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…
Category: Graphic Novel
Shared views of graphic novels in progress
Molly- a graphic novel and the 5-act structure. #showyourwork
I have been intuiting to structure Molly into 5 sections. I scratch on the back of books, in their margins, in my journal, on napkins… It’s a fascinating process to try to organize the research and fit it all into pertaining sections. My friend, writer Matt Roy, suggested I look into the 5-act structure of…
Waterlogged: new anthology from @CloudscapeComic!
I just purchased the latest beautiful anthology from: during their launch at the Vancouver Maritime Museum [perfect setting] last night! It’s a delicious voyage to embark on!!! You can purchase your copy at: STORE Let’s take a peek at my copy! — The Cloudscape Comics Society is a community of comic creators in Vancouver, BC who together…
This poem, this city, closing its doors, barricaded, almost empty… #graphicnovel #inspiration
9:09 in the morning, the taste of liquor and cigarettes, no police, no lovers, walking the streets, this poem, this city, closing its doors, barricaded, almost empty, mournful without tears, aging without pity, the hardrock mountains, the ocean like a lavender flame, a moon destitute of greatness, a small music from broken windows … a poem…
We wake, if we ever wake at all, to mystery, rumors of death, beauty, violence. – Annie Dillard #graphicnovel #inspiration #forest
I long to fully immerse myself in Molly, to give the project the attention it needs. Yet at the same time, I suppose, I am fully immersed in it because I am infused with it, even when working on other things and just living my life. I trust the project has a life of its…
Image idea file/ collage to get at the story. #graphicnovel process. #autopsy
Molly, the Graphic Novel
Molly- A Graphic Novel 2 minute trailer
Molly- A Graphic Novel Trailer Editor, cinematography: Julian Bowers Writer, researcher, illustrator: Katarina Thorsen
For it is a Vancouver Story. #graphicnovel study
For it is a Vancouver Story. MOLLY- the graphic novel The TIMELINE of the story ranges from 1891-1968. The main event in Stanley Park occurred in 1947. — GRABLINE: He brushed the leaves aside and uncovered the most baffling double murder Vancouver has ever had. – The Vancouver Province April 15, 1953 –
“Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.” #graphicnovel study
A cold case is a cold case is a cold case. Family secrets. MOLLY- the graphic novel Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. ― Benjamin Franklin A picture is a secret about a secret, the more it tells you the less you know. ― Diane Arbus — GRABLINE: He brushed the leaves…
Dead messengers. A question of metaphor and search for theme. #graphicnovel study.
REGARDING MOLLY I am drawn to the metaphoric significance of the dead bird in my graphic novel even though I am uncertain what the metaphor is. I come across these sacred moments on my walks and always pay attention. I stay still. And try to listen. My friends are sharing in my search for the…
Molly’s confession. #graphicnovel study #openingsequence
I am going to tell the story of my life in an alphabet of ashes. – Blas de Otero — GRABLINE: He brushed the leaves aside and uncovered the most baffling double murder Vancouver has ever had. – The Vancouver Province April 15, 1953 MOLLY- the graphic novel —
It doesn’t stop him. My death stops him. #graphicnovel study
Recall March 7, 2013, photoshoot at Salmagundi West for my graphic novel. I am struck by the ability of my model, Jocelyn Louise, to convey, in a simple glance, the pain of my main character as she tries to escape the memories of childhood trauma. Asexual. Living in church, reading about God all the time, getting callouses…
With a faery, hand in hand… photo shoot for the #graphicnovel at Salmagundi West!
On March 7, 2013, I was humbled at the generosity of Salmagundi West owner Anna Banner who allowed us to use her store as a back drop for our latest photoshoot! I was joined by Jocelyn Louise (who portrays Molly) and stylist Jay Fisher… … and my daughter Anna Thorsen who took the main shots…
“Where white is black and black is white, I won.” #graphicnovel study #crowskull
When Crow was white he decided the sun was too white. He decided it glared much too whitely. He decided to attack it and defeat it. He got his strength up flush and in full glitter. He clawed and fluffed his rage up. He aimed his beak direct at the sun’s centre. He laughed himself…
Maybe you mistook me for an angel… #graphicnovel studies and research
Sometimes, the truths that we hold to be fixed in our culture develop a fissure, which widens into a crack, and as we watch, the mirror shatters shard by shard, until nothing is left but fragments of the prejudice lying in disarray at our feet. – Patricia Pearson, Perceptions of Female Violence and the Vocabulary…
… the depths of that leaf-encumbered forest, the soul… #graphicnovel study
It rasped her, though, to have stirring about in her this brutal monster! To hear twigs cracking and feel hooves planted down in the depths of that leaf-encumbered forest, the soul; never to be content quite, or quite secure. – Virginia Woolf, Mrs. Dalloway MOLLY- the graphic novel —
The umbilical cord. Mother-daughter journal series. PART 3: Because you are only a seed
AS I MOVE FORWARD INTO NEW CHAPTERS IN MY LIFE, I HAVE DECIDED THAT IT IS TIME TO FOCUS FULLY ON ME. (Hello, me!) IT IS FINALLY TIME TO PROCESS MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY MOTHER AND ALL THE DELICIOUS, SCARY, INTERESTING, HEART-WARMING, DEEEEEEEEP EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENTS, BLOCKAGES, PATTERNS ETC. THAT COME UP. FULLY READY. EXCITED. —…
Regarding Molly- importance of working titles and “acting as if…”
As I experiment with marrying text to illustration in my graphic novel, I am working from the end backwards, creating a working title and promotional mockup. Acting as if the book is completed, the project feels organized and allows me to create a skeletal framework on which to flesh out ideas. This framework can then…
The dissonance of text and illustration. Study for #graphicnovel #Molly #BabesintheWoods
MOLLY- the graphic novel —
The umbilical cord. Mother-daughter journal series. PART 2: IDENTIFY THE FIRST MILESTONE
AS I MOVE FORWARD INTO NEW CHAPTERS IN MY LIFE, I HAVE DECIDED THAT IT IS TIME TO FOCUS FULLY ON ME. (Hello, me!) IT IS FINALLY TIME TO PROCESS MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY MOTHER AND ALL THE DELICIOUS, SCARY, INTERESTING, HEART-WARMING, DEEEEEEEEP EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENTS, BLOCKAGES, PATTERNS ETC. THAT COME UP. FULLY READY. EXCITED. THE…
The umbilical cord. Mother-daughter journal series. PART 1: Accepting the task.
AS I MOVE FORWARD INTO NEW CHAPTERS IN MY LIFE, I HAVE DECIDED THAT IT IS TIME TO FOCUS FULLY ON ME. (Hello, me!) IT IS FINALLY TIME TO PROCESS MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY MOTHER AND ALL THE DELICIOUS, SCARY, INTERESTING, HEART-WARMING, DEEEEEEEEP EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENTS, BLOCKAGES, PATTERNS ETC. THAT COME UP. FULLY READY. EXCITED. My…
Shame. Study for #graphicnovel
Recommended reading: — MOLLY- the graphic novel —
I, in fleshy tomb, am buried above ground. Study for #graphicnovel
— Encompass’d with a thousand dangers, Weary, faint, trembling with a thousand terrors….I…in fleshy tomb, am Buried above ground. – William Cowper MOLLY- the graphic novel —
The Babes in the Wood study #graphicnovel
The Babes in the Wood [1] My dear do you know, How a long time ago, Two poor little children, Whose names I don’t know, Were stolen away On a fine summer’s day, And left in a wood, As I’ve heard people say, Poor Babes in the Wood! Poor Babes in the Wood! Oh! don’t…
With love and gratitude in my heart and soul, I say thank you to my parents…
With love and gratitude in my heart and soul, I say thank you to my parents and hello to our mutual dreams. Missing them feels similar to claustrophobia sometimes. But the missing is infused with deep gratitude for the childhood and camaraderie they gave me. In 2012, my father knew, before he died, that we…
Take Off the Amber, Put Out the Lamp #graphicnovel #research
Take the day. Immerse. Forget everything else. Read. Sketch. Cocoon. Trust the calling. Today’s resources: Jamison, K.R. (1999) Night Falls Fast- understanding suicide, Vintage Books: New York, NY, USA Malooof, J., ed. (2012) Vivian Maier- Street Photographer, powerHouse Books: New York NY, USA Appignanesi, L. (2007) Sad, Mad and Bad- women and the mind-doctors from…
These three hours that we have spent.. two shadows went along with us… #graphicnovel photoshoot w. @RickLegalPhotos
Recall Photoshoot Dec 3, 2012: A Lecture Upon the Shadow Here are some MEGA TASTY treats from Rick Legal. As an artist/researcher/behavior evidence analyst, these photos fill every cell of my being with joy! It is wonderful to allow a fellow artist the freedom to do his work within the context/limits of a vision. Extraordinary….
A Lecture Upon the Shadow: an evening of collaboration on the #graphicnovel with @RickLegalPhotos and co.
A LECTURE UPON THE SHADOW. by John Donne December 3, 2012 was an evening of collaboration as Jocelyn Louise and Jay Fisher recreated 1947 and main characters from my graphic novel as they were photographed by the extraordinary photographer, Rick Legal, and as the entire process was documented by photographer and colleague, Nancy Kirkpatrick. The book will include…