THINGS ARE INTERESTING CONSIDERING.......

Friday, November 20, 2015

THINGS ARE INTERESTING CONSIDERING.......

……I would have been in Japan this past week for the fall colors….

……possibly having a breakfast such as Ralph just sent….

….but since Trudy just returned with some goodies from there…. I had a taste of Japan right here!

Oh well, the new fridge got installed…...

But not without the guys playing with Kita first…..Sort of a prerequisite for coming to the house.

Meanwhile, I was off to the Music Center for a Founder’s Luncheon to welcome Rachel S. Moore, the new President and CEO.

Foodie Alert:

Scarborough Farms Mixed Greens Salad, Shaved Vegatables, Shallot Sherry Vinaigrette. Served with Baguette, Flat Bread and Grissinis

Three Mustard Rubbed Free Range Chicken, Vichy Carrots, Fried Leeks, Creamy Gruyere Polenta This was lovely but not as wonderful as Sandie’s Mustard Chicken!

Vanilla Cheesecake, Seasonal Berries, Vanilla Chantilly, Fruit Chip This is not helping my diet one bit!

Thomas O’Connell knows absolutely everyone in the city….perhaps in the universe…..

This was a huge treat. From the Music Center’s Spotlight Program, alumna Golda Berkman and Anna Schubert sang my all time favorite, the Lakme Flower Duet! Heavenly!!!

Got home in time to get a little work done….

….Even some mounting…..

Next day Laurie Pie and I were off to Changs Frames in El Monte. We were laughing so hard most of the way trying to get the GPS or Siri to work…..

I love this Landscape laurie painted…..

Here’s the paintings I picked up for Nikka…..

Can you believe I had to introduce Laurie to 'The Habit'? She declared it best burger!!! Sooooo yummy or maybe that’s because we were both famished!

Got home in time to change and meet Tomiko at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium to hear John Cleese (one of the Distinguished Speakers Series).

Next evening at the Americana...Ba humbug! It’s way too early for this Rick Caruso! Good golly, let’s at least enjoy Thanksgiving first! Oh well….….

I picked up dinner for mom and Nikka at The Cheesecake Factory and discovered mom enjoying one of my YouTube video’s. Soooo cute!

Last Friday and time to go to ‘The Compound Production House’ for a 10:00 A.M. interview on ‘Dishing With Judith’!

DWJ Nan Rae

Here’s Judith with technical wizard engineer Tyler and Nikka taking a video of it all. We hope to have it up on YouTube next week.

Do these earphones make me look fat?

IMAG1305 1

Goofing off with Tyler…..

IMAG1318

Then it was off to Centinella for Kita’s food and another doggie bed. This is about the seventh one and I got the most gynormous one they had. Not that it matters as she seems to either chew or disdain them.

I introduced Nikka to Home Depot as we needed hanging implements for the artwork. She’s getting used to my carrying on….I think…..

Anyway, she loves her paintings and that’s all that matters…..

I think the most precious thing ever was seeing how much Sandie Girl loved all the cards I’ve received from students showing their wonderful artwork! I told her the story of getting the special Japanese hand thrown bowl just for them!

Oh that Nikka! She did the most amazing work for Sandie…...

Since Jim was out of town I was able to detain and deliver…a pizza! Plus yummy ribs from Trader Joe’s!!!

Sandie just missed seeing Amy who stopped by with this amazing creation.🌺 Nikka and I just sat and stared at it!!! 💗

Saturday I met the lovely Tina Marie at the Montage for brunch. They have a delightful roof garden which I had not been to and it was the perfect spot for a delicious repast and nice long chat.

Is it possible to eat too much fruit?

I opted for the Fish Tacos.

Since it was actually ‘brunch’ Tina Marie had an omelet.

When I came home Nikka showed me how to use the Google Cardboard and we had more fun! (And more food!!!)

Gosh it was a wonderful week after all and I wish you the same! 😄

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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.