From the Heart- a 15 day journal exercise: Part 10 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 time to slow down and truly listen to my heart. Recall: Part 1: Catching Up with Your Life Part 2: Practice Dying Part 3: Preparing to Die Part 4: Dying from the Common…

Creative engagement to energize and foster growth

— Why do I  love utilizing creative engagement so much?  Well, let’s be honest, I don’t think I really know any other way to engage participants!  But seriously, what I truly love about it is that it creates an “active workspace dedicated to real-time creative activity to energize observers and encourage a different take on…

I asked them to draw themselves as a superhero…

I was doing graphic recording and co-facilitating a workshop for frontline staff at a residential living facility in Toronto last week. The focus of the workshop was Interdependence of Community Engagement in Residential Living, with key facilitator Beverley Pomeroy. We mind mapped so much with this group that we had to double/triple layer the large wall mind map!…

As I walked the labyrinth, I repeated the mantra: the question is…

Journal entry- at Xenia Retreat Centre inside the Sanctuary after walking the labyrinth on December 29, 2014 [unedited] @ Xenia with Laura.  What a treat!  Thank you! She picked me up at 7:10 –> Ferry –> breakfast at Snug Cafe. My hands now cold, limbs frozen, toes frozen, numb and painful.  Reminds of being on the…

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 is a full-page playing card  illustration of Lynda’s exploration of female body images. Along the bottom of each page runs a classic Lynda Barry storyline.  Charming, funny, tragic.  It starts…

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: Lo and behold, my greatest hero, Lynda Barry, is in town. Being able to attend Lynda’s lecture at IDEA, Capilano University Friday evening was a dream come true. And Lynda delivered….

#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 number one.  The greatest- PERIOD. One of the most successful alternative American cartoonists, Lynda Barry has blazed many trails over her 30 year career. Best known for her Ernie Pook’s Comeek about…

#Tattooing journey- step 4: Testing on skin! On myself! #outline

Recall my posts: Watercolor tattoos 1 Watercolor tattoos 2 The purchase of a tattoo machine Getting to know the machine Tattooing- taking it seriously Tattooing Step 1: plug it in Tattooing Step 2: testing it out Tattooing Step 3: testing skin markers — Checking in one hour later: Checking in 12 hours later: Note: I…

Tattooing- step 2: testing it out!

Recall my posts: the purchase of a tattoo machine, getting to know the machine, tattooing- taking it seriously, and Tattooing Step 1: plug it in. Since I got my machine, my schedule has not allowed me the time to play with my machine.  Too many other things on the go.  But I now have a wonderful student, Simon,…

Part 26 daily journal workshop. PERFECTIONISM. #arttherapy

Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life. Research shows that perfectionism hampers success. In fact, it’s often the path to depression, anxiety, addiction, and life paralysis. – Brené Brown Struggling with the need to be perfect = my life. How about you?…

The Sketchbook Project page 8, and mysterious photos from #MysteryMister

THE SKETCHBOOK PROJECT 2011 TOUR Theme: And Then There Was None Page 8 Transcript Sunday October 10, 2010 21:22 PJ’s and Arrested Development. Already missing Anna even tho we still have tomorrow and she is coming to Vancouver for Halloween.  I need to look into anxiety tools.  Redo pages with watercolor a la Lynda Barry.  Woke…

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…

The Sketchbook Project page 5

THE SKETCHBOOK PROJECT 2011 TOUR Theme: And Then There Was None Page 5 Transcript Saturday October 9, 2010 Plan for today:  Leave 11 AM Hayes Valley –> 12:40 Castro “Lime” Lunch at 1 PM –> Castro Street –> 3 PM bus Mosaic to Haight Ashbury –> shop –> 6 PM –> Filmore Str (Haight & Cole…