ROCK SUGAR.......

Monday, August 10, 2015

ROCK SUGAR.......

……is my new happy place! Miss Judith and Eileen planned on treating me for what would be the last of this year’s birthday celebrations. (I’ve never gone from May thru to August before!!!)

I drove to their art filled stunning home and once again went crazy over the entrance. Love the blue doors and the opening to the sky!

This beautiful bronze is to the left of the area….

Well now, what do I see???? Could that be Nan Rae art waiting to be hung in a placed of honor??

Off we go to Rock Sugar in Century City. It’s been ages since I’ve been in that area and it’s changed so very much…. Hi Eileen!

We’re so cute! Actually soooooo happy!

Even the ice tea is sensational but I really didn’t want the servers lower extremities in the shot…..

Grapefruit Jicama Salad with Red Cabbage, Candied Pecans and Plum Vinaigrette. Soooo.. yummy and crunchy …..

O.K., stop everything….Here’s the most delicious creation on the planet. Lacquered BBQ Ribs…..Ribs unlike any I’ve ever had before!

I forget what this chicken dish was but certainly remember how tender and delicious!

Happy Birthday to me with yummy 'made in house' ice cream!

Happy, happy! But how on earth did I come up with that outfit? Oh dear….those pants…..No I didn’t spill red wine on myself!

Eye candy everywhere. Just look at these pillars…..

Cool!

Back at the house I’m waved goodbye with a special nod from their gardener extraordinaire!

Thank you Miss Judith and Eileen for these terrific portable fans. Sir Charles and I are totally ‘cool’!

Just ‘cause I’m not eating enough Vicki made this creation from the Green Chef…..She plates everything soooo beautifully!

Have I mentioned that I’m addicted to Netflix’s House of Cards?

'Odd Mom Out' on Bravo winded up their first season and I really enjoyed this quirky little half hour.

I finished the painting I will be donating to the Robinson Garden’s ‘Gala’ in September. I’ll take it to Chiangs to be mounted and framed.

Fennel-Lime Chicken from the Green Chef….the meals just keep coming…..

I’m hungry. Time for lunch with Marine at Olive & Thyme in Toluca Lake.

Trying to be good I ordered a Cobb with dressing on the side…..

Eeeeee gads….another shipment from the Green Chef!

I’m really trying not to eat bread but this Indian flatbread Naan was super delicious and all the ingredients to make it were included with directions.

That night the sky was incredible….I went upstairs to photograph it from the deck….

While Kita kept a watchful eye on me from downstairs…..

Have I ever mentioned the ARTS Channel? We get it on 96 from Charter and when it’s on they have a wide variety of the performing arts including ballet and the opera.

Time for my car to act up again….

Oh well…..think beautiful skies!

Is this blog getting too long? Want to take a snack break???

O.K.

Are you back???

Sandie Girl had mentioned to Lisa that she had been given a set of China that she was not using & Lisa could have. They set up a day to meet for the exchange in Sierra Madre at the Four Seasons Tearoom and thoughtfully included me
.

Forget ‘The Ladies Who Lunch’….We’re ‘The Ladies Who Tea’!

Afterwards, right outside, I met ‘Ann’, a delightful gal who had rescued a Grayhound. Of course I had to tell her about our nearly rescuing one before Yuki and blabbered on, taking photos like mad and completely missing the china exchange.

These former racing dogs are true couch potatoes and wonderful, loving companions. Please check out www.graysave.org in Pasadena.

Time to head to El Monte with the unmounted painting. Here’s the info:

Chiangs Frame

9255 Telstar Ave. Unit J

626.307.1749

I’ll be going back this Thursday to pick up the work so if you wish to go with….let me know.

Then, stopping at Ralph’s I had another encounter. Yes, a Macaw! Apparently his owner is friends with the manager and so the bird is allowed in to shop. I told the fellow that I hope he’s made provisions for his ‘friend’ as the bird will most likely live to be 80!

Let’s get some work done. Nikka wore her arty shirt and was ready to shoot two video’s for YouTube.

Editing all done we headed over to the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena stopping first to relax in the garden with a cool iced tea. I think you’ll find this small but interesting exhibit worth the visit…..

….especially the development of ‘blue’ pigments.

Dreading fighting the traffic on a Saturday night in Old Town we headed back to Recess on Brand for a very late dinner. And yes, I polished off this whole gynormous burger.

May you be ‘in the chips’!

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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.