TYRUS WONG is a NATIONAL TREASURE…

Sunday, October 25, 2009

TYRUS WONG is a NATIONAL TREASURE…

and Sunday, Oct. 25th is his 99th birthday! To celebrate, a group of relatives, friends and admirers gathered at the Santa Monica beach (at the north end of the pier) to watch Tyrus and his lovely hand-made kites. (This amazing experience happens the 4th Saturday of each month.)

It wasn’t windy enough for the many sectioned butterfly kite to take wind but the Panda bear was just light (and cute) enough!

Tyrus and his kites were featured in a short film ‘Flights of Fancy’ and you can see why. Some are over 100 feet and there are flocks of swallows, butterflies, centipedes and more, all lovingly hand painted.

Tyrus, Pam Tom & excited me

Pamela Tom is the Director/Producer of the nearly completed full length documentary “Brushstrokes in Hollywood: A Portrait of Tyrus Wong”.

How cute is this…Tyrus with daughter Kim and adoring fans

One of Tyrus’ ground breaking exquisite illustrations for the classic animated film Bambi.

You should know that although it’s nearly finished, “Brushstrokes in Hollywood” still very much welcomes and DEPENDS on our (tax deductable) contributions and support in order for it to be completed.

For more information and to support:

www.brushstrokesinhollywood.com

Did you know that the Santa Monica pier is the end of Route 66?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...: thank yuo Tyrus Wong for yuor friendship over the years in writing me wishing yuo a late 99th birthday as my dad would be on December 26th if he were here today I still have all yuor wonderful cards yuo sentwith the nice song birds yuo drew on them wishing an even better birthday when yuo turn 100 next year yuor friend charlie Rosneberger or as yuo and only yuo called me Chas thank uo merry chrisrtmas and a great new year god bless; December 22, 2009 at 7:42 PM

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.