A short film by Anna Thorsen What I love about this film by my daughter is that she has been able to visualize the peace I find in the creative process. In my own home, on a cozy weekend, in pjs and cozy sweater… It also illustrates a core value I hold dear to my heart-…
Tag: Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo, Muere el 13 de Julio de 1954
I hope the exit is joyful and I hope never to return. – Frida Kahlo Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away. – Frida Kahlo
Happy birthday, Frida.
I am celebrating Frida Kahlo‘s birthday! Although her birth certificate says she was born on July 6, 1907, Frida Kahlo told people her date of birth was July 7, 1910. She allegedly did so not to seem younger but simply because she loved her home country, according to The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo filmmaker…
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…
Art Sale: Frida and the Wounded Bird #fridakahlo
ART SALE: A special panel from my DRAWING ON PAIN Frida Kahlo is an icon and muse that I return to again and again. I am infused by Frida and I consider myself a Kahloist. She epitomizes the artist and woman in pain. As I was going through my divorce, I was driven to draw Frida…
My Frida hung there…
I love the evolution of the street art creative process- the pasting of original art and letting it go into the world… Like the journey of my Frida angel pasted on Valencia Street, San Francisco, three plus years ago: August 24, 2013 (photo by Anna Thorsen) November 28, 2016 (photo by Anna Thorsen) What motivates someone to…
We are made of star-stuff…
To get myself realigned and prepared for diving into writing/drawing/reflection, I check in with my Church that is Frida Kahlo and let the stream of consciousness flow. Head to heart to hand. To prepare for output, there must be some quiet me time, input. Some meditation. And for me that is the private act of…
Soul work… my 2016 Toolkit
You may recall, I set my intention for 2016- to simply meet it all with love. Yet I knew it was important to take the time to do soul work. But it’s been hard, so very hard to get “started” on it. Yet- that’s not really correct… Actually, I have started. I have been collecting soul…
“Here, at the age of 39, I began to be old…”
I revisited Brideshead Revisited last night and was struck, more deeply than usual, by Waugh’s opening line: “Here, at the age of 39, I began to be old…” Why did this opening line stand out? I’ve been trying to find the right quote, the right words to help me reflect on my current dip into…
Lilla My #fanart custom made composition books.
I love customizing composition books. Prepping a new one for today. I am particularly in love with this one so I’m making this version available to you! Lilla My fan art custom made composition books: Ready to contain your hopes, wishes, dreams, ramblings, musings, to-do’s, purges, goals etc. A safe place to vent as you…
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Frida No.10: Moomin Frida.
I’ve been 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 10 Tuesdays, I have been creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo (plus some additional posts here and there) in some form/medium or another. It may be a…
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Frida No. 9: Frida and the magpie portrait
I’ve been 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 10 Tuesdays, I have been creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo (plus some additional posts here and there) in some form/medium or another. It may be a…
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas: Frida No. 8: Dia de los Muertos Sock Monkey (made to order)
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 10 Tuesdays, I have been creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo in some form/medium or another. It may be a drawing, an object, a doll, whatever… A surprise….
Frida Kahlo, muere el 13 de Julio de 1954
Frida Kahlo July 6, 1907- July 13, 1954
Update- SOLD: Art sale to celebrate Frida’s birthday! One of a kind package.
FRIDA KAHLO BORN JULY 6, 1907 To celebrate the woman who inspires me everyday- I want to spread the love, so I am releasing these 4 original interpretive portraits of Frida as a package deal for only $135 CAD ($106 USD) includes shipping. First come first serve. Email me to purchase. UPDATE July 7, 2015: SOLD…
Happy birthday, Frida! Frida No.7: Fetal Frida Sock Doll
Frida Kahlo b. July 6, 1907 See Frida No. 1-6: LINK
Frida Kahlo handmade miracle sock doll.
I need a miracle. Don’t we all have that sentence running through our minds at some point? Sometime we need to hold on to SOMETHING. Like a doll. So… what would a miracle doll look like? So… I sew. The result: This Frida Kahlo Tehuana Headdress sock doll becomes a reminder to release and to stay…
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Frida No. 6: Sock doll in Tehuana headdress
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 10 Tuesdays, I am creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo in some form/medium or another. It may be a drawing, an object, a doll, whatever… A surprise. I…
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. — For 10 Tuesdays, I am creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo in some form/medium or another. It may be a drawing, an object, a doll, whatever… A surprise. I…
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Frida No. 4: Frida and her Magic Cone of Truth
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 10 Tuesdays, I am creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo in some form/medium or another. It may be a drawing, an object, a doll, whatever… A surprise. I…
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Art Blog Event. Frida No. 3: The Chakras
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 10 Tuesdays, I am creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo in some form/medium or another. It may be a drawing, an object, a doll, whatever… A surprise. I…
3 part Frida Kahlo interpretation.
At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can. – Frida Kahlo — — Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away. – 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 10 Tuesdays, I am creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo in some form/medium or another. It may be a drawing, an object, a doll, whatever… A surprise. I will be posting…
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Art blog event. Frida No. 1: sock doll. #recycledcraft
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. (How many of you that know me are right now rolling your eyes and saying, “duh”…!?!? I realize I am a tad obsessed.) For the next 10 Tuesdays, I will be…
My Dress Hangs There. One of a kind Frida Kahlo portrait paper dress.
UPDATE: May 2, 2015 1:48 PM- DRESS IS SOLD! It will be worn at the Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in Detroit exhibit! THANK YOU for your patronage- Laura Mack! — ***SOLD!*** It’s truly one of a kind double sided wearable street art/ wall hanging. These are my own interpretations of Frida Kahlo with…
Introducing Frida Kat-lo. My @kidrobot #Trikky as Frida Kahlo. #munnyworld
China marker, marker, acrylic on white 6.5″ Munnyworld Trikky
Allá cuelga mi vestido. The Frida Kahlo paperdress in progress
I love drawing. I love crafting. I love street art. And I LOVE making paper dresses. Perhaps because it combines all my art forms- I am so blissed out when I make these things! Here is the latest one the compiles my collection of Frida doodles. Stay tuned for photo shoot of finished piece next…
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 I worry and fret? Feel guilty? No. Nah. Let it go. Let it all go. So fatigued- let it go. Heavy grief dreams these days- let them go. Dreamt about…
Pay attention to the birds: Part 4- Hummingbird
I came across a bush the other day abuzz with crimson hummingbirds. BREATHTAKING. If the hummingbird shows up in your life as a spirit animal, it may remind you to enjoy life’s simple pleasures and take time to enjoy yourself. The hummingbird’s wisdom carries an invitation to take part in and draw to you life’s…
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, I was grateful for the intensity. It helped me clarify what was truly important. There was output and connection, there was trauma and fear, there was despair and elation, and…
A week of triggers and difficult conversations. And authenticity.
There were many triggers this week, both personally, professionally, and financially, that led to a multitude of emotions- most especially anxiety. Triggers that give rise to deep-rooted memories and default reactions. Anger directed at self. But I was delighted to find that I also defaulted to the “don’t know mind” technique and that I allowed…
I know in my heart though, this is healthy grieving. I am processing.
I dreamt of my parents last night. On awakening, I was drenched in that deep sweat of walking through symbolic dream time. My mother passed away November 8, 2008 and my father October 25, 2012, but in this dream my mother was still alive as Dad was nearing death. I was in my parents’ home…
“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….
Contemplating death, loss, hope, acceptance…
Release Leap of faith Acceptance Peace Honorary Karin Roar Life rough on the seas Sacrifice Mother father daughter love Death Release Hope Promise Defence Loss Rose Thorn Thorsen Memorial Cycle Allowance Honor New beginnings Immortal Bud Blossom Farewell Dedicated to my mother Karin September 17, 1936 – November 8, 2008 and my father Roar August…
I choose to remove my own mask in my own time. #authenticity
Don’t you, when strangers and friends come to call, straighten the cushions, kick the books under the bed and put away the letter you were writing? How many of us want any of us to see us as we really are? Isn’t the mirror hostile enough? ― Jeanette Winterson We can receive all the help and…
Draw-a-sugarskull tutorial!
Pull out some supplies and enjoy this old drawing tutorial to celebrate the release of our by post street iPhone case featuring Calavera (sugarskull) Karl! Anna T Fabulous of by post street and Jenn Mickey of 1181 Lounge at by post street launch party, April 2013. Photo by Viranlly Aix Liemena
“Drawing on Pain” at Espana Gallery closing early due to protests from tenants.
UPDATE! It as an interesting experiment to have “Drawing on Pain” exhibited in a lobby gallery. Experiment has to end early as some tenants are expressing concern over the subject matter and have asked that the show be taken down. Understood. Thank you, The Espana Gallery, for the opportunity while it lasted! The show will end…
SEPT 20 7AM PST: @bypoststreet iPhone case release! #sugarskull #iPhone #iOS7 #iphone5S
Acid and tender, hard as steel and delicate and fine as a butterfly’s wing, lovable as a beautiful smile, and as profound and cruel as the bitterness of life. So Diego Rivera describes his wife, Frida Kahlo, and so we describe by post street’s first limited edition iPhone case Calavera Karl, our artistic interpretation of our…
Unfold your wings as you fall. Drawing on Pain at Espana Gallery Aug 29-Oct 13
Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall. – Ray Bradbury DRAWING ON PAIN Aug 29- Oct 13, 2013 ESPANA GALLERY 689 Abbott Street, Vancouver BC Curator, sales manager: Angie Heintz 778 773 2861 infor@angieheintz.com ARTIST’S STATEMENT: “My painting carries with it the message of pain.” – Frida Kahlo…
My Frida Hangs There. #streetart #sfo
Frida Angel pasted at 18th and Valencia. A taste of my incredible San Francisco trip for by post street. Thank you to SF for a beautiful, productive, heart-warming, empowering visit! MUCH LOVE TO MY PARTNERS-IN-ART-CRIME: MATT ROY, OWEN MCEWEN, ANNA T FABULOUS. The Frida angel is pasted on a temp wall right beside the Elbo…
Feliz cumpleaños, Frida Kahlo. #muse #gratitude
Frida Kahlo July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954 Frida, photographed in 1932 by her father, Guillermo Kahlo. My Frida Series (panels 1-8 of 10): Recall: Part 1 FRIDA KAHLO Part 2 FRIDA KAHLO: BREATHING Part 3 FRIDA KAHLO: ART ABOUT ART Part 4 FRIDA KAHLO: ARTIST WORDS Part 5 FRIDA KAHLO: RELATIONSHIP Part 6…
Does context help or hinder your interpretation of art?
Does context change the way your interpret an image? A piece of art? Does knowing whether or not the artist is a man or woman affect the way you read the image? Is it important to know how the artist self-identifies? Does it matter if she was an alcoholic? If he was a bastard? If…
There are simple pleasures in life, like unexpectedly receiving a parcel from SFO: a FRIDA KAHLO PAPER DOLL!
What a delightful surprise! I received this extraordinary book yesterday from David Mohammadi (who I finally met in person in San Francisco, March 2012). Thank you, David!!! Love you!!! It’s a perfect addition to my Frida shrine!
Frida Kahlo’s “Portrait of My Father,” 1951
Dearest Daddy, If you knew the pleasure getting your little letter gave me, you’d write to me every day, because you can’t imagine how happy it made me… … Your daughter who adores you, Frieducha San Francisco, November 21, 1930 Recommended: “Dearest Frieducha!”: The Letters of Guillermo Kahlo to His Daughter Frida
English Dan PART 2: The Frida Tattoo, Granville Street #Tattoos, #Vancouver
Recall part 1: meeting English Dan I was so honored to have English Dan interpret my drawing of Baby Frida in a tattoo. GLORIOUS! Again, I’ll let the photos speak for themselves: The inspiration: “I am in my nurse’s arms, with the face of a grownup woman and the body of a little girl, while milk…
English Dan: tattoo artist, Granville Street #Tattoos, #Vancouver
Huge thank you to English Dan for graciously allowing me to witness the process of inking Jay Fisher. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves: Looking forward to Dan’s interpretation of my sketch for my Frida Kahlo tattoo next Saturday! I give him free reign! “I am in my nurse’s arms, with the face of…
Frida Kahlo d. July 13, 1954
I hope the departure is joyful and I hope never to return. – Frida Kahlo
Weekly artist exploration/journaling series: Week 1 Part 6 SELF-PORTRAIT #FridaKahlo #arttherapy
WEEK 1 PART 6: Frida Kahlo I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best. – Frida Today we’ll do a self-portrait in Frida’s style. But not trying too hard. Don’t use a mirror. Just muse. It’s not about being Frida on the outside, but on the inside….
Weekly artist exploration/journaling series: Week 1 Part 5 RELATIONSHIP #FridaKahlo #arttherapy
WEEK 1 PART 5: Frida Kahlo Our relationship with our journal is important. It’s a safe place to purge in, to refocus, to process. By researching an artist and using our journal as a notebook, we develop the relationship further and connect ourselves with art history by becoming it ourselves. Write in your journal about your…
Weekly artist exploration/journaling series: Week 1 Part 4 ARTIST WORDS #FridaKahlo #arttherapy
WEEK 1 PART 4: Frida Kahlo We have looked at Frida’s works and have viewed some of videos about her and saturated ourselves by breathing with her and reproducing her. Now find her words. Quotes and letters. I have a large collection of Frida books, but you can find lots of sources online. I have always…
Weekly artist exploration/journaling series: Week 1 Part 3 ART ABOUT ART LOOSELY #FridaKahlo #arttherapy
WEEK 1 PART 3: Frida Kahlo Choose your favorite Frida Kahlo piece Now open your journal wide and use 2 full pages to reproduce LOOSELY the full piece or part of it. INGEST/DIGEST/REGURGITATE it. ART ABOUT ART. I use coffee instead of water when I use watercolor etc. It gives a nice aged look. I always…
Weekly artist exploration/journaling series: Week 1 Part 2 BREATHING #FridaKahlo #arttherapy
WEEK 1 PART 2: Frida Kahlo As we prepare for copying a favorite piece by Frida Kahlo, we’ll just have Frida as a companion as we check in with ourselves and build our relationship with our journal. Write for 15 minutes about where you are in the moment. Just stream of consciousness. BREATHING. Tomorrow we do…
Weekly artist exploration/journaling series: Week 1 Part 1 #FridaKahlo #arttherapy
WEEK 1 PART 1: Frida Kahlo FRIDA KAHLO Kahlo is THE MOST important artist to me personally- not for only her imagery, style, and personality, but for her strength and honesty and her ability to express pain. And by drawing her I have processed the darkest of depressions. I paint because I need to paint. Today,…
Weekly artist exploration/journaling series: INTRO #arttherapy
So we just went through a 35 part daily journaling exercise. As a final hurrah to my journal, I packaged mine up and I’m now sending it to my best friend in Stockholm. There are a few pages left in it, and we’ll see if she adds to it. It’s hers to keep and do…
The letters of Frida Kahlo and how my daughter @AnnaTFabulous blurred art and reality.
My friend, Desmond Reid, surprised me with a DELICIOUS Frida Kahlo book the other day: My child, I really should not complain about anything that happens to me in life, so long as you love me… “Her writings reveal her precociousness, the intensity of her feelings, and her enduring physical distress: they unveil her personality…
Fillmore Family Reunion! A day with Mia More! @FillmoreFamily @trampolinah
My darling Mia More and I spent the afternoon at the Fillmore Family Reunion at UBC FARM. So much fun!!! Thank you Linda Fillmore et al for a fantastic afternoon! Look at these treats from Mia I got today! A Frida Kahlo book I didn’t have already(!!) and Mia’s fabulous zucchini bread! YUM! Zamora,…
The Frida Kahlo room at Galerias, Seattle #paradise
You all know, by this time, my obsession with Frida Kahlo. We ate an amazing birthday dinner at Galerias in the Frida Kahlo room… I would like to spend some more time, please. OMG. Here are some tidbits. Recommended reading: Frida’s Fiestas- recipes and reminiscences of life with Frida Kahlo
Evolution of a Frida Kahlo/Otto Dix study with community input!
I love to watch how pieces that I share with you, to add to, evolve. Here is a journey of one piece (Frida Kahlo/Otto Dix study) I started awhile back and first allowed people to add to during my March 10th event, the April 3 outdoor art market, then my June 23 event and today I…
When your art is the way you live your life… the sacred Tracey Bell @traceybelldivas
I am un-peeling layers of masks in my life at present and ready to take a new look at the way I live in the world, and to start being more present in how I care for myself and for others. I am always aware that people come into my life as teachers. And I…