No doubt my collection of 300 + journals, sketchbooks and image-idea files are filled with more sad rants than with positive day-to-day activities. For many
Category: Meditation
What makes me feel rich is…
A bowl of eggs in the fridge A bowl of fruit on the table A jar of random trinkets: Small details Watching approximately 40 herons
The 5 W’s. #Molly #GraphicNovel #Process
Working on Molly. Keep at it. Revise manuscript. Organize the collected research. Walk around the lagoon. Think think think. Massage the timeline. Spend hours in the
Ponderings on the “idea.”
As a creative, I find it as important to make time for input as well as make time for creative output. And allow myself some
My personal #Chakra #SelfCare #CheckIn #Toolkit
I can’t help but love the magical thinking that happens when considering the chakras! The 7 Chakras are the energy centers in our body in
Opened TextEdit to find a surprise note to self…
Prepping for a session tonight with young women, around the theme of sisterhood using collage techniques, I opened TextEdit to collect pertinent quotes that
Using Braid Theory to explain triple timeline. #Molly #graphicnovel
It has taken me years to create a structure for Molly that could combine two stories that run both parallel to each other and have
Sunday morning coffee shop musings.
Journal entry January 24, 2016 Write out goals –> no, write out PLANS. What is the difference between goals and plans and by writing goals as
Now her ghost wheels her barrow…
In Dublin’s fair city, where the girls are so pretty I first laid my eyes on sweet Molly Malone As she wheeled her wheelbarrow through
Soul work… my 2016 Toolkit
You may recall, I set my intention for 2016- to simply meet it all with love. Yet I knew it was important to take the
I felt a Funeral, in my Brain… Birds, metaphors, graphic novel, experiments
— Central to my graphic novel is the intensity of anxiety and severe depression while drowning in circumstance, highlighted through the metaphor of birds. —
2015 reflections and 2016 intentions.
It’s that time of year to reflect and lay out intentions. What a journey 2015 was. It was the year… [DELETE.] I had written several
I thought my achy body was grief but perhaps it is birth.
Journal entry December 26, 2015 The surprise Christmas release by LCD Soundsystem epitomizes my achy-boned, sentimental, full of love and nostalgia, time to transition Christmas. I
To live until we say good-bye. Tobey: Jan. 14, 2000-Dec. 23, 2015
December 23, 2015 3:52 PM As I write this, I await my brother to pick me up to take Tobey to the vet. I awoke
Magical thinking and Christmas knickknacks.
Christmas is here- magical time of year. One of my favorite and one of the hardest. So true for many of us. It’s a time
“Here, at the age of 39, I began to be old…”
I revisited Brideshead Revisited last night and was struck, more deeply than usual, by Waugh’s opening line: “Here, at the age of 39, I began
And so, the vulnerability shakes set in…
Hi. As you may know, I’ve been fully immersed in process in the last month or so- working on my book presentation for my agent
I write of what I cannot speak- the truth.
I write it over and over wherever we find shelter. I write of what I cannot speak- the truth. I write all I know of
it should be a nightmare, but somehow, it isn’t. Instead, I am filled with curiosity…
I am a bit lost these days. Spinning in place the last few weeks. I know the spinning comes from diving into the past for a
For me, art has no end- there is no end product… A drawing by my father.
I was staying over at my brother and sister-in-law’s place the other day, spending delicious time with my niece and nephew. I went to the downstairs
Turning point: reflections on triggers. Part 2- (re)discovery
This week I have been exploring triggers in my life– their roles as fodder for creative work, their potential to help in self-development and their ability to create turning
Turning point- reflections on triggers. Part 1: archives
Last New Year, my brother and I brought home all my journals and artwork from storage. We recently brought home all the family photo albums
Mindmap Tutorial Week Part 7 of 7: Reviewing
I have been diving into a much-needed new mindmap this week, so I thought I’d create a tutorial during my process! Tutorial so far: Introductory
Mindmap Tutorial Week Part 4: Prioritizing, consolidating, connecting
I am diving into a much-needed new mindmap this week, so I thought I’d create a tutorial during my process! Tutorial so far: Introductory blog
Mindmap Tutorial Week Part 3: Stream of consciousness mapping
I am diving into a much-needed new mindmap this week, so I thought I’d create a tutorial during my process! Tutorial so far: Introductory blog
Mindmap Tutorial Week Part 2 of 7: the Big Vision
I am diving into a much-needed new mindmap this week, so I thought I’d create a tutorial during my process! Tutorial so far: Introductory blog
Mindmap Tutorial Week Part 1 of 7: What is a mindmap?
I am diving into a much-needed new mindmap this week, so I thought I’d create a tutorial during my process! Recall: Introductory blog post- mindmap
Mindmap tutorial week on the blog!
Getting ready to dive into a much-needed new mindmap this week, so I thought I’d create a tutorial during my process! What to expect: Part
Recycled sock craft: dead crow. #Graphicnovel fundraiser.
The crow guides my healing journey. It gives me the courage to enter the darkness of the unknown and to let go of fear. The
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Frida No. 9: Frida and the magpie portrait
I’ve been celebrating my blog with an art event. The event honors the woman who inspires me to keep it going as an artist: Frida Kahlo.
Limited edition hand-embroidered print sale #graphicnovel
— I am making available 10 hand-embroidered prints entitled Who is it that can tell me who I am? featuring an original image from my graphic
Happy birthday, Frida! Frida No.7: Fetal Frida Sock Doll
Frida Kahlo b. July 6, 1907 See Frida No. 1-6: LINK
Pay attention to the birds: Part 6- Starling
Ah, the birds— and their delightful ways— this time of year in particular. I just LOVE watching them! And I love when I feel something
“Dear me…” Write a letter to your younger self.
What would you write to younger you today? There is so much I want to write to that little anxious girl. I haven’t written my
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Frida No. 5: “I have wings to fly…” coloring page
I’m celebrating my blog with an art event. The event honors the woman who inspires me to keep it going as an artist: Frida Kahlo. —
IXQUEL: interpretation through drawing and embroidery. Deeper portraits.
Certain people in your life– even though you may not have met them in person- only through the ether- get right into your heart. Ixquel
“Crime Scene” creative process #graphicnovel
— “CRIME SCENE” Testing chapter heading visuals for: Molly, my graphic novel. Creating on nickels and dimes. “… even if I had to
Little Brown Mouse Journal Ramblings
Little Brown Mouse Journal Ramblings I have been told in the past that I think TOO BIG. But I have come to realize, I
Sock sparrow. #recycledcraft
My personal therapy is randomly picking up an old scrap, grabbing needle and thread and seeing what happens. In this case, I was donated
Pay attention to the signs. Badger. #alignment
The image of the badger has been playing in my mind the past few weeks. I really have no idea why. But
What happens when you open yourself up? #journal #truth
April 28, 2015 What happens when you open yourself up and share some painful truths? Say that you are with a (safe) person and the
Pay attention to the birds: Part 5- Sparrow
— Bliss- walking my old dog slowly, oh so slowly, in our West End neighborhood listening to the sweet song of the white-throated sparrow. Miraculous.
Write for 10 minutes without stopping. #journalexercise
I feel tired, excited, more peaceful- but tired and worn. I am indeed— worn out. Maybe it’s muscle memory. Anniversary grief catching up. This time
Why receiving a NO from @writehedgebrook was a YES.
December 19, 2014: Dear Katarina, Thank you so much for applying for a 2015 Hedgebrook residency. We received 1,466 applications for 2015 and are able to
Touch me life, not softly. #journalentry
How will you take on this week? Last week was truly full of too muchness, too fullness, too many extremes, but at the same time,
A week of triggers and difficult conversations. And authenticity.
There were many triggers this week, both personally, professionally, and financially, that led to a multitude of emotions- most especially anxiety. Triggers that give rise
As I walked the labyrinth, I repeated the mantra: the question is…
Journal entry- at Xenia Retreat Centre inside the Sanctuary after walking the labyrinth on December 29, 2014 [unedited] @ Xenia with Laura. What a treat!
INNER CRITIC Series Part 4 of 6: CAUTERIZE #journalexercise
The inner critic is always worth a revisit. I have broken the series into 6 parts: 1. RANT 2. JUDGE 3. INVESTIGATE 4. CAUTERIZE 5. TEASE
I know in my heart though, this is healthy grieving. I am processing.
I dreamt of my parents last night. On awakening, I was drenched in that deep sweat of walking through symbolic dream time. My mother passed
INNER CRITIC series Part 3 of 6: INVESTIGATE #journalexercise
The inner critic is always worth a revisit. I have broken the series into 6 parts: 1. RANT 2. JUDGE 3. INVESTIGATE 4. CAUTERIZE 5. TEASE
Inner Critic Series Part 2: JUDGE #journalexercise #mindmap
INNER CRITIC SERIES PARTS 1-6: The inner critic is always worth a revisit. I have broken the series into 6 parts: 1. RANT 2. JUDGE 3.
Notes from the kitchen table… #journalexercise
Journal exercise: Take time to listen. Sit with pen and paper and write down all you hear. ALL. BE PRESENT. I was sitting at my
“Hey over here- over HEAR!” Bathtub musings. #journal
This that this that I throw you the unknown This that this that Hey over here, over- HEAR! Cart on a cup over rocks in a
Shhh brain… Shhh… How I wind down.
Too much output this week. Leading to lots of thinking and reassessing. Squirrelliness. Harumphyness. But enough is enough. Weekend work done and I stop in
Contemplating death, loss, hope, acceptance…
Release Leap of faith Acceptance Peace Honorary Karin Roar Life rough on the seas Sacrifice Mother father daughter love Death Release Hope Promise Defence Loss
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
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
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
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
Grief hits me when I least suspect it, with a solitary evening walk…
All of a sudden, all I want to do is organize mom’s closet, as she lies on the bed and chats with me, the parrot
