About

CREATIVE WORK

After all is said and done the things that bring me the most glimmering joy and greatest opportunities for learning are still my connection with nature (this includes animals and people), my inner life and making things with pencils, paint and glorious words.

I was born in Montréal, Québec in the colourful late sixties and moved to Nelson, British Columbia, Canada in 2003.

I am the bilingual (English and French) lead facilitator at Carina Costom arts-based facilitation and have delivered - for about 8 years so far - multiple life and employment skills workshops in Nelson B.C and area for local non-profit agencies.

I have also previously worked as a graphic designer, a communications advisor, a senior market analyst-Media and an employment counselor.

The community engagement practices I offer extend to youth, adults, the community at large and non-profit groups that serve us.

I received professional training
in the Creative Community Model of group facilitation with Master facilitators at PYE Global. This is the work I share. This type of facilitation, and their are many, endeavours to keep expressive arts alive as an integral part of our lives and the life of our communities. It is an opportunity to become once again makers of our own cultures.

CREATIVE PRACTICE: writing and drawing
I've written several children's stories and some lyrical essays and short stories in creative fiction. I still read many story books to my son as well as being an avid reader of eclectic non fiction topics in science and art. This is one way in which I nourish my passion for divergent (non-linear) and connective thinking as well as diverse storytelling styles.

A contemplative artist since childhood, I therefore continue to draw, paint, take pictures and, of course, write. I work, and mostly play, with traditional art making tools like pencils, pastels, ink, watercolours and like to experiment with multimedia. At times, my approach to photography has been called akin to Miksang, a contemplative form of art making.

It could be said that my writing career began when I was six years old, when my Aunt and I helped name a local mascot. It could be said. What should be said however is that inspiration, revision and the guidance of a delightful creative writing mentor (Leesa Dean) made all the difference for this part of my practice . Formally, I have an English degree from McGill University and am moving toward a second degree in Creative Writing with an eye on teaching. I am currently writing and polishing two collections of stories, one for children and one for grownups.

For a complete CV please email me privately. For an overview, consult : ca.linkedin.com/in/carinacostom/

CREATIVE HOME

There are myriad gateways to creativity. The most majestic and rife with learning and wonder has been, for me, the lifelong impetus to express my inner life now intertwined with the journey of parenting.

CREATIVE LIFE = HAPPY LIFE