Tuesday, November 4, 2014

BITS and PIECES......

……..while the photo-shoot for The Eliot Project/Elizabeth’s Canvas was the most important thing I could have done, there was also room in the week for some playtime after work.

Laurie Pie and I decided to go shopping ….I’m not sure that was a good idea as she is a worse influence than I am.

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We both got into serious trouble when we visited the Vince area…..No pictures please.  Dinner was delightful at Bar Verde and the time passed so quickly I nearly turned into a pumpkin.

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I had to do some major ‘stuff’ at Bloomie’s the next day and this woman, Sedik Tarvirdian is pure gold.  She’s the Jo Malone Specialist but can help you in any area and you’ll find a favored auntie in her.

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Time to fortify at the Nespresso bar and re-stock.

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I wanted to show you these wonderful eggs I got at Pavilions. Happy hens, laying ethical eggs in the fresh air and sunshine!  Tended by hand and pasture raised with respect. Ya gotta love it!

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And just how excited did you get when it rained????  And afterwards it was soooo beautiful!

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As always, Calligraphy with Shantien ‘Tom’ Chow was filled with history, style and knowledge.

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Thank you Miss Judith for this treat.  You always find the most amazing foodie items.  Paulina, the young girl from Poland who walked Kita with Michael said they put a couple of tablespoons into beer & it’s yummy!

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I’m so proud of Dorothy Shepherd.  Here’s the first place ribbon she won in the Simi Valley Art Association exhibit.

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And here’s what the judge said: “ This is an absolutely beautiful piece, harkening back to classical Chinese watercolor landscapes.  With a combination of Vibrant colors and strong line - work that gives it contemporary appeal.”  Amen!

The painting, ‘Mountains and Mist’ also won first place and a $750. prize at the Fallbrook Art Center.

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Just about the time class was ending there was a banging (correct) on the front door and Nikka notified me an officer wanted to see our surveillance video’s.  “Are you sure he’s an officer”  says I?  After all, Halloween was just the night before! I had great fun having him prove his identity and after making sure his gun was authentic, let him into the garage.  Note to self:  clean out the garage!

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Kita wanted in on it too!

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Kita be nice to the officer...

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Since he was interested in seeing the view, I invited him in for that and to meet Charles.  You know we always have a party going on here.

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Here’s the info as we know it at this point.  A neighbors house was robbed while the owners were out of town.  The housekeep let two men in when they said they were delivering a package.  It was a package all right….they were armed and wore ski masks, tied her up, put her in the bathroom and did the deed.  Tom said their three little yappy dogs were running loose in the street.  The mystery to me is how the housekeeper got out of the bathroom and across the street to phone the police.

Well, the evening sky was beautiful and all became calm on the hill.

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May you have a blessed week!

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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.