At Intersections Media we love Art Mondays! Besides filmmaking, a significant part of Intersections is dipping our hands into the visual art/creative processand into art history by creating art work that interprets the masters and that creates community dialogue. On Mondays we cover the art component and attack the canvas. We are in the process of creating a new piece of art with the current intake inspired by Keith Haring:
Source: The Brooklyn Museum
Keith Allen Haring (May 4, 1958 – February 16, 1990) was an American artist and social activist whose work responded to the New York City street culture of the 1980s by expressing concepts of birth, death, sexuality, and war.Haring’s work was often heavily political and his imagery has become a widely recognized visual language of the 20th century. (source)
The current canvas was covered in gesso last week and last Monday we started the painting process! Stay tuned for the finished piece next week.
Photo by Alison Donnelly
I don’t think art is propaganda; it should be something that liberates the soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further. It celebrates humanity instead of manipulating it. – Keith Haring
We need art supplies for Intersections so that we can create more art! NOW THAT WE HAVE REACHED OUR GOAL, LET’S QUADRUPLE IT! This will help us facilitate further and expand this important work!
My students and I started this mural in the art therapy room at Keith Lynn Alternative Secondary in North Vancouver in 2009… and on July 5, 2011, I dragged it to Kirkstone Park, North Vancouver…
Art is a powerful tool to facilitate connection and healing. For me, art is not about the finished product but about the creative process. Allowing the community to take ownership of the art creates dialogue- an ongoing dynamic that enriches all involved. On Saturday June 14, 2014, senior residents at Rideau Manor and audience members of all ages at Shine Your Light Concert [with Singspiration Singers, benefitting North Shore Restorative Justice Society] added to my drawings. The art created during the events was then added to our community street art wall on the Downtown Eastside by Intersections Media Opportunities for Youth Society participants. I just love witnessing the evolution of my art as it passes hand to hand and is then released to the public and the elements.
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I decided to embroider the drawing of the dead heron. Check out more at: LINK
Making a painting in a studio can be a bit stifling at times, but when you add the street installation element to it, it begins to be this exciting and urgent way of communicating. – Cake
Successful art programs recognize that art is a vehicle that can be used to engage youth in activities that will increase their self-esteem. These programs also recognize and involve the community in which they live. Ultimately, successful programs culminate in a public performance or exhibition in an effort to build participants’ self-esteem through public recognition.
I have been been involved in facilitating art programs to vulnerable youth in Vancouver for many years. On January 20 and 27, 2014, I took three years worth of youth drawings- along with a group of six youth from Intersections Media and their youth coordinator (Alison Donnelly), filmmaker Patti Henderson- and installed an art wall at YouthCO. YouthCO is a community-driven organization run by and for youth that seeks to engage, educate and empower young people living with or at-risk of HIV and Hep C. The gathering centre at YouthCo needed some sprucing up; the installation of wheatpasted original art work made the room vibrant and alive. The wall has the magic of street art while in an indoor setting. The youth created amazing short films from the footage they collected and footage by Patti.
Special thanks to Intersections Media Intake 7 participants, Alison Donnelly, Patti Henderson, Shane MacInnes, Anna Thorsen, and ALL THE YOUTH WHO CREATED THE ART OVER THE YEARS for your great work on the YouthCO wall!
It was a joy for me to witness the dance between best friends Evan Voyageur and Larissa Brown on Thursday at our Intersections Media Intake 7 photoshoot. They are an artist’s delight!
My live portrait of Larissa. China marker, 18″ x 24″ (photo by Jan Sam)
Huge thank you to V-Rag Magazine, Cole Johnston and Matthew Roy for an amazing article in the SEPTEMBER 2012 issue and for the honor of appearing in this wonderful publication!
Vancouver’s Gay Arts & Culture Rag V-Rag is a free monthly publication available in shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and salons around the West End, Downtown, East Van, Main St, Kits, UBC, etc.
V-Rag is Vancouver’s gay arts and culture rag. They exist as an alternative to what is currently available to the gay and lesbian community of Vancouver: something that’s fun, entertaining, energetic and sexy. Each month they talk about events, music, film, entertainment, fashion, nightlife and local personalities. It’s the ultimate source of info on what’s new and fresh in gay and lesbian culture.
My students [at Intersections Media– a program I run with my brother, filmmaker Fred Thorsen] and I spent a wonderful morning yesterday with CBC Radio One’s Sheryl MacKay, taping a segment for North by Northwest regarding my art, the work I do and the street art!
Sheryl interviewing Tyler, with Angus.Tyler created a special piece for the wheatpaste session.Joshua, Tyler, Sheryl, Angus, Erica
Photo by Angus MacDonaldPhoto by Angus MacDonaldPhoto by Angus MacDonald
I have the pleasure of working with Angus at Intersections Media in Vancouver. I am delighted to share an initial peek at his work. He will be documenting his time at Intersections through photos and film and I can’t wait to use his photos as sources for my wheatpastes!
Erica Lapadat-Janzen, our co-worker at Intersections Media
I asked my colleague (filmmaker/photographer) Tony Noh to capture my students in the style of Rineke Dijkstra. I asked for stark raw sources. He delivered, beautifully.
Jacqueline G. China marker portrait on newsprint by Katarina Thorsen. Pasted by Travis Hengg. Photo by Nancy Kirkpatrick.
Glorious day with my students and colleague, Nancy Kirkpatrick, at Intersections Media Opportunities for Youth Society! Lots of projects in the works that we’ll be sharing shortly.
But for now…
Part of our day was spent on a photoshoot and I was so inspired by the photos of Jacqueline that I just had to draw her.
Jacqueline, Photo by Nancy KirkpatrickJacqueline, photo by Nancy Kirkpatrick
Smith, K. (2007) The Guerilla Art Kit, New York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press
Travis applying my drawing with wheatpaste. Photo by Nancy KirkpatrickPhoto by Nancy KirkpatrickPhoto by Emily McMorranScreenshot from video by Maryellen Groundwater
Vancouver is not a city famous for fashion and glamour, but it will be thanks to fabulous women like Rebecca Rawlinson. Rebecca directly deals with designer and luxury fashion and gets to fly to places like new NY to attend fashion shows. She also loves to post images from her favorite runway collections directly on the blog – so always stay tuned! Besides following recent runway shows and trends, Rebecca is an avid attendee of fabulous events in Vancouver, where she always shows up looking amazing and loves to take photos. Her blog is a unique place to visit because it is truly is one-stop place for all things designer and fashion both in Vancouver & globally. Make sure you continue to tune in to check up on local fashion and art related events in Vancouver, to stay on top of designer fashion trends, check out the local directory for designer and vintage fashion shopping in Vancouver and flip through photo documentation of Rebecca’s trips to different cities, the trends and clothes she spots and the different events she attends.
Ryan Steele 40″ x 60″
Ryan Steele is a local sketch comedian and bartender extraordinaire. He wrote and produced ‘The Ryan Steele Show’ for 3 1/2 years at 1181 and then the Odyssey. These days, Ryan is focussing on making comedy videos for his website (www.ryansteeleshow.com ) and producing a 2-man show with his comedy partner Amy Goodmurphy. Some of Ryan’s interests include his cats, working out, drinking vodka, cleaning, and getting attention. Ryan plans on being world famous very soon.
Join the subjects June 23rd at District 319!!! The evening runs from 8-11 PM and the group art therapy session will cost $15 Early bird! $20 after 9 PM per participant! As you enter the workshop room, you’ll pay your fee and get a bracelet which allows in and out access and get two raffle tix! There will be tons to do and see. The fee includes a chance to win my original artwork! There will be a full cash bar, delicious goodies by Copper Alley Cafe, lots of art to look at, I’ll be body painting, there will be tons of art supplies to use to finish the portraits that I have started. DELISH!
***UPDATE! We’ve decided to auction off the 40″ x 60″ interactive portraits THE NIGHT of heroes with heART: Katarina Thorsen’s Interactive Portrait Event! Proceeds from these pieces go to Vancouver Friends For Life! About 5 of my smaller portraits will also be auctioned off during the evening, with part of proceeds benefiting Intersections Media as well as Kat’s youth at-risk art therapy program!
Julia Kozlov will be taking individual photos of the subjects and participants for Vancouver’s Inside Out Project. The entire experiment will be filmed and I encourage YOU to talk about the creative process and how it all felt! I can’t wait to see how the pieces evolve!
We are commemorating the anniversary of Stonewall, as it represents to me the power of the human voice to speak loud and be proud! The subjects at my art event are all incredible individuals who embrace the beauty and variety of the human spirit. And YOU get to meet them, work with them, celebrate them!
The original pencil drawing of Anna T Fabulous (11″ x 17″ on acid-free bristol board ) will be raffled off at the event!
The interactive part of the evening will feature portraits of heroes with heART- I start the portraits, you finish them with the subject! The finished portraits will be donated to Vancouver Friends For Life! There will also be 3-5 finished portraits in the lobby that will go up for auction! Part of proceeds go to Intersection Media Film Program for At-Risk Youth!
***UPDATE! We’ve decided to auction off the 40″ x 60″ interactive portraits THE NIGHT of heroes with heART: Katarina Thorsen’s Interactive Portrait Event! Proceeds from these pieces go to Vancouver Friends For Life! About 5 of my smaller portraits will also be auctioned off during the evening, with part of proceeds benefiting Intersections Media as well as Kat’s youth at-risk art therapy program!
This is what my next two events are all about! We CELEBRATE incredible people in our community [guest list coming soon] by adding to their portraits. I start them. You finish them! Paint, glitter, graffiti etc! Fabulous! Here’s a taste:
ADD TO THIS PIECE! So excited to see how this experiment unfolds! Model: Joan-E. China Marker on Foam Board. 40" x 60"
***UPDATE! We’ve decided to auction off the 40″ x 60″ interactive portraits THE NIGHT of heroes with heART: Katarina Thorsen’s Interactive Portrait Event! Proceeds from these pieces go to Vancouver Friends For Life! About 5 of my smaller portraits will also be auctioned off during the evening, with part of proceeds benefiting Intersections Media as well as Kat’s youth at-risk art therapy program!
Hosted by Rebecca Rawlinson and Tommy D, featuring Vancouver activist icons as both portrait subjects and special guests including Joan-E!
This event, at the elegant District 319, is an interactive, therapeutic art night to celebrate iconic heroes in the LGBT activist community.
We are commemorating the anniversary of Stonewall, as it represents to me the power of the human voice to speak loud and be proud! The subjects at my art event are all incredible individuals who embrace the beauty and variety of the human spirit. And YOU get to meet them, work with them, celebrate them!
At the event, the subjects (about 15 of them) will be in attendance. In the main workshop room, the portraits will line the walls and art supplies will be on tables in the centre. The attendees will finish the portraits during the event as part of a large interactive art therapy session celebrating freedom of expression!!!
In the main lobby there will be a full cash bar, lots of treats and community connections. There will also be youth art on display by four of my art therapy students- Maryellen, Alicia, Emily and Miko.
AliciaMaryellen MikoEmily
In the theatre, there will be looping videos and a lounge for attendees.
At the event, I will do a live portrait and body painting on a model.
***UPDATE! We’ve decided to auction off the 40″ x 60″ interactive portraits THE NIGHT of heroes with heART: Katarina Thorsen’s Interactive Portrait Event! Proceeds from these pieces go to Vancouver Friends For Life! About 5 of my smaller portraits will also be auctioned off during the evening, with part of proceeds benefiting Intersections Media as well as Kat’s youth at-risk art therapy program!
The entire process will be documented on film by INTERSECTIONS MEDIA, and photographed by Julia Kozlov!
A place where local artists can share their work, skills and passion for arts and culture with their community. Featuring live painting, live music and a chance to mingle with local artisans!
This event was born out of a conversation I had with my dear friend Diane Clement, who made me realize “YES, I CAN!”
What an evening of art and people supporting at-risk youth programs! Here are photos of art created by participants in our mega-art therapy session! I am also including feedback and my thank you’s below.
In my art school (1980’s), teachers would not share their art work until the last day of the course so as not to influence us. I have found that allowing people to be surrounded by my art and creative process seems to make people at ease and encourage self-expression.
If anything, tonight has made me, and others, want to get our paints and canvases out and just…do this. – Jocelyn Louise (March 10th art event)
2. My friend Jay Peachy shared his art including painting on Fabricio Borges! I encourage you to go to jay’s site and learn more about this extraordinary human!
Art is a means of survival. – Jay Peachy
Documentarian Janelle Cara Huopalainen is doing a film about Jay and captured the entire evening! Thanks, Janelle!
3. Rebecca Rawlinson not only hosted the night and had her portrait done, but shared her gorgeous business cards (featuring her photography) which are collectors items!
4. In the centre of the room we arranged a large group canvas piece for people to paint on. Magical!
Team Stomp (Jasmine, Sam, Hannah, Ashleigh) by Jasmine Schuett
