WILLIE NELSON…..

Sunday, March 18, 2012

WILLIE NELSON…..

…….In her excellent book ‘The Artist’s Way’, Julia Cameron (along with Mark Bryan) suggests taking one’s self out on a date and that’s exactly what I did because no one wanted to go with me to the Willie Nelson concert at Disney Hall. Can you imagine?????

I was able to snag the last ticket for this sold out show but it was way up in the nose bleed section so when I went to the p/u window I asked if there happened to be anything closer and boy did I ever hit the jackpot. I think I wound up with the best seat in the house!

So excited, I arrived early to have a relaxed dinner and then went back to the W.N. merchandise table so many times the saleswoman said “Are you back again?” My indecision resulted in not making a purchase at all.

I went into the concert hall as soon as they opened the doors and was able to watch all the peeps saunter in.

Almost time…..

Willie’s son Lukas and his band ‘Promise of the Real’ opened for him. The crowd was getting impatient and shouts of ‘We love you Willie’ were heard. Lukas also performed a solo during Willie’s show and I can report that he’s quite the guitar player. Harmonica player Mickey Raphael is to the right. Legend has it that Mickey joined the group (hung around for a whole year) and one day Willie asked a band member, “Hey, what are we paying him?” “Nothing.” was the reply. Willie said, “Well then, double it!!!!”

Time for sister Bobbie to have a great honky tonk solo!

This gal was so excited throughout the entire show…..she kept bobbing up and dancing about…..

That’s it folks…………

Calm down everyone…………….

Bye bye Willie!!!!!!!!!!!!

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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.