The Books and Authors featured in the World Heath Day Authors Festival: Cracking the Dementia Code – Karen Tyrell An Unexpected Miracle – Jennifer De Pippo What Patients Don’t Say if Doctors Don’t Ask – Dr. Manon Bolliger Drawn Together – Katarina Thorsen Relentless –Josh Wood Hello Susan, It’s Me, Cancer!– Susan D’Agostino Event…
Category: China Marker Portraits
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…
Circumstantial. Putting the research together.
Circumstantial evidence is evidence that relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact—like a fingerprint at the scene of a crime. By contrast, direct evidence supports the truth of an assertion directly—i.e., without need for any additional evidence or inference. On its own, it is the nature of circumstantial evidence for more than one explanation to still be…
China marker therapy
A china marker. Newsprint. The act of drawing. That is when my mind is at rest. That is where I channel my racing mind. Drop the baggage, for good. Leave no imprint, not even a trace… – Rebelle Society
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…
I thought I was holding on to this ONE life I knew. #journal
I thought I was holding on to this ONE life I knew. My heart feeling the weight of having died a thousand deaths. I thought I was the tree, whose roots dug so deep, So deep that it was surely invincible. I thought I was the tree that houses the egg, the chick. Providing a…
“These messages are real answers…” My first ever tarot card reading with Madam Patricia. #skepticonvacation
I was delighted to be invited for my first ever tarot card reading by ScorpioSun aka Madam Patricia this afternoon at my favorite place on earth: Salmagundi West. Journal notes this morning: Purposely slower morning. Woke up at 7 AM, pressed snooze till 7:45. Coffee. Made bed. Uncovered the parrot. Tidied up in case the…
The I AM AN ARTIST MANIFESTO
The I AM AN ARTIST manifesto – Katarina Thorsen, 2014
How I must start 2014: naked.
How I must start 2014… Transparent, open, allowing whatever. How I must start 2014: NAKED. I surrender. I am transparent. Open.
Is debt an emotion? Changing attitudes.
There are so many shifts and transformations that color this past year for me. I am learning. Taking big steps and baby steps. The biggest change is allowing anxiety around finances to just be, sitting with it, reaching out for help, enriching my support network, listening, facing, communicating, trying, failing, trying again, moving forward. I…
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains…” – Nelson Mandela
Upon his release he sought reconciliation, not revenge. That may be what inspires me the most about Nelson Mandela. For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. – Nelson Mandela
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…
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…
“After a sixty-foot plunge off the Georgia Viaduct…” Nov 6, 1947 10:15 AM. Molly, a graphic novel.
MOLLY, A GRAPHIC NOVEL NOTE: this is a work of creative non-fiction inspired by true facts, evidence and events. It is an artistic interpretation and no more than that.
“Samson found it hard to wonder about the war.” 2084- a novel.
Indiegogo campaign: From the campaign page: This campaign funds two very important things. [One] While I’m confident my novel is publishable, any writing greatly benefits from (nay : requires) professional editing. I’m raising funds to participate in an editing program in which I’m paired with an established (re : published) Canadian author, who will provide…
I choose to remove my own mask in my own time. #authenticity
Don’t you, when strangers and friends come to call, straighten the cushions, kick the books under the bed and put away the letter you were writing? How many of us want any of us to see us as we really are? Isn’t the mirror hostile enough? ― Jeanette Winterson We can receive all the help and…
The author and his main character. 2084- a novel in need of editing and illustration
Recommended reading: BRING BACK THE ILLUSTRATED BOOK! “What is the use of a book without pictures?” wondered Lewis Carroll’s Alice, and anyone raised on illustrated classics like “Charlotte’s Web” or “The Phantom Tollbooth” might secretly feel that she has a point. Writers may still demur, reasonably concluding that they are only accountable for, in Henry…
“… its alarm will sound.” 2084- a novel in need of editing and illustration
Matt’s Indiegogo campaign: From the campaign page: This campaign funds two very important things. [One] While I’m confident my novel is publishable, any writing greatly benefits from (nay : requires) professional editing. I’m raising funds to participate in an editing program in which I’m paired with an established (re : published) Canadian author, who will…
Molly, a graphic novel IN 5 ACTS #showyourwork
Molly, a graphic novel IN 5 ACTS Installment 1: EXPOSITIONSYMPATHY THE BABES IN THE WOOD1953-2013 Installment 2: RISING ACTIONCONCERN THE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE1953 Cold case, unidentified The suspect Installment 3: CLIMAXSUSPENSE FILICIDE – SUICIDECIRCUMSTANCE 1940’S OCT 5, 1947 Installment 4: FALLING ACTIONREST MOLLY O’DWYER TIMELINE1924-1947 Installment 5: RESOLUTION/CATASTROPHESATISFACTION THE CRIMEOCT 5, 1947 THE SUICIDE NOV 6,…
I want to take your secrets public. I want to burn down the distance between us. #Journalexercise.
I have found that by being honest with my audience, I can be honest with myself and also forgive myself for imperfections- or more accurately, celebrate my imperfections. By acknowledging secrets I can ask for help. I want to take your secrets public. I want to burn down the distance between us. I want to give…
“He is one feeling.” 2084- a novel in need of editing and illustration
On Dec 4, 2010, Matthew Roy asked me to read part 1 of his manuscript and requested some feedback… I was so impressed, moved, wowed by Matt’s writing… We have since become very close friends and colleagues- united in our love for literature, art, street art, food, family, china markers etc. Cut to today. I…
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
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…
Why use seemingly unrelated vintage photographs as sources for a true crime story?
There is no end to the inspiration I get from looking at vintage photographs- through immersion comes awakened imagination. The central characters in my graphic novel are real people but as I am doing an artistic interpretation of real events, I revel in the freedom to flesh out the central characters using old photos as a starting…
Come away, O human child! To the waters and the wild With a faery, hand in hand. – Yeats
WHERE dips the rocky highland Of Sleuth Wood in the lake, There lies a leafy island Where flapping herons wake The drowsy water rats; There we’ve hid our faery vats, Full of berrys And of reddest stolen cherries. Come away, O human child! To the waters and the wild With a faery, hand in hand, …
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…
DRAWING ON PAIN: Aug 29 – Oct 13, 2013 at Espana Gallery, Vancouver BC
DRAWING ON PAIN Aug 29- Oct 13, 2013 Opening August 29, 2013 7-9 PM Espana Gallery 689 Abbott Street Vancouver BC Includes Artist Talk DRAWING ON PAIN exhibits my personal therapeutic process as I utilize art to help me process the difficult challenges I have encountered (and continue to encounter) in my life– such as…
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…