Nan Rae - Brush Painter

A PERFECT DAY AT THE BEACH…

2009-07-05T22:44:00.001-07:00

…is what you’ll remember looking at Molly Siple’s charming and evocative oil painting. You can see it on exhibit at the California Art Club Gallery at The Old Mill…1120 Old Mill Road in San Marino.

Victor Watson, Molly’s brilliant world traveled hubby, gifted artist Molly, Peggy, precious daughter- in- law, yours truly and amazing Anne, much loved granddaughter.

For More Information:

www.californiaartclub.org

www.old-mill.org

JANE FONDA and her friend RICHARD…

2009-07-01T10:20:00.001-07:00

…were sitting four rows in front of us Monday evening at the Ahmanson Theatre. So why do I mention this to you?

It was the funniest scene ever…like being in a football stadium when everyone does ‘The Wave’. Everyone in front of us turned to get a peek and then pointed to their companions while all in front of J.F. & R. turned back to look and proclaim.

We walked past when leaving and the only news I have of that is Jane inquired of someone saying “Well, did you eat all the chocolate?”

What surprised me the most was that mom didn’t stop to say how much she admires J….I think it was the propriety thing as no one else did.

Almost forgot…we went for ‘An Evening With Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin’. When the music started for ‘Don’t Cry for me Argentina’ and ‘Everything’s Coming up Roses’ I though the crowd would need sedatives as they/we were so excited! (Well, maybe not Charles.)

For More Information:

www.pattilupone.net

www.mandypatinkin.org

www.centertheatregroup.org

WE ARE SO HAPPY…

2009-06-28T17:41:00.001-07:00

…when Peggy Berry, Charles amazingly talented and lovely daughter is able to come to town on business. Peggy is the Development Director of the East Texas Food Bank and in that capacity has increased the donor base of support from less than a thousand to close to 30,000 which is amazingly miraculous! In 2005 Peggy led the ‘Freeze Out Hunger’ capital campaign, raising over $4 million dollars to build one of the largest cold storage facilities in the ‘America’s Second Harvest-The Nation’s Food Bank Network’.

Now I have to brag on Peggy’s daughter Anne sitting next to Peggy. She was able to get a short holiday from her job at Johnson Controls in Dallas... where she works with ‘the big boys’ going toe to toe, selling huge chillers for stadiums and large complexes. WOW, can she talk technology!

Here we all are At Roy’s in Pasadena, nearly passing out from their killer chocolate souffle.

Charles and Anne at the Huntington’s magnificent Chinese ‘Garden of Flowing Fragrance’ after seeing the ‘Treasures Through Six Generations’ Chinese Painting and Calligraphy from the Weng Collection. Don’t miss that show and if you’ve seen it…go again!

For more information:

www.easttexasfoodbank.com

www.secondharvest.org

www.feedingamerica.org

www.johnsoncontrols.com

www.huntington.org

QUIET ON THE SET…

2009-06-15T11:55:00.001-07:00

…Charles Lee DeMille is at work!

There’s nothing like a new video camera to inspire Mr. Parker. At the moment we’re putting very short video’s on the website’s supply page. Please do let us know if this is a help to you and what else you’d like to see. Click on the box called “Details” on most of the brushes & gift set.

Lessons to follow…any suggestions?

www.nanrae.com/supplies.html

HANGING OVER A CLIFF …

2009-06-13T11:52:00.001-07:00

The back boundary of our property is a 35 foot cliff, straight down, topped by Oleanders. This ever-blooming, evergreen now has a virus and is dying leaving us with a row of dead brush for fire season.
Fortunately, young men come from Mexico to tirelessly do the hard work required to trim and dispose of brush.

Standing on branches over the edge, they machete the brush and carry it back onto our property to mulch.

A Bougainvillea hedge remains to keep us from the edge of the cliff.

REALITY, WHAT A CONCEPT…

2009-06-13T11:18:00.001-07:00

Try to wrap your mind around the single word ‘Reality’ …

that’s what Beverly Hynds did in creating this amazing work. She had decided to be very Japanese and change the scrolls hanging in her home seasonally. Here you see this summer’s presentation done with a huge brush in sweeping expressive strokes.

Shantien ‘Tom’ Chow refers to Beverly as our beautiful star/actress as she well is!

ENJOY!

For more information:

www.beverlyhynds.com

WATER IS LIFE…

2009-06-07T21:08:00.001-07:00

…is the theme each year for the Departments of Water and Power state wide. I’ve been privileged and honored each year to judge the Burbank high schools student poster submissions since the inception of the contest. After all the participating cities submit their winners, the top twelve are chosen for a yearly calendar.

I’m happy to report that in past years, several of our entries made it! This year there were 80 posters to choose from which made my job quite difficult. It’s such fun to see all the creativity and one made me laugh so hard, the graphic read “Save water…bury your fish!” That took me a moment and then I got it…do you? Another great one was the 5th place winner (the young man in the photo) who did a technically wonderful painting of Einstein with the graphic, “Water, What a Concept!”

IT WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY….

2009-06-07T21:05:00.001-07:00

…at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens on Tuesday for the much anticipated event with New York Times best selling author* Lisa See.

Over 500 people gathered together happily paying $50 for a private tour of the new Chinese Garden, ‘Liu Fang Yuan’, …’Garden of Flowing Fragrance’ and then to hear Lisa in conversation with Julie Robinson plus everyone received a copy of her eagerly awaited new book, ‘SHANGHAI GIRLS’.

Overheard conversation: “It's so unusual for a writer to be able to both write well and speak as beautifully as Lisa does!”

*SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN & PEONY IN LOVE

For more information:

www.lisasee.com

www.literaryaffairs.net

www.huntington.org

MY BIRTHDAY WISH FOR YOU…

2009-05-31T18:53:00.001-07:00

…is that you have a friend as loving, thoughtful and generous as Valerie Foster Hoffman, a combination of Auntie Mame, Pearl Mesta and Mother Teressa with a big dollop of St. Francis of Assisi!

Starting with the beautiful invitations Valerie sent out for the memorable birthday party she was planning for me, each detail became more and more amazing.

Pictures were taken of all arriving guests (no autographs please) and exquisite picture frames were our place markers. What a convivial group all combining to make a true love feast.

Mom and Valerie

To enter Valerie’s garden is to stumble upon Paradise and that is where we had our alfresco luncheon. Here is just one of the beautiful tables.

Couldn’t we just have one candle? This brought new meaning to the term killer chocolate cake. It was delightful to hear that there had been a ‘cake tasting’ the week before.

Josie, Valerie’s amazing chef kept the champagne flowing!

Valerie made sure everything was perfect!

You have to see Prince Emanuel, Valerie’s ‘rescue’ doggie…he was in a sorry state when she got him but boy, look at him now!!! Didn’t I tell you she has a real streak of St. Francis!

IT’S A ZEN THING

2009-05-24T22:17:00.001-07:00

Everyone is getting more and more creative in Shantien ‘Tom’ Chow’s calligraphy classes here in the studio.

Melanie Campbell painted a calligraphic Zen ‘circle’ which is a Zen meditation and brilliantly combined it with the saying…’Drink Your Tea’! I just love it and love looking at it.

DRINK YOUR TEA

Drink your tea slowly and reverently,

as if it is the axis

on which the earth revolves

-slowly, evenly, without

rushing toward the future;

-Live the actual moment.

Only this moment is life.

-Thich Nhat Hahn

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA

2009-05-24T21:42:00.001-07:00

When the amazingly talented and simply wonderful Molly Siple phoned with two tickets to the opera (thanks to Peter Adams) she said that she knew I’d be the most fun to go with. And what opera is that pray tell? Why five hours of fun and frivolity otherwise known as Wagner’s laugh a minute ‘Die Walkure’.

We had a grand start at the California Club which got us shuttled right to the Music Center with no parking to deal with and it was only upward from there.

Five hours passed like 2 and we were enthralled throughout. We loved the staging by Achim Freyer because it was so symbolic and imaginative and kept us busy figuring out what everything meant as Wagner’s myth was truly represented as a myth and not meant for traditionalists.

Did I mention Molly is brilliantly clever? For the beyond description birthday bash given for me by Valerie Hoffman (more on that later), Molly gifted me with ‘Decoding Wagner’ by Thomas May. All you would need to know plus two full length BMG Classics CD’s. Ride on Walkure’s, ride on!

Here’s Hildegard Lindsay, Molly, Valerie and yours truly…

THE CH’I OF THE BRUSH

2009-05-01T17:41:00.001-07:00

After four printings and six years, I was able to purchase the rights to my book ‘The Ch’i of the Brush’ from Random House. Little did I dream that ‘self’ publishing would be so very complicated and might I add expensive. It made me appreciate Watson-Guptill all over again!

After obtaining the ‘files’ I found out that the size of the book had to be modified by 1/2 inch to conform to the specs. of Lightning Source’s file setup requirements. (Lightning Source in Tennessee was chosen because they offer ‘Full Distribution Services.) That meant going to Bookcovers in Florida to reformat and then proof reading every page both at the file modification stage and then again when Lightning Source received the files to make sure margins hadn’t ‘moved’ and that the pagination was correct. (Wow, the words you learn!) Next came the Library of Congress# and the ISBN# which both had to be changed.

The whole process was much more complicated than expected or described here but after several months it all came together and we are now on Amazon.com with the new edition. Charles is sending the PDF to Amazon so that you can ‘look inside the book’ as on the Watson-Guptill edition. EVERYTHING IS THE SAME and I’m delighted with the end result.

If you have the book and if it’s been of help to you, a review on Amazon would be soooooo appreciated! Just click on the second listing for the book.

For more information:

www.nanrae.com/books.html

www.amazon.com

www.lightningsource.com

www.bookcovers.com

THE ARTISTS AT NICKELODEON…

2009-05-01T14:55:00.001-07:00

…are the most delightful, receptive group and doing a workshop there is the most fun imaginable. This time the subject was ‘Landscape’ and armed with a 39 page lesson we set forth on our journey.

With our objective in mind… to finish our subject by the end of the workshop… we wandered thru rocks and trees, mountains and mists! Great fun, especially since all the work at Nickelodeon is now done on computers, it was time to happily paint!!!

It would have been perfect if ‘Sponge Bob’ had signed up but alas, he was a no-show. Maybe he’ll appear for the ‘Wisteria class’ this summer.

For more information:

www.nick.com

www.spongebob.nick.com

www.nanrae.com/lessons.html

THE GLENDALE ART ASSOCIATION…

2009-04-26T19:09:00.001-07:00

…is a small but mighty group of artists. Dulcie Adams, the groups vice president ‘signed me up’ when I did a presentation for the San Fernando Valley Art Assoc.

It was a delight demonstrating Chinese Brush painting for them and discussing many of the concerns (and there are many) of ‘emerging’ artists.

THE KIMBELL ART MUSEUM ASKED ME TO ADVISE THEM ON…

2009-04-18T17:27:00.001-07:00

a film that distinguished filmmaker Philip Hass was to shoot in London. The subject was the painting of Arhat’s ‘Taming the Dragon’ an early 14th century silk painting in the museum’s permanent collection that was done in the meticulous ‘Gong-bi or Palace/Court style. The first in the series of these five film’s, Haas’s response to Annibale Carracci’s ‘The Butcher’s Shop (early 1580), has already been shown to acclaim at the 2008 Venice and Toronto film festivals.

The director needed to know whether Arhat would be standing or sitting and the materials that would have been used.

From viewing my studio they were able to obtain a table that was somewhat based on my copy of a 17th century scholar’s table…(the chair had to be described as well).

I suggested that they obtain the following: A standing brush holder and an assortment of brushes that I described. A brush rest and water dish along with a slate Ink stone and Ink stick. For all of these items I directed them to Guanghwa Company, one of the finest Chinese art stores in London’s Chinatown. They were able to obtain everything there except a ‘Scholar’s Stone’ which I thought would be a great touch but proved to be unattainable.

Although I gave them a sketch indicating the proper way to hold the brush, the actor found it most helpful to watch my painting video’s on YouTube (how cute is that!).

To see this amazing painting go to www.kimbellart.org and click on collections at the top and then in the search bar enter “Taming the Dragon”. The Kimbell Art Museum is in Fort Worth, Texas.

For more information:

To See YouTube Videos - Click Here

https://www.kimbellart.org/Exhibitions/Exhibition-Details.aspx?eid=67

https://www.guanghwabooks.co.uk

https://www.nanrae.com for more details on the scroll, materials and environment

THE MOST AMAZING MIRACLE, so...

2009-04-16T10:59:00.000-07:00

I couldn't wait to tell you about this 100% real live, walking, talking MIRACLE that I personally know of!

You may have seen the following incident on TV news February 8, 2005.

Daphne Cates was traveling northbound on Hwy 5 at the "Grapevine" towards Bakersfield. There is a very steep incline just before you hit the bottom of the hill and a trucker lost his breaks and hit her going over 100 miles an hour. (Daphne fortunately was knocked unconscious and doesn't remember the actual impact.) Eye witnesses said that her car flipped upside down and then landed facing the center divider. There wasn't much left of the car except where Daphne was belted into the car seat. Daphne had multiple injuries, lacerations on her face and hand, several broken ribs, and two neck fractures, C2 and C4. C2 was the most serious as it is often called the "hangman's break." This expert horsewoman was told she should never consider riding a horse again.

What a miracle...after therapy and time, Daphne is 'back in the saddle' and so grateful and appreciative of her life and many friends. She says there isn't a day that she doesn't give thanks to the angels that most certainly were looking after her!

Wow...not only is Daphne riding her magnificent horse, she was the lovely hostess for the Tuesday Reading Group's luncheon meeting which was held in her beautiful home.

You'll be interested to know that Daphne's grandfather, George Lawrence Stimson was the designer for the Italian Renaissance Wrigley Mansion on Orange Grove Blvd. in Pasadena, Ca. and for the 2009 Pasadena Showcase House of Design at 1050 Oak Grove in San Marino as well as hundreds of other magnificent homes in the area.

Our guest speaker was John Ripley who, along with his many other accomplishments, is a member of the Southern California Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians. John gave an interesting and informative power point lecture on the history of Daphne's amazing family starting with Charles E. Stimson...her great grandfather.

Here's Daphne (the miracle friend) standing alongside delightful Cathy Rose (in yellow)

Vanya Foster Rohner (remember fabulous Foster's in Westwood) sitting next to dear Carol Soucek King (You can see Valerie, Vanya's sister in the middle of the next table). World traveler, Halla Aguirre is on the far right. I bet you remember the wonderful travel programs Halla did with her husband.

… and me with sweet friends!

For more information:

http://www.pasadenashowcase.org/

http://www.sahscc.org/

http://www.tournamentofroses.com/

WARNING…THE FOLLOWING IS RATED PG

2009-04-14T20:09:00.001-07:00

When I told you about the yellow bird, I did say to watch for the Ladybug. Well, when the picture was taken I did think it was just one Ladybug.

CHARLES’S HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER…

2009-04-07T10:41:00.001-07:00

…has attracted the most beautiful guest…an Altamira Oriole.

How do we know that? Besides taking several pictures of our new friend, Charles did an hour’s worth of computer digging to find out who we were entertaining! The bird was first spotted by Vreanna, Lauren’s delightful granddaughter, during our Calligraphy class on Saturday. We were all on the deck, trying to take a picture to no avail. (Wait till I tell you about the Ladybug… next time!)

Just so you know…the Altamira Oriole is a bird of Mexico and Central America whose range reaches into southern Texas…this one evidently took a turn to become a star in L.A. The hummingbird’s don’t seem to mind at all as their numbers are increasing daily. The feeder was FULL two days ago!

For all you ornithologist’s out there:

www.birds.cornell.edu

www.whatbird.com

JEFFREY HAS FALLEN IN LOVE…

2009-04-03T21:44:00.001-07:00

with one of our trees. Over the years our ancient Japanese gardener has trimmed this tree into submission. We’re at a point now where man and Bonsai tree have such a bonded relationship that all else pales by comparison. Jeffrey has truly ‘become one with the tree’ and his helpers are left on their own to do whatever it is that they do (or do not do).

Besides his artistry with said tree, Jeffrey is a gifted poet and calligrapher as evidenced by this lovely poem he presented to us. It was an Award Winning Submittal in the International Ancient Chinese Poetry Contest.

THE MOJAVE DESERT

by Nobukai Isobe

The crescent moon floats above the desert at twilight

The lonely lights from a small faraway town glimmers in the cold air

A formation of geese disappear into picturesque white clouds

Their sad cry left behind in the grand sky.

HOUSE PAINTERS GUARD YOUR BRUSHES…

2009-03-17T14:25:00.001-07:00

…because they’re no longer safe! We’ve discovered the true meaning of ‘Action Painting’ with master calligrapher Shantien ‘Tom’ Chow.

Using the largest brushes we could find the adventure started by splashing milk onto a large piece of Double Shuen paper and here is Priscilla demonstrating.

The areas hit by the milk will be more resistant to the Ink and interesting textured areas then appear.

We know that form is established by an aesthetic that was set forth centuries ago expressing objective truth that is universal. But now we’ve taken it to hyper -drive.

Tom with Stacey

Dorothy

Diana in action

Beverly, Tom and Diana with ‘Reality’ … what a concept!

Of course mine was ‘Ch’i’…(or ‘Life Force’) but you’re not surprised.

To assist in accomplishing all of this ‘Gone, Gone, Gone’ (Done Moved on) from the Grammy album of the year ‘Raising Sand’ with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss was turned on full blast.

FIRST THE HUMMINGBIRDS, NOW…

2009-03-10T19:14:00.001-07:00

…it’s the deer. Charles is taking to calling himself St. Francis and I’m calling him the ‘Indian Scout’ because he sure can spot them on the hillside in front of our home. We’ve been dubbed the ‘best dining spot on the hill’.

Imagine, living in the city and having deer, two foxes (sighted on the patio the other evening), raccoons, possums and other assorted wildlife. It’s just too wonderful!

Of course, this is the start of the Verdugo Mountain range across the street.

All We Have to Say is …

2009-03-08T20:00:00.001-07:00

...'do you want to go to Mommie's?'

The moment we step off the elevator and unleash her, Yuki's in a mad dash to Mom's door while Charles and I pray no neighbor opens theirs!

Why, you're just in time for lunch!

Yuki, you just crack me up!

Don't just sit there...

Hey, let's check out the fridge.

For me?

I'm excited too!!!

PLAY DATES FOR ADULTS...

2009-03-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

...just think about it...isn't that what everyone needs? And nobody arranges one better than Vallerie Foster Hoffman.
The latest hooky (sorry, excursion) was to Palm Desert to see acclaimed watercolorist Gayle Garner Roski's amazing exhibit at the Edenhurst Gallery.

Gayle's devotion to her art thru the years is in ample evidence in the beautiful work on view. Brilliant in color and concept, each captivating piece tells a story of a visit to some far away place bringing the viewer into the mystery and excitement of the journey. Incorporated into each story and mounted in the frames, are objects that are represented in the paintings.

Don't miss it!

Gayle describes the painting 'CERAMIC HANGING BELLS FROM TURKEY'

One of my favorites (surprise!)

'CHINESE DRAGON' (sold of course)

And for lovers of China, Gayle's vivid paintings warmly portray scenes of the forgotten China City in our own Los Angeles in the charming book 'MEI LING in CHINA CITY'.

Lunch at Marrakesh

Artist's all!

And to end a perfect day, what could be more precious than a Bunny!!!

For more information:

http://www.gaylegarnerroski.com/

http://www.edenhurstgallery.com/

http://www.eastwestdiscovery.com/

"I LOVE ARTISTS"...

2009-03-06T19:35:00.001-08:00

...is what I told the 80 some members of the San Fernando Valley Art Club as I began my lecture and demonstration Tuesday evening.

Visual artists, writers, musicians et al have so much beauty and expression to bring forth that they desire to share it with the world.

What a lovely receptive audience, responding so enthusiastically as I tried to cram in all the 'secrets' of Brush painting in the alotted time.

My least favorite activity? Judging the members artwork to reward 1st, 2nd and 3rd place plus Honorable Mention. They were ALL winners to me!

For more information:

http://www.sfvartclub.org/

Special thanks to Vice President Sharon Weaver who did such a magnificent job of arranging the event and for all the written material placed on the organizations website. Click on Nan Rae photos and description her demonstration to learn more.

Also, click on 'The Paint Rag Newsletter'

THE WOMAN WE KNOW...

2009-03-01T18:30:00.000-08:00

...is how we were identified on the waiting list at Cafe Beaujolais Saturday night. It was a long day, we were tired and wanted a relaxed delicious dinner at one of our favorite Eagle Rock spots where 'everything truly is French, even the attitude'. It's such a casual 'bistro' that we never suspected to be greeted by such a mob scene. After waiting over thirty minutes we were able to sit at the bar and when we were offered complimentary drinks were told how our 'name' was listed... as "The Woman We Know".

Besides the great food, the French waiters in their jeans and black T-shirts, it's fascinating to watch them all operate like one organism...moving with precision and such politeness with one another. Check it out!

For more information:

Cafe Beaujolais

1712 Colorado Blvd.

Eagle Rock. 90041

323.255.5111