Ghosts in the wall… #streetart

I think about the wall often. Many ask me about it. It no longer exists.  But lives on in my heart. My new friend, Chrissy Davey (aka @craftyfatalist) recently connected with me on Instagram about my embroidered drawings.  Serendipitously, she had taken pictures of a street art wall (in the lane behind 119 East Cordova…

My Frida hung there…

I love the evolution of the street art creative process- the pasting of original art and letting it go into the world… Like the journey of my Frida angel pasted on Valencia Street, San Francisco, three plus years ago: August 24, 2013 (photo by Anna Thorsen) November 28, 2016 (photo by Anna Thorsen) What motivates someone to…

Williams Lake/ Punky Lake Summer 2016 Diary- Part 4: Day 2 The Wall

Recall: Part 3- Day 1 Today: Williams Lake/ Punky Lake Summer 2016 Diary- Part 4: Day 2 The Wall It doesn’t take long to make connections and on the morning of Day 2 it was evident we were all a connected and creative group building new bonds and friendships! (Portrait of youth participant from photo…

Art is not about the finished product but about the creative process.

INTERACTIVE ART 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…

The most beautiful card in the world.

Today was my last session of the Cultural Identity Project with Laura Mathers Grade 8 class. I am so honoured to have worked with such an incredible group of youth. And what a beautiful surprise to receive this hand done card from the students (24 x 43.5 inches):

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…

Evolution of a #wheatpaste. Portrait of @ThaneKoi, one year later

What is the point of a piece that is meant to be temporary?  Work that is impermanent reminds us that nothing in life is permanent, that every state is temporary and transitory.  Contemplating this concept teaches us to embrace change in our life, instead of working against it.  When others notice a piece that is…

The wheatpaste wall at YouthCO!

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…

My Frida Hangs There. #streetart #sfo

Frida Angel pasted at 18th and Valencia. A taste of my incredible San Francisco trip for by post street. Thank you to SF for a beautiful, productive, heart-warming, empowering visit! MUCH LOVE TO MY PARTNERS-IN-ART-CRIME: MATT ROY, OWEN MCEWEN, ANNA T FABULOUS. The Frida angel is pasted on a temp wall right beside the Elbo…

JR and Swoon: my #wheatpaste heroes

The original inspiration: JR, a French street artist, uses his camera to show the world its true face. He makes his audacious TED Prize wish: to use art to turn the world inside out. A funny, moving talk about art and who we are. Learn more at insideoutproject.net. — Swoon is a Brooklyn-based artist whose life-sized…

Evolution of a portrait- @syncop

Step 1. Meet Instagram friend in person for first time! Step 2. Take photo  Step 3. Gather supplies Step 4. Draw Step 5. Invite subject to paste their portrait on “our wall”!  Stay tuned!

Be a rainbow in somebody’s clouds. – Maya Angelou

  My dear friend and colleague, Sara Place, took notes during Unique Lives with Maya Angelou on Monday night.  She shares her notes here: RAINBOWS IN THE CLOUDS Maya Angelou – October 29th                   “At the worst of times the possibility of seeing hope” – be a rainbow…

Stay tuned for art event news tied in to the portrait project!

  I am in pre-production stage re: arranging an interactive art event tied into the portrait project!  If you’ve been to one of my events, you know they can be quite magical because they are about YOU.  As you are part of the art. It’s an experiment.  We’ll see what happens!

Order your street art style portrait!

Many have been asking how they can get a street art portrait done by me!!! Now you can sign up here via my ETSY shop to have your portrait done by me for $100 only! (plus shipping) I do them in newsprint with china marker and acrylic highlights. The original will be sent to you….

Now you can order a portrait! #Streetart #blitz!

Many have been asking how they can get a street art portrait done by me!!! Now you can sign up here via my ETSY shop to have your portrait done by me for $100 only! (plus shipping) I do them in newsprint with china marker and acrylic highlights. The original will be sent to you….

Charlotte Free.

Recall: Drawing Deconstruction Discovery of Charlotte Free   Endlessly inspiring: Check out:   —

Portraits move us, connect us, pull out stories #streetart

In my street art portraits, I draw people I know, people in my social media circle, people who draw me in (pardon the pun), people who inspire me. I have been inspired by “Rochelle” (my local barista) for quite a while now.  She was so gracious to accept my invitation to be photographed for reference…

STREET ART: beauty in the deterioration part 3 #wheatpaste

I walked the alley at Main and Cordova today, like I usually do on my lunch break to air out my dog… I was surprised and strangely elated at the changes happening to our original pieces.  This part of the process is equally as important as creating the pieces in the first place.  Here are…