WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF THIS EVER HAPPENING?

I had just left the Ikebana House at the Huntington Botanical Gardens when my cell phone rang.

"Nan, it's Judy." Judy? Judy from GRADE school in Chicago? Judy now from Iowa wintering in your Newport Beach home? That Judy? Well yes it was!

"Where are you?" "At the Huntington with Marshall and friends who are visiting us." Judy answered. "Really? Where exactly?" "In the bookstore" came the answer. "Stay there, I'll be right over!"

Here's what happened. Sweet Rosanna Schmidgall went to the bookstore after class and saw someone not only looking at my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' but discussing it with someone. Rosanna said to her, "That's my teacher, she's here now and I can give you her phone number!"

Ripley has nothing on us!!!

For more information:
http://www.huntington.org/

WE'RE HAVING A PARTY...

...and it will benefit the West Valley Food Bank. So said Carolyn Weisz who, with artist friend Denise Hufhines came up with the plan to have a wine tasting, dinner and auction followed by more food and yummy deserts.

Carolyn and husband Dr. Jeff hosted and guests were told to bring a bottle of wine which was then encased in Renolds wrap and placed on a table. We were given sheets of paper with the numbers of the bottles and instructions to taste and rate. I could easily see that this was brilliant planning...after all that wine tasting...we raised a lot of money!

We had been told to bring a 'White Elephant' item from home that we would want to 'get 'rid of'' and also something on the 'nice' side.










Denise explains how the auction works:




The auctioneer (Dr. Jeff) was to hold up an item like the 'lovely' dancing puppet. You could either bid on it yourself or bid for someone else to receive it. That's when it got really hysterical. If you didn't want the item, you'd have to raise the bid to give it to someone else. It's hard to describe but if you want to give such a fun packed party to benefit either a food bank or some other worthy cause...call Denise!


You'll want to know more about Carolyn, Denise and
her hubby Donald. They are all wonderful students of mine and this happy picture was taken at their joint, sold out art exhibit!












For more information:

http://www.dhufhines.com/
http://www.fineartsbycarolyn.com/
www.popwh.org/newpop/min_food_pantry.html

WHAT A LOVELY INVITATION...

...to be the guest of awesome Valerie Foster Hoffman for a private tour of 'Masters of the American West' at the Autry led by Curator Amy Scott. Dinner followed at the California Club and was a lovely chance to discuss the art.

I hadn't been to the Autry since the opening reception of 'On Gold Mountain: a Chinese American Experience' based on the fascinating book by Lisa See. Lisa and her cousin Leslee See Leong were the guest curators. (Leslee's father, Gilbert Leong, architect and artist, was a founder of the East West bank and an encouraging patron and dear friend. I just ran across a note from him where he happily said 'I had gotten it just right!')

You'll want to know about two of the artists who exhibited in the show. Gayle Garner Roski and Peter Adams.

In the years that I've known Gayle my admiration for her dedication to her work has never wavered. Looking at the body of her work as well as the four paintings exhibited, her color, design & theme concepts are always new, exciting and original, developed within the framework of her exacting technique.

As for Peter, well, let's just call him the 'Modern Master of Light'. I first met Peter when he studied at the Lukits Academy of Fine Arts as I did for a short time in the 70's. I discovered Brush painting and Peter went on to become Mr. Lutkits Personal Apprentice & #1 student! Then as always, Peter remains the consummate gentleman and it's always a joy to see him and Elaine, his beautiful wife.

For more information:
http://www.mastersoftheamericanwest.org/

http://www.gaylegarnerroski.com/

www.apa.si.edu/ongoldmountain/

http://www.lisasee.com/

for information on Peter Adams go to:
http://www.americanlegacyfinearts.com/
http://www.theodorelukits.org/
http://www.californiaartclub.org/

WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE...

...how meaningful it was for me to share a few moments with June Wayne, 'Artiste Extraordinaire' and one of our 'National Treasures'!

Judith Linde, President of UCLA Friends of English had invited me to the Royce Hall event celebrating the 50th anniversary of Miss Wayne's livre d'artiste on the love sonnets of John Donne a ground breaking collaboration with Marcel Durassier the master French printer.

Miss Wayne told how upon hearing the recorded sonnets "It was as if I was listening to Beethoven and the sounds and poetry took over my hands...they reached beneath my skin". One line from a poem would be selected for the tittle of each of the drawings.

As there was no suitable lithographer in the United States at the time, her journey took her to France and then a dangerous sojourn to the Berlin Red Zone for the typography. All this was enchantingly told to the enraptured gathering.

From this seminal work sprang the Tamarind Lithography Workshop to revitalize the art of lithography and which fostered great artistic collaborations. Sponsored by the Ford Foundation, Tamarind later moved to the University of New Mexico.

I left knowing yet again that one must follow one's dream, live with passion and only then will we fulfill our purpose.

How I do thank you Judith Linde

For more information:

www.english.ucla.edu/resources/foe/

http://www.junewayne.com/

www.unm.edu/~tamarind.com

I WAS SO VERY TOUCHED AND GRATIFIED...

to receive the following e-mail from Tony Oliver, my wonderful student and friend of whom I couldn't be more proud.

"Here are pictures of a third grade class here in Bakersfield that I did a volunteer art lesson with. They loved it. Thank you so much for encouraging me to go to the schools ..."












And now, from the classroom teacher to Tony.....


"Thank you again so much for coming to share your talent with my class. They really enjoyed it. I was impressed by the quality of the art my students were able to produce. I have attached some pictures of you working with students. Let me know which day next week will work for you to teach another class."

Now how about that! Isn't it just the most delightful thing you've ever seen? The children are so precious and seeing how beautifully Tony works with them...well, I can hardly stand it!






Tony is also receiving great responses in selling his Brush paintings so I hope you're all encouraged by seeing this to get out there, like Tony, and share your wonderful gift.


To contact Tony:

tonyo1012_688@hotmail.com