GO FLY A KITE

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

GO FLY A KITE

took on a whole new meaning at the 6th annual Kite Festival on the beach at the Santa Monica Pier. Honoring Tyrus Wong, the event was sponsored by Otis College of Art and Design. Tyrus would always fly his amazing kites the fourth Saturday of each month just north of the Pier and I’ve blogged about it in the past. Dozens of ‘kite flyers’ took part in the fun event and delightful kites were all about…..

Kite

Tyrus’ daughter Kim was in charge and determined it was far to windy to risk the kites aloft….we were nearly blown away! Nikka took advantage of the waters proximity as I told her to go dunk her toes in the ocean!

Enough fun in the sun….we headed off to the pier and a ride on the carousel….all three of us, Nikka, Amy and yours truly went round and round deciding it was great fun to be six again!

Time out for everything fried at Bubba’s…...

I saved some of the fries to feed to the seagulls and they swarmed down for a 60 second feeding frenzy!
Birds

New rule: Go visit the ocean more often……..

Not full enough from all that fried food, we headed over to Monte Carlo in Burbank for the very best Gelato…..Amy got a cup but Nikka and I opted for the yummy waffle cone.

Anyone remember going with me to ‘My Favorite Place’, the little cozy restaurant on Wilson in Glendale? It was sold to new owners and then Alissa and Sarkis, the original owners, got it back and totally re-vamped it into a modern yuppie delight. Anyone want to go with me to try it out???

Well, looks like this is turning into another food expedition so here I am with Lovely Susi at the Peninsula’s Roof Terrace……nothing like a four hour lunch!

With Amy for amazing sashimi and sushi at Kabosu on Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake…..

Time for Din Tai Fung at Americana in Glendale with Sweet Maggie who had never been. She loved it!

…and another four hour lunch. This time playing catch up with Molly Girl in from Mexico. We decided the Langham in Pasadena looking out on the pool would be the most relaxing. I really do get a lot of work done in-between these outings!

The hotel is so special to me as I’m sure I’ve mentioned Charles and I were married in this courtyard when it was the Ritz Carlton. (I always look for descendants of the beautiful butterflies we had everyone release.)

Back to the studio and a visit with Grandmaster Don Baird and his beautiful wife Grand Master Maria. (She’s small but mighty!)

Landscape class this month in the studio was yet again a great learning experience and everyone did wonderfully!

The worker bees were just finishing up creating this amazing Japanese space inspired by the gardens of Kyoto at Sandie Girl’s. I love it!

After the inspection it was time for an al fresco dining experience with Sandie and Jim….

Later that day I was invited to share Armenian Easter dinner at Amy’s.

This is not a stuffed animal Marianna and if you don’t stop carrying puppy Sophia around like that she won’t want to walk!

Amy’s dog Mia just takes it all in...

Kita always tries for her place at the table and Sunday was no exception. She really aimed for the Peeps!

May your days be sweet and jam packed with delightful experiences.

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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.