Drawing process- trefoil knot found in the wolf
portrait
RIP Freddie Jones
Frederick Charles Jones September 12, 1927 – July 9, 2019
Drawing 3-D eyes and the human face.
Last Wednesday, I was invited by Susan Clements-Vivian to be guest speaker at SFU for the course IAT 208 Introduction to Drawing in SIAT. The course is “an overview of the various forms and languages of drawing as both a critical and creative research tool.”
I did two follow-me exercises: 3-D eyes (using charcoal), human face (china marker).
The entire class was recorded and Susan gave me permission to share the raw footage here! To follow along, you will need some paper, charcoal, a sharp edged eraser, a crayon and a china marker. Enjoy!
Video 1:
Video 2:
Video 3:
Huge thank you to Susan and all the participants!
Special low portrait price ends May 31!
THIS WILL BE MY LAST SALE AT THIS SPECIAL PRICE! PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW!
Expect 2-4 weeks for delivery
Custom drawing in my signature style
11 x 14 China Marker on Newsprint $45.00 (plus $5.00 shipping)
How to purchase!
1. Place your order by May 31, 2017 midnight:
$45.00 CAD (plus $5.00 Shipping)
[Mailed in a tube]
Via PayPal: LINK
or via email transfer: britakatarina@gmail.com
2. Email me (britakatarina@gmail.com) photos of your choice! I interpret your photo in my signature style.
3. I will mail the original! Expect 2-4 weeks for delivery
(NOTE- I generally share my process on social media (without tagging unless you want) so please let me know if you want to keep the drawing a surprise)
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 sitting in my studio bedroom and applying china marker to paper, just for me. Output is input. To prepare to create, I create. I draw to draw.
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
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The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself. ― Carl Sagan
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It takes no compromise to give people their rights… – Harvey Milk
“It takes no compromise to give people their rights… it takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression.” ― Harvey Milk
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Portrait custom orders available on ETSY: poststreet
Handdrawn custom orders in my signature style at a special price
18″ x 24″ China Marker on Newsprint
HUMAN:
PETS:
SUGAR SKULL PORTRAITS:
I would encourage you to meditate upon the squirrel…
I’ve been obsessing about squirrels of late, knowing that my encounters with them hold a deep meaning- one I haven’t really understood yet.
In time.
Meanwhile, I am head-over-heels in love with @this_girl_is_a_squirrel . I can’t stop looking at her IG feed.
MUST DRAW.
So I did.
I would encourage you to meditate upon the squirrel, and ask it to reveal its message to you. Odds are it will share its own special messages with you. source
Evolution of a portrait: “Calavera Kim”
Hope is like a harebell, trembling from its birth,
Love is like a rose, the joy of all the earth,
Faith is like a lily, lifted high and white,
Love is like a lovely rose, the world’s delight.
Harebells and sweet lilies show a thornless growth,
But the rose with all its thorns excels them both.– Christina Rossetti
TO ORDER YOUR CUSTOM PORTRAIT VISIT MY ETSY SHOP:
YOUR PURCHASE HELPS ME PROVIDE SOCK MONKEY THERAPY FOR AT RISK YOUTH ON THE LOWER MAINLAND, BC, CANADA!
Original art by Katarina Thorsen
18×24″ on newsprint in china marker
Once you have placed your order, EMAIL YOUR PHOTOS TO britakatarina@gmail.com or on ETSY CONVERSATIONS.
I mail the drawing rolled in a tube.
Portrait of the artist as a sugar skull: @julianlawrence
TO ORDER YOUR CUSTOM PORTRAIT VISIT MY ETSY SHOP:
YOUR PURCHASE HELPS ME PROVIDE SOCK MONKEY THERAPY FOR AT RISK YOUTH ON THE LOWER MAINLAND, BC, CANADA!
Original art by Katarina Thorsen
18×24″ on newsprint in china marker
Once you have placed your order, EMAIL YOUR PHOTOS TO britakatarina@gmail.com or on ETSY CONVERSATIONS.
I mail the drawing rolled in a tube.
Owl wisdom
Taking a somewhat silent retreat today to regroup and prepare for transitions. Picked up an old sweater (80% merino wool, 20% cashmere) and created these little one inch plus tall baby owls. Perfect for holding in the palm while figuring stuff out.
I have always found that sewing and drawing owls is a powerful experience.
Stay tuned for a special tutorial series on drawing and crafting birds and reflecting on their symbolism.
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.
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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 drawing, an object, a doll, multimedia, whatever… A surprise.
Recall:
Frida No. 4: Frida and her magic cone of truth
Frida No. 5: A Coloring Page for You
Frida No. 6: Sock Doll in Tehuana Dress
Frida Kahlo July 6, 1907- July 13, 1954
Frida No. 8: Dia de los Muertos sock monkey
Frida No. 9: Frida and the magpie portrait
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And so… here we are.
Frida No. 10: Moomin Frida
Inspired by Tove Jansson‘s “Lilla My” from Moomin.
It is simply this: do not tire, never lose interest, never grow indifferent—lose your invaluable curiosity and you let yourself die. It’s as simple as that. – Tove Jansson
Here, Frida as Lilla My chews on her Diego cookie. She wears the hand earrings sculpted for her by Picasso:
The most curious thing about the supposed lies of Diego, is that in the long and short of it, those who are involved in the imaginary combination become angry, not because of the lie, but because of the truth contained in the lie, that always comes to the surface. – Frida Kahlo
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 drawing, an object, a doll, multimedia, whatever… A surprise.
Recall:
Frida No. 4: Frida and her magic cone of truth
Frida No. 5: A Coloring Page for You
Frida No. 6: Sock Doll in Tehuana Dress
Frida Kahlo July 6, 1907- July 13, 1954
Frida No. 8: Dia de los Muertos sock monkey
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Frida No. 9: Frida and the magpie portrait
10 x 14 ” China marker, spray paint, acrylic, embroidery thread on paper.
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The magpie’s speech is symbolic of communication and creative expression. When we hear the magpie speak it is a message to us that we might need to listen to what is being spoken to us – listen with more attention. The chatter of the magpie is also a symbolic message that we may need to speak our minds more clearly….speak up, express our opinions, be creative with our spoken words.
The magpie’s obsession with shiny things is symbolic of our tendency to chase after false ideas or perceptions. When the magpie comes into our lives it is often a reminder that we may have to re-evaluate our priorities. Are we chasing after unsuitable desires? Are we serving a false ideal? Are we putting materialism ahead of matters of the soul?
The magpie builds its home in the thickest “V” of trees. Forks or V’s in nature are symbolic of gateways or paths into the spirit realm. In this fashion, the magpie asks us about our level of spiritual perception. Specifically, the magpie asks to keep an open mind in matters of the spirit. She also asks us where our spiritual foundation is and encourages us to open the gateways of higher (spiritual) vision… [source]
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Frida Kahlo, muere el 13 de Julio de 1954
Frida Kahlo July 6, 1907- July 13, 1954
One day super sale! Hand-drawn portraits in the spirit of the Calavera
To raise immediate funds for art supplies as well as for coffee and snacks, I am offering hand-drawn Calavera inspired portraits for only $55 CAD [$43.40 USD] (includes shipping) 18″ x 24″ china marker, dry pastel, felt pen, acrylic paint on newsprint until Midnight PT July 13, 2015.
I will email you photos of the portrait before and after adornment and mail the finished piece. (Folded into 9″ x 12″ envelope)
To purchase:
1. Email transfer to britakatarina@gmail.com (email me preferred portrait photo and mailing address)
or
2. Paypal
Allow two to three weeks for delivery
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
Package includes:
Frida doll in Tehuana headdress with pocket for prayer, worry and wish. Handsewn, my design. (see other details at LINK)
Fetal Frida doll. Handsewn, my design. (Yes, that is a sock umbilical cord) (see other details at LINK)
Frida portrait– chinamarker on newsprint. (see other details at LINK)
Frida chakra chart– chinamarker on newsprint. (see other details at LINK)
CONTACT KATARINA: EMAIL
Check out:
Happy birthday, Frida! Frida No.7: Fetal Frida Sock Doll
Frida Kahlo b. July 6, 1907
See Frida No. 1-6: LINK
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 have been posting one a week.
Recall:
Frida No. 4: Frida and her magic cone of truth
Frida No. 5: A Coloring Page for You
—
FRIDA NO .6: SOCK DOLL IN TEHUANA HEADDRESS
Inspired by Frida Kahlo, Self Portrait, 1948, with Tehuana headdress
This portrait sock doll measures about 14 inches long. It is my own design and hand-sewn.
Materials: grey work sock with red detailing, black sock, embroidery thread, vintage crocheted cotton doily, vintage cotton material with pineapple print, vintage ribbon, polyester fibre stuffing, button.
I am taking custom orders for $69.00 each (plus $8 shipping) via PayPal. (allow three weeks for delivery; doll will have similar features but vintage items will vary).
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NEXT WEEK I WILL BE POSTING ON MONDAY JULY 6, 2015 TO CELEBRATE FRIDAS’S BIRTHDAY.
IXQUEL: interpretation through drawing and embroidery. Deeper portraits.
Certain people in your life– even though you may not have met them in person- only through the ether- get right into your heart.
Ixquel is one such person.
What a pleasure to dig a little deeper and to interpret her exquisite beauty and spirit through drawing, embroidery and symbolism.
To let the process unfold without question.
Thank you, Ixquel, for being so inspiring. I hope to draw you in person in the not so distant future!
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IXQUEL: Jaguar Goddess/ Midwifery
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ORDER YOUR INTERPRETED EMBROIDERED PORTRAIT:
ONLY $175 FOR 12″X17″ PORTRAIT
(plus $20 shipping when using PayPal)
How to pay:
1. Email transfer to britakatarina@gmail.com (save on shipping costs)
2. PAYPAL
EMAIL ME FOR MORE INFO RE IMAGERY/INFO I NEED TO CREATE
Update June 18, 2015:
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 one a week.
Recall Item Frida No. 1: Sock Doll
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FRIDA NO. 2: THE DREAM
This chinamarker panel on masonite board is one of my most personal pieces and measures 18″ x 24″ by 1/4″
It is part of a personal art therapy series of panels.
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 as a child. The medium I chose (or it chose me) was china marker on masonite board. Child-Frida was a light to help me process through and to lift me out of the hole of depression.
I LOVED making this series even though they were done at 3 AM with my heart pounding and anxiety choking me. They allowed me to release the pain in the moment. They allowed me to process the pain in my therapy sessions.
The 12 pieces (only a few remain in my personal collection) illustrate the power of art to process life changes. Heavily, honestly. I never tend to go light.
And the pieces have been protested: LINK
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Email me for purchasing options (and details about the dream).
CONTACT KATARINA: Email
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STARVING ARTIST LONG WEEKEND PORTRAIT SALE! ENDS May 18, 2015 MIDNIGHT PT
STARVING ARTIST LONG WEEKEND PORTRAIT SALE!
ENDS May 18, 2015 MIDNIGHT PT
HAND-DRAWN PORTRAITS IN MY SIGNATURE STYLE
$40.00 CAD EACH
12 X18 CHINAMARKER ON NEWSPRINT
All portraits [unless otherwise specified] will be shared on my instagram.
The portrait will be completed about 2-4 weeks after payment.
HOW TO PURCHASE:
OPTION 1. $40 SAVE ON SHIPPING BY USING EMAIL TRANSFER VIA YOUR ONLINE BANKING TO:
britakatarina@gmail.com
OPTION 2. $40 CAD PLUS $8 shipping VIA PAYPAL
Once you have placed your order, EMAIL YOUR PHOTOS TO ME
CONTACT KATARINA: EMAIL
I will email a photo of the portrait and then send the original.
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!
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***SOLD!***
It’s truly one of a kind double sided wearable street art/ wall hanging.
These are my own interpretations of Frida Kahlo with original drawings and embroidery.
FITS SIZES 4-6
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UPDATE:
WORN BY LAURA MACK IN DETROIT JUNE 3, 2015
Valentine’s portrait sale! Hand-drawn portraits ONLY $40 CAD until Feb 8 midnight
Valentine’s Portrait Sale!
ONLY $40 CAD per portrait
Regular price ranges from $100-$300
ENDS MIDNIGHT PT Feb 8, 2015
Drawn in my signature street art style using Chinamarker approx 18×24 on newsprint
The portrait will be mailed by Feb 11, 2015.
FREE SHIPPING!
NOTE:
Drawings are folded and mailed in a large manila envelope.
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Let me know if you want your portrait “sugar-skulled”!
(no extra cost):
How to pay? 2 options:
EMAIL TRANSFER VIA YOUR ONLINE BANKING TO:
britakatarina@gmail.com
2. via PAYPAL
Once you have placed your order, EMAIL YOUR PHOTOS TO ME: EMAIL
I will email a photo of the completed portrait and send the original.
Watch videos of my process at: VIDEOS/TUTORIALS
All portraits [unless you request otherwise] will be shared on my instagram.
Starving artist 48-hour portrait sale! Original hand-drawn portraits $40 CAD Nov 19 – Nov 21
Starving Artist Portrait Sale!
Yes, I’m hustling! Proceeds go towards bills, groceries, haircut… life!
$40 CAD per portrait
Regular price ranges from $100-$300
ENDS MIDNIGHT PT Nov 21, 2014
18×24 on newsprint
The portrait will be completed Nov 30, 2014.
FREE SHIPPING!
Drawings are folded and mailed in a large manila envelope.
—
Let me know if you want your portrait “sugar-skulled”! (no extra cost):
How to pay? 2 options:
EMAIL TRANSFER VIA YOUR ONLINE BANKING TO:
britakatarina@gmail.com
2. via PAYPAL
Once you have placed your order, EMAIL YOUR PHOTOS TO ME
CONTACT KATARINA: EMAIL
I will email a photo of the portrait and send the original.
Watch videos of my process at: VIDEOS/TUTORIALS
All portraits [unless you request otherwise] will be shared on my instagram.
Inside Out: youth empowerment, peer to peer interaction and community connections.
I am so excited to be part of this incredible project inspired by my hero JR:
MOUNTAINSIDE SECONDARY: Inside Out Project: Own Your Journey
Youth-run initiative using the vehicle of portrait photography and street art to learn life and transferable skills while developing self-empowerment, peer to peer interaction and community connections.
THEMES: Connection and Empowerment
CO-FACILITATORS: IAN POWELL, KAT THORSEN
Pilot Project: September 30, 2014- October 30, 2014
Mountainside Secondary School (MSS) is the North Vancouver School Districts smallest and newest secondary school, meeting the Ministry of Education requirements for funding as an Alternative School (BCEDAlternate Program Policy).
MSS functions as part of the continuum of social/emotional/behavioural supports that are available to all students at all secondary schools in the NVSD, and targets students in Grades 9-12 (ages 14-19).
MSS aims to allow for varied and alternate pathways to graduation (80 credit or Adult) or School Completion, and beyond.
MSS Core Values
- Mutual respect
- Genuine relationships
- Flexibility
- Choice
- Individual accountability
- Community Connections
We are proud to be part of the global art initiative INSIDE OUT PROJECT founded by JR:
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As mentioned, we are part of a global art initiative founded by French street artist JR, winner of the 2011 Ted Talk Prize. Our project is called: The Inside Out Project- Own Your Journey.
As they work through the curriculum, the students will be gaining some valuable life and transferable skills.
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We use TED TALKS to inspire and to induce dialogue and self-reflection around the theme.
When you try to be yourself there will be people who will put you down. You grow up looking up to people and not knowing who you are and being told what to do and what not to do. We all deal with pain in different ways- some do it in a sad way. Having to live in a world where judging a person we don’t even know is a good way to make yourself feel better, or even judging a person makes ‘cool.’ But in the end we are all on this earth for a reason ans we should all love ourselves the way we are and respect all of our good qualities and get rid of all the negative, cruelty thoughts. – student journal entry
We are registering our project with JR’s site on Tuesday! And our unique angle is that it is a youth run project and that by addressing their own vulnerability by connecting w people/community through portrait photography, the youth, in turn, empower the subject to feel comfortable being vulnerable in front of the camera!
The project will culminate in a large outdoor installation in the Spring. A documentary and a behind the scenes short film will also be produced!
STAY TUNED FOR OUR FUNDRAISER TO HELP US WITH PRINTING COSTS AND PROGRAM EXPANSION!!!
Why the need to draw what draws us? #journal #rambling
Why are we drawn to the human face? What draws us in? Why the need to draw what draws us? Why do we fixate on the stare of an eye meeting an eye? Is the draw of the portrait the silence in the glance, the fastidiousness of the stare? The reflection in a mirror- a reflection of recognition, a longing, a curiosity? Is it that we can imagine what is said and therefore get closer to the truth? Do we long for the silence of the portrait so we can hear ourselves, hear them? Do we see them or do we hope that they see us? That they hear us?
Why are we drawn? What draws us in? What are we drawing? Who do we actually see?
Is her reflection actually our own? Who and what are we drawing out?
Does time actually stand still?
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Model: artist @kiahtaryn_
Sale ends June 30 Midnight! Portraits in my signature style only $60 CAD!
Portrait Sale!
ENDS JUNE 30, 2014 MIDNIGHT
18×24 on newsprint
From May 17-June 30, 2014, I have been offering handdrawn portraits in my signature style for only
$60.00 CAD each
(free shipping within Canada and US)
Regular price ranges from $100-$300
Proceeds go towards Sock Monkey Lifeskills Entrepreneurship Curriculum Development
All portraits [unless otherwise specified] will be shared on my instagram.
Your name will be added to the donor list on the Lifeskills Entrepreneurship Curriculum Development page.
The portrait will be completed about 1-3 weeks after payment.
How to pay? 3 options:
1. EMAIL TRANSFER VIA YOUR ONLINE BANKING TO:
britakatarina@gmail.com
2. via PAYPAL
3. on ETSY
Once you have placed your order, EMAIL YOUR PHOTOS TO ME
CONTACT KATARINA: EMAIL
I will email a photo of the portrait and send the original.
Watch videos of my process at: VIDEOS/TUTORIALS
Cultural Identity Portrait Project Session 2 of 7, Byrne Creek School Gr. 8
No matter what the end goal, it’s witnessing, sharing and experiencing the creative process that drives me.
Does wheatpasting work on a ceiling tile? Hmmm…
I will be facilitating a really exciting Cultural Portrait pilot project at a local high school in a couple of weeks. The plan is for the 30 students to create a street art type ceiling as they explore self and cultural identity. The work is to go on those classic porous school ceiling tiles- you know the kind- with about 3 students working on one tile together, to create dialogue, camaraderie, and group creative process.
But does wheatpasting (my fave form of street art) work on the fibrous board?
The answer is YES!
Order your personalized Sugar Skull Portrait by @bypoststreet’s art director now!
