Lilac Window

There have been times in my life when I thought I needed more space to paint. The funny thing is, right now I have more space, but this is where I have ended up. In the closet of the playroom! Its sort of been a process getting here, I started at an easle in the kitchen, then the easel in the play room and now here. I like to paint on a flat surface with water colours and so this is a space where I can leave it out, and its high enough that I dont have to worry about little fingers. I can paint in an instant as its already there and the kids play beside me. I haev a little light that is LED and colour correct, so that helps. Granted I am limited in size, but right now, thats OK. I am enjoying doing these little watercolor studies.

SO. moral of the story is: When one needs to paint… one will paint.

(Oh and thats not a MESS up top…OH no! its my paper supply and other boxes of paints and stuff… Also this particular dresser is completely FULL of art supplies. yes. I have a problem! hehe.)

here is another little study for the devotion series. I guess I could call it “community devotion”, or “children’s neighborhood prayers”, or something like that. But I admit, it doesnt sound all that catchy.

I included text in this one, and went for the directly illustration thing. Im having fun feeling my way around. The whole idea of houses in the background sorta came out of this one. I need to take another photo of it though, because I think its out of focus in some parts.

Some other stuff mark and I have been doing includes web design. He is learning to code, and well, I design, so it sort of goes together. We just finished our first project, for a designer friend that I went to school with. The website is here: www.thedesignhaus.ca. I will vouch for her, she is a fabulous designer, if you need a reno done. I mean, I’d hire her… and I’m almost an architect! Also it was fun working with my husband. Its so good when you can giggle about staying up late working on a project, just because it means you actually get to spend time with your spouse… alone! (Although, when its late, he does start singing 80’s pop-rock, and throwing the head around – while waiting for the jpeg to upload. … hang on a minute – I just remembered… that’s one of the reasons I married him! – my bad.)

Anyways, all is well in paint, poop and html. We really like all our new board games. LOOT is becoming a family favorite. Mark is so totally going to be into me, now that I linked to “board game geek.com” I am sooooo exposed right now.

The family that did the last workshop actually painted two pieces. This is the second one measuring 4′ x 2′. Now the memory of the event can be on the walls of both homes! Cool little matching set.

I want to update about some other topics of interest. I have sort of been out of the architecture loop. But I am still doing my best to learn little by little about sustainable building. OUR eco village just posted its summer calendar, and I would love to to the straw bale course… we’ll see. Also I have been looking into Rammed earth. Such a beautiful medium.

I am so inspired by all the painting that my students are doing. I realize that I have got to put brush to paper myself. I am working on another book – or perhaps series. I realize that I need to work differently than the last project. My process before was:

1. Sketch out thumbnails of the story board
2. try to draw characters, using my imagination or photos.
3. draw each character from different angles
4. more thumbnails of each page
5. draw/sketch charcoals of each page the correct finished size
6. trace charcoal sketch onto trace, as a line drawing
7. transfer drawing to water colour paper
8. paint the pictures, finding a colour pallet that worked
9. repaint paintings that don’t fit the series.
10. draw in ink over painting.

As you can see I didnt start painting to step 8. And this sort of drove me crazy.

I don’t know, but I am thinking this is pretty standard process for illustrators, but for me, it was very confining, and by the time I started painting, I had to spend a lot of effort loosening up again, to really enjoy the process.

though, there is no doubt all that drawing is good for me. But it hurts my brain.

So, for this project, I wan to start with the painting. I have a theme, and some general ideas. I have a little story to follow, and some image ideas, and then I want to let the paint and the process take me somewhere.

This book is about the devotional gathering we have weekly, as told through the eyes of my four-year old. This gathering is the highlight of his week. The love of his life-( his little female friend), attends regularly with her family, who also live in our condominium complex. It is a sweet little evening complete with tired children, who are often too excited and hyper to sit and pray. But it is lovely. I especially love the lighting of the candles process.

Anyways, this painting series focuses on our little complex, and the story of these children, coming together to pray, to think about unity, to make our little contribution to the world.

When I started this art school in September I knew that it would have a life of its own, and would change as it developed. I just had no idea it would become something so unique and so unexpected so quickly. Its only been a few short months of trial and error. Trying to figure out what I can offer, what works in my life, what people want and need, and how I can get it to them. I have done door-to-door sales in my neighborhood, cold calls, press releases and media promotion. All things that are very new (and scary) for me. I have offered all sorts of classes, and its so cool when something sticks, and then changes.

I started doing toddler workshops which I still offer and think are just so great. But these workshops led the way to group painting workshops that I am now offering. The idea of creating a simple art piece, without tension or expectations is thrilling to people, and I just love being a part of that. Its unique in that its not an art class, but a painting experience. With the additional bonus of fabulous results. Its so nice to show people they can make something beautiful. Especially people who have never painted before. Its awesome to witness people working together, discussing whether its finished, if a corner needs more or less, if a certain colour dominates.

I think this is an area that my little school will definitely be moving into. Groups of all ages. Couples, parties, offices, friends, families, birthdays, healing circles…I cant wait to see what future holds.

The above painting was completed for a Grandmother’s birthday. 6 adult family members and 2 little ones made it together. An amazing representation of the beauty and unity of a family.

I know I have already mentioned this, but I thought I would put out another call. I am so excited about the water colour workshop I am teaching this Saturday. You are more than welcome to join us. details below:

So, Jan 23rd (noon – 3pm) I am having a watercolour painting workshop.

This will be for beginners, it will include use of beautiful artist-quality supplies, (300 lb. Arches watercolour paper, brushes and high quality, honey based watercolour pigments made by M. Graham & co.) and a three hour session with instruction. By the end of it, you should have a beautiful abstract-ish painting you may even want to frame!  (psst… I will also have frames available for sale to fit the paintings we do, so if the urge hits – after it dries…you can take your picture home ready to hang! eeee! so cool!)

We will talk about the unique qualities of watercolour paint and how to use it to make incredibly beautiful marks and textures. You will also learn a little colour mixing.

email: angie@lilacwindow.com

When the king sat on his throne, trumpets were sounded, fireworks went off, and shots were fired.

I was trying to make a greeny-blue that evoked the turquoise you find in old books. it didn’t really work, but in this image, I like the way the colors are bright and almost Mediterranean.

So here is one of my favorites from the series. It is not exactly what I was going for. I wanted it to be tighter and have a little more nostalgic feel. I need to work on the painting of that a bit. But overall I am pleased with this little picture.This image is actually the only one I really visualized for the whole book. Its the one that motivated me to make it.

For inspiration I often look at this Etsy site. http://www.etsy.com/shop/oiseaux?section_id=5239745

The images she chooses to use are so beautiful.

We also went to the library yesterday. I am so loving this adventure in discovering amazing books. Its so exciting for me. We take out at least ten books, and there will be one that just sticks. We all want to read it over and over, and fall in love with it. I usually do a little research on it because I am curious if we are the only one loving it. Almost every time it turns out we have somehow stumbled across a timeless classic, that has won major awards and has been upheld as iconic work. Ha! Its so great to discover fabulous art this way. If I was taking a course in school about it, or was at a museum looking at it, I know I would feel differently. Instead these books bring joy and mystery to our family. I guess that why I am so inspired to do this.

The book we discovered yesterday is called “The One and Only Shrek” by William Steig. It has five wonderful stories in it. Fabulous.

I have been trying my hand at illustration.

Its exciting.

I am so inspired by kids books these days. Particularly by vintage books. I cant hold it in, I had to give it a whirl. Though, I truly appreciate the skill that illustrators have, and feel rather daunted by the task. Its one thing to make a painting of one image that you have in your head, that can take its own life and form. Its another thing to make a series of images that work with a story, that work together,  and are rich and exciting.

Not to intimidate myself or anything…

So I wrote out a little story from the history of the Bahai faith. Belonging to a relatively new religion means that there are fewer books for kids, and its so lovely to have these stories for them. The story is about a puppet show.

The process of drafting the images and figuring out what to put in each of them took months, and covered my studio space with sketches. It is a bigger task than I expected. I thought I could just whip up a picture for each, but sitting at the drawing board I would draw a blank, and realize I have no idea what a Persian puppet might look like, or a tent in a courtyard.

Anyways, its been fun, and now I have twelve illustrations to show you…

its so warm. I opened the windows. I can hear BIRDS!! I get feeling all nostalgic. I try to soak it in and let the excitement and emotion permeate. I think you have to have moments like this in winter, or you wont make it through the year. Perhaps you don’t know what I am talking about. But, lets just put it this way. I’m feeling all “arty”, and “dreamy”, and even “angsty”. True.

Warm January days, made me wonder what I was doing this time last year. Thank goodness I keep a blog. I just poked on back to mammacomic, and found out we were sick with the flu, traveling to Vancouver, and prepping for some major February hiking trips. I was dealing with a teething babe, and painting up a storm.

Now, this blog has become a little detached from my family life. But I want to stay ever present in it, so I can come back and feel connected to who I am at different times.That picture above is from the day after Marcel’s birthday when we made pasta from his new pasta maker. That’s something I don’t want to forget.

I have a constant list of things that are on my mind. I thought I’d share it, as a sort of funny experiment. Its sort of personal, what ends up on these lists, but I am sure you have many common items, and perhaps its is telling as to what on my mind at this time in my life… I’d love to now whats on your list…

1. Take out recycling (come-on that’s on your list too – isn’t it?)
2. Take bags of clothes etc to the thrift store (ditto)
3. make soup for dinner (see I told you we have a lot in common)
4. Go to the Child Subsidy Department in Kensington to get Stay-at-home mom subsidy. (well, you may not have this on your list, but something like it… and if you are in Alberta, and a stay-at home mom, maybe it should be on your list!)
5. do some architectural design work (we all have to work…)
6. Take Emery to the park (Oh, to be a mom…)
7. put up shelves and paintings in kids room (how I would love to put some energy into that space… its needs a face lift)
8. shelves in kitchen for my recipe books (OK, I admit, there is a shelf theme)
9. Find a bin to store all our Holy-Day celebration things in. (I know, simple bin finding, has made its way onto my list…)
10. take down white gauze from living room that has been up since “Birth of the Bab” celebration in October (like Christmas decorations, sometimes they stay up way too long)
11. Email my art students. (sorry, boring list item, but necessary)
12. make a “what I do in the morning” poster for Marcel (on-going comic project in my head that may or may not be manifested in reality.)
13. Finish the book I am illustrating (please, just finish it!)
14. sort coats, books, bags and shoes in front hall (OK, now that’s definitely on your list!)
15. Choose moving and profound readings for tonight’s community devotional meeting. (now that’s maybe not on your list – but don’t you wish it was!)

That was fun. I hope I get a kick out of reading this next year!

It was 8 degrees today. In January. Now that’s awesome! This little painting was done by an 8 year old girl.

I am looking forward to the water color workshop coming up.

I am doing a lot of house cleaning. Maybe its the warmer weather that gets me all domestic. I obsessing about putting shelves up all over the house. I need places for all my recipe books, for the kids doo-dads, and board games!

We got Marcel this book for his birthday. Its one I don’t mind reading as many times as he wants. We all love it.

cute, cute, cute.

First off, this painting was completed this winter by an adult student, who came to classes last semester. The dark shadows and moody washes create a real sense of mystery… don’t you think?

So. Our family got out cross country skiing yesterday.

If you have been following my blog since last year, you will know that winter is not my favorite season. Especially with kids. Especially living in suburbia. So, last winter I vowed to do everything in my power to make the most of it. We visited MEC (our favorite outdoor activity store) and got geared up. We did day hikes, all around Calgary. We used a little hiker’s stove to make hot chocolate, and make it special. We even rented snowshoes and hiked around West Bragg Creek a few times.

For those of you who live around here and love winter sports, this all may not be anything of a revelation, but for us who are new to it, it is an amazing discovery. This time round, we decided to rent skis. We rented them from MEC, and headed out to the Canmore Nordic Center. I cant tell you how awesome this is. The fact that there is a day lodge, and you can go inside with little kids, and still see everyone outside is so convenient. You pay a small fee for this, but after some freezing hiking experiences, with nowhere to warm cold toes, I can tell you, its worth it. We rented a tobogan for little Em, but are not good enough skiers to make it really worth while. Marcel loved his skis though, well worth renting at the Nordic Center.

OK, so that’s that. We had so much fun out there, I hope we do more of it soon. Apparently there is a day lodge at Kananaskis too, and we want to explore places to ski in the city. Maybe even a lesson or two!!

I hope you are all out there finding ways to enjoy this beautiful and exciting season. Warm wishes to you all.

We had a big day here yesterday. Oldest child turned four. Very exciting. For all of us.

The day was so sweet. We went sledding, ate cake, played new board and card games, and laughed a lot. The big surprise was a puppet theater that Mark and I made out of two card board boxes. We had a curtain, and a light inside to add drama. Then I made four shadow puppets from the story “where the wild things are”. I simply traced them from images I blew up and printed, then cut them from black paper. The bottle neck in making these though, was laminating them.  When I was a kid in New Zealand we all had to cover our text books in what we called “sticky-back”. Transparent plastic thats sticky on one side and comes in a huge roll. I cant seem to find it any where. I found something similar in a small roll, that is very expensive, but would love it if some one can help me locate more of this stuff. Maybe I should import it from NZ.

Anyways, the puppet show was far more dramatic and lovely at night, and I imagine many evenings spent telling stories.

Everyone takes turns behind the scenes. I think we will start selling tickets for a season premier soon.

Watercolour painting by a five year old. Inspired by nature.

I hope you all had a wonderful break.

Between Christmas and New Year, The “Emster” and I went to the Baha’i Winter School at Sylvan Lake. I did three days of watercolour painting with the participants. It was so great to paint with people of all ages and backgrounds. I LOVE introducing painting to people who haven’t painted since childhood. It brings back memories, it soothes people. They say “I never knew painting was so meditative.” Its also rewarding when people are so thrilled with the results. And so they should be, the paintings were incredible. Over the next few days I’ll show you some.

And I put more on my school website, so you can see them there. I also have a bit of a schedule for the new year up. First things first – a watercolour painting workshop January 23rd. Come join us!