WHERE WAS I?

Monday, October 7, 2013

WHERE WAS I?

………it seems forever since I’ve blogged……my cousin Ronald came in from Memphis for a couple of days three weeks ago……

Our first stop was Le Pain Quotidien…..

…..he hadn’t eaten all morning & was on Memphis time………….

Next we went to Billy’s Deli to clean them out of all take out……

I’m not kidding about that!

….see……

…..then the inevitable happened……

Mom was so happy to see Ronald….it’s impossible to get a picture of him not making a goofy face!

I had gone to DC Autocraft to clean out my car….take the Leaper off and say goodbye. It was a sad moment for me and I just wept. It’s hard to believe that it was totaled just from a little fender bump but there was no way to convince State Farm otherwise. That meant I had one day to make a decision about a new car.

Eden is my wonderful service advisor at Rusnak so I knew it would be best to have lunch first and ask for her help in making a decision.

We have our priorities….

Here it is…..wish the color were different and sure miss the old Jaguar styling and the Leaper on the front..

Inside it has all the bells and whistles and it will take me forever to figure it all out.

Next day, Monique my brilliant architect came over and we spent the morning sitting inside the car trying to learn everything.

Saturday’s class was a welcome change of pace and everyone did beautifully. Kathy’s pleased!

Kathryn’s beautiful painting…..

Smile Laurie Pie….

Meanwhile Nikka was downstairs working on a Christmas card order…..

And Kitta was looking for dinner……

To be continued…….

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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.