Lilac Window

been thinking about Brian’s post today.

been thinking maybe its not so cool to make stuff, unless I know what for.

been thinking maybe I need to think about stuff. Like, stop worrying about how to finish/package/sell more stuff, but instead to dwell in the realm of ideas, inspiration, education and service.

ideas that make visions, that make possibilities, ideas that change.

service.

to serve people, to fulfill needs. what needs are most important? whose needs? needs like food, shelter and water? or needs like love, acceptance and joy?

what needs does my work satisfy? especially when it often is made as a desperate attempt to keep myself sane.

I love making things. I love making things that other people like. I love making things especially when it feels useful, and like I am doing what I am meant to do.

I like to think of ways to design houses that are very warm in the winter, but let in a lot of light and create a connection with the outdoors. Cabin fever in colder climates sucks. Anything that promotes getting out and enjoying the snow is good too. I am learning about masonry stoves and including them in designs. I think they are a wonderful way to create warmth, a hearth, and community,  while being efficient, and non-polluting.

and this is the third of the triptych.  All three were purchased by one lady for her kitchen. It makes me happy they are all together. I can’t remember what I wrote on this one – something about “light-clay” houses, and cute piglets. I love drawing the animals on these. The trees and natural elements make the ideas hit home, but there is something about the animals that really make it feel great. I know that animals and cities have had a bad history. One just thinks of all the mess, and disease that has historically come from combining the two, but with all the technology and civilization there must be a way, in this age, to avoid these problems.

I have been thinking alot about human’s need to be connected to nature. I believe it is a need that has not really been taken seriously by urban planners in the past. Granted, our cities are designed around ideas from the industrial revolution, when it was critical to simply keep pollution separate from growing families. Also the role of the car and suburbia was paramount. Getting to and from work became the designing force behind our modern cities. And its true gardens were in there, but I feel there was a need for order and control over the environment. The driving idea was to be civilized versus wild and untamed, or to avoid resembling a tirelessly working  farmer. Nonetheless, I feel, in Prairie cities the underlying need for a connection to nature has reared its head in the form of a back yard.

Back yards in this culture are coveted and revered. People love them and will not let them go without a fight. Don’t try to suggest an urban planning alternative that doesnt include them, it wont fly. And I think that is because people hold on to them because they provide for them a relationship with nature that is missing in the rest of the automobile, skyscraper, interchange filled world.

But. What I think is lost is the simple discussion of whether these backyards actually meet this need in the best way possible. If people are actually able to make that connection with nature through their backyards in a fulfilling and truly satisfying way. I think some people are able to, especially gardeners, and those who orient their houses and lives towards their yards. There is something to be said for a fenced space, in at least two situations – one being when you have small children, and the other being when you have neighbors that you don’t like.

The other side of the coin though, needs also to be considered. I am not sure that back-yard lovers realize that the planning density required for everyone in the city to have a backyard simply renders most public amenities almost impossible. A city that is primarily single family residences will never have decent public transit. It will never be truly walkable. The idea of walking to a local shop to buy groceries, to get a coffee, to meet friends at the park, is just not a reality for R1 communities. Plus, there are many design opportunities that are created when spaces are shared, such as wilderness areas, community greenhouses, neighborhood stone ovens, and recreational facilities. One of my least favorite experiences as a mom is towing my kids in and out of the car, trudging through windy, cold parking lots, and traffic jams. I wish I could find people walking around, going for coffee, and playing with kids in a park within walking distance of my house.

So gardeners like backyards, but what about the farmer-at-heart? People love animals. We need them. There is a beauty, knowledge and a wisdom that we need from being close to animals. Even more with large animals. We assume we need to be outside of populated areas to do this, perhaps that is so. But maybe we can be creative, intelligent and thoughtful in finding ways that the two worlds can come closer. If I could work at a greenhouse growing food for my community, have a beautiful flower garden, walk through natural wilderness paths to meet friends at a revolutionary urban farm, where my kids can meet and smell and work with animals, and collect eggs for our family…I think I would give up the need for my own fenced, lawn-mowed, private, mosquito ridden, back yard. Maybe others would too…

I have been drawing pictures to illustrate these ideas, and many more. I’ll keep posting them.

Sorry for the soliloquy.  Thanks for reading.

I think that the idea of combining agriculture and urban living warrants some re-examination. Urban hens seem to make sense. I also think solar orientation is a part of house design that is often neglected.

some shifts in life, have created this most incredible space. A space of sunlight, quiet, peace and focus.

moved the chair to the spot by the window

moved my work times to days Mark is home

moved Emery out of dayhome

and here we find him. I cant remember the last time I witnessed him so peaceful. Like a little plant he is soaking that sunlight in. I am doing my best to soak him in, my little angel-rocket!

Also did more art with him today. I am actually doing some daily drawing. And making cookies. lots of them.

Roasted squash with caramelized onions, whole grains and gouda cheese was yummy for dinner. Sort of based on this recipe.

I had a sweet time at the CAA art sale. I sold lots of salad, and art, and it was a great feeling to sit there with my wares and meet people. I received a lot of encouragement, and enthusiasm for what I do. Which is cool, cuz I am often confused about what I do. But its not that weird. My business cards say “Angela Rout, eco-modern architecture, art…and salad.”  That made a few people smile. It makes me smile too. I did a handful of pencil drawings like the one above for the show. I just wanted to draw. I had a blast and could have kept going. The more I drew the more ideas I had. I did another today. I packaged them in baggies with little tidbits of writing in them. They were a big hit. It helps people get into the picture without having to listen to me go on and on about it.

This one said “I wish I had a house that looked like a boat. I wish I had a goat. (not just because it rhymes.)”

They were all based on architecture and sustainable ideas, all stuff I feel my life is oozing with. Perhaps I’ll make a big stack of these…someone suggested a sketchbook. again, I’m considering methods of reproduction…

excited about another homeschool art class in December. Also about painting with Emery, he made a beautiful painting this morning. The first one where I think he really noticed the paint on the paper – rather than being fascinated with the water changing colour.  And the sweet vibrations of a two-year-old concentrating  with focus and presence is energizing.

We had such a fun Homeschool Art Class today. It was so sweet to have three girls to do painting and creating with. We did some watercolour painting, and then read a book about Frida Khalo I got from the library. We picked leaves from outside and did rubbings on trace paper which we cut out, and stuck on our painting. We also drew a little with Chinese Ink using a stick for a pen. This is the first class I have done like this, and was a bit of a trial run, but very successful and I am happy to do more. I am excited to think of little projects to do.

The best part of this was watching how engrossed the girls became with the painting. They all had so much intention when they put down that brush. I did a little demonstration first, and had them practice lightly spraying their paper first. I had them choose two contrasting colours to use, to help keep things simple. They worked on being able to load the brush with water, loosen the dried pigment, and apply. Making “pink” out of red is good to practice this. I asked them to work to cover the whole paper with paint, and tried to avoid too much painting over one spot so that the paper didnt become too soggy, or the sizing come out of the paper. Being used to how my own son paints it was so great to be with other children and witness the diversity!

As a reward to myself for a great class, I bought myself this album. So beautiful it hurts a little to listen to it. (well, for me anyways.)

I grew up in New Zealand and on Vancouver Island. I heard an add on the CBC recently asking if you remember patchouli oil, or tie-dye in your childhood. If you did, that might mean you grew up in a hippie family. I always thought I grew up in a hippie universe, but don’t remember either of those things. What I do remember is potlucks. We went to a lot of potlucks. No one in my family was a picky eater, worried about foods mixing, or strange exotic flavors. For me the best part of a potluck meal was when the plate was almost empty and all the mixed bits and flavors were left to sop up with a piece of bread.

There would be many various foods, and I dont remember anyone “planning” the potluck – figuring out who would bring what. It was all luck of the draw, and as far as I can remember it was always a success… that is until I got to university and realized most of my friends would show up with a bag of chips or a bottle of pop, instead of a hand-made pottery bowl full to the brim with curried whole grains and raisins.

So, when I made this salad today, it brought me back. Straight back to sitting on a woolly rug, in dim light, in a very hot room, with people talking and bustling, leaning against a carved cedar chest, and looking out the steamy windows at an Island rainforest.

Making a whole grain salad sounds like a logistical nightmare to me. It wasn’t until this past month, where we’ve significantly changed our diet, that I found I had all the ingredients ready and waiting in the fridge. I made this salad in a couple minutes. I made only one for me as I assumed the kids wouldnt want any. Turns out, the oldest ate half of mine and wanted one of his own… another 2 minutes, then I made a third. Point is: its quick, when you are prepared.

The key is making and having whole grains and lentils ready in the fridge. This has taken me a few years as a mom to discover, but there’s no turning back now. I’m sure millions of versions of this salad exist and I cant wait to try them all, but this simple one really took me back, to our neighbour’s living room floor.

Whole grain curry salad.

2 handfuls pre-cooked mixed whole grains (I used kamut whole grain and wheatberry)

handful of precooked black lentils

small handful of raw cashews

small handful of pumkin seeds

small handful of raisins

two thick slices of cheddar cheese cut into squares

1/2 kale leaf chopped into tiny bits.

dressing:

olive oil

white wine vinegar

apple juice

curry powder

1 small crushed garlic clove.

1/4 tsp salt

make dressing to taste. 1 part vinegar 3 parts oil. I made extra for later.

mix it all together and eat yourself, or wait for the next potluck.

I have so much to write about FOOD!!! We’ve changed our diet to be more focused on Abd’u'l-Baha’s advice: to focus on grains, fruit, nuts, berries and vegetables. Though we still eat meat and dairy, I am not basing our meals on them as much as I can. I kept family favorites such as “chicken zucchini kabobs” and “chilli” on the menu, but have added “Red-Lentil soup with lemon” (amazing) “Kale salad and Parmesan fish with capers” (mouth-watering) “lentil toasted almond and greens stir fry”, “wheat berry and fruit breakfast”, and lots of nuts and dried fruit to snack on. Among other dishes…I intend on doing posts on our new favorite meals so hang on for that…

I think the biggest change has been cooking various whole grains once a week, keeping them in the fridge and then trying to use them at every meal. I can mix them with rice with soy sauce for the kids, or add to pancakes, bread, salad, soup… you name it. I probably eat this  more than everyone else…as a lunch either as a salad or stir-fried with crunchy veges and nuts – and a few dabs of goat cheese. Mercy me, so yummy, and I feel like a million bucks. (Hot yoga helps too!)

Im also excited at discovering black lentils. Finally found a lentil that doesnt fall apart, and is rich and beautiful in every dish.

sigh.

Im still figuring how to make meal planners for everyone I know. The one I made for myself has changed my life.

Also moving to the South West has meant I can easily shop at Community Natural Foods and the local farmer’s market. I can go to 3 locations, get all I need, in the same amount of time and money I spent torturing myself at Superstore. (less meat, cheese and dairy means less of a bill too!)

Hippy whole-grain and lentil hugs to you all.

(oh, and we saw a birds nest at Sandy beach park, with little egg shells in it. That place is so great too…)

Here is the whole painting Marcel did as a mock-up for the homeschool art class. He was really proud of it.

I have been thinking and brainstorming about art, education and raising of children. I love the theory of teaching art to kids that inspires them, and also teaches them skills on how to apply their passions to serve the world. I have in mind a process that brings students through many stages of practice and application of ideas, but it needs work. These are some abstract thoughts I sketched down in a notebook recently:

medium, manifestation, fabrication, to make. create. bring into being. fashion.

How can one create an environment of inspiration?

Here is the flyer I made to advertise an art class I am holding for homeschool kids. Marcel and I had a lot of fun making the mock-up shown in the picture. I am pretty excited to be starting doing art classes again, as I haven’t done one since we moved. Our new place is small, but I think  its perfect for a little cozy painting class. I am hoping to do more of these one day classes in the future.

If you cant read the text it says:

“Through stories, guided contemplation, study of nature and visual arts exploration, this first class is an outreach to homeschool families. It is the first of a program that is based on “mining the inner gems” of creativity within our children, and helping them learn to express and then apply them in service to their community.  Held within the home of artist and architectural designer, Angela Rout, this class is meant to be a warm addition to homeschool ideals.”

details are:  Nov. 5  2:30-4pm ages 4-6 angie@lilacwindow.com $20.00 per class.

pic: spent four days at sandy beach (park in calgary on the river) last week…

and the kiddies run around in circles in the kitchen, while I pour the hot cereal. Im wearing perfume that I got my first year of being married. the house smells like bread baking. Emery is still naked.

fall has brought change.

its been a month. September. and the world has been transformed. We’ve landed in a new house. The leaves have turned. I am working part-time. Marcel is thriving in kindergarten. Mark is riding his bike to school. Emery has a new place to play in the mornings. I have about a thousand posts to write, and no time to write them.

This house is smaller, but works better. Our tiny living room fits our large dining room table, and it is the center of everything. We eat, socialize, work, play and live around this table. The designated dining space works for just boots and coats in the kitchen. The large windows, huge green space and hard wood floors make a cozy and warm place to spend this winter.

I pick Marcel up from school and we eat lunch together and have one hour to work before I pick up Emery. I made a “work basket” for him, and he works alongside me. Sometimes I get so engrossed in what I am doing, I am surprised when I look up and see that Marcel has plastered the walls with his own work.

We are all working, and living our passions here.

I never knew how much having my own business would be a self exploration. It is always in flux, adjusting to my life, what is going on with our family and as I learn and grow.

I have been doing a re-evaluation of my objectives since we decided to move. Moving to a smaller place has meant that I will have less room to paint, and to do workshops. I am looking for alternate locations for rent, but I also take this as an opportunity to think about why I do what I do, and what service I provide to people.

I have a craving to do smaller works on paper, and to do some print making (silk screen, monoprints, linocuts,). I am also doing more architectural work, and am so impassioned by the idea of careful marks on paper becoming massive gestures in the built world. The relationship between the charged experience of making a small piece of paper beautiful, and the built environment, has got me thinking.

When I started this school I wanted to create programs that connect how we make art, to how we live in, and build our world. I still do, and this is where my course development is going. I am excited to start some little classes for homeschoolers, as well as adults, in my new house. I am hoping these will become breeding grounds for developing these ideas. I just cant wait to make art with people, and to explore how creativity explodes on the world, for the benefit of all!

we chose to put Marcel in the Calgary Arts Academy. Its in SW Calgary. We are in the NE.  yup. its an hour drive each way. for half a day of school. Some may wonder “is it worth it?” I wondered that too. But this morning my efforts were confirmed. Marcel told me, in his own words:

“mommy? everyone has a door inside them. You can go in whenever you want to. Inside is a special room. It is very quiet there.”

“really? how do you get there?”

“its easy. you have to turn off your mind.”

“oh. good idea. so. what do you do in that room?”

” you sit on the soft couches and blow bubbles that bring peace all around the world”.

Thats after week 1. From the innocent voice of an active four year old, those words are like gold. Its such an amazing place. This pic is Marcel working on his drumming at the annual pancake breakfast. He sticks his tongue out when he concentrates. just like his mom. He told me he LOVES kindergarten. Things like that make me tear up with happiness for him.

So. We are moving.

yup. (que silent screaming)

This house is rented, but we dont have a place yet. Guess what we’ll be doing all week? Its going to be crazy.

but its worth it.