Yesterday there were eleven happy artists (twelve including myself) painting awesome Dragons, beautiful Crape Myrtle blossoms with delightful birds and to top it all off we created some 'Figalicious' Fig paintings. What fun!
I was so happy to be surrounded by truly amazing work by all. I'm so proud of my amazing students!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Garden of Flowing Fragrance
Yesterday I went to the Hunting-ton Botanical Garden in San Marino to make a delivery of my greeting cards to the Gift Shop and also to sign a new shipment of my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush'. I try to never miss a stop at the GARDEN OF FLOWING FRAGRANCE, the new and utterly captivating Chinese Garden. I know it's so very crowded but even with that, all the bustle of people wanting to see it, the experience is still breathtaking. You're immediately transported to China and the wondrous gardens in Suzhou which we'll soon be visiting.
Take special note of the first vista to the left as you enter the main portal. The Wisteria is in full bloom and the most glorious Chinese rock stands guard over a charming waterfall that sends a stream meandering to the Japanese Garden. Stop for tea and just transport yourself to another world.
Take special note of the first vista to the left as you enter the main portal. The Wisteria is in full bloom and the most glorious Chinese rock stands guard over a charming waterfall that sends a stream meandering to the Japanese Garden. Stop for tea and just transport yourself to another world.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wisteria class
Spring is here and I'm delighted. All the buds are popping out, fresh green leaves showing off and longer days to enjoy it all.....it's wonderful!
When you exit the elevator that takes you to my studio, the Wisteria on the deck is beginning to bloom. Flowers, buds, new shoots everywhere and it's georgeous. I was so inspired that I decided to teach the Wisteria lesson to the class at the Huntington Botanical Gardens (in San Marino) yesterday. It worked out wonderfully as there were several new students who had not had that lesson. At the end of the day I was surrounded by beautiful Wisteria paintings done by all the students, some who had never held a Chinese brush let alone attempt a Chinese brush painting. We even did birds and butterflies!
One of the new students was a lovely young woman, Daisy, visiting from the Philippines, who amazed me by mentioning that she had purchased my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' in the Philippines. Imagine that!
When you exit the elevator that takes you to my studio, the Wisteria on the deck is beginning to bloom. Flowers, buds, new shoots everywhere and it's georgeous. I was so inspired that I decided to teach the Wisteria lesson to the class at the Huntington Botanical Gardens (in San Marino) yesterday. It worked out wonderfully as there were several new students who had not had that lesson. At the end of the day I was surrounded by beautiful Wisteria paintings done by all the students, some who had never held a Chinese brush let alone attempt a Chinese brush painting. We even did birds and butterflies!
One of the new students was a lovely young woman, Daisy, visiting from the Philippines, who amazed me by mentioning that she had purchased my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' in the Philippines. Imagine that!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Your Question about Synthetic Brushes
What a wonderful thought Ink Dancer. To "give thanks to the animals that have given so gener-ously to help us develop our art." Your awareness of the life around you is truly profound and I can only say BRAVO!
As for synthetic brushes I really can't recomment them. They will not respond to your touch in the manner that you've become used to. So, we bow to the animals and extend our gratitude!
As for synthetic brushes I really can't recomment them. They will not respond to your touch in the manner that you've become used to. So, we bow to the animals and extend our gratitude!
This is our animal Yuki, a Japanese Akita, - who fortunately had just had a bath when she decided to join us in bed.
Monday, March 10, 2008
About Brushes
That's a great question. Thank you.
A Soft brush is made out of Rabbit or Goat hair, holds a lot of water and can come in many sizes. The disadvantage is that once you complete a stroke with it, the brush has to be re-loaded as it will not keep it's shape.
The primary uses for a Soft brush are:Painting Birds breasts with one stroke.Swirling the brush and allowing it to split to form a Horse's main and tail.Doing the same to create a Goldfish tail.Painting the 'Culm' or stalk of the Bamboo.
A Hard brush such as the Large Orchid Bamboo has great resilence and you can do more than one stroke with a single loading of the brush. For example, you could do four or five Bamboo leaf strokes with one loading. Hard brushes also come in many sizes from a Fine Detail on up and they are made of Wolf or Deer hair.
A Soft brush is made out of Rabbit or Goat hair, holds a lot of water and can come in many sizes. The disadvantage is that once you complete a stroke with it, the brush has to be re-loaded as it will not keep it's shape.
The primary uses for a Soft brush are:Painting Birds breasts with one stroke.Swirling the brush and allowing it to split to form a Horse's main and tail.Doing the same to create a Goldfish tail.Painting the 'Culm' or stalk of the Bamboo.
A Hard brush such as the Large Orchid Bamboo has great resilence and you can do more than one stroke with a single loading of the brush. For example, you could do four or five Bamboo leaf strokes with one loading. Hard brushes also come in many sizes from a Fine Detail on up and they are made of Wolf or Deer hair.