AN ANNIVERSARY and a BIRTHDAY!

Thursday, August 27, 2015

AN ANNIVERSARY and a BIRTHDAY!

I absolutely love, love, love the look of the blog now. It was Nikka’s idea and she created it!

Sunday started the week off with meeting Tomiko at Pacific Theatre in Americana. I was a bit early and could not get over the lines at both the ticket area and will call. This photo doesn’t do it justice.

Got our tickets for Tom Cruise’s ‘Mission Impossible’ and must say it was one great ride! Ate way too much popcorn. It’s not a good idea to get the large size with the instant refill. I’m sure you agree but on the other hand, I bet you have more self control so it really wouldn’t matter.

Tomiko loves Anthropologie. I love just plopping down!

Kinda sworn off Bar Verde so it was off to Amici Trattoria where I got my usual Sole. I love the way they do the tomatoes……quite fresh with lots of Basil! You can see my Campari with Sparkling Water…my drink of choice in the summer. Learned that at the Ritz Bar in Paris. (Sorry, had to place drop.)

The folks at www.patiencebrewster.com asked me to write a blog about my inspiration as an artist and they dubbed me ‘The Monet of Brush Painters’. Kinda has a nice ring to it don’t you think?

I dug up this photo of me at Monet’s Garden in Giverny for the blog. Oh dear, that hair!!!

Ahhhhhh Heaven………...

His kitchen is a dream and oh what a bedroom with the biggest, softest down filled duvet in the world! It was all I could do to keep myself from flinging onto it!!!

Sigh…... Back to work. Focused on Roses and having so much fun. It’s all so fresh and spontaneous. Don’t worry about the form…just delight in playing!

This Yogurt Marinated Chicken with Couscous and Mint from the Green Chef sustained me.

The next evenings Lamb and Sweet Potato Sliders with Grape Arugula Salad was equally yummy!

Wednesday the 19th was our anniversary celebrating 20 years together. Actually it’s about 21 and a half.

Charles would always make these wonderful and quite clever cards for me and here’s one he wrote…...

Wednesday was also class day at the Huntington but we were evacuated at 1:00 due to a gas leak on the grounds.

Actually I was quite delighted as it gave me a chance to easily drive to El Monte to pick up the painting I’ll be donating to Robinson Garden’s big fund raising gala in September.

Just in case you need this factoid, the Thrifty Ice Cream plant is on Telstar Avenue in El Monte. Now aren’t you glad you’re reading this?

Back to our anniversary……..we decided to celebrate on the 20th instead as I was really pooped. Good thing Vicki had made this Southwestern Black Bean Soup with Lima Bean Succotash from the Green Chef. It was vegan so we added grilled chicken!

As with all the Green Chef recipes…..they’re delicious but cleanup is a bear…...

And here comes another Green Chef delivery…….

Back to the anniversary….Amici Trattoria seemed like the easiest place to get to.

Awwwwww……………...

My usual…..Sole. Don’t you love the way I’m my own bartender!

Next to Kaley's Panna Cotta, this came in a close second…...

Yes, the server’s mixing Risotto with Truffles and Black Mushrooms right in that big wheel of cheese!

On my way to Staples I spied this rider and pup…..love driving on Riverside Drive past the stables…….

Friday, as always, Nikka and I have a lot of catching up to do in the office. I was also busy mounting the weeks work…..

Saturday mom came over to help celebrate Nikka’s birthday (a day early) and Nikka showed mom the latest work.

Of course we ordered Chinese from Gourmet 88 as this is always our go-to celebratory meal!

Lets hear it for the cake…..

Make a wish…...

I sure love Nikka…...

Kita was getting very jealous and angry at being cordoned off so she attacked the sofa! I thought those days were long gone…..

This is one of the greatest photo’s ever!!!

I hope you take time this week to notice all the beautiful things along your way!

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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.