December 1st……

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

December 1st……

…..and the ‘Wisteria Garden’ was ready to be picked up at Agnes’s. Sandie barely had room in her van but it did just make it! I am so touched that this painting of mine was chosen for such a special gift!

Monday I was off to Bar Verde to meet Laurie.

If you use the valet on Brand, there’s a lovely short cut ……

We had fun with the artichokes…..

I’m such a carnivore………

Lizzie came over on Tuesday and Wednesday I met Mary at Kabuki.

Panic mode set in because there still wasn’t a cover for the Christmas card. Off I went to Americana hoping to get some good pictures of Santa’s House that might possibly be used.

Well that just wasn’t working for me so I decided to sneak inside …..Santa was on a break (really???) but his chair was there. The guards told me photo’s were not allowed. …..My phone was set on ‘photo’ and I got this shot off before I was unceremoniously told to leave. You’ll have to wait to see how we used this……THANK YOU NIKKA!

This little fellow was witness to my crime. He was terrified Santa would chase me down.

Molly will be leaving for Mexico (for the winter…..how funny) but had time to catch up at lunch.

A new Calligraphy series with Shantien ‘Tom’ Chow began Saturday. Tom was telling everyone about finding the video I took of him performing a Calligraphy masterpiece all over the world and one that appeared in Japan advertized Viagra along with it. Well, that makes sense, the Calligraphy he wrote was “Monk Dreaming of a Beautiful Lady!” I love Miss Judith’s reaction!!!! (So does Liz!)

I told you about taking the birthday ‘make up’ cake to Olga, George and Martin. What I didn’t tell you about was when they showed me their ‘Cintig-21,22,24.

It’s awesome but between us….I still prefer painting with brush and paper. Computers will never match that….great though they may be!

I’ll close off with my first ‘Selfie’…..or in other words…… ‘Help…. I’ve been captured by the insanity going around’!

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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.