PLÁCIDO DOMINGO STARS IN EL GATO MONTÉS:THE WILDCAT

Monday, May 6, 2019

PLÁCIDO DOMINGO STARS IN EL GATO MONTÉS:THE WILDCAT

What a thrill to witness the incomparable Plácido Domingo star in an opera so dear to his heart. Growing up behind the scenes of his parents zarzuela company, Domingo knew first hand this exciting Spanish form of musical theater. Composer Manuel Penella when creating this opera imbued it with the spirit of zarzuela and how wonderful to have it brought back to LA Opera after 25 years!

Sweet Patricia's birthday was in April but I thought this would be the perfect way to celebrate...and it was, even before we entered the Ahmanson!

Originally I planned on an early dinner at Kendall's Brasserie but then it seemed the Founder's Room would be more celebratory and it was. Great fun having Chris Johnsten join us!

Then to make it perfect, Carol Soucek King and Joycie Fickett joined us at intermission.

Time for one last memory...

It's thrilling to be in the presence of greatness and when Plácido Domingo is referred to as 'a wonder of the world' it's not an overstatement.
There are only four remaining performances, May 8th, 11th, 16th and 19th so make sure you don't miss this once in a lifetime experience!
I wish you joy!

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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.