When I read something that really needs to sink in- I mind map it out. My whole brain is engaged and I can then look
Tag: art therapy
From the heart- a 15 day journal exercise Part 14: Dying Contemplation
I am re-reading Stephen Levine‘s A Year to Live- how to live this year as if it were your last as a personal exercise schedule to take
From the heart- a 15 day journal exercise Part 11: Fear of Dying
I am re-reading Stephen Levine‘s A Year to Live- how to live this year as if it were your last as a personal exercise schedule to take
You had the opportunity last month to end up not recognizing yourself.
This past weekend I have had a bit of that existential-post-trip-out-of-body-kind-of-weirdness-needing-to-contract feeling. [Thanks to my soul sister, Patti Henderson], I check in with the Power
Mindmap Tutorial Week Part 1 of 7: What is a mindmap?
I am diving into a much-needed new mindmap this week, so I thought I’d create a tutorial during my process! Recall: Introductory blog post- mindmap
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
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Frida No. 5: “I have wings to fly…” coloring page
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. —
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Art Blog Event. Frida No. 2: “The Dream”
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
Self-imposed exile- let it go, let it go.o
Curled up in my chair in self-imposed exile. Wrapped in old knits. Loving less interaction. Loving not working on my to-do’s. Happy to be doing less. Should
Touch me life, not softly. #journalentry
How will you take on this week? Last week was truly full of too muchness, too fullness, too many extremes, but at the same time,
One year ago, he said “never give up.” I won’t. #drawntogether
Excerpt from DRAWN TOGETHER: — Available at Salmagundi West:
DRAWING ON PAIN: Aug 29 – Oct 13, 2013 at Espana Gallery, Vancouver BC
DRAWING ON PAIN Aug 29- Oct 13, 2013 Opening August 29, 2013 7-9 PM Espana Gallery 689 Abbott Street Vancouver BC Includes Artist Talk DRAWING
DOCUMENTARY: Drawn Together- Roar Thorsen’s Recovery through Art
Thanks to my backers on our Indiegogo campaign, Drawn Together, I was able to fund the making of the documentary short, Drawn Together: Roar Thorsen’s
Personal #arttherapy with @reggiewatts tonight
My mind is racing, so I race to what makes perfect sense right now- Reggie Watts and a china marker! — DRAW IT OUT! —
The darkening cathedral: processing the emotion of missing. #grief #saudade #journalexercise
I feel myself intertwined in the confusion of grief again. It’s caught up to me and it wants to attach itself to my muddled brain
My Dad’s #journal recounts the daily trials and tribulations in Rm 207. #residentialcare. PART 4
Found journal. Roar Thorsen recounts the daily trials and tribulations in Room 207 and the halls of a residential care facility. 2007-2008 Roar had a
My Dad’s #journal recounts the daily trials and tribulations in Rm 207. #residentialcare. PART 3
Found journal. Roar Thorsen recounts the daily trials and tribulations in Room 207 and the halls of a residential care facility. 2007-2008 Roar had a
My Dad’s #journal recounts the daily trials and tribulations in Rm 207. #residentialcare. PART 2
Found journal. Roar Thorsen recounts the daily trials and tribulations in Room 207 and the halls of a residential care facility. 2007-2008 Roar had a
My Dad’s #journal recounts the daily trials and tribulations in Rm 207. #residentialcare. PART 1
Found journal. Roar Thorsen recounts the daily trials and tribulations in Room 207 and the halls of a residential care facility. 2007-2008 My father passed
These days when I dream of Dad, he is walking. #drawntogether #fatherdaughter
These days when I dream of Dad, he is walking. I also feel peaceful and protected. It feels very much like: I find myself mesmerized
I miss the mundane to-do lists from my Dad. I miss the supply run. The putter of routine.
From Drawn Together: My every-second-day visits are full and busy. Fold the laundry, pack the clean cutlery and Tupperware into the cart, add the clean
Naked Ladies Naked Ladies Naked Ladies, by Lynda Barry (Real Comet Press, 1984)
Recall my obsession with my superhero, Lynda Barry. Well, the obsession rages on, fueled by the newest addition to my collection: OMG. It’s spectacular. Each page
Saudade: the emotion of missing. #grief
Saudade is a unique Portuguese word that has no immediate translation in English. Saudade describes a deep emotional state of nostalgic longing for an absent something
Change. What does it mean to you? #journalexercise
Change. What does it mean to you? Write it out. Collect images that reflect your thoughts. Journal: Sometimes I long for stability and sameness. Change
A pencil box. Regarded with reverence.
UPDATE! OUR BOOK IS READY! Go to: DRAWN TOGETHER — My father’s last pencil box. It will remain untouched. It contains his favorite drawing tools
Dad’s last day. #livinguntilwesaygoodbye
In keeping with Dad’s wishes, I documented our last day together. I came up early in the morning yesterday and spent some hours by myself
Dad’s inner work… leaving one’s ‘self’ to enter nakedly with no agenda. #livinguntilwesaygoodbye
Dad is working. I can tell. Deep internal work. Letting go of his physical body. I haven’t seen his eyes today. They remain closed
We’ve become a band of gypsies. #livinguntilwesaygoodbye
VIGIL: a purposeful watch maintained, esp at night, to guard, observe, pray, etc. Recall: Document it. All of it. We remain at Dad’s bedside. Today was
“Document it. All of it.” – Roar Thorsen #livinguntilwesaygoodbye
My Dad is a consummate documentarian. This has always been part of his artistic expression. His photo albums, since his teenage years, are detailed accounts
Inner dialogue in 5 panels. New #journalexercise. #arttherapy
I’m loving the dialogue bubble post-its that I found at… I can’t remember where. You can cut out dialogue bubbles if need be as well.
Art is a biological function. #LyndaBarry @ideaprogram
Two artists are my greatest influences: Frida Kahlo and Lynda Barry. Both are tatooed on me. It’s serious business. Recall my post the other day:
#LyndaBarry is in town! @ideaprogram
Lo and behold, my greatest hero, Lynda Barry, is in town. I am a tad overwhelmed to say the least. She is always my inspiration. My idol. My
Gratitude and other scenes from the ER. #DrawnTogether
Thanks to our backers and all our supporters for helping our Indiegogo campaign, Drawn Together! WE REACHED OUR GOAL! On Sunday, Dad got a
A legacy for the next generation. #DrawnTogether #strokerecovery #artheals
Our book is about art and a father/daughter story, but it is also a legacy that we are creating for Dad’s grandchildren- Anna (27), Julian (24) and
Desperately seeking Karin… #journal #grief #arttherapy
As I work on the book with Dad, I am drenched in memories and find myself obsessively looking at photos of my mother. She’s around
Scenes from Level 2 #DrawnTogether #strokerecovery #artheals
My father draws inspiration from books, television, newspapers, his life… including residential care. Excerpt from Drawn Together: Dad, how do you stay connected? ART. A
My father makes an impact. #connections #DrawnTogether #strokerecovery #artheals
Some comments we’ve received regarding DRAWN TOGETHER: “My grandma is suffering from early Alzheimers. I write her letters and she writes back. Her letters end
With new technology, #DrawnTogether will be a full-color paperback! #strokerecovery #artheals
In our original planning stages with Influence Publishing we were considering the idea of producing a. an affordable black and white version and b. a
Legacy. What does that mean to you? #journal #arttherapy
I put out the following question the other day: Q: What does the word “legacy” mean to you? The responses were thoughtful and beautiful: Creating something
Sometimes you just have to laugh!. #drawntogether #artheals
As you know by now, Dad and I have been working on our book for several years and it looks like it will be released
Facing the wall of fear… #journal exercise. #arttherapy
Waking up with the cannonball weight of anxiety and fear in your chest? Racing thoughts about all the usual? Worried that you won’t be able
Dad, discovery, drawing and Disney. #drawntogether #artheals
My father, Roar Thorsen, on starting to draw: I have drawn all my life. As a small boy in Kindergarten, in Sarpsborg, Norway, many stories
Creating, and collaborating… and other great C-words #artheals #drawntogether
Creating, collaborating, commenting, contributing, conversing, communicating, caregiving, community-building, committing, crowdfunding, crowdsourcing, campaigning… some of the great C words. As many of you know, I have been working
ANTICIPATION. #Journaling exercise PART 4: draw out the poetry. #arttherapy
I’m developing a journal exercise around anticipation. Recall in Part 1, I encouraged you to write about the words: ANTICIPATION, PROCESS and AFTERMATH. In part 2, we
ANTICIPATION. #Journaling exercise PART 3: draw out the fear. #arttherapy
I’m developing a journal exercise around anticipation. Recall in Part 1, I encouraged you to write about the words: ANTICIPATION, PROCESS and AFTERMATH. In part 2, we
ANTICIPATION. #Journaling exercise PART 2 woven collage. #arttherapy
I’m developing a journal exercise around anticipation. Recall in Part 1, I encouraged you to write about the words: ANTICIPATION, PROCESS and AFTERMATH. In this entry
Beauty in the struggle. Part 2. Dad keeping thoughts straight.
As I mentioned in Part 1, I notice Dad is struggling with keeping focused. He finds it hard to keep his thoughts straight when he writes.
ANTICIPATION. #Journaling exercise PART 1 #arttherapy
I’m developing a journal exercise around anticipation. I was moved to do it a. as I was struck this week by my father’s aging and
Beauty in the struggle. My Dad’s “chaos” gives insight.
Lately, I notice Dad is struggling with keeping focused. He finds it hard to keep his thoughts straight when he writes. And his current project illustrates
Feeling stuck? Try my Sunday night #journal exercise: twenty words. #arttherapy
Feeling a bit scattered, stuck, like you’re treading water? Trying to focus on the next step? Try this exercise I came up with for myself
Dad’s latest drawing: ART IS A SPECTATOR SPORT!
Dad keeps a piece of paper beside him to test his felt pens. Instead of throwing out the paper, he was inspired to create a
Kat’s DAILY JOURNAL WORKSHOP SERIES. Parts 1-35 #arttherapy
DAILY JOURNAL WORKSHOP SERIES: Part 1 JUST WRITE Part 2 DRAW OUT THE WORDS Part 3 HEART Part 4 SPILL OUT COLLAGE Part 5 NAKED
“Creative activity could be described as…” An afternoon of art. #wherewecreate
Creative activity could be described as a type of learning process where teacher and pupil are located in the same individual. – Arthur Koestler
Taming the Inner Critic Part 3. Without thought. #arttherapy
Recall: Taming the Inner Critic Part 1 Taming the Inner Critic Part 2 Just sit in front of your journal and breathe. Now start drawing
The Goat and I. Taming the Inner Critic Part 2. #arttherapy
Recall: Taming the Inner Critic Part 1 It’s been an interesting few days, dancing between taming the inner critic and it taming me. Allowing it
Friday night journal exercise: taming the inner critic. #arttherapy
With your dominant hand write all those nasty things your inner critic hacks away at you. With your non-dominant hand, tell the inner critic off,
Weekly artist series final: Week 10/10 Part 4/4 LUCIAN FREUD: Your self.
Week 10 Part 4 Lucian Freud The subject matter is autobiographical, it’s all to do with hope and memory and sensuality and involvement really… Lucian Freud
Weekly artist series: Week 10 of 10 Part 3 LUCIAN FREUD: your self-portrait sketch.
Week 10 Part 3 Lucian Freud A self-portrait is a representation of an artist, drawn, painted, photographed, or sculpted by the artist. Although self-portraits have been made
Weekly artist series: Week 10 of 10 Part 2 LUCIAN FREUD: Self-portrait prep. Exaggerate.
Week 10 Part 2 Lucian Freud As we prep for our Freudian self-portrait, let’s practice exaggeration of features. Choose a face that inspires you. Draw it without
Weekly artist series: Week 10 of 10 Part 1 LUCIAN FREUD: Let’s be honest.
Week 10 Part 1 Lucian Freud Lucian Michael Freud (8 December 1922 – 20 July 2011) was a German-born British painter. Known chiefly for his thickly impastoed
