CHINESE NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION…

Sunday, February 28, 2010

CHINESE NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION…

…at the Huntington was the most fun ever! Words cannot express how very proud I am of the wonderful Brush painting demonstrations my students did. They interacted so beautifully with the visitors and a grand time was had by all!

The predicted rain storm never arrived but ‘rainy day’ precautions were made and my amazingly talented students were placed in the Botanical Center. This turned out to be so much better than being outside as originally planned.

Lynne Tucker and Ralph Komai were the first two demonstrators. Ralph is in my class at the Huntington

Here’s Clara Yang, Lynne Sims and Kc Camp

In this cute picture…Lynne with Kc in perfect harmony

Charles and I stopped by and here I am with Lou Jordan who demonstrated later, Leslie, Clara, Lynne & Kc

If you look hard you can find Charles.

Some of the visitors…these two gentlemen had been to see the master calligraphers who were also demonstrating and proudly showed off their work!

Adorable visitors entranced by Leslie Robin

There was no shortage of adorable children

I’m so proud of Dorothy Shepherd…she’s been consistently winning awards… her landscapes are so powerful!

Violet Lee charmed the children

I took three videos – two of students demonstrating to a very receptive audience and finally a talk about Chinese Brush Painting with one of the visitors.

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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.