Anne Banner

Thank you Salmagundi West and Anne Banner <3

| Kat Thorsen

On January 31, 2018, a beloved landmark and one of my most favorite places on the planet, Salmagundi West, will close its doors at its current location.

161781_max

No words suffice for my gratitude for this shop and for Anne Banner.

o

The objects I have collected from the shop and have been gifted from Anne and the times I have spent there continue to inspire my creative process on a daily basis.

ee4b605b199542ad29ab606dd2402740

The shop, the objects, the ghosts, Anne- all embody MAGIC.

img_2458

Here are just some posts I have shared in the past based on my visits there:

[Click on image to go to links.  They are each filled with photos and wonderful memories from my times there]

Post 1:

Screen Shot 2018-01-08 at 1.36.16 PM

Post 2:

Screen Shot 2018-01-08 at 1.37.26 PM

Post 3:

Screen Shot 2018-01-08 at 1.39.24 PM

Post 4:

Screen Shot 2018-01-08 at 1.40.30 PM

Post 5:

Screen Shot 2018-01-08 at 1.41.37 PM

img_2385

Post 6:

Screen Shot 2018-01-08 at 1.47.12 PM

img_4553

Post 7:

On March 7, 2013, I was humbled at the generosity of Salmagundi West owner Anna Banner who allowed us to use her store as a back drop for a photoshoot for Molly- a true crime analysis!

IMG_0095

I was joined by Jocelyn Louise (who portrays Molly) and stylist Jay Fisher…

IMG_0073
Jay, Jocelyn, Anne

… and my daughter Anna Thorsen who took the main shots (to be shared in the book).

IMG_0070
Anna, Jocelyn

Here are some moments I captured.  The focus for me was to emulate Molly’s restless travels.

IMG_0485

IMG_0122

IMG_0157

IMG_0071

530963_10200789948733217_1034075543_n

P1040174

IMG_0483

IMG_0480

P1040192

P1040158

Where dips the rocky highland
Of Sleuth Wood in the lake,
There lies a leafy island
Where flapping herons wake
The drowsy water-rats;
There we’ve hid our faery vats,
Full of berries
And of reddest stolen cherries.
Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world’s morefull of weeping than you
can understand.

The Stolen Child, WB Yeats

P1040155

IMG_0210

P1040176

IMG_0208

P1040188

IMG_0078

IMG_0099

IMG_0159

Screen shot 2013-03-16 at 9.57.52 PM

IMG_0129

cover-test

MOLLY- A TRUE CRIME ANALYSIS

WEEKLY SERIAL

AT MOLLYGRAPHICNOVEL.COM

He brushed the leaves aside and uncovered the most baffling double murder Vancouver has ever had.

– The Vancouver Province April 15, 1953

Jocelyn Louise as Molly. Styled by Jay Fisher.

IMG_0211

img_6505

“Porcus in vas unum.” Experimenting for Salmagundi West.

| Kat Thorsen

IMG_2094

I received a preserved piglet from Salmagundi West to test out tattooing on it.  An experiment.  Anne Banner, the owner of Salmagundi, had sourced it, letting me know it had died of natural causes.  It had been preserved in formalin and was now in a bath of 70% rubbing alcohol.  I kept it on my mantle for a week.

IMG_2182.JPG

I thanked the sweet little piglet.

IMG_2183.JPG

Set up shop.

IMG_2188.JPG

I noticed the skin dried out quickly and became fragile.

IMG_2189.JPG

IMG_2190.JPG

Unfortunately, the tattoo needle ripped the flesh and the ink stained the skin.

IMG_2196.JPG

I tested out paint, surgical pen, sharpie etc.

IMG_2193.JPG

Re-immersing it in the bath dissolved the ink and surgical paint.  So I painted it in black ink to cover the experimental marks and reimmersed it alcohol.  I think I need to source an ethically obtained “fresh” piglet and then preserve it.

IMG_2204.JPG

Delightful local Vancouver artist: Amy Tom

| Kat Thorsen

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!

il_570xN.705059660_kwry

Screen shot 2015-01-21 at 9.29.38 AM

Check out her ETSY shop!

Screen shot 2015-01-21 at 9.22.01 AM

I create postcards, magnets and art prints reproduced from my oil paintings and hand drawings. I am inspired by pop culture, literary characters and anthropomorphic animals, drawing and painting these themes in the Pop Surrealism style, with my own twist and wherever my imagination takes me. Everything in this shop is hand made by me in Vancouver and printed at a print shop in Vancouver. – Amy Tom

il_570xN.705057824_t98w

"Ice Owl," November 2014, by Amy Tom
“Ice Owl,” November 2014, by Amy Tom
Amy Tom as Frida Kahlo with Anne Banner of Salmagundi West
Amy Tom as Frida Kahlo with Anne Banner of Salmagundi West

“These messages are real answers…” My first ever tarot card reading with Madam Patricia. #skepticonvacation

| Kat Thorsen
Madam Patricia (Scorpion Sun]
Madam Patricia (Scorpio Sun]

Screen shot 2014-01-22 at 8.19.27 PM

I was delighted to be invited for my first ever tarot card reading by ScorpioSun aka Madam Patricia this afternoon at my favorite place on earth: Salmagundi West.

Journal notes this morning:

Purposely slower morning.  Woke up at 7 AM, pressed snooze till 7:45.  Coffee.  Made bed.  Uncovered the parrot.  Tidied up in case the realtor needed to show the condo.  Took bath reading “Sacred Contracts,” anticipating the day and that the tarot card reading will be a “mystery school,” allowing for some intense self-examination.  

I am fully tapped out and perhaps this is the perfect time to be open to the experience.  Having my sketchbook with me is both comfortable and crucial.  Will this be about archetypal energy?

Screen shot 2014-01-22 at 8.38.19 PM

On the seabus now.  The scientist in me is fighting with the little girl in me that believes in fairies and trolls.  I want to take 24 hours to put the scientist on vacation.  I’ve been wanting to kick the little girl in the face, as I’m tired of her scaredy-“KAT” ways.  I’ve wanted to yell at her to “shut the fuck up with your whimpering,”  and yell, “stop wringing your hands!”  

But maybe the little girl needs my time.  

Screen shot 2014-01-22 at 8.47.47 PM

Time to play and to soak in the magic of Salmagundi West and allow for playful guidance.

Screen shot 2014-01-22 at 8.40.17 PM

… simply as a break from all the problem solving and coordinating that the scientist is needing to do.  Instead of wearing the skeptic hat, I’ll wear the explorer hat today.  Instead of being cynical- complicated by all the financial issues that have worn me to a nub- I will go in naked and excited with china marker in hand and draw not only her portrait but draw from mine.  

IMG_6350

Instead of approaching it out of desperation and a bankrupt-feeling soul, I’ll go in joyously and treat it simply as time for me.  A present.

IMG_6352

It was a very special hour.  Patricia is open and vibrant and welcoming.  The space is MAGICAL and charming.

IMG_6364

It feels soothing to be focused on.  It feels wonderful having her speak about my father and to hear her advice to trust and surrender.  It was delightful to simply receive a gentle coaching session.  She forecasted wonderful and positive things and I felt light and on track, coached and encouraged.  

Patricia encouraged me to dig deeper, share more, let go, allow, accept that I am safe and that great things await.  Who wouldn’t be lifted by that?

The following card was of particular interest:

THE HIEROPHANT

  • EDUCATION
  • BELIEF SYSTEMS
  • CONFORMITY

  • GROUP IDENTIFICATION

RWS_Tarot_05_Hierophant
…the Hierophant is a trusted guide, one who will take us by the hand and lead us to our spiritual goal.

And she encouraged me to google the Swan Medicine card. 

swancard

eea68d58da7621cd87ad45a9ff9134ab

And left me with the lesson of the ear chakra:

ear-chakra1

I loved the time for myself.  I loved tapping into the guides and allowing magical thinking.  Indeed, some magic realism is exactly what the doctor ordered!

tumblr_mza2h2CBeo1srn2peo1_500

To book an appointment with Madam Patricia, contact SALMAGUNDI WEST

Screen shot 2014-01-22 at 9.18.36 PM

Special thank you to Anne Banner!

I have coveted her for years. My doll from Salmagundi West

| Kat Thorsen

I have coveted her for years.  That first time I stepped into Salmagundi West with the my mom and saw her tucked in the cupboard (to your left as you walk in the door, on the north wall):

Every time I have passed the shop or entered the shop and now more often spend time in the shop, I have thought of her.  Taken a peek at her.

IMG_4553

And now I have her.  She is my Molly dolly.

IMG_4542

IMG_4544

IMG_4545

IMG_4546

IMG_4550

from Annie Besant:

Screen shot 2013-10-27 at 12.43.48 PM

Huge thank you to Anne Banner, owner, for her hospitality and enthusiasm for all things curious!  Love you!

Check out Salmagundi West on Facebook:

Photo courtesy of Salmagundi West
Photo courtesy of Salmagundi West

With a faery, hand in hand… photo shoot for the #graphicnovel at Salmagundi West!

| Kat Thorsen

On March 7, 2013, I was humbled at the generosity of Salmagundi West owner Anna Banner who allowed us to use her store as a back drop for our latest photoshoot!

IMG_0095

I was joined by Jocelyn Louise (who portrays Molly) and stylist Jay Fisher…

IMG_0073
Jay, Jocelyn, Anne

… and my daughter Anna Thorsen who took the main shots (to be shared in the book).

IMG_0070
Anna, Jocelyn

Here are some moments I captured.  The focus for me was to emulate Molly’s restless travels.

IMG_0485

IMG_0122

IMG_0157

IMG_0071

530963_10200789948733217_1034075543_n

P1040174

IMG_0483

IMG_0480

P1040192

P1040158

Where dips the rocky highland
Of Sleuth Wood in the lake,
There lies a leafy island
Where flapping herons wake
The drowsy water-rats;
There we’ve hid our faery vats,
Full of berries
And of reddest stolen cherries.
Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world’s morefull of weeping than you
can understand.

The Stolen Child, WB Yeats

P1040155

IMG_0210

P1040176

IMG_0208

P1040188

IMG_0078

IMG_0099

IMG_0159

Screen shot 2013-03-16 at 9.57.52 PM

IMG_0129

cover-test

MOLLY- A TRUE CRIME ANALYSIS

WEEKLY SERIAL

AT MOLLYGRAPHICNOVEL.COM

He brushed the leaves aside and uncovered the most baffling double murder Vancouver has ever had.

– The Vancouver Province April 15, 1953

Jocelyn Louise as Molly. Styled by Jay Fisher.

IMG_0211

MOLLY- the graphic novel

—

img_6505