MANJIL, DESTINATION of the HEART......

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

MANJIL, DESTINATION of the HEART......

….and that’s exactly what beautiful Maggie’s sacred environment is!

In case you’re wondering, Manjil is a Hindi word and nothing expresses the all encompassing, loving environment better. I so wanted Nikka to see this enchanting home and what a universal, literary spirit creates.

As soon as you enter there are art pieces, books, tiles…..so much to see and everything has a deep, meaningful history. Nikka was enthralled as I knew she would be.

Sooooo cute!

Did I mention books everywhere?

Serious books…..

Books to make you think…..

Non-fiction histories…..

….and charming books that may have a tiger clinging to them!

I’ve told you before about Maggie’s knife skills and culinary expertise…..

This was really interesting. All I remember is that is was a crab something….in a perfect avocado shell!

Maggie knows I’m crazy for her home made ice cream….This one, lemon with poppy seeds! Thank you Maggie!

Charm in every corner including this in the kitchen…..

The next day Nikka was still dreaming about our afternoon at Maggie’s while we waited for beautiful Tina Marie at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Awwww…………...

At this point we’ve sat in every single booth in the pool area and usually for five hours at a stretch…...

Getting ready for some Gazpacho….

It tasted great but looked way different from what I was expecting…..

I thought I’d close this blog with something rather domestic….Basil waiting to be planted in the garden.

May all your days be verdant!

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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.