Lilac Window

I started my first blog a couple years ago. It was called Mammacomic, now I have this one. All through the process I have been resisting being too confining with it, and allowing myself to post whatever feels most important at the time. Despite encouragement from business teachers, etc, I held onto the idea that I would let the blog evolve, and that, at some point it would start to tell me what is truly at the heart of what I do. Being a person who has too many hobbies and interest, I knew that this little forum could help me narrow things down.

And now, here we are. I think this might be a few months now of posts almost entirely about art. Granted my family, architecture, even a little cooking is in there, but there definatley is more paint than anything else. And that’s just cool with me.

In that little space I showed yesterday, I have been churning out these little works. And I am having so much fun. These little projects are brainless, and I felt I needed that for a bit. With painting being my job I also need some paint therapy. So these ones involve going outside, snapping pictures of stuff I see everyday, and think – “wow, that’s pretty, I wonder how I could paint that?”.  printing contact sheets of the pictures, somehow, intuitively choosing a picture to paint, and then just going at it. I use the size of paper that fit the frames I like to buy, so that if one turns out great, its easy to frame. Its also easy to get painting when everything has been pre-set.

So. Here is another one.

I also have this gut feeling that if I just let go, and paint what my instinct beckons, it will lead me somewhere important. So I am taking the front brain out of this and letting go. Also I know the more I paint the better I will be at it. Already I learn so much with each piece.

Another little thought, that is sort of interesting to me, is how similar these pieces are to ones I did, over ten years ago in my undergrad. I feel Ive come full circle. wow. I did a series of drawings of places around my home in Vancouver. I also did a similar series in oil paint while living in the Yukon. I was struggling with integrating my education in neo-conceptual photography a-la Jeff Wall, Ken Lum and Roy Arden. And granted, I think a little of that still comes through. Though, I feel the intellectualism, that I admittedly, didn’t understand, doesn’t as much. Perhaps this is the path I should have been on all along. I’m glad to be back on it.

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.)

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…

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!

Hello. I hope you are all having wonderful holidays. The weather has warmed up, and there is a lot of snow for sledding and stuff like that. Its quite beautiful really. Unfortunately, I dont take advantage as much as I should, Its hard to get out and enjoy the warm weather when in the city. I find anyways. But I need to remind myself! I am off to Sylvan Lake tomorrow to do three days of water colour painting workshops. I am so excited, to enjoy the lake and out doors, to see old friends and to paint.

We had our adult workshop last week and boy was it fun. We all loved painting together, seeing the amazing things each of us produced and just delving into color and canvas. The above painting was created spontaneously by a woman new to painting. Again. I have to say it: “What fun!”.

This Saturday we are having another painting workshop at Lilac Window Art School. I am excited to paint with some adults, though the little guys have been so much fun too. (There is still room for Saturday, just email me at angie@lilacwindow.com if you want to come…:)) This painting is half of a set of two. Painted by a four-year old, and a one-and-a-half year old. Brothers. They worked so well in collaboration!

Here is Emery standing in front of the 4 ft painting I did with my friends 2 year old. He is there for scale.

Amazing isn’t it? She is just so talented!

Hi all,

I just popped in to tell you all how excited I am about tomorrows card-making workshop!

There’s still room if you want to come!

email me: angie@lilacwindow.com and I’ll let you in on the details.