Sunday, February 22, 2015

MY SNOW BIRDS ARE LEAVING.......

 

……but before they return to Chicago, Marsha Stu and I went to the Skirball Center where we had lunch in Zeidlers Cafe.

IMG 4966

They have a really good chopped salad and if you add grilled salmon it’s terrific!

IMG 4968

.As we were leaving I saw Noah Newmark who many of you will remember from Carol Soucek King’s Salon.  He was with Monika Henreid the daughter of Paul Henreid who we all remember from Casablanca.  On exhibit there was an amazing exhibit that featured Henreid along with other memorable actors who emigrated to the States during World War ll.

IMG 4974We were just in time to catch the docent tour for ‘Light & Noir…Exiles and Emigres in Hollywood 1933-1950

IMG 4976

Follow the red carpet….

IMG 4981

 

IMG 4989

Reading this letter was very sad….

IMG 4991

IMG 4992

IMG 4990

 

IMG 4993

 Paul Henreid in a scene from Casablanca…..

IMG 5025

 

IMG 5031

 Humphrey Bogart’s suit is in the back….Ingrid Bergman’s outfit and in the front, Paul Henreid’s suit.  He was much bigger than Bogie!

IMG 5030

 

IMG 5028

 This is the dress Joan Crawford wore in Mildred Pierce.  The photo doesn’t show how unbelievably small her waist was!

IMG 5024

 

IMG 5023

 

IMG 5022

 

The lovely Rainbow Wall at the Skirball Center.IMG 5043

 

I could be over-scheduling because right after leaving Marsha and Stu I headed for North Hollywood to meet the Reilly’s and watch ‘Cabaret The Musical' put on by Dr. Jim’s brother Billy at his theatre….Crown City Theatre Co.  Do I have to mention that I barfly got there in time for the final bows????IMG 5044

 

Here’s my cuties…..Sandie Girl and Dr. Jim….You can almost see Michael, Jim’s son sitting next to him.  (No photo’s were allowed.)IMG 5045

IMG 5072

 All right, enough of all that….what’s for dinner!!!! Start the party!  Love these show biz folks!  Don’t Jim and brother Billy look like twins???

At Eclectic in NoHo…...

IMG 5049

Had the salmon….IMG 5062

 I was told to photograph this as it’s the BEST…..

IMG 5061

Love these two….Dr. Jim and Sandie Girl!IMG 5070

Our ‘new look’ seen in a nearby shop window after we left.IMG 5071

I just want you to see how beautiful our little girl looks when she’s clean.  This should last at least three days!IMG 4964Class at the Huntington this week was even more wonderful thanks to seeing Kathryn who is usually in the studio class….I’m so very proud of her!

IMG 5102

Two of my favorite peeps….Amy & Lisa were over Thursday….

IMG 5110

Amy was here Friday evening and brought treats from Porto’s….IMG 5126

Tres Leche Cake…yum, yum…. We also had Potato Balls and Empanadas….

IMG 5130

 Amy & Nikka both burned the midnight oil…. I mostly annoyed them by trying to take photo’s.  They’re as bad a Tomiko in that regard. Check out www.menuahflowers.com  Call Amy next time you need fantabulous flowers. 818.625.5243

IMG 5132

Next day Denice stopped by to see Charles before class in the studio……..

IMG 5141

Charles son Jim, on the right,  was in town from Texas with Charles, his partner.  Yes, another Charles!

IMG 5149

Visiting class…..I always thought I was tall but really felt like a munchkin…..It was a fun day….Nikka filmed two new video’s for YouTube.  The Wisteria demonstration was posted right away.

IMG 5152

 

Time for dinner.  Surprised?  I met Marsha and Stu at Parkway Grill in Pasadena where Charles and I had our first ‘date’!IMG 5159

 

Yes I’m a carnivore and so delighted foie gras is back.  This was Hudson Valley’s finest and it was sublime!IMG 5161

 

Their Caesar Salad has never been that outstanding…….but had to try again….IMG 5162

I asked if the Catfish was still good…….yes!IMG 5165

Another view before I sent it back to the kitchen to return in a more manageable form.IMG 5168

 

This ‘creation’ is about 7’ high…….IMG 5171

 

The orchids were right next to us…..IMG 5164

 

Let’s hear it for the kitchen!IMG 5172

 

Somehow we made it in time to Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium for the Vienna Boys Choir.  Jimmy Chiang was the amazing conductor/pianist….IMG 5174

I would like to say that the week ended well but it found me unwell.  Some mysterious bug attached itself to me as I was leaving the Auditorium and I had such chills I thought I’d be stopped by the police for unsafe driving.  Had my story ready as I would have told them to call 911.  I crawled into bed with great aches and a temp. but overjoyed to report I seem to be near recovery this A.M.  I’m calling this the eight hour bug! Amy & I were to have gone to an Oscar party but I had to cancel….can you believe?????????

Last I heard she was making Chicken soup for me!  Chicken soup with no noodles…….that’s like a cheeseburger without the cheese!

No comments:

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.