THEATERS, MUSEUMS and SCIENTISTS.....

Monday, February 29, 2016

THEATERS, MUSEUMS and SCIENTISTS.....

The theatre is a fun way to start the week and ‘An Act of God’ was hilariously wonderful! Sean Hayes delivered a tour de force of a performance!

Kendall’s Brasserie at the Music Center can always be counted on for a delicious meal. Besides they have the best bread!

….and the squash soup was wonderful!

Carnivore that I am I love having the Steak Tartare.

Every year there is a ‘Lunch With the Scientists’ luncheon at UCLA to inform the guests of the Iris Cantor-UCLA Women’s Health Center work. I’m thrilled that Miss Judith invited me. Here we are just about ready to leave…..Lizzie Girl with Eileen in the middle and new friend, Julie who has the most interesting story being born in Japan. Her mother is Japanese and her father from Hungary. Loved her story!

We’re hungry!

Smile Miss Judith and Eileen!

Miss Judith is on the ‘Executive Advisory Board’ and it goes without saying that she’s my template for doing good!

A memorable day topped with the best chocolate in the world. Big thanks Miss Judith!

From the sublime to…..Peterson Automotive Museum for a special Music Center ‘Founders’ event…….

I immediately put dibs on this 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom1. A derelict, it was rescued and restored in the early 50’s.

Amy went with this newer number…...

We had drinks and then wandered to the third floor waiting for dinner to be served. Docent Tom, told us this little Honda motorcycle put Honda on the map. They sold 88 million of them in the ’60’s. Imagine!

Finally and can you believe we were at table 11?

The young musicians are from the ‘Spotlight Academy’, an educational program for high school students sponsored by the Music Center. One of the many things the ‘Founders’ support.

This salad was sooooooo good!

Carnivore time…..

Bring on the chocolate. (There was also the most incredible chocolate candy at each table.)

Time for fun and frolicking. Amy, Nikka & I went to an ‘I Love Coco’ event on Friday at Bar Marmont on Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood.

I talked Nikka into getting a temporary tattoo for fun…..

You’ll see about the nails in just a bit…...

But first a libation at the bar…...

Photo op. I never realized how heavy a real guitar is…...

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We had about three seconds to change poses…. 0182 975ZJ9 3 dragged

Picking out nail polish colors…...

Time to photograph the results…...

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That looked like so much fun I asked if I could do it even though I didn’t have a manicure……I mean, after all, I do love Coco!

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Oh look….a photo booth. Do you think we three can squeeze in? Lets try!

Mission accomplished. Next…Nikka gets some tips on lipstick…...

Time to saunter over to Chateau Marmont to investigate things. The elevator creeped us out but we were brave. (It’s been years since I was there and nothing has changed.) Actually, nothing has changed since 1929!Care to sing a little tune for us Amy?

O.K., enough of old Hollywood…..We wound up at Bar Bouchon across from the Montage Hotel where they have the best tomato soup…..

I saw a bowl of popcorn on another table so……..

Time for my favorite……Goose pate. Foie Gras!!!! I think I just like to hear Amy say ‘Goose’!

Brush painting class in the Studio on Saturday was wonderful. Lots of inspiring conversation by all and happiness finding the mystery of the Plum.

Mary Beth came by and took Kita for a delightful walk in the hills. Miraculously she was fine with the little appetizer dog to the right.

Wishing you a fun 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.