HOUSE PAINTERS GUARD YOUR BRUSHES…

…because they’re no longer safe!  We’ve discovered the true meaning of ‘Action Painting’ with master calligrapher Shantien ‘Tom’ Chow.

Using the largest brushes we could find the adventure  started by splashing milk onto a large piece of Double Shuen paper and here is Priscilla demonstrating.

The areas hit by the milk will be more resistant to the Ink and interesting textured areas then appear.

We know that form is established by an aesthetic that was set forth centuries ago expressing objective truth that is universal.  But now we’ve  taken it to hyper -drive.

Tom with Stacey

 

 

 

 

 

Dorothy

 

 

 

Diana in action   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beverly, Tom and Diana with ‘Reality’ … what a concept!

Of course mine was ‘Ch’i’…(or ‘Life Force’) but you’re not surprised.

 

To assist in accomplishing all of this ‘Gone, Gone, Gone’ (Done Moved on) from the Grammy album of the year ‘Raising Sand’ with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss was turned on full blast.

FIRST THE HUMMINGBIRDS, NOW…

…it’s the deer.  Charles is taking to calling himself St. Francis and I’m calling him the ‘Indian Scout’ because he sure can spot them on the hillside in front of our home.  We’ve been dubbed the ‘best dining spot on the hill’.  

Imagine, living in the city and having deer, two foxes (sighted on the patio the other evening), raccoons, possums and other assorted wildlife.  It’s just too wonderful!

Of course, this is the start of the Verdugo Mountain range across the street.

All We Have to Say is …

...'do you want to go to Mommie's?'

  The moment we step off the elevator and unleash her, Yuki's in a mad dash to Mom's door while Charles and I pray no neighbor opens theirs!

Why, you're just in time for lunch!

Yuki, you just crack me up!

Don't just sit there...

Hey, let's check out the fridge.

For me?

I'm excited too!!!

PLAY DATES FOR ADULTS...

...just think about it...isn't that what everyone needs? And nobody arranges one better than Vallerie Foster Hoffman.
The latest hooky (sorry, excursion) was to Palm Desert to see acclaimed watercolorist Gayle Garner Roski's amazing exhibit at the Edenhurst Gallery.

Gayle's devotion to her art thru the years is in ample evidence in the beautiful work on view. Brilliant in color and concept, each captivating piece tells a story of a visit to some far away place bringing the viewer into the mystery and excitement of the journey. Incorporated into each story and mounted in the frames, are objects that are represented in the paintings.

Don't miss it!

Gayle describes the painting 'CERAMIC HANGING BELLS FROM TURKEY'

One of my favorites (surprise!)

'CHINESE DRAGON' (sold of course)

And for lovers of China, Gayle's vivid paintings warmly portray scenes of the forgotten China City in our own Los Angeles in the charming book 'MEI LING in CHINA CITY'.

Lunch at Marrakesh

Artist's all!

And to end a perfect day, what could be more precious than a Bunny!!!

For more information:

http://www.gaylegarnerroski.com/

http://www.edenhurstgallery.com/

http://www.eastwestdiscovery.com/

"I LOVE ARTISTS"...

...is what I told the 80 some members of the San Fernando Valley Art Club as I began my lecture and demonstration Tuesday evening.

Visual artists, writers, musicians et al have so much beauty and expression to bring forth that they desire to share it with the world.

What a lovely receptive audience, responding so enthusiastically as I tried to cram in all the 'secrets' of Brush painting in the alotted time.

My least favorite activity? Judging the members artwork to reward 1st, 2nd and 3rd place plus Honorable Mention. They were ALL winners to me!

For more information:

http://www.sfvartclub.org/

Special thanks to Vice President Sharon Weaver who did such a magnificent job of arranging the event and for all the written material placed on the organizations website. Click on Nan Rae photos and description her demonstration to learn more.

Also, click on 'The Paint Rag Newsletter'

THE WOMAN WE KNOW...

...is how we were identified on the waiting list at Cafe Beaujolais Saturday night. It was a long day, we were tired and wanted a relaxed delicious dinner at one of our favorite Eagle Rock spots where 'everything truly is French, even the attitude'. It's such a casual 'bistro' that we never suspected to be greeted by such a mob scene. After waiting over thirty minutes we were able to sit at the bar and when we were offered complimentary drinks were told how our 'name' was listed... as "The Woman We Know".

Besides the great food, the French waiters in their jeans and black T-shirts, it's fascinating to watch them all operate like one organism...moving with precision and such politeness with one another. Check it out!

For more information:

Cafe Beaujolais

1712 Colorado Blvd.

Eagle Rock. 90041

323.255.5111

DON'T THROW THAT PAINTING AWAY.....

...must echo in my students dreams. It's so ingrained that I hear them repeating it along with "you can even use it for wrapping paper if you think it's that bad".

I feel so strongly about this principle because I know that every artist 'hits the wall' when a painting is at a certain stage. I have a video of Picasso working and saying, "Oh this is terrible, it's not going well at all." At that point you just want to crumple it up and begin anew but if you continue, thinking how to make it work, you will be learning. So, to have a sense of empowerment as opposed to defeat, we have to accept the challenge of making out painting 'work'.

Sandie Reily did even better than that ... she conceptualized taking the best parts of a painting and bringing them together creating something that became both mystical and magical...a work of art that I could get lost in ... wanting to linger for hours.

On a stretched western watercolor paper, Sandie created an abstract background of soft blended tones and interesting shapes. Then she applied her Tiger Lily blossoms from other paintings upon it having the collage extend past the borders in some areas. I wish my photograph could do the work justice...it's just so grand and glorious!!!

For more information:

sandra.reilly@pvhmc.org