THE BURBANK ART ASSOCIATION….

Thursday, October 20, 2011

THE BURBANK ART ASSOCIATION….

…..is a most talented, enthusiastic group of artists so when Marsha Ramos asked me if I would do a demonstration for them I gladly accepted. If you’re on Facebook you know all about Marsha, a former mayor of Burbank, she is at the forefront of every and I mean every worthwhile cause….she’s my hero!

O.K., so I did my introductory talk in which I tried to explain that basically I’m a very shy person. This always gets the biggest laugh! Anyway, it’s important to stress to artists that there’s no such thing as perfection, just the striving after, and our job is to just enjoy the journey.

First a Poppy

How a Peony is just a Poppy on steroids!

Time for a group hug. Sweet and talented Lisa Caddel is seated on the right. Lisa, a talented artist in her own right is President of the Association. Be sure to check out her website www.ArtbyLisaPHC.com

And now the happy winners of my demo paintings:

Left to right:

Marsha Ramos with Bamboo

Claudio Del Carril with Chinese Orchid

Jamie Butterworth and Peony

Nancy Bearce and the Poppy

I was delighted to see Nancy Bearce, President of the Sunland Tujunga Art Association where I happily demonstrated and held two workshops. Nancy was so kind to rhapsodize about my book, ‘The Ch’i of the Brush’.

Can you believe Marsha framed her painting the next day!!!

Claudio Del Carril and Lisa Plemmons Harrison Caddel will have an artists reception on Saturday, October 22nd from 2-5pm and their exhibit ‘UNIQUE & UNEXPLAINABLE FORCES OF NATURE will be at the GEO GALLERY, 1545 Victory Blvd. Glendale through November 11th.

For more information:

www.ArtbyLisaPHC.com

www.claudioabstract.weebly.com

jamie4arts@earthlink.net

nancybearce1@att.net

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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.