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…
Category: Workshop
How-to: step by step drawing technique
Group mind mapping: RJ as a pedagogical tool @SFU
— On March 30, 2016, I took the Criminology 315 (CRIM 315) students at the Simon Fraser University Burnaby Campus (teacher: Associate Professor and director of the Center for Restorative Justice, Brenda Morrison) through an in depths mind mapping process as they reflected on their understanding and learning during the course. CRIM 315 is…
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…
“I can’t wait to see you and meet you at the top.”
It’s early Sunday morning, December 13, 2015, and I have just said bon voyage to my daughter as she heads to New York City for a test run month, paving the way to her big move. A few months ago, she wrote on her mindmap: Spend 1 month test living in New York City. Oh Anna,…
Be A Star workshop with @PeterBreeze. #selfempowerment
Recall I participated in an amazing taste test workshop this past summer facilitated by the one and only Peter Breeze. I am still feeling the positive effects of Peter’s teachings! I am in full process creating my book. When I feel the old anxiety, fear and self-doubt boil up, I take time to breathe and…
Shaking the Movers- a safe space for youth to have a voice.
— I was so honored to participate (as art facilitator) in the 9th instalment of Shaking the Movers yesterday! Shaking the Movers, founded by The Honorable Landon Pearson, is a profound process that supports youth in making powerful recommendations around children’s rights using their own voices. Shaking the Movers: The Shaking the Movers conferences are two-day workshops that…
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 blog post- mindmap tutorial week Part 1: What is a mindmap? Part 2: the Big Vision Part 3: Stream of consciousness mapping Part 4: Prioritizing/consolidating/connecting Part 5: Enhancing Part 6: Addressing…
Mindmap Tutorial Week Part 6: Addressing
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 blog post- mindmap tutorial week Part 1: What is a mindmap? Part 2: the Big Vision Part 3: Stream of consciousness mapping Part 4: Prioritizing/consolidating/connecting Part 5: Enhancing TODAY: PART 6…
Mindmap tutorial week Part 5 of 7: Enhancing
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 post- mindmap tutorial week Part 1: What is a mindmap? Part 2: the Big Vision Part 3: Stream of consciousness mapping Part 4: Prioritizing/consolidating/connecting TODAY: PART 5 OF 7: Enhancing Last…
Craftivism: Operation Sock Monkey’s Hummingbird Project
Today I worked with a group of Operation Sock Monkey craftivists to create hummingbirds for a very special cause. Over 5 hours, we created 40 little hummingbirds for the Liz Elliot Memorial Ceremony and Potlatch happening on September 11, 2015 at the SFU Centre for Restorative Justice. SFU criminologist Liz Elliott, who was a champion of restorative justice,…
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 post- mindmap tutorial week Part 1: What is a mindmap? Part 2: the Big Vision Part 3: Stream of consciousness mapping TODAY: PART 4 OF 7: Prioritizing/consolidating/connecting So once you have…
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 post- mindmap tutorial week Part 1: What is a mindmap? TODAY: PART 2 OF 7: The Big Vision You may recall my journey with mindmaps using: Right-brain entrepreneur Jennifer Lee…
Dear future me… Empowering exercise designed by @peterbreeze
I was so honored to take part in a taste-test workshop last Saturday designed and facilitated by Peter Breeze (co-facilitated by Odin in Germany. Participants included Kany, Annalise and Mariel). Very special day! I’ve been developing a workshop for over a year and today I finally shared my ideas and exercises with these special people….
Home funeral practicum moments.
I spent a deep and profound 24 hours in Squamish this weekend co-facilitating a home funeral practicum with Don Morris and Wendy Rée. I was honored to take part in this extraordinary event and relished in the authentic and heartfelt dialogue that occurred around the kitchen table. Here are some moments captured on Saturday: …
Day 4 and 5 Inside Out Project Summer 2015: Digging Deeper
INSIDE OUT PROJECT: OWN YOUR JOURNEY- Breaking the cycle of violence through creativity Inside Out Project – Own Your Journey SUMMER 2015 is a three week intensive arts-based program running out of Mountainside Secondary School (July 6-24, 2015) for youth ages 13-20 that uses the vehicles of therapeutic art, photography and stop motion animation to teach life and…
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Frida No. 6: Sock doll in Tehuana headdress
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…
Home Funeral Practicum July 18, 2015.
Have you ever had a friend or relative die, and wished you could have kept them at home for a day or two, to take care of the body yourself and say your farewells without pressure? In fact, you can. – source I am absolutely delighted to be participating in the following Home Funeral Practicum on…
ART SALE: One-of-a-kind journals
One-of-a-kind journals with hand-drawn, embroidered covers containing 12 of my original journaling exercises — — — I have been developing a little project for awhile now, inspired by my desires to: • combine my learned lessons from years of facilitating art sessions • reach more people that doesn’t require arranging in-person workshops. But I want to do it in…
Connections & Creativity: an interactive gathering with Laura Mack and Kat Thorsen
I AM DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE MY NEXT COLLABORATION WITH LAURA MACK! — We invite you to experience a deeper connection to self, tap into your creativity and connect with others at a truly authentic level. We will be sharing tools and practices with you, in an experiential format that will enrich your personal and professional lives. And, if you…
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…
“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…
Human Connection, Creativity and Health- @bridge4health free workshop with @parentasleader and @KatThorsen
Would you like to spend an evening exploring the healing power of human connection through a gentle introduction to netweaving and creative expression? Bridge for Health and the Burnaby Public Library present this free workshop by an authentic leader and facilitator Laura Mack, and therapeutic art facilitator Kat Thorsen. Laura Mack is a business consultant, facilitator and writer. She…
Sacred Contracts Journal Exercise Part 5 of 8: Throat Chakra
SACRED CONTRACTS JOURNALING EXERCISE SERIES PART 5 OF 8 THROAT CHAKRA We are tapping into our calling, our purpose, our joy in this SACRED CONTRACTS journal series. It is inspired by Caroline Myss. The journal series is an experiment on my part, and I welcome you to join along. Recall Part 1: Future and Present where we took…
Stay tuned for Operation Sock Monkey Handbook fundraising!
My personal mission is to awaken creative expression through local and global art initiatives. One initiative partners me with Operation Sock Monkey to create a life skills and entrepreneurship handbook. Our goal is to implement local pilot projects in the Fall and to bring the work to New York City and San Francisco youth programs…
Sock Monkey Life Skills Entrepreneurship Curriculum Development update!
Recall I am developing the following project: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SERIES 1: THE @BY POSTSTREET SOCK MONKEY LIFE SKILLS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM for youth groups, schools and community organizations in partnership with OPERATION SOCK MONKEY I am pleased that things are moving forward as intended! Phase 1 is on track regarding community outreach and awareness. I have…
Sacred Contracts Journaling Exercise: Series Part 1 of 8- Future and Present
Sacred Contracts Journaling Exercise Series Part 1 of 8 Future and Present Inspired by Caroline Myss’s book, SACRED CONTRACTS- awakening your divine potential, I am exploring/developing journaling exercises around awakening creative expression and tapping into the magic that makes you flow– that passion that fuels you, that call to action to step up and truly live a…