Los Angeles OPERA INSIGHT EVENTS

are always great fun along with learning a lot. Listening to composer Matthew Aucoin, Genius Grant recipient along with a MacArthur Fellowship, and  composer of 'Eurydice', his opera to be premiered in LA Opera's 2019/20 season was no exception.

Making the evening even more memorable was spotting this double rainbow during the light reception before Aucoins talk.

This was followed by seeing the 'super moon' leaving the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Because of that I had quite a lot to talk about when Chris Johnsten from the LA Opera came to visit the studio.  I was especially delighted when he said he could look at this scroll I painted all day.  Imagine! Thank you Chris.

I've posted about friend Farnaz's Noruz events welcoming in the Persian New Year but must say this year she really outdid herself and  everyone had such a wonderful evening. Here's her amazing Haft sin table.

Barbara to the left will be visiting the studio this week. Also seen are Sweet Maryam and Awesome Parvin!

I'm still laughing over this!

Special thanks to Sweet Nicola for the delightful lunch at The Athenaeum and for filling me in on the upcoming Caltech Associates events!

Class in the studio was super fun and delightful seeing Marilyn on the far left who drove in from Palm Springs.  Marilyn was in the workshop I did at Sunnylands and fell in love with brush painting.

If you ever wonder how a lesson comes together it usually starts with someone making a request.  This month it was Sweet Lynne Sims who wanted to paint Freesia's.  I pull the artwork, write all the 'how to' text and then Nikka imports it all into the computer.  It's a bit more complicated than that but you get the idea.

As promised, Artist Barbara, visited the Nan Rae Studio!

Always great fun getting together for our dinners with neighbors Dave and Alexis, Izabela and Wayne and Maryam and Kert.

Of course The Hanson's fur babies wanted in on the partying!

I wish you all sweet Puppy Love!

THE HUNTINGTON SUCCESSORS EVENTS

....are always wonderful but I think this weeks focus on "ARABELLA: The Force Behind the Huntington's Art Collections" was the very best!



Cutie Cris Lutz.

But first some nibbles!

Christina Nielsen, the new Director of the Art Collections gave a fascinating glimpse into Arabella Huntington, her passion for collecting and the opportunity to see these two rarely seen Mary Cassatt pastels.

James Glisson, Curator of American Art also gave a most interesting talk on the two paintings and Cassatt's process.
Beautiful Amy enjoyed it too!

Afterwards we were able to walk about the Virginia Steele Scott Galeries of American Art.

This Mary Cassatt absolutely stopped me in my tracks.



If you've never been to Julienne's on Mission in San Marino then stop reading, jump in your car and get yourself over to one of my favorite places.

What better than being treated to lunch at Julienne's with Curtis my most brilliant and talented friend.

I had such a wonderful time that I met Nancy Baxter there the following week.  Nancy is now the Director of Development at the Pasadena Playhouse.  Love sharing books with her.


Not sure what on earth I was saying but the new Landscape series in the studio was filled to capacity and great fun!

And class at the Huntington was so full we had to take the class photo on the stairs!

Clara you're so cute!

Yoshida san brings me the most delicious Japanese treats when he comes for the twice yearly Pine tree trimming.

He had said my little garden needed work asking "What does your gardener do?"  Why blow and go says I!  Anyway, this was phase one and Tuesday he and Carlos will finish up.  Fingers crossed that everything grows back.  This turned out to be a bit more minimalistic than I bargained for.

I wish you all the delights of Spring!

LA OPERA'S THE CLEMENCY OF TITUS

...was absolutely sensational.
The sets and costumes gave this Mozart masterpiece a fitting background. The LA Times called it 'A feast for the eyes' and it certainly is.  Only three more chances to see this magnificent production.
Amy and I loved being at the dress rehersal.

and afterwards the Bella Voce dinner was wonderful.

Is there a dog on the planet that I would pass by without taking a photo? Meet Morgan the star of 'Rescued by Goldens'.

Delighted to be given this poster signed by  Maestro Domingo!

Very special thanks go to dear Miss Judith, a board member of the Iris-Cantor-UCLA Women's Health Center, for inviting me to 'Lunch With the Scientists'.  This very special annual event gives those present an opportunity to hear UCLA scientists discuss the latest advances and discoveries in women's health.

I went with Lizzie Girl and Awesome Eileen  but unfortunately, our hostess was ill and could not attend.  Bummer!

Lizzie couldn't resist some fun in the elevator at the Beverly Wilshire!

Yes, that's me!



What a privilege to be included with these amazing women who contribute so much.

Thank you Miss Judith for including me in this stellar event!

Oh my, I wonder if class at the Huntington Botanical Gardens could get any better....

The same holds true for the studio class.

It's always a joy to have special time with precious Alice!

Just a thought...You might want to wear grubbies when you come over because Kita is certain you're here for play time with her.

Ryan doesn't seem to be bothered...

She got all gussied up for International Akita Day.

What fun to meet Tanya at Vroman's Bookstore.  She's a dear friend of student Ralph Komai and told me she collects my cards!

Can't remember what this was all about but it sure looks like fun.

So proud of Lisa See, a genuine rock star.  Vroman's was so jammed with people to hear her discuss her latest book 'The Island of Sea Women' that they had to turn people away.

I'm going to need another bookshelf just for Lisa See!!!

Sending you a rainbow to your dreams!