A PERFECT DAY…….

Friday, March 15, 2013

A PERFECT DAY…….

…..started with a private tour of the Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino with Ann Richardson, retired former chief curator. Brush painters remember Ann being in the studio class and miss her greatly since she’s moved to California City. We’re behind the Ikebana house which is undergoing restoration including great walkways.

Thank you Robert for the knowledgeable and most interesting tour of the newly redone (in Japan) teahouse.

We had a delightful ‘tea time’ with Judi Danner, Overseer and all around lovely woman. Thank you for the treat Judi!

The whole day at the Huntington was so incredibly beautiful and amazing that I’ll be doing a separate blog about it.

When I got home it was time for a quick shower after all the ‘outdoorsey stuff’ & then off to Rose & Ken’s for a dinner party.

This hat is hanging at their front door and Ken told me a little sparrow has been attempting nest building inside the rim. We looked and sure enough….the days evidence.

Hi Norma….you are the sweetest. I got these boots for little Sophia and they were just the right size. Vroman’s has the greatest ‘kids’ area!

Bunnies were everywhere……….

See…………..

Blondie was busy chewing on the rocks in this pot.

More bunnies….they really do multiply!

Love this centerpiece……………….

Oh dear…more…….

Blondie gave up on the rocks…..

These were the most delicious appetizers…

First course………….so pretty!

Rosie you’re amazing…..

Comfort food to the max…….

Wouldn’t you know I’d forget to take a picture of desert……..it was deliriously good. A home made chocolate brownie with a thick fudge top. Ice cream and then, to make sure we had enough chocolate……

………….wait for it………………….

….MORE chocolate sauce!

1 comment:

Lynne said...: Another wonderful article and I love your photos.; March 16, 2013 at 7:05 AM

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.