Quote – Page 9 – © KATARINA THORSEN

JOURNAL EXERCISE: Taking charge

JOURNAL EXERCISE: Taking charge How are you taking charge of your life? How are you taking responsibility for you? Write it out: Exciting times as I take the next steps in my life. I mind-mapped it out, made the decision, circled the date on the calendar and now executing the plan. I’m taking the…

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…

Untangling Past/Present/Future Journal Exercise

We may find ourselves stuck in a cycle, weighed down by our past, distracted by our perceived future and not living fully in the present. If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present….

“… 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…

Magical thinking. Will you go?

Sometimes a little magical thinking can ease the restless soul. Where do you go? I go into the forest and dream of angels. I let go of reality. I trust, I surrender and I rest. Go with me to it and I’ll show it you and by the way you shall tell me where in…

Half a face. My 30 year relationship with the #BreakingBad teddy bear.

Breaking Bad has reached its conclusion. Glorious TV. Characters that stay with you. I will miss the weekly anticipation. The Breaking Bad fans have become a family. Indeed, I spent the evening watching it with the usual gang who have gotten together for season openers and finales. My dear friend Mia treated us to…

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…

Fear and resistance on a Monday morning. #Journal

The more scared we are of a work or a calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it. ~ The War of Art by Steven Pressfield I am answering a call. More on that soon. Yet still I struggle with the same old anxieties around money. I am taking steps, mind…

Responsibility garden… #journalexercise

I am taking charge of my own life. All the seeds have been planted. The shoots are healthy. And growing. It’s time for me to tend my own garden. In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are…

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, …

Beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.

A walk in the forest August 31, 2013. “About five years ago I saw a mockingbird make a straight vertical descent from the roof gutter of a four-story building. It was an act as careless and spontaneous as the curl of a stem or the kindling of a star. The mockingbird took a single step…

“Taming the inner critic” Part 5 #acceptance #dialogue

Taming the Inner Critic PART 5- coming to a place of acceptance Now that you have built a relationship with your inner critic, it’s time to sit down together and have an honest dialogue. Stream of consciousness. Let go of defensiveness. Stop fighting. Stop giving it all the power. Accept the role you play. Accept…

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…

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…

“Taming the inner critic” journal exercise revisited.

PART 1: With your dominant hand write all those nasty things your inner critic hacks away at you. With your non-dominant hand, tell the inner critic off, tame it, write positive things about yourself. This exercise allows those racing thoughts to purge out on paper with the hand you usually write with. Forcing yourself to…

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: Changes ahead. Surrending and allowing.

I sense big changes ahead. For many of us. Tomorrow I am sitting down with my daughter and with large boards and pens and laying it all out. Where am I in this moment? I will make a complete list of all debts owing, where my accounts stand today, and three months projections ahead. I…

Mind maps integrate both right-brain and left-brain thinking. And you know me- I LOVE them!

Impromptu session mind-mapping with my dear friends, Evelyn and Reem today. So healing. I just love starting in the centre and working our way out. We don’t necessarily know what we are focusing on, but letting it evolve. Mind maps integrate both right-brain and left-brain thinking by capturing your stream of consciousness in a structured…

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…

JOURNAL SERIES Part 5: REFLECTION: ANTICIPATION, PROCESS and AFTERMATH.

I am working on a new journal series to connect with my book Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art. I am a great believer in sharing my creative process! That is how Drawn Together was created in the first place- through journals and blogposts. As I build the journal series, I…

JOURNAL SERIES Part 4: REFLECTION: esteem heart

REFLECTION: ESTEEM HEART We are all faced with challenges, every day. Some may seem insurmountable. Some keep coming back. Sometimes we find ourselves in the most difficult challenge of our lives (as in my Dad’s stroke), and sometimes just getting out of bed is a challenge, Focus on 3-4 things that are blocking you, that hinder you,…

© KATARINA THORSEN

Category: Quote