CELEBRATING MY BIRTHDAY AT THE VIRGINIA Robinson Gardens ANNUAL EVENT

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

CELEBRATING MY BIRTHDAY AT THE VIRGINIA Robinson Gardens ANNUAL EVENT

Was so much fun! I was asked to demonstrate my Brush painting and I couldn't think of a finer way to spend the day.
So many flowers everywhere....

Amy and I shared the 'China' room which had also been the office for Ivo, Mrs. Robinson's Majordomo.

Here is one of Amy's exquisite creations for the room. Floral arrangements from Le Jardin Privé always stand out because they're created with love!

Dear Carol Soucek King has wanted to take me out for my birthday but when I suggested she attend the garden event she thought that would be perfect and it was!

Amy and her dear friend Lilia.

Sweet Lilia brought a birthday cake for me.

Is someone filming me?

Listening to the pianist in the living room was so inspiring...

I painted at least 6 different subjects...

And at least three Wisteria paintings...

What a wonderful, inspiring day and then I came home to this exquisite creation from dear Eliza and Tyler...

and beautiful yellow roses from my friends at The Huntington Botanical Gardens!

So much beauty added to this creation by Le Jardin Privé sent by my friends at Harvard.

May all your days be fragrant!

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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.