I use mind mapping when I plan a project. E.g. as in Molly, a true crime analysis: I also use mind mapping when I ingest information. It is a way to take non-linear notes, engage the whole brain and create one easy visual that allows me to remember what I read with a single glance at the…
Category: by post street
The sock monkey and the paper dress.
I love making paper dresses! — — Check out: I’m obsessed with my paper dress The bypoststreet paper dress The bypoststreet punk paper dress My dress hangs there I finally made one for a sock monkey. Surprised that it took me so long! Not sure why it is so satisfying, but it is! — —…
Allá cuelga mi vestido. The Frida Kahlo paperdress in progress
I love drawing. I love crafting. I love street art. And I LOVE making paper dresses. Perhaps because it combines all my art forms- I am so blissed out when I make these things! Here is the latest one the compiles my collection of Frida doodles. Stay tuned for photo shoot of finished piece next…
The winner of 100 Faces project special Labor Day Weekend contest (2 limited edition tees) is… [drum roll]
WINNER OF THE SPECIAL LABOR DAY WEEKEND CONTEST IS: Shadi Javadi SHE HAS WON 2 OF MY LIMITED EDITION TEES: #MCQUEEN AND #BLOW. Stay tuned for Shadi’s 100 Faces portrait! Molly, my graphic novel, is not just an illustrated work of creative non-fiction, nor is it simply about one cold case- it is a Vancouver…
Sacred Contracts Journaling Exercise Part 3 of 8: what masks do we wear?
SACRED CONTRACTS JOURNALING EXERCISE SERIES PART 3 OF 8 WHAT MASKS DO WE WEAR? We are tapping into our calling, our purpose, our joy in this SACRED CONTRACTS journal series. It is inspired by Caroline Myss. The journal series is an experiment on my part, and I welcome you to join along. Recall Part 1: Future and Present where…
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…
Sale ends June 30 Midnight! Portraits in my signature style only $60 CAD!
Portrait Sale! ENDS JUNE 30, 2014 MIDNIGHT 18×24 on newsprint From May 17-June 30, 2014, I have been offering handdrawn portraits in my signature style for only $60.00 CAD each (free shipping within Canada and US) Regular price ranges from $100-$300 Proceeds go towards Sock Monkey Lifeskills Entrepreneurship Curriculum Development All portraits [unless otherwise specified] will…
SALE! Today only! Ending 12AM PT: order a handdrawn portrait in my signature style for only $30!
Many of you have asked, pleaded, begged… so today I’m doing a special SALE! Today only ending 12AM PT: order your handdrawn portrait in my signature style for only $30! 18″ x 24′ on newsprint in china marker Regular price ranges from $100-$300 But until midnight tonight, for $30 per portrait, I will…
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
Order your personalized Sugar Skull Portrait by @bypoststreet’s art director now!
ORDER THROUGH PAYPAL and email me your portrait image of choice! — CONTACT KATARINA: Email
To mark our one year anniversary at @bypoststreet, we launch a new crowdsourcing campaign on @indiegogo!
@bypoststreet was first conceived on Feb 12, 2013. In a year, my daughter and I have created three limited edition t-shirt collections, hosted several successful art events in Vancouver and San Francisco and laid the foundation to become a house hold brand name known for pushing the envelope of art and design. It’s been an extraordinary experience so…
Transition, retreat, reevaluate
Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul. – Marcus Aurelius My life has taken an interesting turn, and I find myself having to declare bankruptcy and start totally fresh. This means giving up my tiny condo, packing up and finding new live work space, and basically reevaluating many…
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…
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…
We want to take a moment to say THANK YOU.
From Anna Thorsen, Creative Director and Katarina Thorsen, Art Director: We want to take a moment to say THANK YOU. It was a year ago on Feb 12, 2013 that pen was first put to paper on the first draft of our business plan at Cafca Café on Esplanade & Lonsdale in North Vancouver. In the last…
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…
The I AM AN ARTIST MANIFESTO
The I AM AN ARTIST manifesto – Katarina Thorsen, 2014
This past year has been about risk and building. #startup #entrepreneurship
This past year has been about risk and building. Now we sit, exhausted, wide-eyed. And spent. In every sense of the word. What now? What happens next? It is time for stillness. It is time to rest…Knowing that it readies us for the next chapter. 2014 will be about blossoming and abundance. For all…
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
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…
The lowly paper-wrapped grease pencil. #chinamarker
The paper-wrapped grease pencil is a smooth-writing, economical marker for marking almost any surface. [source] I adore using China Marker. It has the give and control I like in charcoal but without the mess. The graphic quality of the mark making is appealing. You can’t erase it- so you have to go with flow. Much…
As an right-brain entrepreneur- I need to a flexible and fluid yet rigid schedule.
I am about to embark on a full-time art career as in-house artist for by post street, illustrator, writer, street artist, and art facilitator for youth/adults. This means moving away from frontline youth coordination to focusing 100% on the art. It is extraordinarily exciting. Art for me is not just about being in the moment…
Submission call from @bypoststreet! Email us for details! #art
Message from creative director, Anna Thorsen: HEY EVERYONE!! bypoststreet is relaunching on OCT 15 and I’m looking for submissions to become a part of our brand new website! If you’re interested in participating, please email INFO@BYPOSTSTREET.COM with your name! The instructions will be very simple and it can be anything you like that will fit onto the small piece…
“What are your thoughts on modern day censorship? Are you offended by the images?” #comments please!
Re: Drawing on Pain Closes Early “A couple days ago we had to take down Kat Thorsen’s exhibit at 689 Espana (pictured left), the by post street in-house artist’ due to complaints of the content (nudity, language etc) from the building. This is the perfect opportunity for us to start the conversation: What are your thoughts on modern…
Draw-a-sugarskull tutorial!
Pull out some supplies and enjoy this old drawing tutorial to celebrate the release of our by post street iPhone case featuring Calavera (sugarskull) Karl! Anna T Fabulous of by post street and Jenn Mickey of 1181 Lounge at by post street launch party, April 2013. Photo by Viranlly Aix Liemena
SEPT 20 7AM PST: @bypoststreet iPhone case release! #sugarskull #iPhone #iOS7 #iphone5S
Acid and tender, hard as steel and delicate and fine as a butterfly’s wing, lovable as a beautiful smile, and as profound and cruel as the bitterness of life. So Diego Rivera describes his wife, Frida Kahlo, and so we describe by post street’s first limited edition iPhone case Calavera Karl, our artistic interpretation of our…
Did something unexpected happen? Laura asked. #sfo #reflection
I had a wonderful conversation about my San Francisco trip today with my incredible friend, Laura Mack. As always, she managed to ask powerful questions that nudge me to reflect. Did anything happen during the trip that was unexpected? Hmmm… The art event was amazing- and not unexpected. The street art filled my soul with…
My Frida Hangs There. #streetart #sfo
Frida Angel pasted at 18th and Valencia. A taste of my incredible San Francisco trip for by post street. Thank you to SF for a beautiful, productive, heart-warming, empowering visit! MUCH LOVE TO MY PARTNERS-IN-ART-CRIME: MATT ROY, OWEN MCEWEN, ANNA T FABULOUS. The Frida angel is pasted on a temp wall right beside the Elbo…
by post street at Tank 18, San Francisco: portraits, interactive art
A huge thank you to everyone at Tank 18 and our DJ Riccardo Bhi for a fantastic day!
#SFO bound with @bypoststreet!
Excitement rising as I prep with by post street for our trip to San Francisco, which includes art events, portraits, street art, wheatpasting, journaling, writing, visiting, cooking and soaking up all the gloriousness of the city! Check out What is by post street? by Rami Films:
New tattoos. Wear your heart on your skin in this life. – Sylvia Plath
I originally visited Granville Street Tattoos last year for my Frida tattoo by English Dan. I was so happy to be back as I treated myself last week to a very healing session with Dusty. He created a gorgeous and happy sugarskull for me. I am so honored to have Dusty create the image and…
Journal entry: In DEBT yes, but inDEBTed to art as well.
I have been experiencing chronic anxiety [or more than usual] of late. I am better able to sit with it [not perfect by any means, for at times I am debilitated by it] and to ride through just the physical symptoms. Many changes are happening in my life- there are new developments in my art…
Desperately seeking Kate Moss…
Elusive, difficult to capture. No. No. No. No. No. No. Sometimes it is so easy to capture the essence of a person. Sometimes it just doesn’t happen. With Kate, I resorted to simplicity to finally interpret her glance and that “just so” placement of her eyes.
The soul, fortunately, has an interpreter- in the eye. #streetart
The soul, fortunately, has an interpreter – often an unconscious but still a faithful interpreter – in the eye. ― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
What stays, what goes, what changes. Our ever-evolving wall. #streetart #downtowneastside
Huge thank you to Brianna Baker, Chrissy Capilano, Dan O’Brien, Zöe Harvey and Warren Nicolson for being part of the latest wheatpaste session at our wall. The first paste ever on our wall July 17, 2012: And today:
JR and Swoon: my #wheatpaste heroes
The original inspiration: JR, a French street artist, uses his camera to show the world its true face. He makes his audacious TED Prize wish: to use art to turn the world inside out. A funny, moving talk about art and who we are. Learn more at insideoutproject.net. — Swoon is a Brooklyn-based artist whose life-sized…
The @bypoststreet #portrait #drawing process. #chinamarker #sugarskull
This is my process: Portrait of Anna T Fabulous. Design. Discover. Deejay. by post street is a creative and collaborative source for fashion, house, hip hop and art.
“Do you ever stop? I mean truly just stop?” How the #RightBrainBusinessPlan is helping me quiet my mind.
Kat, do you ever stop? I mean truly just stop? Just taking a day and doing nothing, just drinking tea in pjs and doing nothing? – Maryellen to me I have to say the answer is no. Or more accurately, yes- sometimes– but when I do, I feel my body reacting. I feel the migraines…
The Vivienne Tee. @bypoststreet Collaboration 2.
by post street’s COLLECTION 2 was created in celebration of Chaos to Couture at the Met. It’s a philosophy of life. A practice. If you do this, something will change, what will change is that you will change, your life will change, and if you can change you, you can perhaps change the world. – Vivienne Westwood…
Booty Call Wednesdays and @bypoststreet Collaboration 2!
by post street’s COLLECTION 2 was created in celebration of Chaos to Couture at the Met. To launch the collection, we collaborated with Booty Call Wednesdays in San Francisco! I created several portraits of notorious SF locals. A backdrop was created by my daughter, Anna T Fabulous, for the event. The paper dress I created (my third one) was premiered…
Face of the month collaboration with Global Model Scouting and @bypoststreet!
Introducing our new collaboration! Face of the Month with: FACE OF THE MONTH At the end of every month GMS will pick a “Face of the month” from the models on our site. This will be someone that we think stands out. What makes them stand out could be uniqueness, coolness, attitude or perhaps great…
Collaboration 2 @bypoststreet f. dj of the month by @kaseyriot! W. podcast!
— Check out djriot.com: SHOP by post street! Follow @bypoststreet The latest creative collaboration by @poststreet (Kat Thorsen) and @the_social_life (Anna T Fabulous). Art/ Fashion/ Music Portraits/ T-shirts/ Podcasts Twitter/ Instagram/ Soundcloud COLLECTION 2 in celebration of Chaos to Couture at the Met:
Big-vision visualization #mindmaps inspired by #rightbrainbusinessplan
Recall my journey with visionboards, mindmaps using: My previous posts: For I dipped into the future… Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakes. Making the task more me Right-brain entrepreneur Jennifer Lee is a certified coach, writer, artist, yogini, and the founder of Artizen Coaching. Before pursuing her own passions full-time, she consulted for…
Making the task more ME… #mindmaps #visionboards #projecteverything
On this rainy Saturday, it’s time to re-focus on the projects I am working on by using: I am getting clearer as to the multiple directions in my life and how they actually all relate nicely to each other and feed each other into A LIFE OF ART. Each category needs full attention to…
The art is on the wall. Latest updates.
My daughter and I [wearing our by post street tees] as featured on the cover of WE Vancouver! For complete article go to: POST NO BILLS: CAN FREE ART CHANGE THE WORLD? Anna is wearing “K” from by post street’s collection 1. Check out the making of the “K” portrait: Video by Julian Bowers —…
Anna and the @bypoststreet paper dress as caught by the inimitable @viranlly
The by post street paper dress photographed by Viranlly Aix Liemena: The Social Life team: Viranlly, Anna and Josh! The by post street online store is now open:
The white t-shirt and the evolution of the @bypoststreet tee
— BY POST STREET Video by Julian Bowers
Our 2014 @bypoststreet #manifesto. Time to #declare #claim #choose
THE BPS 2014 MANIFESTO I choose to share my expression. I am an artist. SHOP BYPOSTSTREET Read more at the @bypoststreet blog!
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…