This week started with some bristling uneasiness. But instead of falling into fear and trying to figure out next steps, I decided to give myself this week to take time– to NOT FIGURE THINGS OUT. To give myself some space and time. Some space-time. Be in the questions, yes- but allow whatever comes- to come. I asked myself- what…
Journal exercise: I Found My Way Home
I have been ruminating on the concept of home. The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned. ― Maya Angelou, All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes Journal exercise: If you were to write an autobiography entitled I Found My Way Home, what…
We were drawn together on Saturday- and now I know why…
I love family. And we have shared so much- all the life markers, the ups and downs of life and through it all there is that special glue that connects us. We had an impromptu get together at my place on Saturday- somehow ALL of us (niece, nephew, brothers, sister in laws, daughter, son, daughter…
“Always, remember, you are the best.” No, you were, Pappa. #toliveuntilwesaygoodbye
My greatest cheerleader was my Dad. 4 years ago today, his heart stopped beating, but his spirit lives on. His pep talks were the best. “Always, remember, you are the best.” No, you were, Pappa. Our gift to you: Free PDF version of DRAWN TOGETHER, THE BOOK by Roar and Kat Thorsen! LINK
Delicious book! ‘Awakening Joy- for kids’ by Michele Lilyanna and James Baraz
I reconnected with a sweet friend/soul-sister/colleague last Friday, sharing sacred hours at my kitchen table. When I lived on the Sunshine Coast 1996-2003, I was lucky enough to befriend and work with Michele Lilyanna. (Happy 20th anniversary, Michele!) Incredibly, both my kids were lucky to have her as a teacher, and her friendship got me…
Digging deeper, the secrets become aviatic.
Working on Molly, and I remain fascinated that I find it easier to dig deeper into the story by using the image of birds. Somehow, the layers that obscure the truth are scraped away a little easier. Are the birds metaphors? My guides? I robbed your grave. I revealed you. I showed you in shameful moments….
Ode to the carnation- “nature’s bastards”
A flower is a miracle. A carnation certainly so. Did you know carnations are “banned” as decor in certain facilities? They are supposedly cheap, low class, ugly, unacceptable. I adore carnations and I have to speak up. How can this beautiful flower, known to be GOOD FOR HUMMINGBIRDS, BEES AND BUTTERFLIES, be so vilified? Sir, the year growing…
Love letter to Toronto
6 AM Despite living in Canada most of my life, I had never been to Toronto before this year and now I am on my third visit in just a few months! Sitting at the table in my suite in Etobicoke [early morning preparing to co-facilitate with Beverley Pomeroy 3 days of engagement work with…
On Autumnal endings and beginnings in October
This is such a beautiful tender time of the year for me. The autumn is both a time of loss and renewal. My parents passed in the autumn, yet autumn is a time of new possibilities and fresh starts. Life/ death. The extremes? Or two sides of the same coin or exactly the same? For…
What being ace means to me. #asexual musings
October 3, 2016: Being age 54 and “single” I am often asked (by people my own age), Are you dating anyone now? When my response is one of raised eyebrows and a cynical laugh, and an adamant, I have no interest, I often get the NEVER SAY NEVER statement. Oh my God. I know I know— who…
Partnering to Create a Culture of Care.
I am happy to announce a new site: my collaboration with Beverley Pomeroy! CULTURE OF CARE Earlier this year, Bev and I were invited to facilitate a pilot project with the upper management of a national independent living brand and operator. Little did we know, that we would become deeply involved in developing and advocating for a…
Woot! @BigDrawVan at @strathcentre turned out beautifully!
Recall: BIG DRAW VANCOUVER IN THE MIDST OF COMMUNITY CENTRE ACTIVITY, WITH KIDS PLAYING BASKETBALL AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES WALKING THROUGH, DRAWN TOGETHER WORKED OUT BEAUTIFULLY. WE HAD THREE TABLES SET UP IN THE HALLWAY(!) AND THERE WAS A GREAT TURNOUT! THE BUSYNESS WAS INVIGORATING AND PARTICIPANTS WERE AMAZING! HUGE THANK YOU TO ALISON…
‘Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.’ Journaling exercise
Today you are a newborn and you are starting fresh! Draw a baby. Draw brainstorm bubbles above “your “head. Write about what it may be like to start fresh. Releasing anxiety and hesitancy. Brainstorm central themes in your life. Just let it happen. Be willing to be a beginner every single morning. – Meister Eckhart…
Big Draw Vancouver Oct 1! Join me at Strathcona Community Centre for DRAWN TOGETHER
I LOVE teaching drawing! Join me on for BIG DRAW VANCOUVER on October 1 2016 10:30 AM-12:30 PM PT at Strathcona Community Centre in Vancouver BC (601 Keefer) as I host a two hour drawing session! My fabulous artist friend, Alison Donnelly, will be co-hosting! Try out chinamarkers on newsprint, add to a community art project using…
Stillness of the hummingbird.
I recall the wonder of seeing a little hummingbird, amidst my sunflower garden, staring in through my kitchen window (when I lived in Roberts Creek). Nothing has never felt so still. That breathless moment. A reminder today to sit in stillness, reflecting on that little creature. Just stop. For a moment. If the hummingbird shows up…
“I recall a childhood dream…” with visual storytelling.
Toying with creative process. Thumbnail sketches and experimenting with storyboarding the PREFACE (preamble) portion of Molly, a true crime analysis: RECALL:
The inverted detective story approach.
Huge thank you to Patti Henderson who encouraged me to consider the inverted detective story approach on Molly- a true crime analysis. I thought I needed to restructure my rough draft fully when she suggested this Columbo style, but as I review my manuscript, I realize only minor tweaks are needed structurally- especially the opening sequence. All…
I am obsessing about Molly’s wandering soul.
I am obsessing about Molly‘s wandering soul. I have written before that Molly somehow chose me to tell her story. Eve Lazarus refers to it as a tap on the shoulder– and Molly tapped me on the shoulder on Level 5 at the Vancouver Public Library in late 2003 as I was searching through microfiches….
My mother’s tapestry…
Today would have been my mother’s 80th birthday. It was joyous to celebrate her by celebrating my nephew’s 5th birthday (his official birthday is on the 19th) in my brother’s household filled with kids and mayhem, food and laughter. Our growing family certainly is my mother’s tapestry- her woven threads. We are the weavers of our…
A dream- the dead cygnet. A message from Molly.
A message from Molly? Questioning my commitment to see this story through? I am on the path. I promise stay on it. I am the cygnet to this pale faint swan, Who chants a doleful hymn to his own death, And from the organ-pipe of frailty sings His soul and body to their lasting rest. –…
“I put myself back in the narrative…” and ugh- LOG JAM. #innercritic #onwriting
On the gross creative process, the ugliness, the inner critic, the log jams, the writing… Log jam. Log jam. After feedback FEEDBACK from multiple sources that I should be in the story and I try and try but log jam log jam— Why does the creative process halt when I do that? I place…
First line… let’s go.
Recall: I sit now surrounded by my manuscripts, references, inspiration and pressing fingertips to keys and (re)typing. (Re)COMMITMENT! This version will be from the pelvis. First chakra shit. Yesterday, I posted: Start again. Put China markers and socks and threaded needles down. Write, bitch, write. There is no beginning. I’ve tried to invent one but it…
A visit to Artrageous Pictures and Framing!
It was wonderful to finally have a visit with Bill Pomeroy at Artrageous Pictures and Framing on Commercial Drive today! LOCATIONS: FRIDA!!! Check out Artrageous on: FACEBOOK: TWITTER: INSTAGRAM: I LOVE that Artrageous supports artists and has several extraordinary pieces for sale at the shop: LINK I’m looking forward to seeing how the shop frames…
Catacomb of Veils- Burning Man 2016 Reflections
Recall: Part 1: The Project Part 2: The Inspiration Part 3: The Team Part 4: The Scope Catacomb of Veils Burning Man 2016: Reflections Anna Thorsen (my daughter): “I’ve back been home in San Francisco from Burning Man for 24 hours and I’ve been trying to figure out how to summarize my first trip to the…
Stitched together with good intentions- a grumble of [sock] pugs!
On September 1, 2016, Fall weather and autumn vibe seemed to come on full force here in Vancouver BC. Along with the autumn atmosphere comes the rejuvenated desire to craft, to create product and re-open the ETSY shop and the reminder to focus on the Winter craft fair to do list. So I put away my other work…
President’s Dream Colloquium on Returning to the Teachings: Justice, Identity and Belonging sfu.ca
Photos by Rick Magnell: Punky Lake Wilderness Camp Society Art Camp, Riske Creek/ Williams Lake Summer 2016. See: LINK From President’s Dream Colloquium on Returning to the Teachings: Justice, Identity and Belonging: “Justice, identity and belonging are central indicators of health and well-being. Founded on the ideal of a pluralistic society, Canada faces significant equity challenges in upholding…
Rejection letter from publisher? Despair? No- liberation.
I have been awaiting word from a significant publisher who has been considering my passion project- Molly, a true crime analysis. The book is not finished. I am re-writing the manuscript, and still drawing- but thanks to my agent, Peter Breeze, we have been creating a buzz and were quite elated to be contacted earlier this…
The importance of @Lin_Manuel’s creative process
— Show attendees, reporters, politicians, historians, authors, social media, voices in the street, voices in the theatre, dancers, actors, musicians, artists, the fans lining up for 100 hours, our hearts are screaming that Hamilton “the most astonishing thing I have ever seen.” Including my household! WE ARE OBSESSED!!! “It’s fair to say that “Hamilton” is quickly…
The 48 hr 12″ X 12″ portrait sale! Only $48 CAD!!!
IT’S BEEN AWHILE! TIME FOR A PORTRAIT SALE! 48 hours only! September 1, 2016 12 noon to September 3, 2016 12 noon Only $48 CAD (approx. $37 USD) per portrait!!! China marker with acrylic highlights on newsprint NOTE: DIMENSION OF PORTRAITS 12″ x 12″ ONCE YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER, SEND PHOTOS OF YOUR SUBJECT CHOICE TO…
More than kisses, letters mingle souls… and I am not your fault.
This past weekend, my sweet friend from university days gave me a bunch of letters I had written to her around 1984-86. Fascinating look into my “reality” then. I put reality in quotation marks. It is so painful and funny (and relieving that I survived) as I see “through the sunny cellophane of which not very appetizing frustrations…