Tuesday, June 24, 2014

COUSIN RONALD WAS IN TOWN….

…….so that means eating until you’re close to passing out… starting with the usual deli spread from Nate n’Al’s. This photo doesn’t begin to show you everything and I’m just weak looking at it!

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While we wait for mom and Nikka to arrive Ronald works on getting Kita to sit. Don’t be fooled, this obedience didn’t last long.

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It was Father’s Day and Charles enjoyed the celebration.

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Thank you Vicki, Nikka & Emma!

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Ronald is the family historian and he usually grills mom for details.

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After dinner this is Ronald’s usual position. Didn’t I already mention the ‘passing out’ part?

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Kita had had it by then too, especially as she had been cordoned off.

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Time for a movie.  This one was deja vous all over again but possibly one of the best Tom Cruise movies. All I can say is I’m glad I didn’t see it in 3D.

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Is it time to eat yet????? Dinner next day at Bar Verde in Nordstroms, my favorite haunt.

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Hiro, the wonderful manager stopped by to say hello.  He still doesn’t have my plaque up.

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A little food porn….Ahi Tuna….sooooo good!

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And I LOVE this desert.  A fruit cobbler with ice cream…again, sooooooo good!

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Well, I knew it was inevitable that we go to the Cheesecake Factory the next day.  Oh the thought of all this food is making my head swim. However, this was really good.  (For the table.)  Some sort of avocado roll. Ronald had already grabbed one.

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I had the Tai Chicken Lettuce Wraps….sooooooo good!

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Ronald had the Cubano and actually ate both halves of this sandwich!  I helped him out with the wonderful sweet potato fries!

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Nikka had a Club sand. and mom a Cobb salad.

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We look like semi-normal people don’t we?

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But no….like piggies at the trough……it was inevitable….after all, it is ‘The CHEESECAKE Factory’ isn’t it???

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I staggered out of there and went to ‘Doll Face’ which was such an amazing experience I’m going to do a separate blog about it! Thank you Kat for this amazing treat!!!

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Class at the Huntington was the following day and Pam showed us a painting she had scroll mounted in China now that Agnes is no longer available.

www.blankwallscrolls.com

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And later this beauty was seen in the parking lot.  Any idea of the year???

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Thursday evenings I take dinner to mom’s but this week couldn’t stay.  Lisa B. had invited me to a meeting of the ‘Book Publicists of Southern California’ at Sportsman’s Lodge.

Here’s beautiful Lisa, just back from adventures in France.

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We met so many interesting authors.

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During dinner we had a chance to talk to William Sewell.  A security expert and long time veteran of the U.S. Intelligence Community. Bill’s been all over the world and his mystery thriller is more real than not!

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And his follow up book….

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We learned a lot from the three speakers and especially John Phillips who’s on KABC from Noon to 3:00

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Saturday’s class was so much fun with precious Ava, Armin’s daughter joining the group.  She left me a ‘keeper’ voice mail saying how she hoped I would accept her as a student even though she is only 12.  So delightful!

006 Kathy brought in some of her terrific oil paintings and we loved seeing them. Ava had a great time photographing Kathy’s fine work!

010 We painted Sunflowers, Lavender and Landscapes.  Busy day….here Colleen works on a Landscape.

025 Did you know that Diane Dennis’s husband Peter was the official voice of ‘Pooh’? We found this out just by chance when Sandie noticed my ‘Pooh’ book and Diane heard us. I am thrilled to know about these CD’s and have ordered a boxed set on www.poohcorner.com

026 After class, Sandie Girl, Dr. Jim & I went to see ‘Jersey Boys’.  Don’t miss this one….the music is soooo great!

043 I guess I really don’t have to tell you we went to Bar Verde after the movie now do I?

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Awesome Chef Lauren stopped by & we exchanged contact info.  I love her!

066  Let’s end this too long blog with a picture of the laziest dog in the world. Gosh Kita, can’t you even get up to play with that toy?

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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.