it to a very special young…
A very private piece finished by you in a very public way. An artwork’s 4 year journey. #grief #Frida #Camille
Recall my March 5 post: This piece is a love letter to my dear dance partner and friend (dancer/artist/scientist) Claudia Camille, who died in 2007… Claudia and I are portrayed in our roles we played so often: me in grief as Frida Kahlo, Claudia stoic and determined as Camille Claudel… Her reasons for leaving were profound…
I am ready to tackle my graphic novel again, despite (or because of) the grief it triggers #arttherapy
I worked so closely with my mom on the research for my graphic novel. We LOVED working on it. LOVED IT. For years, we would explore all the nooks and crannies around Vancouver that the story covers. We would spend hours at Mountain View Cemetery. I cannot regret that mom did not live to see…
The joy of ink on paper. My illuminated manuscript studies. #medieval #artfromthevault
Twitter feedback from art event participant Dale M.: Great website: Medieval Manuscript Manual Must see: Supersizers Eat Medieval!
Love letter to my son (August 1987)
I found out I was pregnant with my son, Julian, on May 20, 1987. You gotta love journals with their details. I was 25 when I wrote and drew these images in my journal on August 10, 1987. I addressed every entry after that to the baby until he was born. I recall my daughter…
Love letter to my daughter (March 1985)
I was about to turn 23 when I drew and wrote this in my journal 26 years ago. I was 4.5 months pregnant with my daughter. I always referred to her as Felix. It wasn’t until the moment she was born and I saw her, that I yelled out, ANNA! I “recognized” her immediately. March…
There’s a blue bird in my heart… Charles Bukowski, poet
Henry Charles Bukowski (born Heinrich Karl Bukowski; August 16, 1920 — March 9, 1994) Coffee and Ink, 1999 From Bukowski’s AS THE SPARROW Dear child, I only did to you what the sparrow did to you; I am old when it is fashionable to be young; I cry when it is…
YOU will finish this piece @ the March 10th art event (love letter to Claudia)
My March 10th art event will have some interactive art stations. This piece is a love letter to my dear dance partner and friend (dancer/artist/scientist) Claudia Camille, who died in 2007. Her reasons for leaving were profound and heartbreaking. She played a HUGE part in directions my life took and I tried to process her…
Large charcoal piece up for silent auction March 10 #artevent
In 1986, my teacher (artist/surrealist) Martin Guderna, facilitated a paradigm shift in how I approached drawing. This was my resulting “thesis” piece for the course. That’s 25 f*cking years ago!! I’m putting it up for silent auction on March 10.