Nan Rae - Brush Painter: December 2010

Thursday, December 9, 2010

DISNEY ARTISTS FEATURED….

….in the new Nan Rae Gallery at Woodbury University.

In collaboration with Suspended Animation Gallery, Woodbury University is presenting “Animators as Artists”, an exhibition of non-Disney art by Disney Artists.

The collection was gathered by Terry Chonin, former director of Artist Development at Walt Disney Animation Studios, over the course of her 12 year career there. It was the first exhibit displayed at the new gallery in Cabrini Hall, the first being the work of conceptual artist Cate Roman titled ‘Exquisite Flaws’.

Tomiko Varga visits the current exhibition

For more information:

Nan Rae Gallery Exhibitions at

Woodbury University

7500 Glenoaks Blvd.

Burbank, CA 91510

818.394.3312

EVERYONE NEEDS DIM SUM ….

….after a hard day’s framing selection! Just for the record the best framer for Brush paintings in L.A. is Agnes at the Magic Dragon Co. Not only that, she will have your paintings mounted beautifully and the price is more than right!

Lynne Sims, Kathy Wong, Ralph Komai, Lauren Beyeler, Sandra Reilly, me and Denise and Donald Hufhines

Another day, another Dim Sum!

Will McGaul, Laurie Burton, Clara Yang and me

Clara Yang with her mounted scroll!

For more information:

Magic Dragon Co.

(on the same floor as the Empress of China restaurant…so convenient!!!)

988 N. Hill Street #209

Los Angeles, CA. 90012-1751

Phone: 213.626.3388

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.