KEN NIELSEN, WOODBURY UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT was going to retire within a year…..

Sunday, July 22, 2012

KEN NIELSEN, WOODBURY UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT was going to retire within a year…..

….what to do? Why ‘BIKING FOR DOLLARS’ of course as only the inimitable Rose Nielsen could do. The goal…to raise money for a scholarship fund at Woodbury in Ken’s name to honor his 16 years of service.…….who would ever dream so big! After a year of riding rain or shine…heat or cold…Rose managed to pull off the impossible…biking 6,000 miles. Somehow, this journey was kept secret from Ken which is why I couldn’t post the victory party sooner. It was held at daughter Britta’s house while Ken was in China.

O.K. officer, this is how we’re going to do it…

Off she goes for the last mile….

Rose’s daughter Britta’s biking with little Sophia her niece in tow.

The fire truck will follow…

Lots of signs and cheering fans….

Can you imagine?

Waiting for the victory arrival

Crossing the 6,000 mile banner, fire truck and police in tow

In recognition of her commitment to Woodbury University and the city of Burbank, Mayor Dave Golonski awards Rose a city commendation.

High five’s all around!

Time to party…fire up the barbie…

The kids (of all ages) had a blast…

Rose’s precious granddaughter Sophia working the i-pad

Stay tuned for the total amount raised….I promise, it will blow your mind!!!!

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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.