Wow. October 25, 2018 will mark the sixth year since my father passed away. I am so aware of all the dates in October… so
Tag: Drawn Together
Charming portraits of cats by my father 5 years after his stroke…
Going through my blog and archiving some imagery, I came across these charming drawings by my father– done in 2010, 5 years after a debilitating
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 6
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
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
“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.
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
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
‘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
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)
Same tools, same instructions, all equal, all different. O.W.L.
The OWL is a POWERFUL image and I use it all the time in my work. The form of the OWL itself is very conducive to
Stanley Park. Birds. Angel whispers. And Pledge Drive.
I walked around Beaver Lake today. I was infused by the profound beauty of nature. Warm sun. Blossoms. Skunk cabbage. Herons were dancing in the wind
World Health Day #authorsfestival with @InfluencePub and @chaptersindigo Apr 4-7!
The Books and Authors featured in the World Heath Day Authors Festival: Cracking the Dementia Code – Karen Tyrell An Unexpected Miracle – Jennifer
Drawn Together Therapeutic Art Workshops
For more info or to host a workshop, contact me! DRAWN TOGETHER WORKSHOP SERIES with Katarina Thorsen: FULL DAY (6.5 hours) or 3 PARTS (2.5 hours
The power of art to heal and to build connections: Drawn Together
Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art Roar’s art provided him with a much needed connection to the world. I miss my
I miss his pep talks. Roar Thorsen Aug 8, 1930- Oct 25, 2012
A year ago, Dad passed away. It feels shorter. It feels longer. It feels at times overwhelming. But I am at peace. Dad left me
One year ago, he said “never give up.” I won’t. #drawntogether
Excerpt from DRAWN TOGETHER: — Available at Salmagundi West:
Week 1 of Young Mothers Group: Esteem Heart
I am so honored to be journaling/ drawing/ sharing/ dialoguing with and witnessing the strength of young moms at a local support group. Week 1
The Waves- Matt Roy’s addition to our COMMUNITY JOURNAL PROJECT! #drawntogether #recycledart
My father and I kept mutual journals and one of our original journals was pulled apart and offered to the community. — I am so
JOURNAL SERIES Part 5: REFLECTION: ANTICIPATION, PROCESS and AFTERMATH.
I am working on a new journal series to connect with my book Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art. I am
JOURNAL SERIES Part 4: REFLECTION: esteem heart
I am working on a new journal series to connect with my book Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art. I am
JOURNAL SERIES ROUGH SKETCHES Part 3: INSPECTION/HISTORY connections
I am working on a new journal series to connect with my book Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art. I am
Journal Series Part 2b: INSPECTION/HISTORY #roots #photos
I am working on a new journal series to connect with my book Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art. I am a
Journal Series Part 2a: INSPECTION/HISTORY #roots
I am working on a new journal series to connect with my book Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art. I am a
Journal Series Part 1: INSPECTION/PRESENT DAY #mindmap
I am working on a new journal series to connect with my book Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art. I am a
“Never forget you are Daddy’s girl.” Drawn Together excerpt series Part 4
Drawn Together excerpt series Part 4: My father always ended his letters to me with: Truth. Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art
Helena, the film. A script idea by my father. Drawn Together excerpt series Part 3
Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art Roar’s art provided him with a much needed connection to the world after a devastating
Change comes upon us, not slowly, but suddenly, abruptly. Drawn Together excerpt series Part 2
Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art Roar’s art provided him with a much needed connection to the world after a devastating
“… just two people, riding the waves of life.” Drawn Together excerpt series Part 1
Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art Roar’s art provided him with a much needed connection to the world after a devastating
“Leaving behind in autumn’s advent…” My father’s last tax filings.
I filed my father’s taxes and submitted his will. All is done. All is wrapped up regarding both my mother and father’s paperwork. How very
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
Jennifer of @SketchChange’s genius addition to our COMMUNITY JOURNAL PROJECT! #drawntogether #recycledart
Our original journal was pulled apart to offer to the community. — I am so excited to be witnessing my Father’s dream project of community
Edwyn Collins Home Again: reawakening empowerment after a stroke with #art #music
Edwyn Collin’s journey after his stroke reminds of my father‘s. — Check out Edwyn’s post-stroke drawings: — DRAWN TOGETHER: MAINTAINING CONNECTIONS AND NAVIGATING LIFE’S CHALLENGES WITH
ADD TO THE JOURNAL PAGES AND BE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY JOURNAL PROJECT! #drawntogether
ADD TO THE JOURNAL PAGES AND BE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY JOURNAL PROJECT! Join now on ETSY: Sign up for $30! YOUR PURCHASE INCLUDES TWO
And the next chapter starts: releasing our book to the world! We did it, Dad!
Wow. HERE IT IS. OUR BOOK. OUR BOOK. Can you believe it? After all the coffee meetups and work sessions with my father, all the
The umbilical cord. Mother-daughter journal series. PART 1: Accepting the task.
AS I MOVE FORWARD INTO NEW CHAPTERS IN MY LIFE, I HAVE DECIDED THAT IT IS TIME TO FOCUS FULLY ON ME. (Hello, me!) IT
With love and gratitude in my heart and soul, I say thank you to my parents…
With love and gratitude in my heart and soul, I say thank you to my parents and hello to our mutual dreams. Missing them feels
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
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
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
Father and daughter journals. #artheals
I am delighted to be collaborating with Julie and Greg Salisbury of Influence Publishing in bringing Drawn Together to fruition! — I went to the
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
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
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
Dealing with bullies, 1937 Norwegian style. My father recounts. #vintage #photography
Recall that I’m writing a book with Dad, about how he uses art to find purpose and meaning after his stroke. I’ve pulled out old
