Monday, February 22, 2016

MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC.....

Checking in with Amy for a LA Opera event at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. What joy!

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But first….there was a luncheon.

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We got to see the final dress rehearsal for The Magic Flute!

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It was inspiring to see the students from across Los Angeles who were selected to see this performance.  A wonderful reason to support LA Opera!

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I’m really enjoying the current Landscape Series in the studio and this month we focused on ‘The Pine’ and 'Painting Groups of Trees'.

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While Kita focuses in on Mary Beth!

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….and mom gets ready for Valentine’s Day!IMG 0170

Awwwwwww…………..IMG 0204

I thought Valentine’s Day would be the perfect time to introduce Kita to Tulip, our new neighbor and visiting Honey…...IMG 0211

Maybe not as alpha Kita wanted to get a nip out of poor Tulip!

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Oh well, we’re still feeling the love so Nikka and I met Tina Marie at the Beverly Hills Hotel to do some celebrating….IMG 0259

Awesome Gregory Zuniga, Manager of Guest Relations, did the impossible and got us a perfect table at the over crowded poolside...IMG 0265

Poolside at the Cabana Cafe in the Beverly Hills Hotel.IMG 0225

It’s the one day in the year I can wear these along with these pants with one ‘pink’ leg….

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Too cute!IMG 0258

We actually closed the place down finding it hard to believe we were there for six hours!

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Gift shopping at Pirch with a time out for chatting with Melody and Jean….IMG 0198

We’ve certainly missed Lynne Tucker since she moved to Palm Springs so it was extra special helping her celebrate her birthday at Mexicali Cantina!

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How cute is Amy…...IMG 0294

Fourteen students for the class at the Huntington and I covered a lot of ground with various methods of depicting ‘Plum’ and painting some Insects.

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Meeting Lizzie Girl at Bloomies was a welcome break!
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We have to cordon Kita off or she’s be all over Amy…..

IMG 0337The way she was all over Jeffrey Win.IMG 0356Jeffrey was here with Emma to supervise her interviewing me.  It’s part of her job training.

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Time to torture cutie Diana Ming Jeong with the ‘Bone Stroke’.IMG 0371

In depth studio class on the Plum.

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Followed by a quiet, relaxing evening at Bar Verde with Sandie Girl and then a little recreational shopping at Nordstrom.IMG 0414

Wishing you sweetness everyday!

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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.