IT’s CHRISTMAS CARD TIME…………..

Sunday, November 17, 2013

IT’s CHRISTMAS CARD TIME…………..

…………and Sandie came over last Sunday to work on hers. I wish I could show it to you….it’s just the best ever but I want it to be a surprise for all the recipients!

Sandie brought the most delicious lunch from Julienne’s!

Thank you Sandie Girl!!!

There’s a new Bloomingdale’s at the Glendale Galleria and while small (no restaurant or house wares) it’s wonderfully done. You can either enter through the mall or at the Brand Ave. entrance where there’s valet parking….free this month if you have a Bloomie’s card or make a purchase. I love these flying figures!

Here’s a fashionista……

Here’s the fashionista’s dog!

A few photos of the store……

I loved this one with the duck!!!

At the mall entrance……..

The surprise treat was the Pirch store located ground level at the right of the Brand entrance for Bloomies. They will make a delicious cappuccino or whatever for you as you stroll around viewing all the goodies.

I loved it and want to re-do the bathrooms and kitchen now. (Well maybe not the studio one.)

Isn’t this a great shot?….So lucky to catch that gal walking by….

Always good to remember…..

Just a great start for the week!

I don’t remember how I found Nathan but I will tell you I am so grateful for him. He’s the very best electrician, solving unsolvable problems for me. And, for the bonus round, he’s a great guy!

Nathan Papaloanu, owner Mission Electric. missionelectric@live.com

P: 626.789.9799

C: 626.664.6615

Wanted you to see the way Vicki cuts a pineapple. Perfection!

She’s also working on Kita’s hand shake….

I’m so proud of Lisa P.H., definitely an artist to watch. Friday evening was the reception for her show….

Engrossed collector’s listening to Lisa discussing her work…

Gosh I love these two….Lisa and my neighbor, the effervescent, ebullient Alexis to the right…

Class Saturday was all about Christmas cards and new student Tina Marie (in the center) who had never painted before, did beautifully and loved it! She is adorable plus 10!!!

Alice, in the front to the left is another new student and such a joy. I’ve posted the Nan Rae art in her collection in a previous blog.

Thank you Diane for the beautiful Anemones….one of my favorites!!!

To digress, this African Violet amazes me….It goes forever without water and the stem has been loose and fragile forever but the plant always manages to bloom. What a great metaphor to end on!

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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.