Sunday, March 16, 2014

DINNER AT SWEET AMY’S……..

…….was the most precious time!  Amy had been wanting to make borscht for me but that was just the beginning! It was a ‘Jackson Pollock’ sort of an evening so here’s my homage “Borscht with Sour Cream’.

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Followed by ‘Le Paris’ Beef that was simply extraordinary.  Isn’t it beautiful!

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We had ‘Kiev Cake’ in the living room….

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Here it is sliced….

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With beautiful tea……….

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………and fresh fruit.

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So where does Jackson Pollock fit into all this? Besides creating the most exquisite floral arrangements (amy@menuah.com 818.625.5243) Amy is an accomplish artist creating large scale abstractions ala Jackson Pollock. My photo doesn’t do this piece justice but it’s so large I had to stand much further back than I would have liked.

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Thank you dear Amy for a memorable evening!

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Oh dear, I almost forgot adorable Mia….

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Too cute!

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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.