Wednesday, September 23, 2015

LOVE IS IN THE AIR.......

……and that brings such joy!

Mary and Keith exchanged vows in the beautiful 1st Congregational Church of Los Angeles on Commonwealth…..

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Sign in please…..

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Pastor Dr. Scott Colglazier performed  a moving….touching ecumenical service….IMG 3866

Charles wrote this for me on an anniversary and is it ever true for Mary and Keith!

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So sweet…….IMG 3868

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And the two become one…..IMG 3878Hip hip hooray!💞

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 After a lovely reception in the courtyard dinner was served in this beautiful setting….

IMG 3939The next morning I awoke to the sound of team destructo next door…..The worst part is they cut down a beautiful Podocarpus tree.

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I definitely needed a hug so time for tea at Amy’s!  IMG 3961

 Amy made those yummy, savory cheesy thingies that I love!

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 Mia I wish I could share with you ‘cause you’re soooo cute!

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 There was actually low hanging mist the next day…..

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 Class at the Huntington just gets more inspiring and more fun each month!

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 I loved meeting Amy and her lovely daughters Faith and Grace who were so charming, sweet and well mannered that I wanted to take them home with me! Can you believe they were born in the Year of the Monkey (coming up) and I ‘just happened’ to have that as one of the class subjects that day!

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 I needed a little retail therapy at the Huntington’s Gift Shop or maybe I just like seeing my cards and book there.  The Gelato next door is a must have.

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Don’t even ask…..

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Now how cute is this!  Thanks to Trudy who left an article in the Burbank Leader for me….I spied a little ad for a mobil dog groomer.  Heaven!  Liz is adorable and you would not believe her tricked out van.  Everything a well groomed doggie could wish for.IMG 4015

 How cute is this?  Very!  However, two minutes later Kita slipped out of her collar and made Liz the groomer, Vicki, me and our mailman chase her about.

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 Liz finally nabbed her and we let the mailman go on about his duties.

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 Mom thought the whole thing was very funny…..

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 Amy came by just as I was leaving for a dinner party at the Hollywood Hills home of collectors of my work.

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.Great fun seeing my artwork proudly displayed by collectors Holly and Howard Kalmenson.

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 The bonus round was dinner in their beautiful nest high in the Hollywood Hills.  I forgot the name of their chef but not the food he prepared.

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 Just seeing this stove drove me wild….Foodie friends will understand.

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 I should have taken more photos outside as they have an amazing panoramic view…….

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 After nibbles outside dinner started with this lovely heirloom tomato & burrata cheese salad.  Note to self:  Make yummy Parmesan crisps!

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 Proud mom Holly with her singer, songwriter daughter Casey Kalmenson.

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 Next day was class in the studio and I can see I was in a ‘soft and gentle’ mood.

IMG 4118I love what Colleen painted!

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 Dr. Eileen had a striking painting….love the composition…Lets remember to use Neutral Tint….it’s still one of my favorites.

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 You know how much I love a weekend that contains time with the Reilly’s…..Grandson Jakey wanted to show me his new room and Captain America suit.

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We get excited…..IMG 4143

 Well, maybe not all of us…...

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On to the train…...IMG 4149

 ….and messing around with baby brother Noah….

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 Sandie Girl made this delicious Moroccan Chicken Tagine with dates and ginger just for me!😃👍

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 I’ve shown you photos of Sandie’s amazing needlepoint before but this time I think she’s definitely gone too far.  If there's a more complicated pattern for a Christmas Stocking I’d certainly like to see it!

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O.K., this one is more my speed.

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 This original artwork was presented to me by three year old artist Jakey who titled it ‘Shark’.  Sorry Jakey, I’m going to have to change that to ‘The Universe’.

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 May you have a sweet week!

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Charles on Wednesday

Nancy from Tehachapi said...

Loved this blog. Happy birthday to Charles.

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.