Friday, November 16, 2012

FUN STUFF CONTINUED…

….it’s always fun & a treat when Ann comes to town!

005

Decorating the tree at Americana in Glendale….what a job!

009

More decorations….

010

We’re crazy for all things Chinese…..

012

We regressed enough to see this……and consume vast amounts of popcorn…

016

Kind Albert is the second in command for security at Americana and volunteered to walk us back to our car ‘cause we might melt in the rain!

015

I am always so excited when the ‘Farm Fresh’ delivery arrives.

019

This time these beautiful (and delicious) grapes were included…….

020

There is usually a bunch of sweet baby carrots…

021

It was soooo beautiful after the rain!

022

Crazy over clouds…….

023

Lisa Caddel has an exhibit at GEO Art Gallery and she kindly gave me a private tour…

027

Isn’t the belly floating in the pool a hoot!!!!

030

Marsha Ramos owns the building where the GEO space is so of course I had to go up and say hi. She’s a favorite collector of mine and a great booster. Besides, no one does more good work than Marsha…..if there’s a committee to benefit folks….she’s right on it!!!

028

If you see ‘Flight’ you may not ever fly again…terrific movie!

033

This is the best Bond ever! Saw it with Sandie R. & son Tim…………

031

How did she get in here? This is her ‘Mommy I’ll be good’ look….ha, I’m not fooled for a moment.

So far she’s accomplished the following:

Tore a screen door

Chewed a Kargus chair & dining room table leg

Chewed on kitchen cabinets (yummy)

Nibbled on a bar stool (an appetizer)

Ate off several wall corners

Destroyed the cable lines to my speakers & mouse connection

Chewed the fabric off one side of my bedroom chair and ripped off the bed sham

Totally destroyed the pillow on a wing chair

Tore the fabric off the back of one sofa and ate the fabric off another

Shall I continue???

I’m so proud!

007

Where was I? Oh yes, at ‘007 SKYFALL’ with Sandie and Tim……waiting in line…..By the way, this is my personal best score..3 movies in one week! Almost went for four but will wait ‘till tomorrow with Laurie B.

036

Seats secured, it’s time for popcorn….I can’t believe I ate the whole thing!!!!

037

More lines……………

038

Yummy Chinese ….

040

Dinner at Far Niente with Valerie………

045

Magnificent Dover Sole expertly boned at the table by Michael…

046

Quixote is only two but his owner will be taking him soon to work with special needs kids….here out for a stroll at Staples!

047

Work at the ‘factory’!

051

‘The Sessions’ is a lovely movie that will grab your heart and not let go. I give it 5 Kleenex!

003

It’s too early for this!

004

Laurie at Market City Cafe!

008

Franz explaining the specials…

009

Papa John’s ‘All Gone Pizza’!

013

Kita took the stuffing and the squeaky out of this poor defenseless toy within 5 minutes & for good measure somehow turned it inside out. I am so proud!

001

Lynne brought yummy treats from ‘Fresh & Easy’ to Saturday class!

005

Back from the spa… Please try to KEEP OUT OF TROUBLE KITA :)

010

To be continued…..

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

LEONARD COHEN’S SOLD OUT TOUR de FORCE at the NOKIA THEATRE.…

…..did not disappoint his 7,000 plus fans who were spellbound by this brilliant performer, singer of songs and poet of the ages.  One can’t help but rhapsodize!!!

006

I’m soooooo excited!!!!

007

Love ‘The Nokia Theatre’!

002

Eager fans…..

011

Lines were endless for L.C. ‘stuff’…..

012

Had to do it! Popcornopolis Caramel Corn (Rose Nielsen got me addicted to this!)

013

Early, eager fans…..

015

Legendary Leonard Cohen, contemplative and self aware with that incomparable ‘golden honey’ voice and the ever present fedora….which he would doff in tribute whenever there was a vocal or instrumental solo. The two LED screens gave us up close and personal viewing. Singer, song writer and collaborator  Sharon Robinson had a stunning solo as did the incomparable Webb sisters with their ethereal harmonies. The 12 string Spanish guitar solo by Javier Mas was mesmerizing.

024

During the brief intermission I had a delightful conversation with Freya.  She’s a retired (recently) ‘Special Ed’ teacher & I told her she’s a saint!!!

016

The staging was simple and seemed intimate which is amazing considering the venue. It was awesome to watch as Cohen would drop to his knees during many of the songs. 

043

SUZANNE

DANCE ME TO THE END OF LOVE  was sung again for the benefit of dawdlers.  A gracious handling of the tardy folks.

A treasure filled with  poetry and drawings from this greatest of lyricists.  Timely and meditative, this is by a master of language.

050

If you get just one, this would probably be the CD to have.  It contains ‘Dance me to the End of Love’, ‘Bird on the Wire’, ‘Take This Waltz’, ‘Everybody Knows’, ‘Suzanne’, Hallelujah’ and ‘I’m Your Man’ among others.

051

I had to get the ‘Old Ideas Tour 2012 program….am I a groupie?????

052

After 3 1/2 magnificent hours, Leonard Cohen left us by skipping off the stage!

For more information:

www.leonardcohen.com/us

www.sharonrobinsonmusic.com

www.thewebsisters.com

www.myspace.com/maodeoro

Los Angeles Times ‘Calendar’ front page review ‘HALLELUJAH, L.A.’ by Pop Music Critic Randall Roberts

www.popcornopolis.com

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

TEATIME at the GETTY VILLA with CLARA…

 

025

YUMMIES……….

026

More as we play ‘all gone’!

027

Clara gives it an A+ and so do I!

029

This is the famous Carrot cake recipe that the Tearoom presents:

ImageScan026 

Waiting for our docent tour….Clara is now a docent as well and I’m looking forward to following along on one of her tours!!!

030

Still waiting…..

032

Finally, our docent in the Herb Garden.  She was actually quite naughty!  Woops….did I say that???

033

One of the many floral subjects….

034

Picture perfect!

036

I did mention we were in the Herb Garden….

037

A long view…..

038

Clara I just love your garden…..

049

Exquisite….actually it looks like one of those paper flowers…..

054

A view from the other side….

055

Beautiful ceilings…..

056

Beautiful floors….

057

On loan, ‘The Capitoline Lion Attacking a Horse’.  On view outside Rome for the first time in over two millennia.

082

This marble sculpture dates to the early Hellenistic period (late fourth century B.C.) 

061

The symbol of Rome’s power was a massive marble lion savaging a horse.

063

Part of the courtyard….

066

Eee gads it’s Zeus!!!!!!!!!!!

068

This was J.Paul Getty’s very favorite……..

071

Interesting signage……

074

More……..

075

Continuing…..

076

Part of the children’s courtyard…..

077

There’s a lesson here in this current exhibit….

080

Oh dear…….

083

We missed this one….

081

The best view of the beautiful pool….

086

And the encasing garden…..

088

Speech….speech….

089

This was fabulous….

106

An introduction….

090

The gifted actors had us spellbound….and laughing quite a bit!!!  Perhaps gallows humor..

Information on the ‘Ensemble Studio Theatre Los Angeles www.ensemblesstudiotheatrerela.org

092

O.K. Clara, where to?????

095

Ah….Malibu….

096

See….I told you….

098

‘Taverna Tony’ the very best Greek restaurant….

099

Spanakopita and Dolmathes

100

Flaming Saganaki Cheese….soooo good!

Of course we had Bakalava and Greek coffee but I was to stuffed to move & take a picture.

101

There are a gazillion bike racks in Clara’s garage….it’s sooo cute.

102

Thank you Clara for a perfect day!!!

For more information:

www.getty.edu/visit/

www.tavernatony.com

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.