Lilac Window

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!

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.