Sunday, September 30, 2012

ANOTHER FOODIE ALERT…..

 

Dinner at Molly’s…..010

Don’t you totally love a good Greek salad………

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We were celebrating Victor’s birthday…..the cake’s from Porto’s of course…..

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The duck wrap at Wokano is sensational!!!!

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So is this shrimp dish….

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And of course, the BEST green tea…..

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Returning to ‘Recess’ on Brand for Sunday brunch…..

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See’s has the very best mixed nuts…..

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What can I say….oh, if you're signed up, you get a complimentary chocolate of choice each month…Almost October…yummy…

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One of each please….

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At Bloomie’s…I can’t resist the strawberry shake….

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Sharing a Ruben with Laurie….

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Just for fun…

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I’m crazy for mango’s!!!

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Figs, topped with goat cheese & wrapped with prosciutto….about to go into the oven…

.along with shredded Parmesan

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Oranges & grapefruit ready for their close up….

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Absolutely the finest olive oil…thank you Miss Judith….

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Love these crackers from Whole Foods….

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Is anything better????????

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Salad dressing of fresh lemon juice, honey, crumbled dried mint and fine virgin olive oil…..

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Fresh mint of course…..

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Ready to mix….

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Dim Sum at Empress Pavilion enjoyed by the Huntington Brush painters….

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I’m so sad the season’s over….it was marvelous….

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Going to test my green thumb with this Blueberry bush to remind me of my delightful stay with Hannah and Jim in Oregon

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The delicious ‘Cubano’ at Porto’s

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Naaz, the amazing designer/owner of ‘Dress my Cake’ and the unforgettable creation for mom’s B-day!  Yes, it’s all edible.  I just nibbled on the Hermes box’s ribbon!

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Saturday, September 22, 2012

WAITING & THEN WATCHING ENDEAVOR making it’s final fly by 21 September 2012, BURBANK,CA……

Hi Charles!

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Here it comes….

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Turning & doubling back…

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Endeavor video from the deck!

That was exhausting!

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BRUSH PAINTING CLASS at the HUNTINGTON BOTANICAL GARDENS 19 September 2012…..

The intrigue of Chinese Landscape paintings…

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So it starts like this…

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About the misty mountains…

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Cute Harvest Moon pig from Pam & Wilbur… The pig is a moon cake in honor of the Harvest Moon Festival October 10th…

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Now let’s see the Japanese Garden after a year’s renovation….

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Every scene a photographer’s delight!

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So Zen…

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More Zen…

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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

MY WONDERFUL STUDENTS……

…..class at the Huntington….a world of Bamboo

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Talented Kathy brought daughter Kaley to the studio class.  Kaley is a master baker of yummy cookies!  Thanks Kaley!!!

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I so love Lauren’s dad Bill who travels here from time to time to visit us.

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Laurie always brings such healthy lunches….what’s up with that?

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Isn’t this magnificent!!!  Lauren, you’re amazing!

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Kathy Wong’s beautiful work….

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Kathryn’s masterpiece….

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and Laurie’s…

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KC’s working on peaches…

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Sandie’s getting ready for Christmas….

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Laurie’s gourds…

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Lauren’s gourds…

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Mimi’s just begun…

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Foxglove & Hummingbirds at the Huntington….

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To be continued…..

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.