CHRISTMAS WITH ROSE and KEN….

Monday, December 17, 2012

CHRISTMAS WITH ROSE and KEN….

….what a wonderful holiday tradition. It’s so much fun to see everyone and look at all the Christmas decorations…..Rose remembers the history of each and every toy, decoration and ornament!

Richard King, Board member at Woodbury and President of King Enterprises…Oh there’s dear Joan ….wonder what they’re talking about????

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…….

This is the cutest picture…..Sweet Sue with our dear Carol…..she really gets into the joy of the day….love those beads Carol (and the story behind them!)

The earrings were a gift…..we couldn’t figure out how they were attached….(all of one piece).

Several rooms had tables set just like this one…....fun and festive…..

I wish I had gotten a better photograph of the amazing Patte B.

Let me digress……each year Patte begins the holiday season with the most wonderful open house in her spectacular home…..

Take note of the two portraits to the right…..

Is this awesome or what……

Next time you’re on Barham Blvd……….

And I love the ‘Service’ to the right…..

Collector and dear friend Sally R. engrossed in conversation….she’s sooooooo sweet!

Let’s sit down and get cozy…….

Libation anyone????

On the way home there’s a house on Los Feliz that has every square inch lit up. People park there cars and start snapping! Wish I had a better picture to show you.

O.K……..back to Rose and Ken……

Salad anyone???????

It’s all about the bacon!!!!!

What would happen if I took the Gingerbread man?????????

OHHHHH……watch the bacon grab…….

Bagels, smoked salmon & cream cheese……yum…….

When will the madness stop…..Can’t believe I ate the whole yummy thing. It’s a wonder I didn’t go back for seconds but then I would have exploded. (Note to self: Get the recipe for that sublime potato dish in the middle of your plate.) Kita is afraid of the Santa whose head lights up and spins around….can you blame her?

Hi Ken……..you are the best host!!!!

Sue you are the cutest Santa’s Helper……

….and the glasses light up too….

Duchess wanted to join in the celebrating…..

What a good girl….you too Carol….

Love this……

O.K., this picture is a clue of what’s to come….

…the clues are on the stairs….

Wait for it………

Who’s this, all pooped out from too much partying?????????

How precious is this…..Britta with Rose and Ken’s new treasure….meet BLONDIE!!!!

Traffic on the freeway was stopped on the way home….JUST A REMINDER TO PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY!!!

Enjoy the season!!!!

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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.