IT&#39;S ALL ABOUT THE FOOD...OR IS IT????

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FOOD...OR IS IT????

That’s an easy one to answer. It’s all about sharing experiences and if you’re a foodie, or a foodie in training, I can recommend no one better than Clara Yang, my partner in discovery and joyful adventures. From tea at the Peninsula…...

….. to Chinese Haute Cuisine at Joss Cuisine on Santa Monica in Beverly Hills….or a stop over at Nobu Matsuhisa on La Cienega. I just surrender to Clara’s refined palate and judgement and always have a memorable experience! ✌️ This brings me joy!

Sometimes you just want to share an easy time together and Clara was so kind to drive from Santa Monica to Americana. Now who would do that….it should be the other way around but I was just too pooped!

We settled on Amici Trattoria for lunch where you can get a decent enough Italian meal as they use the freshest ingredients with simple presentations. We decided on lightly breaded sole that I always wind up getting and it was quite good!

What’s going on here? Am I talking ‘Italian’??? There should be a bubble over my head…..

Ahhhh…..that’s more like it!

This was not…I repeat…not my idea! Cannoli Siciliani: Ricotta, Valrhona Chocolate and Pistachios. Oh soooo good! 👍 We split it in case you’re wondering.

For my Facebook friends you already know I reached my personal best….seeing ‘Inside Out’ for the fourth time. Clara had not seen it and I didn’t want her to miss it!

I have to tell you I got even more out of it the 4th time and cried in the same and also different places……For two joyful souls, we really ‘got’ that sadness can’t be ignored and enhances a persons joy. WOW!

A little shopping therapy at Nordstrom afterwards and then pop-ins at Barnes and Noble and Sephora.

Well, if it’s not food it’s dogs that gets me every time. Special thanks to everyone who has ever patiently waited while I photograph any doggie that crosses my path!

Bye bye dear Clara and thank you for a beautiful, joy filled day!

The Burbank Cultural Arts Commission asked me to be one of the judges for a ‘Beautification’ project along with famed muralist Kent Twitchell . This was certainly two hours well spent. I'm always in awe of all the talent that’s absolutely everywhere and it was thrilling for me to read the applications and get the artists views on their work and aspirations. We just had that two hours but I took the time to also look up websites if they were listed as this gives one even more insight.

Group photo! It was wonderful to see Edward Clift, President of Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara! In the middle is Lynda Wilner then Kent and Jonelle Pickett. The very tall Dink O’Neal is behind us.

Vicki has mastered the selections from Green Chef. It takes a lot to sort out the ingredients!

…and then beautifully plate the finished results...

Having fun at mom’s…….

Meet Michael….the nicest jeweler in the city and arguably the most creative. Let me know if you have something to be repaired or want a new piece designed by him & I’ll give you all the info.

So happy my beautiful necklaces from Sandie Girl and Tomiko were repaired! 💞Michael let me try on this 5ct E diamond sold to some lucky woman…..

Note to all friends…especially Amy: Don’t wear white when you come over. On second thought, don’t wear black….or anything good…..

Kita….PLEASE behave!

Finally settling down to watch TV with Sir Charles….

Saturday afternoon I met Tomiko at Recess Eatery and had my usual Ahi Tuna..

Here’s a preview of the extraordinary Gala at Robinson Garden’s that I’ll show you on my next blog…...

Marc Chagall painting at Michael’s…..Wishing you beauty in everything you do and see!

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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.