DOMESTICITY AND OTHER THINGS

A trip to Julienne's is #1 on the list when planning a dinner party.

It's fun planning the menu, setting the table, checking lists to make sure everything is done as planned.

Appetizers on the patio...



But the most fun of all is knowing your guests had a good time!

While on the subject of fun...Nothing could have been better this month than celebrating Carol's return home.... Her luncheon at The Athenaeum was absolutely delightful...

As was the lovely lunch at Carol's with Tavo Olmos on Mandolin and Nick Neutra on Guitar serenading us.

A beautiful day!

Along with hugging a tree for good measure before going home!

There was a Western Barbecue at the Athanaeum and who could resist petting a baby goat!

Everyone got the memo...note the hats!



Probably the absolutely sweetest day was the bridal shower for Erin.  Sister Kaley greeted me before the festivities...sooooo cute!

You can barely see Clara in the far left...

Bravo Kathy, this was a day to remember!

So much yummy food....



This was very clever.  You could write your name on your beverage glass.

Clara got the most delicious cake at Sweet Lady Jane...but of course!

It's no secret that I love Moochi even more than Kita.

On to birthdays....
We celebrated Lovely Marine at The Frontyard...

and, don't laugh...me again at the Peninsula with thanks to Clara.

It's Nikka's B-day turn....

Maggie celebrated Nikka with cupcakes at the Huntington...

There were enough to go around for all 38 students!

Lovebird Eliza is so happy with her 'Lovebirds'!

Word has it that this painting was happily received in Boston...

Thanks May at Chang's Frames in El Monte.  You're amazing!

Trying to get organized...

in between conferences in the studio...

O.K., needed a play date at the Peninsula with buddies Sweet Joycie and Patricia!

I hope you take time to play too!

WHERE DID JULY GO?

Honestly, I don't know where the month went to especially since I had determined to enjoy the summer.  It started off wonderfully with a bang up 4th of July party at Marine and Aram's my friends who wrote the book on partying!
I took mostly video's so you just have to imagine how amazing this party was.

There was a station for tacos and for desert, this fellow from 'Crepes a la French' was quite awesome!

So happy for this selfie with dear Gayane, Marine's precious mom and her adorable sister Eliza who took it.

Kita is always party ready!

She's also always ready to help out in the office!

There was a grand party the next day celebrating Maryam and Kert's second anniversary but again...all I took was video's!
Sweet Patricia treated me to lunch at Geoffrey's in Malibu for my birthday...

and then we dipped our toes in the ocean....a summer must do!



Next stop dinner at Élephante in Santa Monica for dinner.  WOW does that place rock!!!

Al fresco lunch at Ca Del Sole with Monique Schenk, my brilliant
architect is always a joy!

Of course the class at the Huntington is always a sublime pleasure...

It was great fun to work with Elizabeth on her project.

Dinner with Benjamin  discussing my next book...

and chips and dips with the Gift Show gang at Veranda, the poolside lounge in the historic Figueroa Hotel downtown.  Brings back so many memories...

Finally, al fresco on the patio with Grace Farag, my brilliant writer friend.

Summer means at least one trip a week to Monte Carlo Deli for their amazing gelato!

Sandi Girl and I finally celebrated our May birthdays with a Chuan Spa adventure at the Langham Hotel.  Thank you so much Marine and Eliza for this special treat!  Time for a champagne toast!

Next a birthday dinner poolside.



Later beautiful Stephanie came over to show her stunning mom the studio.

To close out the month I took some large works into Chang's Frames to be mounted.  May is the best!

May August be filled with summer fun for you! Maybe a road trip!

LET'S TALK ABOUT ART

...and how absolutely wonderful it is to just play.  To not be concerned about outcome but just delight in the process, enjoying the adventure.  Of course, if we can remember the brain needs to build a large file, muscle memory, then we can be patient.  I've painted Peonies a certain way for years and in Saturdays class in the studio decided to just play and everyone loved it.  We all expressed on paper what our hearts wanted to say.



Thank you dear Kc for the two absolutely delicious fruit tarts that disappeared way too quickly!

I loved the birthday candle!

Earlier in the month we worked on Wisteria and found a new way of expressing it as well.  Know the rules....then throw them out!  Picasso would be proud!

The Magnolia's are blooming now and so sublime they're inspirational.  Perfect subject for the class at the Huntington and especially because we had Sakura Poster White.

The second Wednesday of each month is devoted to studying Eastern Landscape in the studio.  It's fascinating to see the world in a completely different light, learning about centuries old ways of expressing nature.  I'm so proud of Tony and always love seeing his work completed and framed.  Bravo!

LA Opera's production of La Traviata was sublime.  True art in so many forms, Art Deco set design by Marta Domingo, flapper costumes and of course the amazing singers.  Soprano Adela Zaharia was magnificent asVioletta.



Great fun seeing Valerie at The Spotlight Awards at Disney Hall.
In the garden for treats and cocktails pre performance.

The Spotlight is a scholarship program empowering students by emphasizing preparation, courage, critical thinking and perseverance.  Categories are in acting, ballet, classical and non classical instrumental, voice, jazz and non classical dance and voice.



After the performances and awards, supporters were treated to a wonderful dinner.

Parvin has elevated the art of dining.

Dinner at Tom Backer's, bon vivant man about town and knower of all things art related with Maggie.  Here they are with Don Bachardy's portrait of Tom.

Followed by a business lunch with publisher Benjamin Darling from Laughing Elephant...Subject?  My next book!

Happy Days by Samuel Beckett at the Mark Taper  was not so happy so no more will be said except that Diane Wiest was amazing.

Marsha Ramos, former Burbank mayor,  is my template for doing good and I honestly don't know how on earth she can be involved with as many organizations as she is and all with aplomb.  It was delightful seeing her and Councilman and former mayor, amazing Bob Frutos, at the opening party for SKINBLVD an all inclusive beauty spa.


One could say this is also an art form.

Stephanie you could not be cuter.  I'll take a Selfie with you any day!

It's special fun going to LACMA after it closes.

Dinner first at Roy's and then a special lecture by Insoo Chu on 'The Faces of Korea Calligraphy'.

This was in conjunction with the current exhibition 'Beyond Line:  The Art of Korean Writing'.



If you're even remotely interested in modern art, you'll be enthralled by John Seed's first hand account in his latest book 'My Art World' available on Amazon.

This may not be art but it sure is adorable.

May you always find joy!