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…
Category: Event
My retreat journal part 6 of 6: The Closing Circle
I experienced a life-changing weekend as I co-facilitated Creativity and Connection Retreat October 17-19, 2014 on Bowen Island with Laura Mack at Xenia Retreat. Here are some journal excerpts so you can get a small glimpse as to how powerful the experience was for me. Recall: PART 1 October 17, 2014 FRIDAY INTO SILENCE PART 2 October…
My retreat journal Part 5 of 6: The Dance
I experienced a life-changing weekend as I co-facilitated Creativity and Connection Retreat October 17-19, 2014 on Bowen Island with Laura Mack at Xenia Retreat. Here are some journal excerpts so you can get a small glimpse as to how powerful the experience was for me. Recall: PART 1 October 17, 2014 FRIDAY INTO SILENCE PART 2 October…
My Retreat Journal Part 4 of 6: The Symbols Way
I experienced a life-changing weekend as I co-facilitated Creativity and Connection Retreat October 17-19, 2014 on Bowen Island with Laura Mack at Xenia Retreat. Here are some journal excerpts so you can get a small glimpse as to how powerful the experience was for me. Recall: PART 1 October 17, 2014 FRIDAY INTO SILENCE PART 2 October…
My retreat journal Part 3 of 6: The Cyclops Goddess
I experienced a life-changing weekend as I co-facilitated Creativity and Connection Retreat October 17-19, 2014 on Bowen Island with Laura Mack at Xenia Retreat. Here are some journal excerpts so you can get a small glimpse as to how powerful the experience was for me. Recall: PART 1 October 17, 2014 FRIDAY INTO SILENCE PART 2 October…
My retreat journal Part 2 of 6: Into the labyrinth
I experienced a life-changing weekend as I co-facilitated Creativity and Connection Retreat October 17-19, 2014 on Bowen Island with Laura Mack at Xenia Retreat. Here are some journal excerpts so you can get a small glimpse as to how powerful the experience was for me. Recall: PART 1 October 17, 2014 FRIDAY INTO SILENCE — Part 2 October…
My retreat journal Part 1 of 6: INTO SILENCE
I experienced a life-changing weekend as I co-facilitated Creativity and Connection Retreat October 17-19, 2014 on Bowen Island with Laura Mack at Xenia Retreat. A HUGE THANK YOU TO LAURA FOR PROVIDING THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR ME. SPECIAL THANK YOU Saria, and to Angelyn, Loretta, Fran and Lorena — Here are some journal excerpts so you…
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:…
Boundary- a new comic by Emily Cowan
I am so excited that Vancouver artist, Emily Cowan, has now launched her extraordinary comic BOUNDARY online! BOUNDARY is a long-form comic about being stuck, difficult families, changing friendships and the different kinds of boundaries in our lives. Mostly though, it’s about adolescent frustration and the unbearable tragedy that is being fifteen. The worst part of…
“I am wandering awed… gnawed trees breathe a delicate air.” Creativity & Connection Retreat Oct 17-19, 2014
CREATIVITY AND CONNECTION RETREAT WITH LAURA AND KAT Retreat Flyer We will provide you with tools for gaining insight and shifting perspective using inspiring themes such as archetype symbology and shadow-work. Self-reflection activities will take you deeper into your own journey while group experiences expand your mindset. Laura will share authentic leadership exercises to assist…
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…
Stay tuned for Operation Sock Monkey Handbook fundraising!
My personal mission is to awaken creative expression through local and global art initiatives. One initiative partners me with Operation Sock Monkey to create a life skills and entrepreneurship handbook. Our goal is to implement local pilot projects in the Fall and to bring the work to New York City and San Francisco youth programs…
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…
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…
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,…
Cultural Identity Portrait Project Session 2 of 7, Byrne Creek School Gr. 8
No matter what the end goal, it’s witnessing, sharing and experiencing the creative process that drives me.
World Health Day #authorsfestival with @InfluencePub and @chaptersindigo Apr 4-7!
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…
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…
Home is a place in the mind. When it is empty, it frets… #sayinggoodbye
Home is a place in the mind. When it is empty, it frets. It is fretful with memory, faces and places and times gone by. Beloved images rise up in disobedience and make a mirror for emptiness. MAEVE BRENNAN, The Visitor With gratitude, exhaustion, wonder, and excitement, we said goodbye to our North Vancouver home…
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…
“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
Martin Place’s Annual Art Sale! #vancouver
My dear friend, Martin Place, is my mentor and always offers the most wonderful advice and guidance. It’s that time of year again for his annual art sale! Can’t wait! Martin is passionate about the importance of maintaining a connection with the creative process. He insists that if we take a break from creating for…
“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…
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…