Wow. October 25, 2018 will mark the sixth year since my father passed away. I am so aware of all the dates in October… so aware that he was winding down. Interestingly, more October connections: on October 12, 2005 (13 years ago), my father drew for the first time after his life threatening stroke (September 21,…
Tag: Stroke recovery
Charming portraits of cats by my father 5 years after his stroke…
Going through my blog and archiving some imagery, I came across these charming drawings by my father– done in 2010, 5 years after a debilitating stroke.
From the heart- a 15 day journal exercise Part 14: Dying Contemplation
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…
For me, art has no end- there is no end product… A drawing by my father.
I was staying over at my brother and sister-in-law’s place the other day, spending delicious time with my niece and nephew. I went to the downstairs washroom to wash my hands after Halloween costume mayhem… … and came across a drawing my father, Roar Thorsen, had done in 2011: Oh, how I adore this piece. It…
One year ago, he said “never give up.” I won’t. #drawntogether
Excerpt from DRAWN TOGETHER: — Available at Salmagundi West:
“Never forget you are Daddy’s girl.” Drawn Together excerpt series Part 4
Drawn Together excerpt series Part 4: My father always ended his letters to me with: Truth. Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art Roar’s art provided him with a much needed connection to the world after a devastating stroke. YOU CAN BUY THE BOOK HERE: – NEXT STEP: Workbook/workshop series under development to…
Helena, the film. A script idea by my father. Drawn Together excerpt series Part 3
Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art Roar’s art provided him with a much needed connection to the world after a devastating stroke. My father drew inspiration from many sources. His newspapers, his readings, his scrapbooks. Films like Hemsöborna. He not only drew, but wrote and wrote and wrote. Drawn Together excerpt…
Change comes upon us, not slowly, but suddenly, abruptly. Drawn Together excerpt series Part 2
Drawn Together- Maintaining Connections and Navigating Life’s Challenges With Art Roar’s art provided him with a much needed connection to the world after a devastating stroke. Drawn Together excerpt series Part 2: Roar’s journal entry: YOU CAN BUY THE BOOK HERE: – NEXT STEP: Workbook/workshop series under development to accompany the book. MISSION STATEMENT To…
DOCUMENTARY: Drawn Together- Roar Thorsen’s Recovery through Art
Thanks to my backers on our Indiegogo campaign, Drawn Together, I was able to fund the making of the documentary short, Drawn Together: Roar Thorsen’s Recovery through Art, directed, edited and filmed by Julian Bowers. And I am honored to have original music created by J. Lastoria and Julian Bowers, members of the band, Sleuth….
Gratitude and other scenes from the ER. #DrawnTogether
Thanks to our backers and all our supporters for helping our Indiegogo campaign, Drawn Together! WE REACHED OUR GOAL! On Sunday, Dad got a chance to watch the documentary his grandson, Julian, made. He was very moved. — Unfortunately, Dad’s health has taken a turn for the worse as he battles bladder cancer. We…
A legacy for the next generation. #DrawnTogether #strokerecovery #artheals
Our book is about art and a father/daughter story, but it is also a legacy that we are creating for Dad’s grandchildren- Anna (27), Julian (24) and little Henrik, who turns 1 next week and whose middle name is “Roar.” WE NEED HELP TO BRING THE BOOK TO THE NEXT STAGE! Please consider supporting our project. Much love,…
Scenes from Level 2 #DrawnTogether #strokerecovery #artheals
My father draws inspiration from books, television, newspapers, his life… including residential care. Excerpt from Drawn Together: Dad, how do you stay connected? ART. A shot of whiskey. A cup of black coffee. My pens and my paper. TV on in the background. A view of Grouse Mountain. That’s all I need. I have…
My father makes an impact. #connections #DrawnTogether #strokerecovery #artheals
Some comments we’ve received regarding DRAWN TOGETHER: “My grandma is suffering from early Alzheimers. I write her letters and she writes back. Her letters end up being so poetic because she repeats herself a lot. I’ve been transcribing them as poetry. Might send them to some Lit mags. I think we forget the huge cache…
With new technology, #DrawnTogether will be a full-color paperback! #strokerecovery #artheals
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…
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
Recall that 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…
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…
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
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…
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…