My latest favourite daily practice is to quickly sketch and then saturate the drawing with watercolour crayon and coffee. I love the feel of the wrinkled page. How the coffee ages the image. The way a drenched drawing has a life of its own – beyond my control. I am most in love with the…
Tag: creativity
The importance of doodling…
Spontaneous drawings may relieve psychological distress, making it easier to attend to things. We like to make sense of our lives by making up coherent stories, but sometimes there are gaps that cannot be filled, no matter how hard we try. Doodles fill these gaps, possibly by activating the brain’s “time travel machine,” allowing it to find lost puzzle…
Die into life.
I haven’t posted for awhile. That’s not to say I haven’t been writing, drawing, planning, thinking, working. A new job started January 15 and somehow 5 months have sped by. Work has given me a place to land. During that time there have been some exciting new developments… Ah, blah blah blah. Fuck that. I…
Grateful for the once upon a time…
Photo evidence that once upon a time my feet could do this. Grateful for the once upon a time. Grateful to still be here with creaky bones, spreading body, soreness, slowness. I am still here. Grateful. Especially for the discipline that dance taught me.
Chakra monkey… “I am safe…”
Chakra sock monkey I am safe I am creative I am strong I am loved I am expressive I am connected I am divine
#SKiP 2017 was amazing!
Recall: I had the pleasure of presenting and facilitating at the SKETCHING IN PRACTICE 2017 SYMPOSIUM on June 23 and 24! It felt so great to be around such like-minded, like-spirited, enthusiastic, inquisitive, creative people! I was invigorated! And being able to participate in three fabulous workshops as well was such a treat! June 23:…
From the heart- a 15-day journal exercise Part 5
I dedicate today’s post to my soul-sister Patti Henderson and to our deep HEART chats. — 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 time to slow down and truly listen to my heart. Recall: Part 1: Catching Up with Your…
Release attachment to the outcome…
To feel the anguish of waiting for the next moment and of taking part in the complex current (of affairs) not knowing that we are headed toward ourselves, through millions of stone beings – of bird beings – of star beings – of microbe beings – of fountain beings toward ourselves. – Frida Kahlo I…
Catacomb of Veils- Burning Man 2016, Part 2 of 4: The Inspiration
Recall Part 1: The Project Catacomb of Veils will be the largest art piece at Burning Man 2016 and one of the largest burned sculptures in the history of the event. Everyone participating in the creation of Catacomb is all-volunteer with a commitment to the transformative power of temporary art. – SOURCE Part 2 of…
INSIDE OUT PROJECT- breaking the cycle of violence through creativity: Activities Report Summer 2015
Inside Out Project Summer 2015 was made possible by a generous grant from the Province of British Columbia – Ministry of Justice: Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division — INSIDE OUT PROJECT- OWN YOUR JOURNEY: breaking the cycle of violence through creativity Activities Report Location: Mountainside Secondary School, North Vancouver, BC, Canada Instructors: Ian Powell: photography, digital media Kat Thorsen: therapeutic art Erin Ross: animation The Inside Out Project Summer 2015 was a…
Day 1: Inside Out Project: Own Your Journey Summer 2015 arts-based youth program
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…
Conversation about art, artists, creativity w. Tharp, Miller, Walker, Petit
I love that I can have a sit down with my heroes on a warm Saturday night and just shoot the shit. Tonight we contemplated creativity, the artist and the why. Here are some highlights: I believe that we all have strands of creative code hard-wired into our imaginations. These strands are as solidly imprinted in us as…
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…
Pay attention to the birds: Part 5- Sparrow
— Bliss- walking my old dog slowly, oh so slowly, in our West End neighborhood listening to the sweet song of the white-throated sparrow. Miraculous. I walk with a smile on my face. I am filled with self-love for truly the first time in my life. I know my own worth and I can sing…
“Hey over here- over HEAR!” Bathtub musings. #journal
This that this that I throw you the unknown This that this that Hey over here, over- HEAR! Cart on a cup over rocks in a bird’s stomach Soaring crashing Overview- over this view, so over this view But not you and you but them. Not this not- this right here. Clear clear I love this. This! Right here….
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…
My retreat journal Part 1 of 6: INTO SILENCE
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. A HUGE THANK YOU TO LAURA FOR PROVIDING THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR ME. SPECIAL THANK YOU Saria, and to Angelyn, Loretta, Fran and Lorena — Here are some journal excerpts so you…
“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…
My parrot spends hours in his art studio every day.
Asterix is such a smart creature, so I always make sure he has plenty of free reign, loads of supplies and undisturbed work! His medium is found materials and his school of thought: deconstructivism.
Where From Here? Creativity Workshop June 29, 2013!
I am honored and delighted to be be working with my dear friends, Jennifer Lyons and Nancy Kirkpatrick on a new creativity workshop series! Our first workshop: WHERE FROM HERE? JUNE 29, 2013! Do you long to connect with your creativity, rekindle your passion, fuel your purpose and evolve your career but do not know where…
An ode to @stephenfry. #portrait
My daily regiment must always include a dose of Stephen Fry. It balances me. I used many times to touch my own chest and feel, under its asthmatic quiver, the engine of the heart and lungs and blood and feel amazed at what I sensed was the enormity of the power I possessed. Not magical…
Drawing on 50… journaling series Part 3. More cave time sans culpabilité. #solitude
I have a strong need for “cave time”, for cocooning, for processing. And now that I’m 50, I plan to work on allowing more of that time WITHOUT GUILT. For truly, the time spent alone with gentle input and voracious creative output is time VERY WELL SPENT. Today’s dream statement: I will spend more time…
ART QUOTE OF THE DAY: Art and Visual Perception
The inborn capacity to understand through the eyes has been put to sleep and must be reawakened. This can best be done by handling the pencil, the brush, the chisel. But here again bad habits and misconceptions will block the path unless there are protection and help. Inevitably such assistance must come through words, since…
“The Housewife Howled” – My 1994 #journal part 1: PREFACE
Preface: So here I sit about to embark on the great adventure: the writing of a book. My book. But where to begin? Here, I suppose. Just the intimate privacy of me, my hand, the pen and the paper. There is no audience. There are no readers- except my critical eye who has promised to…
I am so excited to discover @ABCcreativity!!!
It’s a busy online world, with so much information and so much to do– so many links to click, so many tweets and likes. But certain sites stand out. Like an oasis, a pause. I just found one. I am so excited to be using the tools created by Andrea Schroeder of ABC CREATIVITY! I…
Creativity Workshop with Lynda Barry
1. WRITING TO REMEMBER AUDIO ON YOUTUBE IN SEVERAL PARTS Creativity, imaginary friends, writing, memory, inspiration, mental health, the importance of play… I’m actually digging menopause by the way… At the centre of any artwork we do there is something alive… 2. DOODLE YOUR WAY OUT OF WRITER’S BLOCK RADIO INTERVIEW ON NPR “When it comes to…
Workshop at SFU: Restorative Justice in Schools
Once a year I teach a class to Criminology students at SFU, on the invite of Professor Brenda Morrison and the Centre for Restorative Justice. Brenda and about 20-25 students spend three hours with me, listening to my background and my take on Restorative Justice in art therapy, discussing, sharing and drawing. This year (oct…
Kat’s Creativity Workshop Video
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