BOOK: DRAWN TOGETHER

Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art 

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My father Roar’s art provided him with a much needed connection to the world after a debilitating stroke.  Roar and I were an amazing father and daughter team and we longed to create a book together about our deep and authentic relationship and his time in extended care.

And somehow (thanks to tenacity, blood and sweat) dreams do come true…

So… HERE IT IS.  OUR BOOK.  OUR BOOK.  Can you believe it?

After all the coffee meetups and work sessions with my father, all the joy and camaraderie, and pain and tears, and laughter and art making- we made it!

Roar Thorsen 1930-2012

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The book was originally released through INFLUENCE PUBLISHING in January 2013.

 I have now made a PDF VERSION AVAILABLE here in celebration of my father and his desire to share our story with the world!

PDF VERSION: Drawn Together

Review by R. Mark Desjardins, April 9, 2014:

We all have dreams, but few of us ever realize our ambitions by putting the wheels in motion to self actualize. This fascinating book documents the remarkable life of Roar Thorsen and the love and devotion his daughter, Katarina shared. When Roar became terminally ill, Katarina chose to celebrate the time they had together, by navigating the challenges her father faced by encouraging him to draw the feelings he was having greater difficulty communicating verbally.

By journalling, photographs and intense drawings, we become party to a wonderful father/daughter relationship and the gradually slipping away and transitioning of Roar’s life energy. Far from being sad, the life affirming energy found within the pages of this book touch the reader on many levels.

If life is not the beginning and death not the end, it is what happens in our lives in-between these bookends that make our lives matter, and memories of our deeds outlive our time on this plane. Much more than a glimpse into Roar and Katarina’s relationship, this book acts as a roadmap for others to reach out to their loved ones and enrich those connections.

This lavish illustrated book speaks volumes by use of bright, upbeat original art which is sure to delight and inspire the reader.

Make sure to check out

DRAWN TOGETHER, THE DOCUMENTARY

BY JULIA(N) BOWERS THORSEN (Roar’s second grandchild):

TRAILER

THE FILM:

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April 7, 2014 Indigo Bookstore, Park Royal West Vancouver BC

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