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 full color expensive coffee table book. This seemed the only option but I worried about not being able to present the art in full color to a wider audience. Influence…
Tag: Roar Thorsen
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 that will outlive you. A permanent mark. A lasting impression. – Peter B. Creating something that can definitely withstand the test of time. – Evelyn W. Epic love. – Lindsey…
Sometimes you just have to laugh!. #drawntogether #artheals
As you know by now, Dad and I have been working on our book for several years and it looks like it will be released in November! I had a great meeting with Influence Publishing on Monday night and excitedly ran to Dad on Tuesday to let him know the latest news! Dad, I have…
Dad, discovery, drawing and Disney. #drawntogether #artheals
My father, Roar Thorsen, on starting to draw: I have drawn all my life. As a small boy in Kindergarten, in Sarpsborg, Norway, many stories were read to me. As far as I remember, I entered Kindergarten at age 6. Quite often the teacher was reading from typical kids’ books. I started with pencil…
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 with my father, Roar Thorsen, on our book for several years now. Joyously, we have shared a corner of the cafeteria at Lions Gate Hospital, building a collection of his work and…
Dealing with bullies, 1937 Norwegian style. My father recounts. #vintage #photography
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 photographs and albums for him to peruse and the stories coming out are remarkable. — I found Dad’s baby album. Wow. One recurring story that Dad has to tell me every time…
Anxiety from anticipating/processing loss requires pulling out the tool kit. #journaling
I’m working on a book with Dad and it’s a beautiful process. It’s about maintaining connections through art and with art. But as Dad goes through his past, and I take dictation and notes… … I am filled with nostalgia for a life passed, I am filled with the heaviness of missing my mom. I…
#Graphicnovel update! Checklists, mindmaps, plotting out chapters, inciting incident… #startattheend
I love that all I am doing in my art and career feeds the graphic novel, even if I’m not working on pages in the book per se. When I do my street art, I am utilizing the style and perfecting the technique and medium I am using in Molly. When I am working with…
Approaching fruition: my weekend with @InspireABook and Influence Publishing
I just spent an intensive and fabulous weekend with Julie Salisbury of Influence Publishing at her Inspire A Book Mastermind class! Incredible! I am working on the book that showcases my Dad’s art and our journey together. Julie has a brilliant way of facilitating a group to support each other in the creative process and…
Beauty in the struggle. Part 2. Dad keeping thoughts straight.
As I mentioned in Part 1, I notice Dad is struggling with keeping focused. He finds it hard to keep his thoughts straight when he writes. Today he struggled to make sense of and read from his notes he had written regarding his creative process. He wanted me to share this with you in order to…
Beauty in the struggle. My Dad’s “chaos” gives insight.
Lately, I notice Dad is struggling with keeping focused. He finds it hard to keep his thoughts straight when he writes. And his current project illustrates the “chaos” he describes. The drawings give me clues to his internal struggles and reminds me to keep things simple and routine for him. But he continues to LIVE FIERCELY…
Dad’s latest drawing: ART IS A SPECTATOR SPORT!
Dad keeps a piece of paper beside him to test his felt pens. Instead of throwing out the paper, he was inspired to create a piece called “Roar Thorsen Art Studio.” He also uses his sticker technique to correct, what he calls- mistakes. Dad’s words: When you make a drawing, you check colors and pens on…
“Don’t forget.” – Roar Thorsen #arttherapy
A great art therapy exercise for Dad is to draw with an end goal, as it keeps him focused. His latest letter to his granddaughter, Anna T Fabulous is charming and wonderful. He spent two full weeks on it.
I am impelled, not to squeak like a grateful and apologetic mouse, but to roar like a lion. – Steinbeck. #mydad
My Dad, Roar, truly has the heart of a lion. He wants the world to know he is ready to tackle the next phase of his cancer battle. He passed his physical exams yesterday clearing the way for surgery. Dad also wanted you to see his perfect BP! I am impelled, not to squeak like…
Last chance! ART HEALS exhibit open today 11-5 or by appt until Feb 7 @RubbleGallery
In order to help with fundraising efforts, I will be extending the RAFFLE of my piece, MORFAR’S KLASS until my next art event in the Fall. All current raffle ticket holders will be given an extra ticket as a thank you for holding on till then! If you drop by the gallery today and want…
Dad is facing a new challenge! So does art actually heal? @RubbleGallery Jan 21 #fatherdaughter #arttherapy
As Dad enters a new chapter, essentially a new battle for his life (cancer has reappeared), we are grateful that art is helping us process this and is distracting us from the scary road ahead. On Friday, after a scope, I loved watching Dad excitedly get back to his desk to get back to work….
View Dad’s amazing journal “Paris trip 1952 on a 250 BMW” at ART HEALS @RubbleGallery Jan 21
Roar Thorsen Roar at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Paris, 1952
“Morfar’s Klass” up for raffle as part of ART HEALS @RubbleGallery, Vancouver BC. #arttherapy
My painting “Morfar’s Klass” (28″ x 40″) (acrylic on canvas) will be raffled ($20 ticket, 3 for $40, 10 for $100) on January 21, 2012 at ART HEALS at the Rubble Gallery. This painting is an interpretation of a photograph of my grandfather’s elementary school class in Sweden. Tickets and donations to go towards self-publishing costs…
Exhibit of Roar’s extraordinary post-stroke “outsider art” as part of ART HEALS @RubbleGallery #arttherapy #neurology
My father had a massive stroke 5 years ago and art has essentially saved his life by rekindling his spirit. Check out his project The Old Apple Tree ! His post-stroke drawings fascinate me. Dad’s perception was altered after his stroke. Here he struggles to illustrate a figure looking out a window. He wanted it to…
ART HEALS: my father-daughter exhibit at The Rubble Gallery, Vancouver BC Jan 21-Feb 7
ART HEALS Featuring dual art show/fundraiser of therapeutic works by father and daughter: Roar and Katarina Thorsen January 21- Feb 7, 2012 at the Rubble Gallery! Closing event (with an interactive art corner) date TBA!!!!!! Cash bar, snacks, music, art. As life-long artists, my father and I use art to dialogue, support each other and to…
Evolution of a drawing by Roar Thorsen. The old man knows what he’s doing! #arttherapy
My father amazes me. Despite being wheelchair bound and dependent on care aides for daily needs, he is empowered by art. Today he even called to say he didn’t have time for a visit as he had to finish a sketch! Amazing! His process is fascinating. I have learned to trust he has a vision…
Love letter to Henrik, by Roar Thorsen
My dad has a new grandson (who also happens to be my nephew), Henrik Roar Thorsen. I visited Dad today and found this drawing and post-it note in his sketchbook. I love that Dad, who is confined to a wheelchair, draws himself as walking.
Possessing the secret of joy: Roar Thorsen #strokerecovery #arttherapy
On September 21 it will be SIX YEARS since my dad’s devastating stroke. We have gone through SO MUCH since then. Ups and downs of life. The blood and guts that makes it all so spectacular. I continue to be amazed at the vibrancy and assertiveness and joy that my dad is experiencing…
“OMG! I love it!” says @annatfabulous about her PHOTO ON CANVAS!
I’ve been dying to give my daughter, Anna, her present and she finally came home to receive it! It’s a pic of our beloved pup, Tobey (now almost 12!) when he was digging in the garden at my father‘s residential care centre. I ordered the photo transfer onto canvas from PHOTO-CANVAS awhile back and the…
Pages 9-14 The Sketchbook Project 2012! @arthouse Theme: #HOPE
I chose the theme: HOPE. Besides my own journal entries and drawings, I am including drawings by my art therapy students. The Sketchbook Project 2012 To see pages 1-8 go to LINK [click on images for larger view] Pages 9-10 August 17, 2011 (includes Alicia and Miko) Pages 11-12 August 18 and 20 , 2011 (features Roar)…
Happy 81st birthday, Pappa! His WWII 1942 birthday card and his latest VIKING drawing
I have posted this incredible card before, but appropriate to re-post it today as my Dad turns 81! It’s AMAZING!
New drawings by my Dad. #strokerecovery #arttherapy
My father is busy at work on his second volume of illustrations. His first book The Old Apple Tree is ready for editing and self-publishing. Here are some new ones he shared with me today:
Art saves lives. My dad at work on his second book. #strokerecovery #arttherapy
My father is busy at work on his second volume of illustrations. His first book The Old Apple Tree is ready for editing and self-publishing. I can’t wait for the day I surprise him with the first copy. I am truly blessed to witness the healing power of art as my Dad thrives at his…