Lilac Window

wishing spring would hurry up.

MAN sometimes this house feels too darn small! I can feel the wind in my hair, swing open the doors and let in the breeze!

Inspired by recent posts and comments I drew this today.

Its still a sketch, but I think it would be cool to print it and colour it, or photoshop it, or even print it on a tee-shirt.  Drawing is awesome. I am going to do more of it in the near future.

So, I have a funny story to tell.

A couple years ago I borrowed a permaculture book from a friend. I read about how chickens in the back yard can create a happy balance. They fertilize and till garden soil, provide eggs and eat some food scraps. They are fairly low maintenance and seemed like a reasonable idea.

The next day I was at a friend’s house. They have a big back yard and are avid gardeners. They are interested in sustainable living ideas. I suggested they get a couple hens. They said they would love to but didn’t think it was allowed. I thought that was crazy. “Of course they are allowed,” I said…but then swallowed my words thinking “I’d better check first.” So I called City of Calgary and asked around. Most people didn’t know. The planning department, the bylaw guys, they all talked to me like I was the first person to ask. A few said they couldn’t think of any reason why they would not be allowed. And neither could I. Finally I did speak to someone who did know. She showed me the bylaw that stated it.

I was pretty surprised. So I looked into legalizing hens in other cities and decided to write a letter to local Aldermen. I did this, and then published it on my blog at that time Mammacomic. And that’s where I left it. After that, there seemed to be a sort of critical mass on the topic. Fast Forward Magazine did an article, and the facebook CLUCK was formed.

Though I felt backyard hens are a good idea, I wanted to hear all sides of the issue, and let the city choose for itself what is best. After a year of many people working hard for a cause they believe in, the city has made it possible for Calgarians to have hens. I visited the hen booth at the Calgary ECO trade fair. This little sweetheart in the pic was making many new friends. Sign up to CLUCK on facebook if you need more info.The irony is that now that I am allowed to have hens, I don’t even have a backyard to keep them. But I like that fact that if I did, I could. See this pretty blog post about funny hen behavior.

Its cool to be a part of change, however small your part is.

I have been working on streamlining my product and updating my website recently. You can see it at www.lilacwindowschool.com.

I want to promote the workshop idea, and explain what I do more clearly. It can get confusing if I offer too much. I am really excited to start getting out and promoting summer projects, I even hope to do some painting out doors!

I also have had the benefit of doing workshops all winter that have raised questions about how the whole thing works. I have had a chance now to provide concrete answers. Its great to fine tune and create something that seems to really work.

I am also excited about the possibility of doing watercolour painting classes at the Temple Community Center. More on that soon.

so I didnt actually complete the Calgary Eco-home tour. I did the out door part, and had to leave with the kids when everyone went indoors. I will go back next month for the second half.

I find this eco-house interesting for lots of reasons, but the main reason is the fact that is is located in suburban Calgary. It proves that it doesn’t matter where you live, you can make major changes and live an alternative lifestyle anywhere. The house is very practical, using inexpensive solutions that give the greatest benefits. The house is not connected to the City’s water or gas systems. The fact that it almost requires no heat in an Alberta winter is inspiration in itself.

What is most confusing about visiting this house, is why mainstream developers have been so slow to act on the technologies and ideas that the eco house has been demonstrating for 17 years! Many of the ideas are simple, inexpensive and available. It seems so odd there hasn’t been more of a market for sustainable housing. Perhaps there needs to be more professionals out there with the knowledge and expertise, or we as consumers need to demand more. Regardless, this project is a testament to how truly practical and effortless major changes can be.

thinking about my babies, I did this painting today. I hope them being sick or hurt doesnt become a common source of inspiration! This effort is actually a part of a process of finding a painting style that evoke memory, nostalgia, glowy-dreamyness, and depth.  And combining that with subject matter that matters to me. It needs work, but this painting means a lot to me.

In all critical fairness, I am very pleased with the boy figure in the background. Isn’t he dreamy? sigh.

here is another painting of my house. the last for a while I think. Its starting to look more like a watercolour. I am not sure if that means I am becoming more skilled or less experimental. Oh well. I had this sort of zen when I was painting it, that came from the crazy amount of control and concentration one must have with such a reserved piece. Subtle colour mixing gives me chills.

Emery had a bad fall and split his face- requiring four stitches. Another trip to the hospital. We all feel sort of shell shocked. I am resigned to do simple, pleasing things today like holding my babies tight.

I am loving this new Elizabeth Shepherd album, and I know I am way past the times, but I am getting into all the previous Andrew Bird albums. I have his most recent (Noble Beast), but theres so much more. Plus, being a Bedouin Sound Clash fan, I am excited about Jay Malinowski’s new album. New music is so inspiring.

Im eating some re-toasted waffles, and waiting to steep some really dark tea to see if I can dye my raw canvas before writing more sacred scriptures on it.I should be doing some work searching for design jobs. I am working on building my network so I can return to doing architectural work in a way that fits my life. Yeah, it could be a long journey.

I am having a few internal debates. One that I have daily involves how much I should pick up after my family. I grew up in a home that embraced chaos, and I just feel out of my element when I try to keep a tidy home. I dont know how much to ask kids to help – I mean I always ASK, its just If I waited for them to help, I fear that the chaos will overwhelm us. I also feel that it is easier for them to understand and appreciate order if they experience it, then they can participate in a simpler way. My goal is to have a calm, clutter free home, that all of us participate in maintaining. I also want my children to grow up being able to look after their own things. I tolerate more chaos than many of my friends, but sometimes I feel that tolerance is what creates this cycle of me basically running around my home in circles, picking stuff up as fast as I can, before the tornado (two kids) catches up to me. Can you relate?

Hmm. Maybe this is a design issue.

I do edit what toys are out, but it doesnt seem to be enough. Plus, favorite activites are just messy. Maybe I need to be specific about what play activities will happen, where, and have specific supplies/toys for them. If I dont have toys out, then the kitchen pots and pans, food from the fridge, the flour and all the non-perishables become the toys. Thats cool, but maybe if I had a plan, it would be easier. I need to really take a firm grip on organizing the craft supplies. that would really help. I think.

OK. too much info. sorry. Just processing out loud. That probably makes for a lame blog post, but I am open to suggestions. I would love to be a fly on the wall of folks who seem to have all this together… is there someone with a whip getting kids to clean? how much is mom REALLY picking up after people? how many hours a day are spent cleaning in a home of two pre-schoolers? what are the patterns/habits/underlying conditions that exist to live in creativity as well as sanity? huh? just asking.

this was a fun little painting to do. Its been a while since I did it, and I find things always look better a few weeks later. I was working with brighter colours for an underpainting- more what you would do for oil or acrylic. It sort of leads to a dense painting in water colour that is hard to deal with a bit, but the intensity has got kick. I like the shifting light, representing in the cooler and warmer shades of blue. thats a fun discovery.

So, its GORGEOUS outside. Marcel needs training wheels on his rather large bike. I think we’ll do a search for that tomorrow. I know I haven’t had much time for the blog lately. I guess it goes to show Ive got a lot on my mind. I haven’t even been doing much painting. Just trying to get those old ducks in a row.

I just finished reading “La Perdita” which was a good read. I like Graphic novels. I love how they can make really difficult things seem really light – and then you think about it more and more. Like a very hard and subtle candy that sort of melts in your mouth. They are so easy to digest, and yet I always find myself thinking about them over and over. This book was less girl-y than “the imposter’s daughter” but still about a woman, and I like that its not autobiographical.

Isn’t this sunshine grand? I painted this before the whole hospital thing. Its amazing how green things can be even in the middle of winter.

Life is slowly returning to normal. Ive been reading Apartment Therapy blog and getting inspired to clean my kitchen. But it does make me wish I lived in a New York loft… or near a sunny California beach. Sadly I’ll have to make do with rearranged cupboards. – Which is actually amazingly satisfying in a pinch.

Hi all.

Here is another lovely painting made by a family of four.

Marcel comes home tomorrow. We are so excited to see him without any tubes or machines attached to him. What a trouper.

This past ten days have been a time of reflection and re-evaluation. You cant have an event like this without checking in on your ideals, goals and values.

I did this little painting last night. No need to explain what inspired it. My little guy holding his dad’s hand, in those adorable hospital pajamas. Hes doing great, but being attached to that machine when all you want to do is run and dance and play can be frustrating. I am admiring his patience.

I have been enjoying all the wonderful art hanging on the walls of the Alberta Children’s Hospital. There are days when I question what I do, and think – “man, for the years of university I have, and the effort I put into my work, I should have been a doctor. At least then I could be saving lives and doing something truly useful”.** Yup. I have thoughts like that. But seeing the art on the walls of the hospital and knowing that it inspires people and enriches lives makes me feel so much more proud of the career I chose.

Along Marcel’s hallway there is a series of lithographs by Alberta artist John Snow. They caught my attention right away and I had to look them up. They are just gorgeous. I love the lithographic process, and the beautiful marks and colors he makes. His own story of making prints in small town Alberta, is inspiration in itself.

**I should clarify, this is a totally irrational statement, and by no means do I intend to say the effort and skill of doctors is easily attainable. After this event we all agree, there is a special place in heaven for doctors and nurses who dedicate their careers to helping people.

There is not a lot in the world that could make me happier than this smiling face right now.

We had a big scare on the weekend. Marcel contracted some random horrible bug that was so vicious his body went into shock. We are so happy and grateful for the doctors and nurses at the Alberta Children’s Hospital who literally saved his life.

Needless to say its been rough around here. We are coping. Marcel will have to be in the hospital for another week, but he’s in good spirits and enjoying the movies and munchies.

hugs.

Marcel pulling the sled got into this pic before I snapped it. It makes the picture so much cuter no? I hope its not too Hallmark-y. no matter. the light on the snow is fun to paint. I think I am working with shadow and light. And built-up texture with water colour paint.

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.