I am between contracts– creatively hustling while applying for new contracts to survive and to be able to provide specially requested arts programming for refugee youth (at no cost to their program). That is what my 100 Herons Art Project is all about. HERON’S MOST SIGNIFICANT ESSENCE: aggressive self-determination and self-reliance Check out: I am focusing…
Category: At-risk youth
The Heron Feathers: 100 Herons Art Project
THE PROJECT: I am creating of twelve 20″ x 30″ panels depicting a total 100 Herons [between June 14 to July 31, 2017]. For every $25 raised I will draw a heron! THE SPONSORED ART will allow me to develop and provide much-needed FREE ART LESSONS for REFUGEE YOUTH from war-torn countries at a Lower Mainland program in July…
100 HERONS Art Project
THE PROJECT: I am creating of twelve 20″ x 30″ panels depicting a total 100 Herons between June 14 to July 31, 2017. For every $25 raised I will draw a heron! THE SPONSORED ART will allow me to develop and provide FREE ART LESSONS for REFUGEE YOUTH from war-torn countries at a Lower Mainland program. DONATION…
I’m raising funds to provide free sock monkey therapy!
I am selling sock monkeys and sock birds on my ETSY site to raise for sock monkey therapy! See selection at: 100% of proceeds go towards me providing free sock monkey therapy workshops for local at risk youth in Vancouver BC Canada! Sock monkey therapy creates a safe space for youth to dialogue while delivering…
Special edition sugar skull sock monkey
This handmade, handsewn sock monkey is a special version of my sugar skull sock monkey line! She has an embroidered face and her dress is soft stretch cotton with crow design. She is adorned with flowers and a little bird sits atop her head. Materials: Work socks Hypo-allergenic polyester fibre stuffing Embroidery thread Cotton Felt…
Operation Sock Monkey Booth at the Strathcona Craft Fair Nov 28! And Latest Updates!
My incredible Operation Sock Monkey Western Division team of youth, teachers, support staff, community members of all ages have been hard at work since July, volunteering time and donating supplies and monkeys. And now part of this great sock monkey collection goes on sale this Saturday at the Strathcona Craft Fair 10 AM-4 PM! 601…
Shaking the Movers- a safe space for youth to have a voice.
— I was so honored to participate (as art facilitator) in the 9th instalment of Shaking the Movers yesterday! Shaking the Movers, founded by The Honorable Landon Pearson, is a profound process that supports youth in making powerful recommendations around children’s rights using their own voices. Shaking the Movers: The Shaking the Movers conferences are two-day workshops that…
INSIDE OUT PROJECT- breaking the cycle of violence through creativity: Activities Report Summer 2015
Inside Out Project Summer 2015 was made possible by a generous grant from the Province of British Columbia – Ministry of Justice: Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division — INSIDE OUT PROJECT- OWN YOUR JOURNEY: breaking the cycle of violence through creativity Activities Report Location: Mountainside Secondary School, North Vancouver, BC, Canada Instructors: Ian Powell: photography, digital media Kat Thorsen: therapeutic art Erin Ross: animation The Inside Out Project Summer 2015 was a…
Day 4 and 5 Inside Out Project Summer 2015: Digging Deeper
INSIDE OUT PROJECT: OWN YOUR JOURNEY- Breaking the cycle of violence through creativity Inside Out Project – Own Your Journey SUMMER 2015 is a three week intensive arts-based program running out of Mountainside Secondary School (July 6-24, 2015) for youth ages 13-20 that uses the vehicles of therapeutic art, photography and stop motion animation to teach life and…
Day 1: Inside Out Project: Own Your Journey Summer 2015 arts-based youth program
INSIDE OUT PROJECT: OWN YOUR JOURNEY- Breaking the cycle of violence through creativity Inside Out Project – Own Your Journey SUMMER 2015 is a three week intensive arts-based program running out of Mountainside Secondary School (July 6-24, 2015) for youth ages 13-20 that uses the vehicles of therapeutic art, photography and stop motion animation to teach life and…
Animating Shaun Tan’s The Red Tree at Mountainside Secondary.
An extension of the Inside Out Project Own Your Journey at Mountainside Secondary 2014-2015, the animation portion- spearheaded by my colleague and dear friend, Ian Powell- engaged students in a deep and meaningful way. Ian chose The Red Tree by Shaun Tan as the vehicle to help students address social and emotional intelligence, self-reflection and empowerment…
The dream has become an urgent quest. Walk for Water Nepal.
Kamala Yonzon and her daughter Sunkosi treated me to a beautiful Nepalese dinner at Café Kathmandu last night and we chatted about life and creativity and family. I am so blessed to connect on a deeper level with these two extraordinary women. I first connected with Kamala through my dear friend Laura Mack. I was coordinator…
FRAMES FILM PROJECT INTAKE 8 GRAD MARCH 28, 2015!
FRAMES FILM PROJECT INTAKE 8 GRAD MARCH 28, 2015! I am getting ready to hand over my position as program coordinator of Frames Film Project on March 28, 2015 to new blood! I am off to new horizons including my art career and freelance therapeutic art facilitation (as opposed to coordinating programming). Come celebrate with…
North Vancouver teen finds her passion and life purpose through arts-based program
North Vancouver teen finds her passion through arts-based program and launches campaign to raise funds to bring water tank and pipeline to remote village in Nepal: It is such an honor to be facilitating The Inside Out Project at Mountainside Secondary, North Vancouver, with my colleague Ian Powell. Recall posts: INSIDE OUT: YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, PEER TO…
Inside Out Project Mountainside Secondary: own your journey
On September 30, 2014, I began my collaboration with Ian Powell at Mountainside Secondary on the INSIDE OUT PROJECT- OWN YOUR JOURNEY, inspired by my hero JR: MOUNTAINSIDE SECONDARY: Inside Out Project: Own Your Journey Youth-run initiative using the vehicle of portrait photography and street art to learn life and transferable skills while developing self-empowerment, peer…
Inside Out Project: Own Your Journey, Mountainside Pilot Project Week 5 of 5
Recall: LINK: MOUNTAINSIDE SECONDARY: Inside Out Project: Own Your Journey Youth-run initiative using the vehicle of portrait photography and street art to learn life and transferable skills while developing self-empowerment, peer to peer interaction and community connections. THEMES: Connection and Empowerment CO-FACILITATORS: IAN POWELL, KAT THORSEN Pilot Project: September 30, 2014- October 30, 2014 INSPIRED BY OUR…
Inside Out: youth empowerment, peer to peer interaction and community connections.
I am so excited to be part of this incredible project inspired by my hero JR: MOUNTAINSIDE SECONDARY: Inside Out Project: Own Your Journey Youth-run initiative using the vehicle of portrait photography and street art to learn life and transferable skills while developing self-empowerment, peer to peer interaction and community connections. THEMES: Connection and Empowerment CO-FACILITATORS:…
#KeithHaring inspired canvas in progress at @MediaForYouth
At Intersections Media we love Art Mondays! Besides filmmaking, a significant part of Intersections is dipping our hands into the visual art/creative process and into art history by creating art work that interprets the masters and that creates community dialogue. On Mondays we cover the art component and attack the canvas. We are in the process of creating…
Recalling the creation of the mural “Destiny Manifesting.” #youthart
My students and I started this mural in the art therapy room at Keith Lynn Alternative Secondary in North Vancouver in 2009… and on July 5, 2011, I dragged it to Kirkstone Park, North Vancouver… The mural was inspired by Doze Green‘s Galeria de la Raza, 1999, as found in the book Street Art San Francisco- Mission Muralismo: Here’s a photo journey…
Art is not about the finished product but about the creative process.
INTERACTIVE ART Art is a powerful tool to facilitate connection and healing. For me, art is not about the finished product but about the creative process. Allowing the community to take ownership of the art creates dialogue- an ongoing dynamic that enriches all involved. On Saturday June 14, 2014, senior residents at Rideau Manor and audience…
Flour, water, sugar. China markers and newsprint. Plus some youth. Perfect combo!
Latest gallery of wheatpaste sessions with Intersections Media Opportunities for Youth Society and Byrne Creek Secondary! All my street art projects are inspired by JR and the Inside Out Project. Make sure to check out the Inside Out Project Victoria!!!
Sock Monkey Life Skills Entrepreneurship Curriculum Development update!
Recall I am developing the following project: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SERIES 1: THE @BY POSTSTREET SOCK MONKEY LIFE SKILLS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM for youth groups, schools and community organizations in partnership with OPERATION SOCK MONKEY I am pleased that things are moving forward as intended! Phase 1 is on track regarding community outreach and awareness. I have…
The inspiring work of @GlobalSorority @passionteams and @g4gcharity in Cape Town
I am truly in awe of and inspired by the powerful work being done globally by my friends at The Passion Foundation Global Sorority Girls 4 Girls And I am delighted to see our Operation Sock Monkey sock monkeys at work on the ground in Cape Town! Photos courtesy of Global Sorority and Passion Foundation: …
The most beautiful card in the world.
Today was my last session of the Cultural Identity Project with Laura Mathers Grade 8 class. I am so honoured to have worked with such an incredible group of youth. And what a beautiful surprise to receive this hand done card from the students (24 x 43.5 inches):
OSM HANDBOOK LIFE SKILLS
CURRENTLY PLANNING NEXT STEPS AS I CONTINUE FUNDRAISING FOR the Operation Sock Monkey Handbook for youth groups, schools and community organizations GENERAL STRUCTURE FOR WORKBOOK: • Sections • Chapters • Diagrams • Photographs • Resources IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING LIFE SKILLS [Source: Healing the Inner City Child] “Life skills” are defined as psychosocial abilities for adaptive and positive behavior…
Cultural identity project at Byrne Creek Secondary- Gallery #wheatpaste #chinamarker #paint
CULTURAL IDENTITY PORTRAIT PROJECT SESSION 6 OF 7, BYRNE CREEK SCHOOL GR. 8 Recall previous posts about this project: Does wheatpaste work on a ceiling tile? Session 2 of 7 Today we added final touches. 30 Grade 8 students did an extraordinary job on this project. The result illustrates that their true identity lies in connection,…
@BYPOSTSTREET ART HOUSE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SERIES 1 PHASE 1
THE @BYPOSTSTREET ART HOUSE GLOBAL: Creative Director, Anna Thorsen LOCAL: Art Director, Kat Thorsen (Vancouver BC) MISSION: To awaken creative expression VISION: To develop global art initiatives Art Events, Street Art, Apparel, Curriculum Development, Workshops, Workbooks, Speaker Series, Craftivism, Illustration, Portraiture, Documentaries, Graphic Novels PRESENTS Curriculum Development Series 1: The @BY POSTSTREET Sock Monkey Life Skills and Entrepreneurship Program for youth…
It has been a beautiful fight. Still is. – Bukowski
“Lighting new cigarettes, pouring more drinks. It has been a beautiful fight. Still is.” – Charles Bukowski
Does wheatpasting work on a ceiling tile? Hmmm…
I will be facilitating a really exciting Cultural Portrait pilot project at a local high school in a couple of weeks. The plan is for the 30 students to create a street art type ceiling as they explore self and cultural identity. The work is to go on those classic porous school ceiling tiles- you…
Tools for anxiety- esteem hearts at ArtQuake 2014
I was honored and elated to be part of ArtQuake 2014 at SFU Harbor Centre yesterday! ArtQuake envisions a transformed world where every youth is a vehicle for change, fueled by their own creative expression. The theme of yesterday’s event was Madness Matters: Re-creating Mental Health Through Art and Community. I provided two workshops on…
The wheatpaste wall at YouthCO!
Making a painting in a studio can be a bit stifling at times, but when you add the street installation element to it, it begins to be this exciting and urgent way of communicating. – Cake Successful art programs recognize that art is a vehicle that can be used to engage youth in activities that…
The @bypoststreet sample sale and interactive art event benefitting @YouthCO
Spend an evening with @bypoststreet & YouthCO! @bypoststreet takes Spring Cleaning to the next level with an inventory clear out sale of all remaining Designer Series Graphic Tees and a presale of the upcoming Spring Collection. The night will be complete with two interactive art stations, photo booth, and a YouthCO information table & beer/wine…
For such the angels go … And uniforms of Snow. #streetart w @mediaforyouth
We trust in plumed procession For such the angels go – Rank after Rank, with even feet – And uniforms of Snow. ~Emily Dickinson Anyone can be an angel. ~Author Unknown
Wounded angel. Haavoittunut Enkeli. #custodyart
WOUNDED ANGEL, 2008 [by “Steph” and “Vincent”] This unframed painting on raw canvas (65″ x 76″) was made during my therapeutic art classes at a youth custody centre. Read below to find out its creation. Many of the youth I currently work with are involved with the juvenile justice system in one way or another. I…
A love letter to my students.
Dear students, [With students, I mean each and everyone of you that has touched my life.] Thank you. As of November 15, 2013, I am turning a page and have said goodbye to my role as a “youth coordinator.” I am now fully embracing my role as an artist. Being an artist means being a…
• ART • CRAFTS • YOUTH ARTISANS: my 3 blogs get 3 new looks!
MY ART BLOG: MY CRAFTS BLOG: MY YOUTH ARTISANS BLOG:
Journal exercise: facing our barriers [writing and drawing]
Before our drawing exercise today with my youth group, I asked them to write stream of consciousness around barriers– barriers that come up in life, that make us “stuck” etc. TEN MINUTES. 10 minutes of writing can be very liberating as it gives us a private place in which to problem solve and release….
Butterfly Warrior: photoshoot Thursday with Sarah Starchild and Farren Strongarm
Tribal makeup and concept by Zöe Harvey I know I’m late but destiny brought me back to you Time went by turned you into a butterfly – The Dream
“A picture is a secret about a secret, the more it tells you the less you know.” Diane Arbus #photoshootThursday
It is always fun to have impromptu photoshoots! Always! Last Thursday, we gathered together again in the workshop at District 319 and played. I love capturing moments with my iPhone: Photographer Carolyn Spencer directed the shoot and masterfully captured moments inspired by 80’s greed:
Evan and Larissa- Thursday pas de deux #photoshoot
It was a joy for me to witness the dance between best friends Evan Voyageur and Larissa Brown on Thursday at our Intersections Media Intake 7 photoshoot. They are an artist’s delight!
“Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets.” Witnessing the deterioration. #streetart #downtowneastside
Let us go then, you and I, When the evening is spread out against the sky Like a patient etherised upon a table; Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets, The muttering retreats Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells: Streets that follow like a tedious argument Of insidious intent…
“Walk your own path.” Portrait of Jordan. #tattoos #streetart
Simple one of my favorite people. Jordan H.
“I am art.” #streetart wall builds connections in the #downtowneastside
As our streetart wall grows, we are building connections with the local community, enjoying audience as we paint, inviting others to join. We are building dialogue around the “portrait.” We are building relationships and locals are asking to have their photos taken and portraits done as they enjoy the empowerment we all feel when being…
“For the yellow smoke that slides along the street.” #streetart
Nancy Kirkpatrick‘s beautiful photos of today’s street art session: Check out more of our street art at PORTRAITS/STREET ART
Amanda Marie Born 1986-2003 #portrait
Her name is Amanda Marie Born, she was born July 3rd, 1986 and she committed suicide in 2003 on July 6th when I was 15. Before I met her I didn’t really have many friends, if any, and she introduced me to the punk kids in Nanaimo. Without her, my life would be a very…
STREET ART: Europe sticker series. #fashion
The Social Life made a special street art request as they travel through Europe! I supplied them with sticker versions of my fashion portrait/interpretation series: Follow The Social Life’s adventures at: CHECK OUT MORE OF MY WHEATPASTE/STREET ART (click on pic):
#Tearsheets, #Streetart, #Vancouver and @VanRagazine!
Huge thank you to V-Rag Magazine, Cole Johnston and Matthew Roy for an amazing article in the SEPTEMBER 2012 issue and for the honor of appearing in this wonderful publication! Vancouver’s Gay Arts & Culture Rag V-Rag is a free monthly publication available in shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and salons around the West End, Downtown,…
A morning of street art- visually on the radio with @nxnwcbc!
Portraits, including Rochelle, getting ready! My students [at Intersections Media– a program I run with my brother, filmmaker Fred Thorsen] and I spent a wonderful morning yesterday with CBC Radio One’s Sheryl MacKay, taping a segment for North by Northwest regarding my art, the work I do and the street art! CHECK OUT MORE OF MY…
Portraits move us, connect us, pull out stories #streetart
In my street art portraits, I draw people I know, people in my social media circle, people who draw me in (pardon the pun), people who inspire me. I have been inspired by “Rochelle” (my local barista) for quite a while now. She was so gracious to accept my invitation to be photographed for reference…
Introducing Angus MacDonald, photographer, #Vancouver
I have the pleasure of working with Angus at Intersections Media in Vancouver. I am delighted to share an initial peek at his work. He will be documenting his time at Intersections through photos and film and I can’t wait to use his photos as sources for my wheatpastes!
STREET ART: beauty in the deterioration part 3 #wheatpaste
I walked the alley at Main and Cordova today, like I usually do on my lunch break to air out my dog… I was surprised and strangely elated at the changes happening to our original pieces. This part of the process is equally as important as creating the pieces in the first place. Here are…
Saying Thank You through #streetart #wheatpaste
This post is dedicated to all the staff and students of Keith Lynn Alternative Secondary School Alicia and I began the process of saying thank you and goodbye to a special place by covering it with our art… This building will be torn down. This is where I worked with so many incredible students and…
“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…
Pouring my soul into a physical form… Emerging young artist: Amanda-Lynn Woodworth
When I draw it feels almost like pouring my soul into a physical form and charcoal pours the best. – Amanda-Lynn Film by Amanda-Lynn at Intersections Media
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…
Exquisite portraits by Tony Noh #photography
I asked my colleague (filmmaker/photographer) Tony Noh to capture my students in the style of Rineke Dijkstra. I asked for stark raw sources. He delivered, beautifully. More student portraits by Tony Noh: — —
Evolution of a #wheatpaste portrait: Justine.
I start with an inspiring person and a photo that really draws me in. China Marker of course. Guidelines in orange. Detail in black. Highlights in white acrylic. I encouraged Justine to cut out the portrait when I finished. She will paste it herself in a few days. It thrills me to watch…