FINISHED, all 985 pages……

Sunday, October 13, 2013

FINISHED, all 985 pages……

………..

With almost two weeks of down time this was manageable. I can’t remember when I’ve had to stay in bed for so long or when I’ve been so resigned to doing nothing.

Note to all: GET A FLU SHOT!!!

Mom came over to give me a pep talk….

…and Kita would come by often for a nuzzle and a good scratch (for her…not me).

Then the amazing ‘Meals on Wheels’ team, Eileen & Miss Judith brought some ‘soup of love’ with all the trimmings and that made everything better! I don’t know how they do it but they are always there to offer help in any form where ever it’s needed. I’m in awe of these two, my friendship template.

And here’s the ‘Soup of Love’……mmmmm good!

And of course, everything is better with bacon!

Boy, for a while I thought I was turning orange!

My ‘room with a view’.

Thank you Nikka…

And thank you Amazon….

But most of all, my heartfelt thanks to all my dear friends for all your love and concern…..that’s the best medicine there is!

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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.