Tuesday, October 30, 2012

ROSE & KEN’S HALLOWEEN BASH…..

…..is a yearly event not to be missed.  Especially when you get a bag of home made caramel corn to take home.  That was my pre-requisite for going.

Empanada’s anyone?

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Ready to party…..

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This is so fabulous….almost life size!

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O.K., now I’m really scared…..

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The garden looked lovely…even the cactus had lights!

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Red or white?????????????

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Ken you can take off your apron now and enjoy the party……….

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Carol you’re just too cute!!!!

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I loved sitting next to Michael….he’s the smartest man I know bar none……and so kind!

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I bet there was some great conversation here….

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….and here…..

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…..and here……

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Sapna and Mary Beth are the cutest servers ever!

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What’s left of the chilli…..

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The squash soup was marvelous….that Rose….

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Cream puff anyone…I didn’t call you a cream puff, I asked if you wanted one!  Home made and ever so yummy!

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I bet you think this is a walking outhouse…..

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You won that one!

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Always glad to lend a hand…..or roll….

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Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…….

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Thank you for the caramel corn Rose….you make the very best…had it for lunch today.  Oh my tummy…oh my hips!!!!

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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.