THIS and THAT and POINTS IN-BETWEEN.....

O.K. everyone, this is how it is!

Having a fun time in the studio lecturing to a group of Brandise University supporters ‘The Brandeis Gadabouts’.  What a great group!

It’s so wonderful to be surrounded by artist and writer friends.  My dear Grace is not only a brilliant, gifted writer but a wonderful go-to person for terrific books to read.  We had a relaxing day on the patio with a note to self: Do this more often! Thank you Grace for that and for the joy of your friendship!

How does our puppy get so dirty?  No problem now that we have Liz, our wonderful mobil dog groomer.  This is way easier than taking Kita to the groomers.

Take a good look because clean doggie doesn’t stay this way for very long.

We go in depth in the studio Landscape class.  Last session was a study of Bada Shanren with a dollop of Picasso’s methods thrown in!.

I can always count on Lulu for being inspired and doing painting after wonderful painting all from that ‘magic’ paint dish of hers.  It fascinates me. Here we strike a Vanna White pose!!

Time for a play date with beautiful Susi.  We chose the Roof Terrace at the Peninsula Hotel and it was a perfect day for it although I was dressed for winter.

Sooooo lovely!

Just as a lark I decided to take advantage of the marvelous spa they have at the Peninsula.  What a time I had.  Got soooo relaxed I had to sit in the ‘relaxation’ area for almost two hours until I could walk a straight line!

In the 'Living Room' this pup was charming all the ladies having a late afternoon tea.

All set with gifted Lissi Kaplan’s hand painted china!

Moving on…..my moveable feast, time for lunch with dear Jean at Sweet Salt in Toluca Lake.  So yummy!

O.K., so perhaps I overdo it on the eating but it’s so much fun…..This time with dear Amy at Julienne’s……I could move in there!

You just have to see this magnificent floral creation at the California Club designed with a heart filled with love.  Amy did it again!

May each day show you new beauty!

HA BUI, BOEING SPACE and MISSLE DEFENSE ENGINEER, USED HIS RIGHT BRAIN TO BECOME MASTER OF THE ORCHID PAVILION.....

I first met Ha on October 19th when I was teaching a Brush Painting class at the Huntington Botanical Gardens  and that happened to be the day when all the exhibitors for the major orchid show, ‘ELEGANT ORCHIDS’ the coming weekend were setting up.

Ha happened to be setting up his exhibit right outside our class room and his attention to detail completely and totally captivated me so I would sneak out from time to time to watch his progress.

Having begun early in the morning, Ha would pay special attention to each detail, noting the placement of the exquisite driftwood he brought and making sure each orchid specimen showed itself off to best advantage.  At one point Ha modestly said he didn’t know what he was doing and I looked him straight in the eye and said, ‘You know exactly what you are doing’! and we both laughed…..Well, I was proven right by all the ribbons awarded Ha’s display and…..wait for it…..Ha won a beautiful crystal vase inscribed for the ‘BEST OVERALL DISPLAY of SHOW!’ YES!!!

From Ha:

Here are all of the trophies and most ribbons the NHOS team received at the Huntington International Orchid Show over the weekend.

On behalf of the NHOS team, I would like to extend my thank you and appreciation for all your help and contribution. 

Also we would like to thank you the Huntington Library staffs (Brandon TamGayle Brodie, ...), the AOS (George Hatfield, Arthur Pinkers, ...), the CSA, and all of our orchid's vendors and friends for making this event possible.

Awards:

- Best Display in Show (by AOS judges)
- AOS Orchid Trophy (by AOS judges)
- 2nd place exhibit over 40 sqft. (by ribbon judges)
- 7 first place ribbons
- 2 second place ribbons
- 3 third place ribbons

Showtime!

 

 

Ha’s amazing team!

Feast your eyes on some of Ha’s orchids….

 

There are so many, many more so I would suggest you go to Ha Bui on Facebook and scroll on down to the show.

The day continued to be amazing when during class lunch break I met Daniel L. Geiger, Ph.D.,Curator of Malacology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History who also has a Fellowship at the Huntington. Daniel was so very interesting but he might as well of been speaking Martian as it was all way, way over my head.  At one point I said, “This is so amazing there must be only 5 or 6 people doing what you’re doing.”  The reply?  "No.  I’m the only one!"

Class as always was wonderful and I’m way beyond proud of everyone!

After class I met another exhibitor, Doris, who is so delightful I’m counting her as a new bestie!  Doris also won 15 awards!

Doris told me she likes to tell a story in her display and asked me to concentrate on the little black dot in the center of this small orchid.  Well, stare as I might….nothing and then…..amazingly I actually saw it….a baby bird and it’s beak!  WOW!

May you always see the wonder in everything!

 

TEA and BOOK SIGNING for LISSI KAPLAN....

 ….in the Nan Rae Studio, a space that was created in 2000 in part to enrich others and to be shared by visiting artist’s.

Perhaps none more gifted than Lissi Kaplan which was evident as we celebrated the launching of her new book, ‘LIGHT as a FEATHER’. Lissi has graced my life with her loving, caring heart and the strength of character & purpose that is her.  Lissi’s art is informed as much by her life’s journey as by her inspired love of beauty.  She’s truly a butterfly that’s emerged from a cocoon of struggle to be beautiful and glorious!

 Everyone was enraptured as Lissi shared the story of the little wren who inspired this heartfelt story.

 Of course it was inspiring to learn how each beautiful porcelain piece is created by Lissi. Surely you remember how I always hold up the plates she creates for the Peninsula Hotel’s High Tea.

I also wanted Lissi to share the story of her book ‘THE POWER OF A TEACUP’!

 Joy filled the studio…..

 

A special heartfelt thank you has to go out to dear Amy at Le Jardin Privé  for creating the exquisite floral arrangements….All hand crafted with love!

Here’s another one designed by dear Amy.

 Is it time for tea and treats?

How cute is this, identifying each tea!

 

Sweet and savory….Scones, clotted cream, preserves,delicious cheese tarts, assorted cheeses and grapes just because.

 Beautiful Valerie, the real ‘Hostess with the Mostest’ gave a big thumbs up!

 Awwwwww…………..

 Lulu chats it up with Nancy Rossi, daughter-in-law of Fermo Rossi, a delightful student of mine from years past and one of the most amazing men who ever was.  We all miss him!

 I’m going to sorely miss dear Lucia who is moving to Boston! Don’t know how she could part with her condo which graced the cover of Architectural Digest.  Anyway, good news is I have an open invitation to visit!

So here’s a precious story for you.  Twelve years ago, Lucia brought Desiree, her granddaughter, to class and she had the photo's to prove it!

Sooooo cute!

And here we are today!

Trudy just made it back in time from her cruise and Junnie does a tea toast! There aren’t enough thanks or perhaps not enough words to express how grateful I am to Junnie for being our official photographer.  Note to all:  Photo’s will be mailed out shortly.

 Delighted to see dear Kathy back from her travels!  Oh these gad-a-bouts!

Clara and Kathy are now sisters or at least extremely close first cousins!

 Maggie just made it back from Europe…...

 Sweetest of the Sweet Amy with her two precious daughters, Grace and Faith.  They will absolutely charm you as no other.

Lovely Amy also got an exquisite plate that had a very special meaning for her.

 When these two connected a few years back it was love at first sight.  The incomparable Lisa Bowman, dancer, singer, newscaster, writer….I think I’m leaving out a whole list but this will suffice.  Oh yes, heart song friend.

 Thanks to Lissi’s soul mate and all around mate Doug for filming the day and for all of his help in setting up!

Special thanks to Connor for being the very best valet ever!

What…..it’s over?  No, let’s start all over!

As the sun set we lingered with the memory of a perfect day….

May all your days be ‘Light as a Feather’!