Sunday, September 30, 2012

ANOTHER FOODIE ALERT…..

 

Dinner at Molly’s…..010

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

011

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

021

The duck wrap at Wokano is sensational!!!!

037

So is this shrimp dish….

038

And of course, the BEST green tea…..

040

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

054

See’s has the very best mixed nuts…..

057

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

063

One of each please….

064

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

065

Sharing a Ruben with Laurie….

072

Just for fun…

073

I’m crazy for mango’s!!!

074

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

.along with shredded Parmesan

076

Oranges & grapefruit ready for their close up….

077

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

078

Love these crackers from Whole Foods….

079

Is anything better????????

080

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

081

Fresh mint of course…..

082

Ready to mix….

086

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

132

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

144

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

179

The delicious ‘Cubano’ at Porto’s

194

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!

202

No comments:

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.