WHAT A WEEK………

Monday, August 5, 2013

WHAT A WEEK………

……my car decided to have a fit at Trader Joe’s…..the alarm went off and I couldn’t stop it….please, make it stop. Silly me, when it did I went inside, marketed and when the groceries were in the trunk I could not start the car. Wouldn’t you know…. when the Auto Club arrived it started and I was told the battery was probably at fault.

Lesson to be learned: Renew Auto Club membership on time and have a current card with you. (Good news is you can do that on the spot.) Me bad.

I love Eden at Rusnak…..she’s always honest with me and she’s just plain smart about cars and what could be bothering them.

Yes, it WAS the battery plus a slow leak in the coolant plus I needed new front brake pads or whatever. At least you get a free car wash!

I needed cheese for lunch…..

Tomiko and I saw ‘Blue Jasmine’ at the ArcLight in Hollywood. Don’t miss this one. I did a popcorn rating on my blog, ‘Movies, Movies, Movies’.

Then it was on to one of our favorites….Musso & Frank’s for the ‘Best Martini in Town’.

And the best Onion Soup……

……..and the best Steak Tartare. Yes, I admit it, I’m a carnivore. Me bad again. Oh,…. the bread served with it will drive you wild!

This must have been a movie week because Mary & I saw ‘Despicable Me2’ Saturday evening. That popcorn rating is also on my blog ‘Movies, Movies, Movies’. Then it was on to Katsuya (no photo)

A charming family scene.

We want minions!!!!

They’re needed to walk Kita……This is her classic ‘You talking to me?’ pose.

Notice how clean she is?

I suspect this will last a day or two more….”Leave it Kita!!!”

Kita would have loved to have been with me when I spotted this fox on Mountain right off of Allen.

…..and this King Charles Springer Spaniel (one of my all time favorite breeds).

He’s groomed for summer as their hair is usually long and silky.

O.K., one more thing and then the new week begins.

Get a look at this Harley…….

What year do you think it’s from???

The ‘40’s????

Earlier???? Look how old the license plate is.

I think I’ll close with that little puzzle.

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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.