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SHORT BUT WONDERFUL

February, being the shortest month, has to cram a lot of joyful happenings..I can't think of a better way to begin the month than by celebrating Susie Kat's birthday at the Jonathan Beach Club! Yours truly, Maggie, Susie's cousin, Carol Soucek King, our amazing...

JANUARY, AND THE NEW YEAR BEGINS…

I'm not too sure what to make of January. Perhaps it's because December is such an amazing high with Christmas and New Years that it's hard to re-focus on business as usual. Well, maybe not as usual but certainly not at the extreme! It took Veronica and me two days to...

THE MOST WONDERFUL NEW YEAR’S …

began with guests getting their bling on. Here Alexis decides on hers. Also, signing the guest book and indicating what yummy treat they brought. Here's Jan making her entry. And with her bling on. Then it was time for amazing Magician Tom to mesmerize all of us,...

CHRISTMAS AND SO MUCH MORE!

Valerie Foster Hoffman is truly the Hostess With the Mostest, a real-life Auntie Mame! And to be at her Christmas party is to partake of an unforgettable experience. Cookies anyone? With Sherry in the garden. With Santa and our Lovely Hostess! Photographer Karl....

MOVING ON TOWARDS CHRISTMAS

The partying began at the California Club for the CTG Affiliates' Annual Christmas Luncheon. There are beautiful mystery boxes that everyone bids on....here's the one I got. Delightful Mary Kay with her treasure box. Sweet Diane chats with Artistic Director Snehal...

BEST THANKSGIVING EVER!

It's impossible to express how much I love Thanksgiving! Shopping for all of my traditional recipes starts about a week before, and this time it only took five trips! I begin with making the cranberries the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and the next day, the stuffing....

NOVEMBER’S JOY

Sandie girl came to the studio to work on her Christmas card. It's so lovely, but I can't show it to you just yet! This is where it all began on November 6th. Backup from the water drainage area. It's the 25th and work continues... On to lighter moments. Dinner at...

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY AND SO MUCH MORE

It was time to celebrate delightful Patricia Faber and sooo much fun was had by all! Architrect Miller Yee Fong had to leave early so he wasn't in the group photo. Happiest of birthdays dear Patricia! Make a wish!!! Soooo cute! I was so thrilled to see the recent...

OCTOBER MEANS SAYING GOODBYE TO SUMMER

Each year I'm determined to really enjoy summer and then find it's October and I wonder what happened. The upside to that is beginning the month with the Huntington Botanical Garden's Mid Autumn Moon Festival where we have a booth and get to see many of my wonderful...

CONTINUING SEPTEMBER

For a short month, September had a lot going on, continuing with the Center Theatre Group Affiliates New Member Orientation Meeting. "Giving the Gift of Theatre to the Next Generation." Afterwards, Christine Hart, VP Programs for the Affiliates, and Sweet Diane visit...
I’M SO PROUD OF MY STUDENTS

I’M SO PROUD OF MY STUDENTS

.....and their current exhibit at the Crain Art Gallery in the Crowell Public Library in San Marino.  Nikka followed my design in helping everyone set up as I was still in Florence.  I was so happy to know that Lynda Lyons, the awesome head of the Crain...

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DECEMBER ADVENTURES

DECEMBER ADVENTURES

began with Carol Soucek King driving awesome Curtis McElhinney, myself and Suwako, famous authority on the kimono, on a delightful excursion to El Segundo. Why you may ask? Curtis, an award winning documentarian (curtisvision.com), has been filming Carol and her Salon...

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AI WEIWEI and his WOODEN STOOLS

AI WEIWEI and his WOODEN STOOLS

 Over a period of twenty years, 5,929 wooden stools from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing(1644-1911) dynasties were collected from villages across northern China. I was overwhelmed seeing them and realizing their humble beginnings and the lives they represent. This...

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FUN STUFF IN NOVEMBER

FUN STUFF IN NOVEMBER

Kita welcomes in the fall season. Neighbors just don't get any better than these, hosts Wayne and Izabela (with Kert in-between), Maryam and Kert and Dave and Alexis.  We have great fun rotating from house to house for amazing dinners and grand conversation! I'll...

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MORE BIRTHDAYS AND CHRISTMAS CARDS

MORE BIRTHDAYS AND CHRISTMAS CARDS

November is always the month for the Brush painting classes to work on Christmas cards and we all had so much fun at the Huntington Botanical Gardens doing just that! Sweet Lulu surprised me with an amazing cake with a design of the mailer for the class exhibit at the...

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PLÁCIDO DOMINGO STARRED IN DON CARLO

PLÁCIDO DOMINGO STARRED IN DON CARLO

... a stunning LA Opera performance, which was the perfect way to celebrate dear Carol's birthday. It's always wonderful to hear the pre-concert lecture and this one delivered by brilliant conductor James Conlon was no exception! A lovely time in the Founder's Room...

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WELCOME…

to my personal blog where I’ll be sharing adventures and how I determine each day to live joyfully as an Artist, Teacher, and Author. My latest book “What If… We Have the Power to Change Our Lives” an inspirational book that hopefully will empower you to live your best life! You can find me and my work at nanraestudio.com My hope is that this blog will inspire you to find joy everywhere and in everything and that is what I wish for you!

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