RE-ENTRY INTO THE WORLD……

Sunday, October 20, 2013

RE-ENTRY INTO THE WORLD……

…….began with class at the Huntington Botanical Gardens on Wednesday. It seemed like a year ago when the last class was held, followed by that eventful day at Rusnak and then getting that nasty bug that really laid me low. Moral of the story……all is well and nothing is worth getting so upset one’s resistance is completely shot. Hope I learned that one.

Here’s a picture of the Japanese Maple in front of the house. I took this before setting forth for class as this was to be the days subject….

…..along with little birds on a Maple Branch.

After class I popped in to see all the amazing Orchid growers getting ready for their yearly exhibit which ran from noon Friday thru today (Sunday).

One of the exhibitors….

Several exquisite Lady Slipper Orchids……

Hope you had a chance to see these beautiful creations!!!

I remembered this Japanese table from last year……so elegant and how I love the screen!!!

Trudy and Geoff are back after their month long adventure….Kita went absolutely wild with joy and I was delighted with my chocolate as well.

Since the class on Wednesday was so successful I decided to repeat the subject for Saturday’s class in the Studio. This had started out as a full tree on Wednesday but I turned it sideways, removed the trunk and hid a little bird.

Concentrating…..

It’s always so interesting to see each individual art work…..all based on the same subject but completely different, one from the other.

I could tell Cynthia was really enjoying the subject.

Sweet Diana is always so full of love and joie de vivre!

Kathryn decided to tackle the Japanese Maple Landscape. It was coming along beautifully …..there are a lot of little strokes to be done but patience rules the day.

After the main subject, Violet painted an exquisite figure (also in the lesson).

Great job Po Chu!

Let’s see that up close!

What a great week…..filled with creativity and inspiration.

Kita’s calling it all good.

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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.