I am delighted to still be part of Operation Sock Monkey Western Division—the relationship is going on 10 years now! Time for an update as to what we have been up to lately! About OSM: Since 2005, Operation Sock Monkey has raised nearly $10,000 in support of the humanitarian work of Clowns Without Borders. Partnerships…
Category: Recommended blogs
SOME PORTRAITS OF GRIEF.
For me, it is impossible to quantify grief. To qualify it. To define it. It comes as a surprise. It comes as a wave. It comes suddenly. Or it comes on slow. It can feel like nostalgia, anger, sadness, gratitude, drowning. It can be triggered. It can be low grade. It can be reassuring. It can…
Williams Lake/ Punky Lake Summer 2016 Art Camp Diary- Part 6: the photographer
Recall: Preview Part 1: Preparation Part 2: Travel Part 3: Art Camp Day 1 Part 4: Art Camp Day 2 Part 5: Art Camp Day 3 — Part 6: Punky Lake Wilderness Camp Society Summer 2016 Art Camp- the photographer What a treat it was to be joined by photographer Rick Magnell of Magnell Photography on Days…
The psychopomp and the crow- made from @Socksmith socks!
I received these beautiful skeleton socks from Socksmith in the mail on Monday! Oh I love them! Socksmith has been a long time favorite sock company for me ever since my first visit to Sockshop on Haight back in October 2010! Here is the blog post about that visit: LINK I remained a long time fan:…
When Doors Close: A Retreat to Unlock New Possibilities May 20-22
7 brilliant, heart-full and talented colleagues are collaborating to create When Doors Close – a retreat to unlock new possibilities. I’ve been witnessing heartaching frustration in friends, loved ones, even strangers, and hearing the refrain “all the doors seem to be closing” – over and over. I know these words well. I’ve said these words, and…
Inspiring program: Work2Give via @PunkyLake
It was such a delight to meet the extraordinary Sarah Jackman of Punky Lake Wilderness Camp Society http://punkylake.com/ on March 15, 2016 as we presented together our experiences in restorative practices in CRIM 442 at SFU. My name is Sarah Jackman and I am the Executive Director of the Punky Lake Wilderness Camp Society. I was…
Visual facilitation is #visualstorytelling w. felts and paper
Many of you know, I love mind mapping. If you say, can I talk to you? …you know that I will first pull out felt pens and paper before saying- talk to me. I usually work either one-on-one or with small groups, in order to facilitate deeper dialogue and connection, as well as help with personal and…
Sisterhood collages with youth who have a passion to lead
I was delighted to facilitate a collaging workshop with a group of young women last night who have been participating in Passion to Lead’s Leadership Program since November. We focused on the theme of sisterhood. The resulting collection of collages are simply beautiful and will be grouped together into one piece. It was a…
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 may inspire dialogue tonight. An untitled document opened with a note I wrote to myself from my future self last year. Dear me, You now stand fully naked, fully present,…
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 opposed to plans, am I not being BADASS enough? (Thank you, Cat Webb, for defining me as a badass and being a constant source of empowerment. Check out Cat’s extraordinary…
Ok, Molly, I’ll eat a shit sandwich for you.
I had a very anxious week last week. It was a crawl to the finish line. It was a mix of grief, self-doubt, money stuff, fearing I don’t have what it takes to succeed in this life, blah blah blah. It’s familiar, having suffered from anxiety all my life. But last week was particularly hard….
Making a Comeback: rebranding mental health
I first met Allanah Mooney, Lionheart Productions, when she was a guest film professional at Frames Film Project when I was the program coordinator there. I love Allanah’s passion for authentic storytelling and for creating social change through the medium of film. It also turns out we are neighbors! I often run into Allanah walking…
VanCaf Reflections Part 5 of 6: Inspector Pancakes- lessons on marketing
Fabulous afternoon at VanCaf Day 1- the Vancouver Comic Arts Festival on May 23, 2015! I have broken down some highlights from my visit into 6 blog posts: 1. Julian Lawrence, Drippy the Newsboy, Conundrum Press: BLOG LINK 2. Kat Verhoeven, Towerkind, Conundrum Press BLOG LINK 3. Emily Cowan, Boundary Comic BLOG LINK 4. Jasmine Schuett, Spaceclub Comic BLOG LINK 5. Inspector Pancakes…
I won Space Club stickers!!! #spaceclubcomic by @nightmareofhair
Recall my post back in October about SPACE CLUB COMIC by Jasmine Schuett: SPACE CLUB is about ALICE, a human girl traveling through space with her new friends: some rando aliens she met while clubbing one night! Over time she comes to realize this wasn’t the best idea, for several reasons. Space Club is also about exploring how relationships…
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 offer 40 residencies. Though your application did not advance into the final round this year, we want you to know that your work resonated with our reviewers. Sending your work…
Inside Out Project Mountainside Secondary: own your journey
On September 30, 2014, I began my collaboration with Ian Powell at Mountainside Secondary on the INSIDE OUT PROJECT- OWN YOUR JOURNEY, 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…
Abundance means less. What? #selfleadership
I’ve been really committing to the mantra Abundance 2015. My mindset is more focused on creating abundance. But my realization is that I’ve been coming at it all wrong. Abundance to me does not mean more. Abundance means less. What? Doesn’t abundance mean more? Definition: The lesson for me, as I quickly approach 53, lies in taking a…
The inspiring work of @GlobalSorority @passionteams and @g4gcharity in Cape Town
I am truly in awe of and inspired by the powerful work being done globally by my friends at The Passion Foundation Global Sorority Girls 4 Girls And I am delighted to see our Operation Sock Monkey sock monkeys at work on the ground in Cape Town! Photos courtesy of Global Sorority and Passion Foundation: …
My china marker portraits on @bypoststreet’s limited edition Winter Collection t-shirts!
The bypoststreet limited edition Winter collection t-shirts now available at bypoststreet.com! @bypoststreet features unisex luxury and sportswear inspired t-shirts designed by our creative director. Our eco-friendly luxurious bamboo/cotton cloth is milled in Canada and our t-shirts are designed and produced locally in Vancouver. Our collections feature limited edition portraits by our in-house artist. All our t-shirts…
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…
• ART • CRAFTS • YOUTH ARTISANS: my 3 blogs get 3 new looks!
MY ART BLOG: MY CRAFTS BLOG: MY YOUTH ARTISANS BLOG:
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…
The Waves- Matt Roy’s addition to our COMMUNITY JOURNAL PROJECT! #drawntogether #recycledart
My father and I kept mutual journals and one of our original journals was pulled apart and offered to the community. — I am so excited to be witnessing my Father’s dream project of community journals unfolding. The latest addition is by Matt Roy: He added a page from Virginia Woolf’s The Waves to create…
New shop in my neighborhood: @ingoodcompanynv: #Local #Handmade #EcoFriendly #Cooperative #Inspiring
I love connecting with people who pursue a dream and then execute the plan. Janelle Bakker and Jean Stenhouse in North Vancouver are two such people: Local. Handmade. Gifts. Baby & Kids. Clothing. Eco-Friendly. Cooperative. I am delighted to discover the new store IN GOOD COMPANY a couple of blocks away from my apartment filled with eco-friendly,…
A visit to Riverview Hospital (Essondale)
I am often drawn to visiting the grounds of Riverview. Recall, for example: Asylum, Bedlam, Essondale. Last Friday, I brought along my daughter and dog Tobey. I was struck by the unkempt lawns and the significant deterioration since my last visit not too long ago. I was also struck (as always) by the intense beauty…
Happy Birthday, Cher of @EcoBravoBlog! #greenmom
A huge happy birthday to my sweet and beautiful sister-in-law, Cher Hanusiak! She is one of the most amazing people I know and a supermom to my nephew, Henrik. Check out Cher’s inspiring blog, EcoBravo! Ecobravo highlights eco-friendly and socially responsible products, services, people and design. Cher shares her passion for all things gorgeous and friendly…
Dementia Dad: A story about the Caring Relationship by Hannah Miller
I was delighted to receive the mini-comic Dementia Dad by Hannah Miller in the post today. The book is a simple, heart-warming, insightful and empowering piece. With her profound illustrations and humorous text, Hannah manages to paint a portrait of the effects of dementia on daily life. A simple short story says SO MUCH. We…
“Do you ever stop? I mean truly just stop?” How the #RightBrainBusinessPlan is helping me quiet my mind.
Kat, do you ever stop? I mean truly just stop? Just taking a day and doing nothing, just drinking tea in pjs and doing nothing? – Maryellen to me I have to say the answer is no. Or more accurately, yes- sometimes– but when I do, I feel my body reacting. I feel the migraines…
Face of the month collaboration with Global Model Scouting and @bypoststreet!
Introducing our new collaboration! Face of the Month with: FACE OF THE MONTH At the end of every month GMS will pick a “Face of the month” from the models on our site. This will be someone that we think stands out. What makes them stand out could be uniqueness, coolness, attitude or perhaps great…
Big-vision visualization #mindmaps inspired by #rightbrainbusinessplan
Recall my journey with visionboards, mindmaps using: My previous posts: For I dipped into the future… Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakes. Making the task more me Right-brain entrepreneur Jennifer Lee is a certified coach, writer, artist, yogini, and the founder of Artizen Coaching. Before pursuing her own passions full-time, she consulted for…
The art is on the wall. Latest updates.
My daughter and I [wearing our by post street tees] as featured on the cover of WE Vancouver! For complete article go to: POST NO BILLS: CAN FREE ART CHANGE THE WORLD? Anna is wearing “K” from by post street’s collection 1. Check out the making of the “K” portrait: Video by Julian Bowers —…
Anna and the @bypoststreet paper dress as caught by the inimitable @viranlly
The by post street paper dress photographed by Viranlly Aix Liemena: The Social Life team: Viranlly, Anna and Josh! The by post street online store is now open:
Say Yes to Saying No- new book by @LeslieFierling via @InfluencePub! #drawtheline
Last July, I had the pleasure of being in same the InspireABook workshop as Leslie Fierling! She is a dynamic, inspiring, dedicated, focused, no-holds-barred individual. I learned so much about finding my voice simply by spending time with Leslie that weekend. Since then I have witnessed her transformation to author and I am loving calling her…
Jennifer of @SketchChange’s genius addition to our COMMUNITY JOURNAL PROJECT! #drawntogether #recycledart
Our original journal was pulled apart to offer to the community. — I am so excited to be witnessing my Father’s dream project of community journals unfolding. Take a look at what my dear friend Jennifer did!!! — Jennifer Lyons pulling apart the journal and choosing her pages! Take note of the spiral binding from the…
Sunday #journalexercise. Boundaries and Owl Wisdom- come from a place of wholeness.
I’ve been thinking about boundaries and the wisdom in defining them. The image of the owl came to mind as I journaled this AM. Because owls and all creatures of the animal realm are pure energy, and they come from a place of wholeness. As such, they communicate in a unified voice. They speak in…
“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…
… 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 —
“A picture is a secret about a secret, the more it tells you the less you know.” Diane Arbus #photoshootThursday
It is always fun to have impromptu photoshoots! Always! Last Thursday, we gathered together again in the workshop at District 319 and played. I love capturing moments with my iPhone: Photographer Carolyn Spencer directed the shoot and masterfully captured moments inspired by 80’s greed:
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 —
“How you live is how you heal.” Today’s portrait: @DrManonBolliger, ND
I had the pleasure of first meeting Dr. Manon Bolliger through Julie Salisbury, my publisher for Drawn Together. I love Manon’s empowering call for self-advocacy. She encourages you to become a self-directed patient. You were right all along. Healing is from within. – Dr. Manon Bolliger Check out Manon’s book: PRE-ORDER her book now (by February…
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…
Chris Zahner Makes Art (and I’m obsessed).
About me. I live in Brooklyn, New York and work in the art conservation field. Artwork has been an incredibly important part of my life and being able to preserve pieces for future generations is a real privilege. You should also feel confident that my choices in the materials I use when creating my own…
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…
An ode to @Iamyokoo #portrait #inspiringartist
— Running a one-woman knitwear enterprise from home, Yokoo is an artist, a perfectionist and a ”total control” worker. She enjoys being a part of the entire process: thinking, designing, sketching, picking up the material, creating, photographing, promoting, trading and sending. She still gets butterflies every time she packages up a new order. SOURCE Yokoo…
Dec 24: @The_Social_Life’s #24daysofTSL w. Mary Kate and Ashley ft. @jasonmatlo and @NICEPKG
DEC 24: Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen TO ENTER GO TO #24DAYOFTSL X JASON MATLO & PKG — I am so excited to have collaborated with THE SOCIAL LIFE, Anna T Fabulous and Joshua D Langston on #24daysofTSL! Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, and The Social Life’s Anna T Fabulous and Joshua Langston. China marker, acrylix, fx on newsprint — THANK YOU…
Dec 23: @The_Social_Life’s #24daysofTSL w. #portrait of @annadellorusso ft.my advent portraits!
DEC 23: Anna Dello Russo TO ENTER GO TO #24DAYOFTSL X KAT THORSEN Choices (originals are 12″ x 18″ on newsprint): 1. Alexander Wang 2. Derek Blasberg 3. Marc Jacobs 4. Tom Ford 5. Diane Von Furstenburg 6. Phoebe Philo 7. Coco Rocha 8. Leigh Lezark 9. Karlie Kloss — CHECK OUT MORE OF MY PORTRAITS AT:…
Dec 22: @The_Social_Life’s #24daysofTSL w. #portrait of #KateMoss ft.@Mimi_Chica
DEC 22: Kate Moss TO ENTER GO TO #24DAYOFTSL X MIMI CHICA — I am so excited to collaborate with THE SOCIAL LIFE, Anna T Fabulous and Joshua D Langston on #24daysofTSL! Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, and The Social Life’s Anna T Fabulous and Joshua Langston. China marker, acrylix, fx on newsprint — Umm…it’s DECEMBER. Can you believe?? We can’t. So…
Dec 21: @The_Social_Life’s #24daysofTSL w. #portrait of @cocorocha ft.@CotteDArmes
DEC 21: Coco Rocha TO ENTER GO TO #24DAYOFTSL X COTTE D’ARMES — I am so excited to collaborate with THE SOCIAL LIFE, Anna T Fabulous and Joshua D Langston on #24daysofTSL! Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, and The Social Life’s Anna T Fabulous and Joshua Langston. China marker, acrylix, fx on newsprint — Umm…it’s DECEMBER. Can you believe?? We can’t. So…
Dec 20: @The_Social_Life’s #24daysofTSL w. #portrait of @joansmalls ft. Dean Accessories
DEC 20: Joan Smalls TO ENTER GO TO #24DAYOFTSL X DEAN ACCESSORIES — I am so excited to collaborate with THE SOCIAL LIFE, Anna T Fabulous and Joshua D Langston on #24daysofTSL! Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, and The Social Life’s Anna T Fabulous and Joshua Langston. China marker, acrylix, fx on newsprint — Umm…it’s DECEMBER. Can you believe?? We can’t. So…
Dec 19: @The_Social_Life’s #24daysofTSL w. #portrait of @karliekloss ft. @Sephora
DEC 19: Karlie Kloss TO ENTER GO TO #24DAYOFTSL X SEPHORA — I am so excited to collaborate with THE SOCIAL LIFE, Anna T Fabulous and Joshua D Langston on #24daysofTSL! Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, and The Social Life’s Anna T Fabulous and Joshua Langston. China marker, acrylix, fx on newsprint — Umm…it’s DECEMBER. Can you believe?? We can’t. So in…
Dec 18: @The_Social_Life’s #24daysofTSL w. #portrait of @lindseywixson ft. @skullcandy
DEC 18: Lindsey Wixson TO ENTER GO TO #24DAYOFTSL X SKULL CANDY — I am so excited to collaborate with THE SOCIAL LIFE, Anna T Fabulous and Joshua D Langston on #24daysofTSL! Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, and The Social Life’s Anna T Fabulous and Joshua Langston. China marker, acrylix, fx on newsprint — Umm…it’s DECEMBER. Can you believe?? We can’t. So…
Dec 17: @The_Social_Life’s #24daysofTSL w. #portrait of Charlotte Free ft. @nailsinc
DEC 17: Charlotte Free TO ENTER GO TO #24DAYOFTSL X NAIL INC — I am so excited to collaborate with THE SOCIAL LIFE, Anna T Fabulous and Joshua D Langston on #24daysofTSL! Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, and The Social Life’s Anna T Fabulous and Joshua Langston. China marker, acrylix, fx on newsprint — Umm…it’s DECEMBER. Can you believe?? We can’t. So…
Dec 16: @The_Social_Life’s #24daysofTSL w. #portrait of @Caradelevingne ft. #SFO mug and gift card!
DEC 16: Cara Delevingne TO ENTER GO TO #24DAYOFTSL X STARBUCKS — I am so excited to collaborate with THE SOCIAL LIFE, Anna T Fabulous and Joshua D Langston on #24daysofTSL! Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, and The Social Life’s Anna T Fabulous and Joshua Langston. China marker, acrylix, fx on newsprint — Umm…it’s DECEMBER. Can you believe?? We can’t. So in…
Dec 15: @The_Social_Life’s #24daysofTSL w. #portrait of @NaomiCampbell ft. @KatThorsen
DEC 15: Naomi Campbell TO ENTER GO TO #24DAYOFTSL X KAT THORSEN CHECK OUT: THE SOCIAL LIFE HITS THE STREETS — I am so excited to collaborate with THE SOCIAL LIFE, Anna T Fabulous and Joshua D Langston on #24daysofTSL! Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, and The Social Life’s Anna T Fabulous and Joshua Langston. China marker, acrylix, fx on newsprint —…
Dec 14: @The_Social_Life’s #24daysofTSL w. #portrait of @manrepeller ft. @shopmasc
DEC 14: Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller TO ENTER GO TO #24DAYOFTSL X MASC SKIN CARE — — I am so excited to collaborate with THE SOCIAL LIFE, Anna T Fabulous and Joshua D Langston on #24daysofTSL! Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, and The Social Life’s Anna T Fabulous and Joshua Langston. China marker, acrylix, fx on newsprint — Umm…it’s DECEMBER. Can…
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….