I need a miracle. Don’t we all have that sentence running through our minds at some point? Sometime we need to hold on to SOMETHING. Like a doll. So… what would a miracle doll look like? So… I sew. The result: This Frida Kahlo Tehuana Headdress sock doll becomes a reminder to release and to stay…
Category: Women who inspire
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 is one such person. What a pleasure to dig a little deeper and to interpret her exquisite beauty and spirit through drawing, embroidery and symbolism. To let the process unfold…
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Frida No. 4: Frida and her Magic Cone of Truth
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. — For 10 Tuesdays, I am creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo in some form/medium or another. It may be a drawing, an object, a doll, whatever… A surprise. I…
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Art Blog Event. Frida No. 3: The Chakras
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. — For 10 Tuesdays, I am creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo in some form/medium or another. It may be a drawing, an object, a doll, whatever… A surprise. I…
200 + sock monkeys for Nepal event! Operation Sock Monkey for KYT Foundation.
Operation Sock Monkey Western Division is embarking on a Summer journey to create 200 + sock monkeys that will be sold to benefit the KYT FOUNDATION a Vancouver, B.C.-based non-profit established to bring flowing water to a remote Nepali village in the Kabre Palanchowk District; Healay Chaubas. The village is now rebuilding after the earthquake and…
3 part Frida Kahlo interpretation.
At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can. – Frida Kahlo — — Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away. – Frida Kahlo —
VanCaf reflections Part 3 of 6: Emily Cowan, comic artist
Fabulous afternoon at VanCaf Day 1- the Vancouver Comic Arts Festival last Saturday! 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 4. Jasmine Schuett, Spaceclub Comic 5. Inspector Pancakes 6. Erica Moen, Boumeries…
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Art blog event. Frida No. 1: sock doll. #recycledcraft
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. (How many of you that know me are right now rolling your eyes and saying, “duh”…!?!? I realize I am a tad obsessed.) For the next 10 Tuesdays, I will be…
VANCAF reflections Part 2 of 6: @VERWHO and Towerkind on @ConundrumCanada
Fabulous afternoon at VanCaf Day 1- the Vancouver Comic Arts Festival last Saturday! I have broken down some highlights from my visit into 6 blog posts: 1. Julian Lawrence, Drippy the Newsboy, Conundrum Press: BLOG LINK Update: Julian’s book is a FABULOUS READ and VISUAL FEAST! Truly the kind of comic you read lying in the grass under a…
My Dress Hangs There. One of a kind Frida Kahlo portrait paper dress.
UPDATE: May 2, 2015 1:48 PM- DRESS IS SOLD! It will be worn at the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Detroit exhibit! THANK YOU for your patronage- Laura Mack! — ***SOLD!*** It’s truly one of a kind double sided wearable street art/ wall hanging. These are my own interpretations of Frida Kahlo with…
Introducing Frida Kat-lo. My @kidrobot #Trikky as Frida Kahlo. #munnyworld
China marker, marker, acrylic on white 6.5″ Munnyworld Trikky
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…
North Vancouver teen finds her passion and life purpose through arts-based program
North Vancouver teen finds her passion through arts-based program and launches campaign to raise funds to bring water tank and pipeline to remote village in Nepal: It is such an honor to be facilitating The Inside Out Project at Mountainside Secondary, North Vancouver, with my colleague Ian Powell. Recall posts: INSIDE OUT: YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, PEER TO…
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…
Delightful local Vancouver artist: Amy Tom
I am delighted to introduce an extraordinary Vancouver artist, Amy Tom. I was introduced to her through my friend Anne Banner, owner/curator of Vancouver curiosity shop and paradise: Salmagundi West. Amy’s whimsical and magical style inspires me to no end! Check out her ETSY shop! I create postcards, magnets and art prints reproduced from my…
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 to deep-rooted memories and default reactions. Anger directed at self. But I was delighted to find that I also defaulted to the “don’t know mind” technique and that I allowed…
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…
Claudia’s Cranberry Pie.
In memory of my sweet friend and dance partner, Claudia, I am sharing her infamous pie recipe: Pie crust: 300 ml flour 150 g butter (room temp) YES actual butter 1 egg Mix all ingredients and form into dough. Let rest wrapped in plastic in fridge about 30 min before rolling out. Filling: Mix together…
Emma. A portrait.
There are no words that sufficiently describe the enormous, deep-hearted love I feel for my beautiful niece, Emma Varley. Yes, gush, gush, gush, but it’s SO TRUE. Emma– an extraordinary woman and mother of 4. Emma– a brilliant medical anthropologist and humanitarian. I love witnessing her life unfold- sadly mainly from afar, but always, always, close…
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…
Space Club- a new comic by Jasmine Schuett
The other day, I let you know about Boundary, the new delicious comic by Emily Cowan. Emily’s living quarters can hardly contain the creative genius it houses within. Jeeeeezus. It is BURSTING at the seams, for indeed, Emily’s roommate, Jasmine Schuett, has also released a GLORIOUS new comic: Space Club. CHECK IT OUT! I am so…
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 cuddling her hand, Tobey on the floor below, with Grey Gardens on in the background. Grief hits me when I least suspect it, with a solitary evening walk, letting the dog…
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…
Why the need to draw what draws us? #journal #rambling
Why are we drawn to the human face? What draws us in? Why the need to draw what draws us? Why do we fixate on the stare of an eye meeting an eye? Is the draw of the portrait the silence in the glance, the fastidiousness of the stare? The reflection in a mirror- a…
“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…
Sunday morning visit with my mother.
It’s Sunday morning. I’ve been up awhile. Dog is walked. Pot of coffee almost gone. Parrot loud. Rest of the household asleep. Making pancakes. On Sundays, with Corrie on in the background, I make pancakes and visit with my mom. She’s there with me and we can talk freely about all the wonderful trivial things…