VISITING COLLECTOR’S of my WORK…..

Thursday, July 4, 2013

VISITING COLLECTOR’S of my WORK…..

……is always an absolute joy for me but never more so than seeing my Wisteria polyptych in Alice & Dr. Jerry’s home. Each section is quite large and one would need a very long wall to accommodate this work. As a matter of fact, Alice told me that a prerequisite of any home for them was always, ‘is there a wide wall suitable for the polyptych’ as they never wanted them separated ‘and a space for their grand piano’!

I was overwhelmed when I first entered the living room and there it was……..My original Brush painting series ‘In the Garden of my Delight’……..

…..and then I was thrilled to know that Alice chose to put her work space under the paintings so she could look at them as if working in a garden!

Alice wanted to clear the desk area so I could get better photographs but I loved the ‘reality’ of how the artwork is enjoyed. Besides, with my iPhone I’m really limited in the photo taking department. Thank you Alice!

Floating the paintings in plexi-glass showed them off perfectly and made the excitement of the branches continuing into each successive piece even more effective.

However, as you can see, each work can stand alone. ( I wish the color were true…you have to keep in mind that the paper is actually a creamy white and not the gray tone that appears here.)

#1.

#2.

#3.

#4.

And another piece, a Limited Edition of ‘Garden of Love’ viewed from the piano……

Upstairs in the bedroom……I couldn’t get away from the reflected light….

This Limited Edition of ‘Now it Springs Forth’.

and…….the Limited Edition of ‘Fountain of the Universe’.

My original Brush painting……

’Scene de la Chine’…. in the perfect spot, waiting to be framed….

This is one of my favorite ‘original Brush painting’ pieces….’In the Moment’ it’s quite large (also framed floating in plexi) and positioned in a narrow hallway so it was difficult to photograph. As you know, there are no drafting lines, no corrections made in this technique/style of painting, all done ”From heart to arm to hand to brush to paper”.

At this point I was totally overwhelmed with joy and the memory will long linger!

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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.