Lilac Window

Hey. I have been doing these little studies with scraps I have lying around. I am loving the “object” quality that happens when you paint small. They are like little Polaroids.

What do you think is essential to where you live? Sometimes I feel like a foreigner in Calgary, even though I am Albertan by birth. But I think that sentiment is not uncommon. So many people come here from other places. I always thought helping new immigrants would be rewarding,and help me feel at home here, but I cant figure out how to do it with kids, or in my schedule.

Here is a painting I did as a commission for a friend. She bought it for her husband for his birthday. They are the proud parents of a new baby girl. Yup, thats them in the picture. The text is a prayer for children by Abdu’l-Baha.

Hiya!

how are you doing? I always gotta ask, even though I am going to talk about me for the next while. I actually honestly care how you are. Its just weird if I start pretending to talk to a real person. really weird.

Yesterdays idea of having models pose with my paintings has got me thinking. I actually put together a proposal for a submission to “The New Gallery” an artist run center in Calgary. I have no idea if it would fly or not. I have to work out the details. Also, that might not be the best venue for the work, but you know, I gotta try. The idea includes my paintings and some photography. I am on the prowl for a photographer to collaborate with.

In the mean time, I am working on the little paintings, and decided to tweek up the presentation of these a little. You know, iphoto’s vignette option, with a little edge blur. I so want you to like these paintings. I got a lot more in my head!

In this painting there is a little dialogue:

“good morning”

“good morning, love, how did you sleep?”

splash splash

“pretty good, after I carried Em into the other room, and got Marcel some water.”

“After that he came and slept with me. He wanted to cuddle”

“yeah. me too.”

Good morning.

did you have a good sleep? Ours was about a 6 out of ten. Which means I actually slept…a bit. Remember that drawing I did way back when Marcel was little? I was so frustrated that I couldn’t find people that I could relate to with the whole attachment parenting thing. I started drawing  a superhero mamma who was all powerful, to vent. I think it helped. Of all the images I did, this one had a style and feeling that I liked the best, but didn’t repeat. If I had I think I would be more popular. It is photoshop heavy and requires technology to reproduce, and I got tired of making art on my computer. You know?

Aren’t these photos incredible? I cant get them out of my head. they will become inspiration for paintings this spring. I have a whole series in mind.. I think it would be cool to do like a “spring collection” like they do in fashion. Then you can have build-up and sort of an event when you release the collection, and everyone oooohs and ahhhhs. It sort of diminishes the effect when you release an image one at a time over a long period of time. Then I could have beautiful models posing in old barns and stuff, while holding my paintings. That would be so awesome. I might just do it.

And this is the awesomest contemporary architecture/house Ive seen. this kills me. kills. I want one so bad. I just need a good old stone building that’s falling to pieces. I would totally live in this. I would want like ten of them in different places, and then I would hike between them, and have wild flower honey and green tea for snacks. Then I would sleep there, wearing hand-made white nighties, and read and sew into the night, with candles. And I’d bring my paints, my laptop and some really good graphic novels. You can bring the board games.

Welcome back. How are you guys? I have been painting a little this week. BUt i cant share one with you as its a surprise. I have so many painting ideas – you know? “Never enough time” never felt more true.

Hey! I found three bands you might like. “Angus and Julia Stone”, “Jonsi” and “Broken Bells”. Do you like that sort of indie, pretty music? It sort of gets under Mark’s skin. He hates it. Makes him play the AC/DC so much LOUDER! I wonder if all guys are like that. Because I cant get enough of it. I play it in the morning, and it makes me feel like living. It gets me all tingly and inspired. It makes me think I might live in New York, and have a loft studio and lots of arty friends.

Here’s another question. Does facebook have some sort of freaky search/popularity engine in it? I always wonder the difference between “most recent” and “Top news”. I think it rates comments on how popular they are, and then shows you. That’s why I see the same people over and over, and their the ones that have, like, 16 comments. Yesterday I made a  random post about putting whip cream on macaroni and got like 15 comments, and lots from people I never hear from. That makes me think I might have jumped up a notch, and that I should quickly post some art on there.

I am a daydreaming wreck recently. I’m having a spring-life crisis. I am panicking that Im not making enough, not living my dreams, not serving AHHHH! Take me to to Kenya with Jenipher Waseke, at her school for local agriculture, and forget all this Angst! Put me to good use – please! SOMEBODY!!

That or give me a job at an art college, a second job doing architecture – with either a small office or for the city, a gang of hippies to build my straw bale with, my own art school with a successful gallery, time every year overseas with my kids, a good school for them to go to, a job for the husband that he loves, a great band of friends, and spare time with expanses of water, trees, birds… somewhere gorgeous….please?

And then I remember, I’m looking after and raising two big boys. I know. I know. But then, there’s my architectural certification that’s getting moldy, and a thousands of paintings yet to do, and my art school to run, and a passion for making things – especially out of paper. Designing books/layouts/presentations/workshops. Yeah, I gotta get on that.

Oh man. We gotta stop meeting like this. You want a matcha to chill out on the back porch a little? perhaps some Xi Gong too. “Get yourself Healthy” (Micheal Tse)

Hehe. OOps. I actually started this conversation because I wanted to link back to my very own Camping list, from last year. I am so excited I put it on the blog, or it would be lost by now. How great is that. My camping list is already made. Don’t you want to go camping with us? Its going to be so fun. I cant wait to sit, watching the kids throw rock in the creek, chatting with my friend, enjoying the smells and mosquitoes. eeeek. ecstatic.

I drew this picture, and then made the image in photoshop. I am really digging the pencil sketch with simple graphics. Its a immediate and raw way to get ideas out there. The image of daddy and baby, out for a walk in the burbs is both sweet, and telling. There is just so much mixed up emotion for me in the way our cities are designed and then how we use them. We create our own path, with those that have been created for us.

This brings me to my next point. I have been biting my nails and stressing myself out, trying to find a solution for someone who may like to buy a print of one of these drawings. I have been torn between printing them all fancy at the print shop, who will do an amazing job, but its pricey, and trying to figure if I can print them myself. Our printer is not top-of-the line, but is adequate, and I could make the things so much more affordable. Unfortunately it has been jamming everytime I try to put nice paper in it, also the quality is just not up to par. eeerg.

So. I have not yet made it so that I can print them at home. I will continue to try, so I can offer these for less money in the future. But as it stands, I can offer this drawing (or any other ones I have) at $35.00 cnd plus shipping. They will be the highest quality print, archival, on 100% silk cover stock. They will be printed on 8.5 x 11 paper, but the image will be smaller to leave room for a border, and the fact is, they are small originals, so the image quality will be lovelier like that.

If you are interested, my shop is here.

thanks all.

During nap time I made myself some purple pants. I dyed the fabric yesterday – from an original baby blue colour. I used cheap dye that was supposed to be brown. I am not too fussy about colors and so I realize its all an experiment. Luckily I love purple.

So this is really the easiest pair of pants to make with a draw string waist. I used my jeans as a pattern. The thing I love about them is that they are boiled wool, and very warm. I know you think I am crazy to be making these in spring, but I actually made them for camping. I am always cold camping – no matter what the weather is like, and I tell you, pulling these on after swimming in a lake, or in the evening while roasting marshmallows, will feel heavenly.

We are going camping May long weekend with friends. I am so excited to get out of the city!

We had a wonderful mother’s day. We dont really do special occasions very well over here. I have been trying to put a little pizazz into things, but so often life has a way of getting to be too much, and I simplify to the point of, well, not doing anything at all. But yesterday was just a perfect combo of simplicity, family and special times.

The night before I made an apple cake/tart and candy corn for gifts. Both from Molly’s blog, that I adore. I invited my parents and the neighbours over for brunch. Mark made waffles and we had a feast.

The afternoon was spent at TnT (our local Asian market) trying to buy what I need to make matcha at home. It was probably pretty comical to watch from afar. We were like bumbling foreigners trying to figure stuff out, without offending, or looking too ignorant. But really being quite ignorant.  Anyways, we found a whisk, and then had to decide between all the green tea powders we found. One kind lady explained the difference between A,B and C grades.

Apparently the B grade is the lowest grade you would want to drink by itself. C grade is for baking and mixing lattes etc. A grade has the youngest leaves, whereas the B grade mixes the old and new ones. The younger leaves are better for you, and less bitter. So. there was a big price difference ranging from $30.00 for 50g and $6.50 for 100gr.  or even $19.99 for 600g!  After a little debate mom bought me the expensive one. I would link it for you but I cant find in online. They have the grade B one, that was in the Ten Ren store… but not the one I got. Perhaps I got shafted, or maybe this one is exclusive, or well, I dont know.

Anyways, making the matcha is fun. I watched a couple utube videos – thanks Mat and Chris! I just used a cereal bowl. I found a bigger bowl helps avoid spillage. I need a little practice whisking as its not easy to get it super frothy. Also, I found if I warm the bowl before-hand its much nicer, because it tends to cool quickly. I use my yogurt thermometer to measure the temperature to 170 degrees F. I make 1/4 cup of water to 1 scoop of powder. I drank three bowls of it yesterday, and one this morning. I am wondering if it is going to affect my sleep with the caffeine.

One interesting thing is that the matcha at Starbucks (that got me hooked) has a distinct fishy smell. Like strong sushi Nori. This tea is not fishy AT ALL. Which makes me wonder – is is supposed to be? This one simply has a distinctly green flavor that is slightly bitter, but pleasantly mild. If you don’t like the Matcha at Starbucks because of the fishy taste, I would definitely recommend making it yourself…(or come over and I’ll make it for you!)

Oh. And this morning I “renovated” the kitchen with a box of nails and a hammer. I nailed the pots I use most often onto the wall next to the stove. This has been the least expensive and the most practical home renovation I have ever done. My counters are clear, and I am not digging banging pots and pans around every time I go to cook. I also nailed the lids to the wall. This may not end up being so practical, as they are a little bit dodgy, but I’ll let you know upon further use. (PS. many people are afraid of putting nails in their walls. This seems crazy to me. Dry wall was invented because its so easy to patch. We all have left over pots of paint to patch up mistakes… and a few nails here and there can make all the difference in the world! So I say: go nuts!)

we had a wonderful time at my brother’s wedding.

I heard many people say it was the most profound and moving wedding they had ever been too. I felt the same way.

Not just because its my brother getting married, but they did it in such a genuine and beautiful way. Being Baha’is, a new religion, we don’t have many traditions, and no rituals. There is no Minister or protocol to follow. We have a simple vow and that’s it. This leaves it all open to the couple to do as they wish. I have been to many Baha’i weddings, and though the opportunity is there, most people just dont know what to do other than what we see on TV, or in other religions. Not my brother and his fiance! The ceremony consisted almost entirely of a “Talking Circle”, where they handed the rings around the room and EVERYONE got a chance to say whatever was in their heart to the bride and groom before they got married.

This process may seem laborious, and it did make for a LONG ceremony, but I tell you, it was worth it. Everyone said the most beautiful things and we all cried more than we have in a long time. By the end of it we had all emptied our cup, having expressed all that we could about how happy and excited we were about these two coming together. Both families had a chance to bond, get to know each other, cry, and laugh together, and say all they wanted to. It was honest and moving, with advice, jokes, stories, words of strength and wisdom.

Then, by the reception we were all one big family, we ate together and laughed and the unity in the room was palpable. No need for much else. It was truly unique and a day we will all remember.

The painting is the gift I gave them, but I photographed it with glass in front, so there is a glare. The scene is from a photo of the place where they got engaged.

I did a painting workshop last night with  group of moms. What fun. Nights like this make me just so happy to do what I do. The painting above is the mock-up I did for the class. Because it was a group of absolute beginners, we had a pretty rigid structure. This usually makes things less intimidating for people who find paint rather daunting. We did a step by step process, using masking, and traced shapes for a composition. I also restricted people to three colors, which helps with preventing the painting from getting muddy or too busy. The ladies each completed a piece by the end of the night, that they can frame. All of the work was lovely, and it was a pleasure to see what people produce within such parameters.

I have found a place to print my work, and will be putting some prints for sale next week. I am off to Kelowna today with the whole family to celebrate my brothers wedding. We are all looking forward to some quality time with people we love, and taking a bit of a break. If things are organized, perhaps I’ll post some updates along the way. The two families of the bride and groom are going to have a retreat for the week before the wedding, and Iwill be doing painting workshops there too. Also during the wedding, the bride and groom have some beautiful ceremony ideas, including everyone invited to the wedding doing a brush stroke on a painting that they will take home. I am going to be orchestrating that… so I’ll keep you posted.

Everytime I do one of these I learn so much.

This 4′ x 4′ painting was painted in an adult painting workshop. He wanted to make a piece for his mother, to hang in her home. He selected a colour palette that I worked with. He also had the idea that he wanted to create a sort of forest, with vertical “trees”

We used a new masking technique that I developed for the project, and had a lot of fun working together to make it. Carlos has never painted before but comes from a family of artists. He had some ideas of what he wanted to achieve. This is such amazing process as an artist. Where I provide the know- how, and advice. There is a give and take. Lots of communication about what will actually work, what affects one can achieve, and in the end, come up with a great piece.

I have not heard of this kind of thing being offered before- where an artist volunteers to work with a beginner, to help them realize their vision in paint. It is a really great, educational and fun experience when the communication and energy is right. So many people have a vision, they have inspiration and the desire to be creative, but are held back by fear, or inexperience, or simply time and knowledge. Its so great to open the doors, release those barriers and let out an artist! (Be it even for just an hour at a time!!)

Fun times. (sorry the pic is blurry, I actually didn’t get the chance to see it dry as we left the city that day… I’ll try to get a better pic from the artist in the future…)

This lovely painting was recently completed by one of my students – Fiona Purton.

It was started in a class before Christmas and she came over separately to finish it up. We started the project by taking an outdoor walk at night. The students chose one scene or natural place that evoked an emotional response. Then they also chose a small object from outside to bring in and be inspiration. Fiona chose the scene of the clouds covering the moon, and brought in a feather. She wanted to create an ephemeral, transient and emotive work. This feathery, mysterious painting is the result. I think she was successful.

Since we got back from Edmonton the kids have their standard colds. I don’t think we can drive that far without someone in the family getting sick. I got a new hairdryer that actually doesn’t make my hair go static, which is a miracle in Calgary. And we watched “Shutter Island” last night. I was scared of being scared with this movie, as I am a huge suck, and I cant stand visual gore at all. I’m also pretty sensitive to any amount of thrill in a film. But I was happy I watched this. Great acting, and characters that you actually care about, made the movie for me. But be warned, as a sensitive person, and a mother, there are scenes with children and those were the worst part to stomach.

We did a last minute trip to Edmonton to do some painting workshops.

It was a good chance to see friends and to learn about doing painting on the road. I will be back in Edmonton to do more workshops June 19 and 20th.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the weekend possible for us!