BACK IN THE SWIM.....well, sort of....

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

BACK IN THE SWIM.....well, sort of....

After having the awesomely amazing wondrous Lisa See talk to our group in the studio….being sated by yummies from Jane Windsor at Anyone for Tea and surrounded by Amy’s beautiful flowers (www.menuahflowers.com) it’s hard to even begin to regain a sense of normalcy.

Fortunately Trudy was back from her 52 day jaunt in Europe and not a day to soon for Kita.

And not a day too soon for the rest of us as Trudy always brings back those amazing european chocolates. I see someone got into them already….wonder who….

These are dark chocolate ‘leaves’. Quite thin and of course quite healthy!

Dear Amy knows my love of borscht and had her sweet mother-in-law whip up a ton for me. It’s one of those ‘everything goes in the pot’ so that it’s healthier than the chicken soup standby. Can you see how big that pot is???

Oh Amy you are the dearest!

Did I mention the dolmas? Amy thought I did a better job of sour cream decorating last time but I was in a hurry to get to it! The sweet roasted peppers were sublime!

I’m not sure what this was other than yummy. Amy whipped it up just for me. I am sooooo spoiled!!!

Then it’s time to adjourn to the living room, sit back, relax and enjoy some of that very healthy european tea.

You’ve met Mia. She gets a lot of likes and comments on Facebook!

Of course Kita is jealous and always wonders why I come home smelling like other four legged pals.

Never mind that….all is forgiven….where’s the bacon!

Maria came over to say goodbye before a years sabbatical in Brazil. She had her dressmaker make this charming skirt from a 100 year old sheet of her grandmother’s which she then dyed aqua.

Imagine, over 100 and looking good including the initials. Sounds like someone we know and love.

Why oh why did we take on every single project in the office? Please….don’t answer that! The three cabinets in the background are being completely re-organized and add to the chaos. My lap top is in front of the new iMac and I have no idea what Nikka is doing with it. The old PC was still at the Staples hospital.

This is the calm in the eye of the storm as Kim moved the iMac into the dining room so Nikka could work on scanning large (32 X40) works on the new and totally wonderful scanner.

I have no idea how any of this is done but love looking at the results!

Our attempt at doggie protection.

Love, love, love the new Cannon printer. It’s wireless and you would laugh to watch/hear me in the office bellowing to Nikka in the dining room.

About that time Mary Beth came by to pick up her business cards and try to explain to Kita that they weren’t going to the park. Lots of luck with that Mary Beth.

Sandie Girl and I loved Gone Girl but she should confess that she shut her eyes quite a bit & asked me what was going on. If you think that’s funny, how about a week later when I told Sandie that I had seen Gone Girl the week before and then stared at her as I realized it was with her. Eeeeee gads!!!

We met Dr. Jim afterwards and I didn’t have the heart to drag them to Bar Verde again. Besides, it’s just not the same without Chef Lauren and I suspect my 3-4 times a week there are over. Off we went to Le Pain Quotidien.

I opted for the frittata…...

While Jim got the charcuterie plate and Sandie had beautiful soup…..

Then home to binge watch House of Cards. Don’t know if I like where it ended. Any fans out there???

Still surrounded by Amy’s beauty….

Meanwhile at the Huntington it was ‘Orchidtober Fest’ time…...

Please note: Stay out of the way of the orchid people. They are serious and will fight you for a cart. Wilbur and Ralph finally hunted one down for me.

They really do a wonderful job of setting up…….

Showcasing some lovely arrangements…..

Class was so much fun….we covered a lot….started out with the Japanese Maple and then did Mums, pumpkins and loquats….oh my!

Checked out the new Trader Joe’s in Glendale on Brand.

Along with a puppy in training for Guide Dogs of America. His two years are just about up and now for the hard core training.

Saw cute Sue and Steve W. there…...

…..and decided to get take out for mom and Nikka at Recess…...

Next morning….time for Nikka and me to do some serious work so we needed to be fortified by Portos. Their cheese rolls are soooooo good!

Kita did a good beg for a roll…….

After a very long day who are you gonna’ call???? Gourmet 88 for the best ever Chinese Food.

Next day Amy brought this exquisite orchid arrangement for Lynne T.

And this lovely gem for me….I was so touched it was difficult to focus back on class.

Here’s another look at that orchid before Lynne picked it up on Sunday. Hope your week is as beautiful!!!

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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.