Nan Rae - Brush Painter: March 2010

Monday, March 22, 2010

ON THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING…

…Jeffrey began planting the first of 33 trees at Woodbury University.

I first wrote you on April 3rd about our amazing Japanese gardener Jeffrey Isobe and the Ginkgo trees in an older posting titled ‘It’s Been Almost a Year…’ asking for your help in connecting Jeffrey with a city or organization. Since planting 200 Ginkgo trees in West Covina as a beautification gift, he’s looked for another site to carry on this labor of love.

Carol Soucek King made some wonderful suggestions with Woodbury University being at the top of the list.

Now for the amazing part……

Dr. Kenneth R. Nielsen, President of Woodbury University, has long wanted to plant Ginkgo trees on the campus and when he heard of Jeffrey’s offer it was the perfect confluence of desires.

One down and 32 to go!!

Of course Yuki has to supervise.

Back to school for C.L.P. & Yuki

Bye for now.

Nestled in the Burbank foothills, the lovely Woodbury campus will be enhanced by this labor of love.

Woodbury will be dedicating a plaque commemorating Jeffrey’s gift which will be placed near the courtyard fountain on campus. So…to be continued.

For More Information:

www.woodbury.edu

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE?…

We just saw ‘ALICE IN WONDERLAND’ and I LOVED it!

Now, here’s the strange part….The very next day, when I was at the corner of Brand Blvd. and Kenneth Road…waiting to turn left…..a WHITE RABBIT ran in front of my car and down the street. REALLY! Now, ever since then, I’m coming across pictures of me with White Rabbits! Please explain.

In any event, while it’s a bit early, I thought I’d wish you a Happy Easter!

Monday, March 15, 2010

I DANCED WITH AN ELVIS IMPERSONATOR BUT…

…the amazingly talented and beautiful Laurie Burton danced with the real thing. Here she is in the King’s embrace from ‘Tickle Me’.

You’ve no doubt seen Laurie in the countless TV and commercial films she’s done but this amazing woman didn’t stop at that … on the faculty of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema/Television she taught young directors before starting her own company…Image Development where she brings her intuitive and perceptive passion to redefining corporate culture by her lectures in authentic speaking and training executives of Fortune 500 companies such as XEROX, Twentieth Century Fox and so many more.

A woman of countless talents, here’s Laurie in my studio

If you want a motivational speaker par excellence check out:

www.laurieburton.com

laurie@laurieburton.com

Sunday, March 14, 2010

LISA BOWMAN SANG…

…at our wedding when the Langham Hotel was The Ritz Carlton.

We were married in the garden courtyard and had the guests release butterflies.

Carol Soucek King offered a prayer as she sent hers on its way.

I’m sure I saw descendants of those delightful creatures flitting about the garden when Lisa & I were celebrating her birthday at The Langham.

As always, the flowers in the lobby were breathtaking.

For more information:

www.butterflyworld.com

www.pasadena.langhamhotels.com

I DANCED WITH AN ELVIS IMPERSONATOR BUT…

…the amazingly talented and beautiful Laurie Burton danced with the real thing. Here she is in the King’s embrace from the film ‘Tickle Me’.

(Of course my lips are sealed regarding Laurie’s marriage to a talented cinematographer… being eyewitness to so many Hollywood stories…Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty…but let’s wait for the book.)

You’ve no doubt seen Laurie in the countless TV and commercial films she’s done but this amazing woman didn’t stop at that … on the faculty of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinema/Television she taught young directors before starting her own company … Image Development where she brings her intuitive and perceptive passion to redefining corporate culture by her lectures in authentic speaking and training executives of Fortune 500 companies such as XEROX, Twentieth Century Fox and so many more.

A woman of innumerable talents, here’s Laurie in my studio

If you want a motivational speaker par excellence check out:

http://www.laurieburton.com/

laurieburton@laurieburton.com

THE INFLATABLE MATTRESS in the studio…

…was pressed into service yet again.

Charles Jr.was in town from Houston for a financial management seminar…lot’s of complicated stuff…and after a week at his Santa Monica hotel, checked in to the Parker B & B.

Calligraphy class took a break and here’s Kc Camp, Charles, Sandie Reilly and Charles Jr. (and Yuki rear)

Dinner at Cafe Beaujolais in Eagle Rock with Dr James Reilly and wife Sandie. The halibut is incrediable and we love the French waiters.

Introduction

There is no avoiding the pull of the internet, the blogs, the YouTube imaginings. It's as if we're all 'On the Road' with Jack Kerouac each in our own world of meanderings. When we tell someone to 'get a life' it might be a bit difficult when you're dragged into other people's 24/7.

I've come to realize two foundational principals, there are no accidents and everyone has a purpose. More and more I'm desiring everyone to come into a full realization of their purpose as we all find our way on this little jewel of a planet.

For me, as a professional 'Western style artist', I stumbled into Chinese Brush Painting after a trip in 1980 to Monet's home/garden. Seeing all of his collection of Japanese woodblock prints was an ahh haa moment for me and when I returned to the States I started painting in the Chinese manner and never looked back. The first year was extremely painful for me as I felt that I should be able to master the technique since I was a 'trained' artist. Not a chance ... that just gets in your way.

Now, after teaching close to 3,000 students and having my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' published by Watson Guptill, I can say that every one of my students does better their first day than I did my first year! Why? Because I insist that they leave their critical parent outside and just enjoy the journey, respecting the work that they do. I never let anyone throw anything away because that just ingrains frustration and defeat.

We really only begin to learn when we stop and figure out how to 'save' a painting. It works every time.I am so proud of my students, their receptivity and eagerness to express themselves is a continuing blessing for me.So, back to finding your purpose. Perhaps it starts with realizing 'it's not about me'. It so easy to want our needs met and to filter everything thru this attitude. When we realize that we're here to be of benefit to every life that we touch the universe really provides the ways and means.

The best part is that it's really exciting to not have yourself on your mind all the time!I'm re-reading a wonderful book about authenticity and in my next meandering I'll tell you about it. In the meantime I'd love to hear about your journey and am here to answer any and all questions about Chinese Brush Painting.