TIME TO CELEBRATE…….

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

TIME TO CELEBRATE…….

……..beginning with Charles and my anniversary on the 19th. (The 19th on the 19th!) Emma printed up this card for Charles and he signed it.

Awwwwww………

We all went to Bar Verde……surprised?

I love my darling Charles!

Next day was class at the Huntington and Jessica brought me a moon cake….so I guess that means summer is over!

That night, when I plunked myself down on the living room sofa…..the TV screen was green!!! Everyone and everything…green with Laurie Pie coming over the following Monday to watch the Emmys! Oh dear…. Bright and early I went to Costco and finally found a parking spot in spite of all the digging and construction they’re doing.

At that point I just wanted to get the whole thing over with so I picked out a 65 inch Samsung LED Smart TV with all the bells and whistles….it even has 3D glasses and a keyboard. Smarter than me for sure…. Help! On the way home I spotted this magnificent creature at the stables on Riverside drive. Had to park the car and take these photos.

His name is Atticus and he’s a jumper getting ready to compete during the dressage competitions at the Equestrian Center over the weekend. Wish I had time to see that!

That night mom, Nikka & I went to The Cheesecake Factory which only served to remind me how much I love Bar Verde.

To make it all better we stopped at Sprinkles, the new cupcake & ice cream shop at Americana. Cupcakes to go (including some for Kita) and ice cream to devour immediately…..sooooo good!

Kita loved hers…..

Friday David, our locksmith was here doing major stuff after he & Kita did the dance.

David helped Kim get the old TV into my room. Oh, did I mention, the color came back to it after I go the replacement. What in the world is going on here???? Oh well, at least now I can watch Sponge Bob Square Pants in larger than life living color at all hours….

New set arrives……Kita supervises….

I had the most wonderful time on Saturday with the amazing Elaine at The Peninsula in Beverly Hills.

Cheers everyone!

One of the reasons I love coming here is the joy of seeing Lissi Kaplan’s china…..it’s soooo exquisite!

Let’s hear it for the good stuff!!!

Snoopy understands why I must photograph all food…

Michael Ploetz, the Director of Food and Beverage at The Peninsula, gave us a little going away gift!

That same day was also Nikka’s birthday and I had told her to take the day off. That was BEFORE Vicki told me there was to be a surprise B-day party for her here! There aren’t enough words or time to describe the antics I went through getting her here in the afternoon and then keeping her until everyone arrived….what a task!!!

All’s well that ends well so Happy Birthday Nikka!!!

Gourmet 88 of course!

We watched Red Obsession, a film (Netflix) about what the wealthy Chinese are doing to the prices of French wines. Fascinating!

Watching it on the new TV mom says it’s too big and way too bright and I need to move the sofa back….back….further back….

What say you puppy?

I wish you beautiful blue skies and puffy white clouds!

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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.