MEET SHAUN…Kita’s new best bud…

 

Oh Shaun, I just love that…..

Perhaps I should begin at the beginning.  About a week ago I was driving up the hill and noticed a new hiker.  Pulling into the garage, I went for the mail and who walks by but that very same person who asked me if I wasn’t concerned to see a strange man walking the hill.  “No” says I and we began to chat.  Turns out this fellow is from Texas and has two Huskies.  Well, he immediately qualifies for the Parker household and I invite him in to meet Charles, telling him Charles left Texas for Harvard where he learned to say ‘ridiculous’ instead of b@#*!*#@t.  Turns out ‘Shaun’ is a pilot who flies private corporate jets out of Houston and  also flew some fancy special plane made by General Dynamics where Charles worked selling submarines to the Navy.  Whew…that’s a mouthful!  Anyway, they had a lot in common and I had dog walking in mind.  Since Shaun was in such a walking mood, I asked him if he’d want to take Kita out for a stroll.  Perhaps to the park? ”Sure” answers Shaun as I wonder if he has any idea what he’s getting into.  “Shaun, I’m leaving now to go to my mom’s so just bring Kita back ‘whenever’….bye bye.”  And off I go.

Now I should tell you that originally Shaun and his co-pilot were to have stayed at the airport Marriot but it was full so they were at the Burbank Holiday Inn in ‘beautiful downtown Burbank’.  I tell you that so you have some idea of how far he walked to get to the house…….after first going up and down a couple of other hills.  Keep in mind that the park is not only down the hill but over several blocks.  That all adds up to Olympian walking!

Shaun phoned the next morning before takeoff back to Houston and told me they had a great walk EXCEPT Kita just sat in the street the last 500 yards, refusing to go any further and so Shaun CARRIED all of her 63 lbs. the rest of the way!

 

THANKS SHAUN!

It should be noted that Shaun’s been back in town and game to not only walk but RUN with Kita on this hill!

The VINCENT PRICE MUSEUM…..

…….in Monterey Park was the location for a panel discussion on “Round the Clock: Chinese American Artists Working in Los Angeles” which was part of ‘Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980’ celebrating the birth of the L.A. art scene and sponsored by the Getty Museum.

The catalog, ‘Round the Clock’,  for this extraordinary exhibit was written by Sonia Mak, the curator of the show and moderator of the panel discussion.

We loved seeing Tyrus Wong’s fanciful ‘Caterpillar’ kite sailing way over our heads when we entered the museum. See and read about it below.

About the kites…………….If you haven’t already been….go to the Santa Monica beach on the fourth Saturday of every month for the thrill of a lifetime!

In my blog ‘I’ve Been Flying’ posted on January 27th 2012, I showed you Erik Friedl’s lovely short film, ‘Flights of Fancy’ where you could watch Tyrus making the kites and discussing his delightful adventures with them.

Here it is!!!  You can also see part of the ‘Panda’ kite ….another one that I watched ‘sailing about’ at the beach!  Same for the butterfly!!!  On October 25th 2009 in my blog, ‘Tyrus Wong is a National Treasure’ I told you about that adventure.

 

Sandie and Kc at the entrance to the show…

 

‘The Philosopher’ by Tyrus Wong

Here’s Pam Tom and her charming daughter Asia in front of these powerful horses by Tyrus… WOW!  I first wrote about Pam on October 13th 2008 when Charles and I went to the benefit party for Pamela’s documentary film on Tyrus, ‘Brushstrokes in Hollywood’. 

Here’s part of Pam’s film…….

Hey Kc turn around……

That’s better.

 

Next to the horses, this elegant little piece is my favorite!

 

Sonia Mak…(see Sandie back there?)

The panel from the left: Ron Miller, former pres. & historian of the National Watercolor Society; artist Milton Quon; Sonia; Charles Solomon, animation historian and critic; and Sullen Cheng, former exec. dir. & founding chief curator of the Chinese American Museum.

Hi Sandie R………………you make me smile!!!

Tyrus was a concept artist at the Disney studio’s and beginning with his legendary, ground breaking work on ‘Bambi’, continues to influence each generation of animation artists.

Both Disney and Pixar acknowledge the importance of Tyrus Wong to animation and his use of color to help represent the story has remains the standard.  In fact, when Tyrus was in his 80’s, Disney tried in vain to have this winner of the ‘Disney Legends’ Award’ return to the studio.

Those of you who have attended one of my Landscape classes know I stress the importance of all figures and man made objects needing to be represented on a very small scale with the mountains and nature maintaining their dominance. I was delighted to hear artist Milton Quon telling how this was evident in Tyrus’ work but it wasn’t until he went to China and saw the mountains of Guilin that he realized that is exactly the way it looks!!!

One last look before we go…..

Love to all you butterflies out there…..

Next we headed for ‘The Palace’ also in Monterey Park, meeting Dr. Jim, Sandie’s great hubby for a DELICIOUS Chinese feast!!!Thank you Sandie Girl and thank you Kc for driving all over the place.  What a day………

SHANTIEN ‘TOM’ CHOW…..

…..is the most amazing Brush painter and master calligrapher.  I’m delighted to be able to have ‘Tom’ teach a calligraphy class in my studio on the first Saturday of each month.

This past Saturday was the opening reception for Tom’s most recent exhibition at the Huntington Beach Central Library.

Just walking up to the entrance of the library I could tell something pretty spectacular (besides Tom’s work) was inside.  It’s the most extraordinary library I have ever seen, nestled in a beautiful 60-acre park.  There are indoor fountains surrounded by a spiral ramp, a gift shop, a large area with hundreds (thousands) of used books for sale, a theater for Broadway plays, jazz concerts and more, a computer lab and on & on.

Here’s Tom describing some of his calligraphic pieces.  All of a sudden he sees me….

I wish I could have photographed the upper two paintings without a reflection.  They are both of magnificent dragons!  Tom said the bottom right is him when he’s angry.  (I can’t imagine Tom ever angry.)

A little chit chat with Tom and a hi to Kc who was my partner in crime for the day.  I can’t remember when the sky looked so glorious all day long and we even got a great view of the snow capped mountains.  It was wonderful and I so thank Kc for driving…she’s really good at it and sooooo much fun!!!

Tom’s describing how he used ‘blobs’ (my term) of color to create the flowers.

Taken from inside the Art Gallery area

Kc & I decided this was our very favorite.  Again, I couldn’t get away from the reflection.  The use of space, the contrasts between the fully opened Wisteria and the new growth areas & the perfect vines and tendrils all combine to make this a perfect painting!

This is extraordinary and only looks easy….it’s just masterful.

Can you see the little sparrows at the base of the bamboo?  So delightful!

Tom ‘midst his fan club!

To be continued....we’re off to Monterey Park!

For more Information:

To contact Tom: touchofthebrush2010@hotmail.com

 www.hbpl.org

KITA’s PEEPS #3……

Matt’s my best bud and the coolest Heavy Metal rocker I know….can I join the band…can I…. can I Matt? PPLLEEASSSEEEEE!!!!!!

Matthew, as you know, I’m a working dog and currently unemployed.  ‘Contractor’ would look great on my resume and I could carry your T-square.  How about it?

 

Lisa don’t you think I should be included in your blog ‘ www.artaroundburbank.com ‘?

It’s time for me to go to school.  Woodbury would be a good place to enroll…lot’s of grass and those beautiful Ginkgo trees Jeffery planted…..  What about it Rose & Ken?

Francisco you’re my pal….I love to help you garden!!!

Carol, I do wish you wouldn’t leave Duchess in the car….we could be such goooood friends!

Ann, I share your love of all things horticulturally speaking that is.  Anything green is good in my puppy book so why am I always being told ‘LEAVE IT’?!  Pardon my while I pee….it’s just that I’m glad to see you….

Tom I’m not a Japanese Akita so I can’t relate to the Calligraphy…but I’d visit class just to see Lynne!

 

O.K. where are the girls?

Kc I’ll go home with you and be a really GOOD girl…promise!!!

It’s Laurie, Lynne and Kc…..

These girls get me sooooooooooo excited!

Monique, architecturally speaking I could sniff out some good spaces for you.  Maybe you could list me as your assistant on www.schenkarch.com