CELEBRATING THE HARVARD CAMPAIGN FOR ARTS AND SCIENCES
A five year Harvard campaign that raised 9.1 billion dollars was certainly cause for celebrating so off I flew to Cambridge to join in the festivities. Staying at the Mandarin Oriental in Boston made the short trip a real vacation! At The Mandarin Oriental...
JUST TOO MUCH FUN
Starting with the most over the top amazing Nowruz celebration at awesome Farnaz's! Precious Maryam...... I wish I had taken a better photo of Farnaz....we were having a fun moment with Poolak, her beautiful daughter. Clara treated Amy and me to the most...
CAROL SOUCEK KING
...would be at the top of my list of amazing women that I know or have known. I'm quite proud to say I have all of her exquisite books published by Rizzoli, the first being 'EMPOWERED SPACES' which is arguably my favorite. It's in this book, 'Empowered Spaces',...
JASPER JOHNS: ‘SOMETHING RESEMBLING TRUTH’
The Broad Museum in downtown Los Angles has perhaps the most extensive exhibition of Jasper John's oeuvre that we will ever see. Be prepared for an exhausting tax on your intellect as this is not something to stroll through blithely. Be forewarned, although the...
CHRISTOPHER SLATOFF, SCULPTOR EXTRORDINAIRE AND OTHER INSPIRING THINGS
I look forward to doing a blog solely devoted to Christopher Slatoff who is not only a brilliant sculptor but a true universal man. Nikka and I plan on going to Christopher's studio when our schedules converge but in the meantime I wanted to introduce you to...
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT
Well maybe not stormy but freezing cold for CA and pitch black when Kita whined for me to take her out. Trying to be joyful (ha) I bundled up in a down vest and piled on a down jacket on top of that. Armed with a flashlight, we walked out into the dark night....
LIVING JOYFULLY
...is not always easy but as I begin a new year I like to remember the things that bring me joy. How about throwing a great party? Maggie, an awesome hostess, had a shabu-shabu dinner that was the most fun. Everyone gets to cook their own meal and after...
BY THE SEA
By the beautiful sea……O.K., the Pacific Ocean. I always forget how awesome this is! I took Nikka with me to the Ritz Carlton at Laguna-Niguel for a special event. Need I say how much we both needed even this brief vacation? Here’s the view from our room. Kita was in...
BECAUSE YOU ASKED
My dearest friends you have been so kind and loving throughout this transition time and I am so touched and heart warmed that many of you have asked how to donate in memory of dear Charles. To make a gift, please have the tax deductable check made payable...
REMEMBERING WITH LOVE
With a heart filled with gratitude, thankful for each precious moment with Charles Lee Parker who left us on December 17, 2017. He was just an adorable boy with a chicken... Who grew up to be the smartest, wisest, kindest man also always adept in the kitchen with the...
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!










