Lilac Window

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!

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!”.

And here is number 2 of the combo. We masked two letters in the corners as signatures which looks great, and sort of solves the problem of kids not being able to write yet. I am busy stretching canvas for tomorrows workshop. And well, surfing the net. I have this lovely routine when Emery falls asleep I put him in the wrap, play some folksy tunes I like, and surf. Its really “Me” time, that also serves the purpose of putting a baby to bed. Soooooo much better than other methods we have tried!

Anyways, all this surfing, and blog reading has resulted in lots of inspirational ideas. I like to read some architecture blogs and get inspired about that “dream house”. I do design for other people, and its also nice to find one’s own identity amongst it all. I know I LOVE wood. I can’t help it. Even after four years of Architecture school, I couldnt find a real heart to heart connection with concrete. I try. I really want to. Martha, likes it, and its so hip, but hey…one cant deny ones inner callings. I’ll admit it.  Wood done well, is so my cup of tea.

I did a project in school where I designed a quonset hut into a performing arts center. So its not surprising I am drooling over this barn converted into a house. I ADORE the huge doors that make the kids space indoors and out. GAWD! Now, I wonder what they do in December..at minus thirty… even without the windchill? Maybe I just gotta move south too. But that’s another post.

Have a wonderful, stress free, pre-christmas weekend! We’ll be heading over to Heritage Park to celebrate the warmth and the season.

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!

So this post may seem sort of out of the blue, but I have been meaning to write it for a while. I just realized I have a $30.00 overdue fine at the library, and it got me thinking about how many books I could have bought for that, and could be reading over and over. Well, its not that simple really, when we go to the library, I like to get MANY books, and see which ones we cherish, and wish tht we had months later. Its those ones that I mean to buy, and keep and re-read many,  many times. Its just, thus far, the list has remained a list in my head, and I think its time to get organized and write it down.

Also since I have been nurturing a love for illustration, some of these books are just because the pictures are inspirational to me.

the Snow Day (I love the paintings in this book, and the feeling of calm stillness)

Froggy gets Dressed (Marcel could read this book a thousand times in a row. And it rings so true on these cold days!)

Frog and Toad are Friends (A wonderful bed-time story – We fell in love with this one at Rivendell)

the Noisy Farm (I love the pictures, and the simple, sweet story)

the Divali Rose (totally random, but lovely story about cultures meeting, and overcoming fears, made me cry.)

the Dot (every art teacher needs this. me included)

Charlie Harper Alphabet Book (just amazing pictures. Marcel knows his alphabet now, so he reads it to Emery. That’s about as good as it gets. Also its a great reference for colour mixing!)

Snow comes to the Farm (I love this book. the pictures, the story… so sweet)

How do you sleep? (Marcel memorized this book in two nights of reading…)

Caps for sale (you just cant have a library without it)

In retrospect, most of them are pretty seasonal too. figures. I am sure there are more, but this what we remember now…

(And the painting? Yes. Another gifted two year old.)

Another painting by a toddler! Did I mention I love my job?

Are you all going to be at the Market Collective Sale in Kensington this weekend? You can read about it while hearing about cool stuff in Calgary at this website. I am really excited to check out some local art and crafts, and get into the holiday spirit!

Starting my own business while being a full time mom has its challenges. There are lots of ups and downs, but I am learning so much about art, myself, working together with people. I am meeting new people, and stretching in every possible way. And it just feels so great to be doing what I have always dreamed of doing. BUT…I have been out of touch with so many friends! I guess thats the down side of being so busy. But I am not complaining, and if you are out there – know I miss you!

These were done by three brothers, age 19mnths to 5 years. We were a little worried that all the wetness may have washed the hand and foot prints away, but as it dried they came to the surface, like playful ghosts. These paintings have a magical quality about them. I could stare at them all day.

Hi everyone. I hope I haven’t lost you all. I have been so busy painting with toddlers, traveling, cleaning my house and many other projects. I really do hope you are all still out there, as I want to introduce you to a wonderful artist from Calgary.

I met Roxanne, again at the November First Thursday. She has a little studio in Art Central’s Artist’s Loop until December 31. Try and catch her before shes gone! As you will see from her website: www.roxygenillustration.com Roxanne has a unique delicate style. She uses mixed media, but I think her works look like pencil drawings more than paintings or digital work. I chose to show you the work above because I love the nostalgic illustration feel. It is titled “Three” It looks vintage, to me, in a way. Roxanne can be reached at: roxy@roxygenillustration.com

I am sorry I missed this announcement before December First Thursday, because she had prints and works for sale. But I am sure if you email her, or visit her studio she’ll gladly help you out. She is also doing freelance illustration work.

I feel so excited to have her on my blog, and all the other incredible artists from our city.

I met Tina at the November First Thursday at Art central. She had some paintings hanging in the studio lobby on the basement floor, as well as some small photo transfers and a little studio. I really enjoy her paintings. Her incredible use of texture, layering and colour, just makes me want to paint. She obviously is in love with the medium.

She did a series of photo transfers of the new Bow building in Calgary, which is such an interesting subject. From my life in architecture I know some of the people who worked on the design, and just some of the layers of impact such a major building has. It will continue to affect the city for as long as it stands, and its construction is so fascinating to everyone. When it was a giant hole Marcel and I watched the construction trucks dig for hours! Now the steel structure is up, we all wonder at the sheer scale of it.  Tina’s tiny prints are a thoughtful comment on such a mega-building!

About her own current exhibitions she sais “The work in the exhibition Aleatoric has two very strong threads running through its creation. Each piece was based in some fashion on the element of chance. Whether is was chancing upon a specific colour in some obscure corner, the discovery of a found object, the accidental formation of poured paint, random visits to photograph a construction site or the challenging transfer of a photograph.”

She has works at this gallery: www.artfirm.ca and her website can be viewed at http://web.mac.com/douglasbw/iWeb/TMartel/TinaMartel.html

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!