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About the Artist

This year’s CWC Writer in Residence at Joaquin Miller Park, Kristen (Baumgardner) Caven educates, entertains, and inspires her audiences with an extraordinary array of books, presentations, performances, and events. The author of seven books, several plays, and an award winning cartoon collection, she applies positive psychology to her work strengthening communities through uplifting artistic expressions.

Here are her books. Here’s more about Kristen.

So Whaddaya Think?

June 28, 2013 Kristen

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Calendar

Saturday Night Special: "Toast"

November 27, 2021 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Kristen Caven is a featured speaker at this long-running open mic event. Sign up to read! https://www.facebook.com/events/407797497684295

See more details

"Joaquin Miller Went Walkin" Art & Nature Project

November 28, 2021 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

This monthly workshop in Joaquin Miller park for Oakland kids & their grownups is about art, song, poetry & nature! Register at https://forms.gle/AShAXqjDSsUKSWdm8

See more details

Write in the Hights

December 15, 2021 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Join CWC Writer in Residence at Joaquin Miller Park for a mid-month writing getaway. RSVP the day before to arts@fojmp.org.

See more details

Subscribe to the Park Blog!

As Writer in Residence at Joaquin Miller Park, I head for the hills one day a week to walk, think, and write a blog. I'd love to get your comments!

Fern Ravine: Sussurations of the Soul
11-18-2021
Diversity in the Parks: Kids All Belong in Nautre
11-11-2021
Palos Colorados: Gravity & Growth
11-03-2021
The Drawing Begins!
10-27-2021
The Meadow: After the First Rain
10-20-2021

SUBSCRIBE to get "Walkin' with Walkin" as a weekly email!

My Books:

kristen.cavens.imagination

I like cookies! Especially my husband's signature chocolate chips WITH WALNUTS! But I'm sorry about this annoying banner. New GDPR rules mean you have to agree to my cookies. They're nice cookies. I won't sell or stalk or harass you. I'm a person. This message will self-destruct after 60 seconds and leave you alone for a whole year. Cookie Policy

#amtweeting

Family art date! Congrats to @the_crucible illumin

Family art date! Congrats to @the_crucible illuminati for returning to life. Don't miss!

#neonart
#noblegasses
#illuminated
#lightworkers
#cameraman

After the first rain, last week, poems began to fl

After the first rain, last week, poems began to flow again.

Link in bio

#waterdance
#woods
#sprites
#glasgow
#muddy

Such a treat getting dressed up last night for gro

Such a treat getting dressed up last night for grownup relaxation. A miracle that my amazing beaded gown still fits (sort of).

Tons of makeup, Ludwig filter.

#orangeandblack #halloween #dressup #vintagestyle #veronicalakehair #adsc #decodrinks #sophisticates.

His favorite place: between my eyes and my phone.

His favorite place: between my eyes and my phone.

#catsofinstagram
#breathofcatfur

Stopped by my favorite vintage shop to get in the

Stopped by my favorite vintage shop to get in the mood for today's 3pm show.

@khrysalis674 says, "I can't wait to see it!"

It's not too late to get tickets! (Link in bio)

See my fashion show at @allthingsvintageoakland!

A serene day in the hills, still high from Saturda

A serene day in the hills, still high from Saturday's historic literary event, "From Ina to Ayodele."

#oaklandhills
#oaklandhistory
#californiawriters
#literaryhistory
#poetlaureate
#joaquinmiller
#joaquinmillerpark
#inacoolbrith
#jacklondon
#georgesterling
#yonenoguchi

Link in bio to "Walkin' with Joaquin" -- learn more, see pix and follow for weekly musings.

#planttrees
#openhearts
#deeplistening

Also please tell parents with kids about my monthly art workshops at same link.

#VitaminN
#natureheals
#poetrywillsavetheworld
#writerschangetheworld
#writerinresidence
#californiawritersclub

Event photos 🙏🏻 @donald_caven
#hirethisguy

Who wants a free piano? We're getting grandma's ba

Who wants a free piano? We're getting grandma's baby grand and our starter model (a converted player piano with good tone but one wonky key) has to go! So much wonderful music played on this beautiful upright! Dimensions: 63.5' wide, 29" deep, 55" tall.

A's game in our new bespoke @mamamacs_masks @hmjag

A's game in our new bespoke @mamamacs_masks @hmjaguars
@athletics

The smallest beer you can buy is 20oz..I only need 2! 😂 #lightweight #oaklandalcoholics #buyinbulk

Best part of being here: #peanutsonthefloor #drumsection

@crackerjacks omg a sticker of empty enthusiasm? #crackerjacksprize #noteventrying

@mayorlibbyschaaf + @oaklandundivided + #cutebaby

Kristen Caven announces screenings of her animated

Kristen Caven announces screenings of her animated Oktoberfest play, The Dirndl Diaspora!

Kristen Baumgardner Caven is a writer, publisher artist, and comic known for her books, plays, performances, presentations, and parties. The author of 7 books on positive parenting, bullying, self-esteem, cartooning, thinking, fairytales and funny safe sex, and several plays about Oakland, she’s been called a creative force and an inspiring community leader.

In 2020, Kristen helped create a virtual Oktoberfest in her community, turning her original play, The Dirndl Diaspora, into an animated movie and hosting an online dirndl contest that brought global participation. In 2021, a screening of this “intensely thoughtful and funny show” can enliven celebrations everywhere, give communities much to discuss, and bring costume inspiration for a kinder and more equal world.

See the show on demand 10/1 through 11/16. Zoom event is on 10/16.

Tickets on Eventbrite - Link on website in bio - donations in any amount.

*Enter the #dirndldiversity costume contest - $100 prize!
*All ticket holders get a FREE “How to Host a #dirndldiversity Fashion Show” guide!

#oktoberfest
#Oaktoberfest
#trachtenmode #twist
#dirndldiversity
#dirndldiaspora
#germanheritage
#newplay
#communitytheater
#womenownedbusiness
#womenruntheworld
#ungoals
#kentecloth
#hessian
#hessianobsession
#snotgoblin
#germanseverywhere
#postcolonialism

I brought my living room on to the lawn for the Ga

I brought my living room on to the lawn for the Gatsby Summer Afternoon this year to create a "Poet's Parlor." In this mimi-salon that would rival Gertrude Stein's Paris domain, the rule was: if you sit in the throne, you have to read from The Great Gatsby or the little anthology of Modernist poets I put together for the event.

Fitzgerald was a novelist, but we all rediscovered and savored the dense poetry of his prose. And what does the green light mean? The future. Hope. Green light go. Freedom. Money. The thing you want and you will never have. Daisy.

#thegreatgatsby
#artdeco
#modernistpoetry
#fscottfitzgerald
#federicogarcialorca
#kayboyle
#counteecullen
#dorothyparker
#langstonhughes

All the beautiful dresses! All the amazing women i

All the beautiful dresses! All the amazing women in them!

#preservation
#thingsworthsaving
#vintagestylenotvintagevalues
#beautyis

Gatsby 2021: Not the raucous crowd of yesteryear b

Gatsby 2021: Not the raucous crowd of yesteryear but sweet little bubbles of friendship & freedom.

Just the coolest ancient art & kitchen gadgets at

Just the coolest ancient art & kitchen gadgets at "Last Supper in Pompeii". Convivium, anyone?

#homealtar
#calyx-krater
#snails
#carbonizedfoods
#clawfoot
#toothpicks
#naughtyart
#thelooksontheirfaces

One of my great pain points in life is the way car

One of my great pain points in life is the way cars creep out of a packed lot after a show. Tonight I dared myself to walk the line with a smile on my face and a public service announcement: "It only takes ten seconds of gas to start a warm engine. Idling is just a habit."

Back in the car, the youngsters point out that six cruise ships pollute more than ALL non-commercial driving. He may have a point, but the safe amount of carbon we can put in the air right now is.... zero.

Here's a peak post-vax experience ...singalong wit

Here's a peak post-vax experience ...singalong with 50,000 of my (mostly) masked friends!

@greenday @weezer @falloutboy

It's done! And it's delicious! Got some perspectiv

It's done! And it's delicious! Got some perspective on things before the scaffolding came down today.

I see these colors everywhere now...!

Ready for a fresh start.

The first color is on!! We feel so rich... The na

The first color is on!! We feel so rich...

The name of this color is "Sunny Day" but we are also calling it Honey bucket, Meyer Lemon, California Poppy, and Saturated Fat (butter!) 😅😂🤣

(Inspiring flowers © 2021 Yvon "White Shoe" Chausseblanche as seen on Facebook...Haven't seen the outside much lately...windows are covered with plastic.)

#thisoldhouse #makeithappen #makeitlast #yellowsubmarine #happycolors #imglowing #investment

A ghastly pall A blank canvas A frosted wedding ca

A ghastly pall
A blank canvas
A frosted wedding cake
A render space

So weird seeing the Rancho denuded of personality... but not of style. It's got good bones.

Prepping & priming almost done.
Painting next week.

#thisoldhouse
#barebones
#

Rancho Deluxe is finally getting the makeover and

Rancho Deluxe is finally getting the makeover and repairs It's been needing for 15 years. Agonizing over color choices is the fun part!

#yellowsubmarine
#oldfruitvale #citrus
#fruitvalecitrus
#meyerlemon
#juicy #apricot
#satsuma
#championstreet
#yummyhouse

@craftsmanpainters

After a year teaching in my "Groovy Grotto" it's w

After a year teaching in my "Groovy Grotto" it's wonderful to get back on the dance floor at @rossmoorwc Fitness!

Zoom in on #Bandaloop! dance fitness with me online every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. PST. (Click on "Move

Follow @krs10dance on Facebook or @flabulous_vitality on Instagram.

It's all about the music! Use the "Move" Quicklink at link in bio.

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Copyright ©2021 Kristen Caven : Puttin' on my Writing Boots. Theme: Nirmala by IndoCreativeMedia.

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