WE’RE BACK IN THE DARK AGES….

Saturday, September 20, 2014

WE’RE BACK IN THE DARK AGES….

…..major PC problems, printers that don’t want to print and a scanner that has pooped out. We found that out trying to scan the large works piled up behind it! The remaining PC files have to be transferred to the iMac……love Apple! Hopefully by the end of the week all of this will be resolved.

Meanwhile….

Class at the Huntington Botanical Gardens was wonderful.

I tortured everyone with the Chinese Orchid and then we played with the Matilija Poppy and had great fun.

We love Dr. Martin Moradian who takes care of our footsies…..even making a house call for Sir Charles.

While Kita keeps an eye out for Chiracco, making sure he trims everything correctly.

Just so you don’t think I’ve backed off in the Foodie Department, check this out. Waiting for our table at Bourbon Steak at Americana.

Got to love this!

For the table……

Every since Sandie Girl told me she was getting an aged steak for Dr. Jim I’d been thinking of the same….my carnivore instincts were all atwitter!

But first a very unusual Caesar Salad…..

Perfection & I was able to talk Nikka into trying ‘rare’ meat!!!

Lobster mashed potatoes…..sooooo good!

Time for dessert….would you believe this is bread pudding? It’s soooo carmelly good!

Not stuffed enough I tried something from the sweets cart. Can you figure out what?

So sorry, I’m so stuffed I thought this was my car!

Anyone could make the same mistake….

By Friday we were so famished working so hard in the office there was only one thing to do…

And for a diversion, here’s Kim’s shoe pick of the day….Nike AirMax 90’s

All you cat lovers missed a great workshop with Danny Chen, visiting artist from Canada.

Kathy’s beautiful painting.

Must have dumplings!

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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.