Saturday, March 7, 2015

OH BOY.....WHAT A WEEK.....

 

 …..starting off with a great Sunday spent with the awesome Tina Marie…..We totally went whole hog at Marston’s in Pasadena but it wasn’t too terribly bad as we split everything….and besides, I didn’t eat the potatoes!

IMG 5553They coat the French Toast with Corn Flakes and it’s amazing!  Have you ever seen so much food on such a little table?  I’m so sad to report that dear Mary, the wonderful waitress at Marston's is no longer with us.  She cheerfully waited on folks there until the age of 93 and always remembering you with a loving greeting….she will be greatly missed!

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I didn’t get caught in the rain…probably because I took a big umbrella.  The sky was amazing and I could see the storm approaching as I drove home...

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Cuties Emma and Nikka stopped by……...

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Monday was time to play with the Pie.  Laurie & I fueled up at Nordstrom’s Bar Verde…..IMG 5571

One has to be a little bad……We split this…..sooooooo good!IMG 5579

If you’ve never tried on hats with a friend you’ve missed one of the joys of life.  Time for selfies…...IMG 5584

 

Vote for me for ‘Queen of the May’…...IMG 5593

  Maybe a bigger crown is better…….

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 O.K., moving on to hats……..

 

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 I was thrilled to pieces seeing a full page ad for Lisa See’s ‘China Dolls’ in The New York Times announcing the paperback addition of her book.

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 Tuesday Susan Marie, here from Guatemala…..taking a private class studying Landscape painting.

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The Wisteria is starting to bloom on the walkway.IMG 5632

 I always love seeing Olga walking Jasper…..

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Time for Daffodil’s at Trader Joe’s…..IMG 5650

 Thursday I did a workshop at Robinson Gardens in Beverly Hills……..what an amazing place!

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 We worked hard….painting Poppies, Cyclamen and Butterflies…..

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Thank you Tanya for the lovely lunch…...IMG 5668

 

Delightful having lunch poolside…...IMG 5671

The butterflies were a big hit at the end of the day…...

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 That night I picked up dinner at The Cheesecake Factory for Mom and Nikka.  I’m hooked on their bread….with tons of butter of course!

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 Next day I was interviewed on www.adrenalineradio.com / www.adviceradio.com….live streaming 'Talk to Ruth’.

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Nikka is determined to hide from me whenever I try to take her picture.

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 Ruth had asked me to bring my book and brushes…etc….

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Too much fun…..IMG 5700Thank you Ruth for the 'Kyoto Flower'….a perfect remembrance ‘till I return to Kyoto in the fall!

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Engineer Brian and I had to fool around a bit too!  I asked why the program was only an hour as it went by so quickly & I could have done the bla, bla bla for another two hours at least!IMG 5709

 Nikka's turn to drive back…..

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Time to fuel up at Din Tai Fung at Americana….Get the pork dumplings and green beans!IMG 5718

 

Yummy sweet and sour soup…...IMG 5720

 

What’s left of the pork fried rice…..IMG 5721

 

To market, to market we go…..Let’s have a Starbuck’s Frappuchino first…..IMG 5723

Denise stopped by before Calligraphy…..IMG 5725

 

Oh my Denise, how can I ever thank you for this beautiful Jade pendant????IMG 5732

 Amy brought these beautiful Yellow Roses for Nikka.  Love the Butterflies!

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IMG 5739Nikka and Amy hard at work in the office!IMG 5748

Nikka and Amy at Wokano…..

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These two are sooooo cute but they hate to have their picture taken & hide from me….

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Sushi chefs at work…..

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Thank you dear Amy for a delicious dinner & lovely evening!  Miso soup, Sushi, Garlic Shrimp and Fried Rice with everything.

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Bye for now….

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Sending you Butterflies of Love and wishes for a beautiful week!

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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.