CELEBRATING BEAUTIFUL AMY on her BIRTHDAY......

Monday, November 28, 2016

CELEBRATING BEAUTIFUL AMY on her BIRTHDAY......

……began with a book signing brunch in Hancock Park.

The author, Lorri Antosz Benson, wrote a moving tale of giving up her daughter for adoption. With a forward by Phil Donahue (Lorri is his producer) you’ll need a lot of Kleenex to get through this compelling book.

Kensington Caterers is amazing. This was quite possibly the best brunch ever. kensingtoncaterers.com 323.935.4300

I must learn to behave myself!

It was delightful having brunch poolside in the garden before Lorri’s talk. Being feted in such a beautiful home, feeling the love and admiration and good will of all reminds one of the things that truly matter and the importance of sharing what we’ve been given. It was both joyful and inspiring.

That is of course before we all puddled up hearing Lorri’s story. Kiki, our generous hostess to the right introduced her.

Amy and I fell in love with this captivating artwork. It’s actually a photograph and the title is….wait for it….’The Kiss’!

On to the birthday surprise. Amy was driving my car and had no idea where we were going. If you’ve ever ridden with Amy, you know what fun and what an adventure that is. Anyway, we finally arrived at our destination…The Peninsula Hotel. Surprise! Spa time!!!

I even got my footsies done and after we both finished our ‘treatments’ we met in the ‘relaxation room’ for a birthday toast of champagne and our usual carrying on!

Have I mentioned the Spa has the most delicious Ginger Tea and it’s worth a trip just for that. Also, little yummy mini muffins and nuts and dried fruit to nibble.

Time for dinner on The Roof Terrace. A prize for anyone who can identify the person almost photobombing Amy.

Does this help?

Here’s birthday cake/candle #1……but wait….there’s more…..

The second cake in The Living Room…..Amy thought we were going home after dinner so this really was a surprise!

We had the most wonderful, kind server who picked out the best desert for us to send to the pianist who serenaded Amy for her birthday!

Antonio Castillo de la Gala, pianist and composer at The Peninsula Hotel. On youtube: L.A. Story Spotlight: Antonio Castillo de la Gala, Peninsula Beverly Hills Go to youtube.com and enter watch?v=ykd-fl8VMWs

Somehow, when you live joyfully the most amazing things happen. Serendipity at it’s finest! This moment as we were leaving The Peninsula was the icing on the cake. Amy seeing one of her heroes, Vladimir Posner! I think the whole day was meant for this one moment!!! Happy Birthday dear Amy!

May each day bring you such happiness as you live joyfully!

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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.