Nan Rae - Brush Painter: April 2013

Monday, April 29, 2013

TOMIKO, NIKKA and NAN’s BIG ADVENTURE……

…..started at The London in West Hollywood.

Sleek lobby…..much more so than when Tomiko & I were here a few years back for a meeting. Not quite sure when the London took over.

Not sure about the ‘fake’ bulldogs everywhere either…..

Greeted by the folks at ‘Oceania Cruises’.

A mimosa to start the day…..

Cheers to Lynne for a wonderful brunch! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH! Smile Tomiko…..

Nikka looked so cute!!!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……..

Taking a picture of Lynne taking a picture….

Tomiko….SMILE!!!

Oh this was sooooo yummy…..

Lynne’s camera is very intimidating….I’ll stick with my iPhone….

Among her many talents, Lynne is an amazing photographer. Why don’t you contact her for your next event.

www.photography4u.net

Lynne you are so cute!

Tomiko studies cruise options…..

Time for the London’s roof garden…..

Refreshing libations……

That looks like a comfy spot….

Check out the view…..

O.K., enough of that…..

Do you believe????????…..These were poolside.

Love this elevator……

On to the gift shop…..

Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant. Had to check it out as a possible Bday celeb. place….. Note to Sandie: I was disappointed. It was around lunch time and no customers….not a good sign. We may have to re-think!

Where are the peeps?????

On to Beverly Hills to pick up my Mont Blanc fountain pen. I had it serviced/cleaned…..and, now it’s not writing well so back it went. Boo hoo, I’m disappointed.

At the Prada store……Tomiko what do you have there???

Some serious conversation going on…..All you fashionista’s out there….the salesmen all have their metro-sexual uniforms on. Actually they looked pretty cute. The same goes for the gals down to their ‘regulation’ lipstick…..no kidding…it’s Lancome’s L’Absolu Rouge #151 62J902 plus MAC lipliner: Cherry. Just saying….

Tomiko is finally smiling ……she found her bag!

On to Villa Blanca a real ‘air-kissing’ restaurant. Owned by Lisa Vanderpump of ‘Beverly Hills Housewife’s’ fame.

Shall we try it????

Looks nice……

Very nice…..

O.K., I shouldn’t say this but Kyle’s boutique (another Beverly Hills Housewife) was so disappointing. Forever 21 with a hefty price tag. (Did I say that????….sorry….really.)

This pup agreed………….

Back to the car…..we weary three. Nikka leads the way.

Do we want to stop here????

No, lets just get back to the real world, go to mom’s and tell her the details of our grand adventure.

For more information:

www.thelondonwesthollywood.com

www.thelondonwesthollywood.com/gordonramsey

www.villablancarestaurant.com

Friday, April 26, 2013

YOU HAVE TO BE A VENDING MACHINE of TREATS!

That’s Mary Beth’s advise to us as she trains Kita.

The head halter works best for ‘walkies’!

Oh boy…..time for the park!!! But first….find the treat.

Trudy walks Kita to the park at 7:00 A.M. every day just the way she did with Yuki so she wanted to come along for some pointers.

Kita’s not so sure about this.

The proper way to hold the leash.

Don’t get any ideas Kita.

Mary Beth demonstrates doing figure eights.

Do we have to go home????

You can skip all these video’s as only totally crazed doggie folks will be able to sit through all of them.

************************************

Kita has to learn to go down stairs without pulling and Trudy has to learn how to hold the leash.

Time for a little socializing with these two pups who have the run of the park. Trudy wishes Kita could do this….fat chance says I.

Mary Beth showed us how to do figure eights with Kita and then described the proper way for strangers to greet Kita. As we were all diverted by our training, Kita got out of her halter which prompted a discussion of how smart she is. (Smart enough to escape from Trudy on three different occasions in the park.) I think I’d rather not know about that.

Kita wants to stay put, hoping for another ride. Did I mention Akita’s are notoriously stubborn??? Found that one out with Yuki.

Finally! Back home…….

Great instructions for putting on the head halter.

Did you watch all these? Did it feel like watching grass grow???

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.