…is a small but mighty group of artists. Dulcie Adams, the groups vice president ‘signed me up’ when I did a presentation for the San Fernando Valley Art Assoc.
It was a delight demonstrating Chinese Brush painting for them and discussing many of the concerns (and there are many) of ‘emerging’ artists.
a film that distinguished filmmaker Philip Hass was to shoot in London. The subject was the painting of Arhat’s ‘Taming the Dragon’ an early 14th century silk painting in the museum’s permanent collection that was done in the meticulous ‘Gong-bi or Palace/Court style. The first in the series of these five film’s, Haas’s response to Annibale Carracci’s ‘The Butcher’s Shop (early 1580), has already been shown to acclaim at the 2008 Venice and Toronto film festivals.
The director needed to know whether Arhat would be standing or sitting and the materials that would have been used.
From viewing my studio they were able to obtain a table that was somewhat based on my copy of a 17th century scholar’s table…(the chair had to be described as well).
I suggested that they obtain the following: A standing brush holder and an assortment of brushes that I described. A brush rest and water dish along with a slate Ink stone and Ink stick. For all of these items I directed them to Guanghwa Company, one of the finest Chinese art stores in London’s Chinatown. They were able to obtain everything there except a ‘Scholar’s Stone’ which I thought would be a great touch but proved to be unattainable.
Although I gave them a sketch indicating the proper way to hold the brush, the actor found it most helpful to watch my painting video’s on YouTube (how cute is that!).
To see this amazing painting go to www.kimbellart.org and click on collections at the top and then in the search bar enter “Taming the Dragon”. The Kimbell Art Museum is in Fort Worth, Texas.
For more information:
To See YouTube Videos - Click Here
https://www.kimbellart.org/Exhibitions/Exhibition-Details.aspx?eid=67
https://www.guanghwabooks.co.uk
https://www.nanrae.com for more details on the scroll, materials and environment
When I told you about the yellow bird, I did say to watch for the Ladybug. Well, when the picture was taken I did think it was just one Ladybug.
…has attracted the most beautiful guest…an Altamira Oriole. 
How do we know that? Besides taking several pictures of our new friend, Charles did an hour’s worth of computer digging to find out who we were entertaining! The bird was first spotted by Vreanna, Lauren’s delightful granddaughter, during our Calligraphy class on Saturday. We were all on the deck, trying to take a picture to no avail. (Wait till I tell you about the Ladybug… next time!)
Just so you know…the Altamira Oriole is a bird of Mexico and Central America whose range reaches into southern Texas…this one evidently took a turn to become a star in L.A. The hummingbird’s don’t seem to mind at all as their numbers are increasing daily. The feeder was FULL two days ago!
For all you ornithologist’s out there:
with one of our trees. Over the years our ancient Japanese gardener has trimmed this tree into submission. We’re at a point now where man and Bonsai tree have such a bonded relationship that all else pales by comparison. Jeffrey has truly ‘become one with the tree’ and his helpers are left on their own to do whatever it is that they do (or do not do).
Besides his artistry with said tree, Jeffrey is a gifted poet and calligrapher as evidenced by this lovely poem he presented to us. It was an Award Winning Submittal in the International Ancient Chinese Poetry Contest.
THE MOJAVE DESERT
by Nobukai Isobe
The crescent moon floats above the desert at twilight
The lonely lights from a small faraway town glimmers in the cold air
A formation of geese disappear into picturesque white clouds
Their sad cry left behind in the grand sky.
