LIGHTS, CAMERA....ACTION!

Monday, January 19, 2015

LIGHTS, CAMERA....ACTION!

….and there was plenty of that at the Nan Rae Studio. Great fun having Nick Federoff from ‘Things Green’ doing a segment for his PBS show. Early morning wake up call….Good morning world…..

Yes Nick, I understand…..

But this is how I see it…...

I thought we’d start here…..

Maybe not…..Time to rearrange the furniture…..

Get that lighting just right!

O.K. Nick….pay attention…...

If you blink you’ll miss the stroke….

Hmmmmmm….perhaps next time we’ll get closer….he does have some Bamboo leaves down there…..

Perhaps if you try it this way…..

Let’s discuss the brushes. Hmmmmm….I could do something with that beard…..you wouldn’t even notice it shortened a bit…..’Whisker Hair Brush’? Sounds good to me!

No? Well all right then, we’ll just use one of these!

This is the brush I used to paint these rocks….

Another brush…..another painting!

Moving the action outside…..

This is how I use a chop to sign my name….

Special thanks to Ruth who helped Nick keep track of the time….

I still say I could make some pretty fine brushes out of this!

Almost forgot….even Laurie Pie’s plant got into the act….

It’s a wrap….what great fun!!!

Afterwards Nikka & I went to Recess Eatery on Brand for a celebratory late lunch!

Foodies….the following is for you!

Wishing you a delicious day!

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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.