Tuesday, December 18, 2012

CHRISTMAS at the BEACH CLUB…

……the special one day extravaganza that gets the holidays going.  What a glorious, perfect day!

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…..and parking right in front……

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……ladies mingle……

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Michele, our delightful, charming hostess on the left with Tina L.

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Sophie and Michele with Maidee

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Our table decorated by Michele….hand made ‘Oak Forest’ beeswax candles as party favors and delightful ornaments from the Beach Club…..can you see the sand inside with the seashells?

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……..love it!!!003

On our table now…..so perfect….thank you Michele!!!005

Treats are passed about before lunch….

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More yummies……

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Our menu……

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Oh so good spinach salad with apples & raspberries….

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Foodies forgive me….thought I took a picture of the Chicken stuffed with Alaskan King Crab….oh my!

Need I say anything?…..Of course you know I ate the whole thing.  When will the madness stop???????

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Stunning Barbara L…….

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…..and so much fun too!

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Carolers right out of Dickens…..

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…. sing along…….

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Hitting the high notes…..

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Bye bye…….

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Oh you’re back….great!

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Time to go……

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What a pretty picture….(I’ll take that big red box on the right…thank you…)

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Closer please…..

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Outside it was PERFECT!!!!

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Soooooo California…….

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I get relaxed just looking at this scene…..

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Shall we take our shoes off and go for a stroll?

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So inviting…….

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Wishing you a Merry, Merry!!!!!!

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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.