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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...

SEPTEMBER SURPRISE

Please make no mistake...it isn't easy to create a surprise birthday gift, and the project becomes even more difficult when the recipient is gracious Carol Soucek King. The planning began with Veronica being given the responsibility of making the table place cards....

CELEBRATING VERONICA

August 23rd was Veronica's birthday, so off to Beverly Hills and lunch at Gucci Osteria on Rodeo Drive. I love chef extraordinaire Mattia Agazzi and knew he would do something very special for Veronica! We settled on the tasting menu which had all the exquisite dishes...

FUN STUFF IN AUGUST

August began beautifully with a visit from Lovely Lisa who has moved back to California! We've been friends forever, as this photo will testify. This was about the time she taught me her star routine from Chorus Line! Oh my gosh, what fun to also see I still had my...

JOYFUL JULY

Sweet Annie came over to work with Veronica on a project of hers and we all had so much fun...including Somi! A trip to Tiffany's in Beverly Hills to add to Veronica's charm bracelet. Followed by a fabulous lunch at 208 Rodeo just next door! Watermelon & Burrata...

A JOYFUL 4th

Next to Thanksgiving, the 4th of July is my all-time favorite for celebrating, hosting friends, playing games with prizes, and having an all-around joyful time! This year was no exception...with preparations beginning a week ahead. Somi went to Go Hollywood Pet Center...

BUT WAIT… THERE’S MORE FOR JUNE!

Dinner at Rüen Pair in Thai Town was terrific! Afterwards, the best ice cream next door at Kanomwaan. And a little grocery shopping. Wondering why Lovely Susi is Laughing? Because I had forgotten I gave her the sunglasses I had just admired. No matter, we had a...

WONDERFUL JUNE

Absolutely nothing brings more joy to an artist than when a collector falls in love with their work. This happened to Janice, and she could not get this painting out of her mind. When hubby Mitch approved the purchase, it was great fun watching the two of them...

MAY IS MY BIRTHDAY MONTH

There was just time to catch this year's Pasadena Showcase House of Design before it closed on the 18th, my birthday. I dearly miss Charles Norman who was a fine collector of my work since I was an exhibitor at Art Expo in the 80's! What fun seeing fantastically...

GO INTO ORBIT

…..At The Huntington Botanical Garden’s amazing exhibit on the Celebration Lawn.  This extraordinary experience within a Nautilus-shell-shaped 28 foot ‘sculpture’ is clad in shiny aluminum and you enter an amazing sound experience. Marsha and Stu, my life long...

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A FABULOUS SOIREE FOR THE CALIFORNIA ART CLUB

….at the home of incomparable Valerie Foster Hoffman, Hostess with the Mostest. California Art Club Executive Director Elaine Adams, wife of Peter Adams the plein air artist extraordinaire! Our beautiful hostess whose grandfather painted the remarkable copies of...

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LOVE IS A VERB

 ….and no one expresses it more fully than Miss Judith who is the template for doing good and friendship!  As an Executive Advisory Board Member of the ‘Iris Cantor UCLA Women’s Health Center', Miss Judith includes me in her list of guests for the annual...

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ART and MUSIC, a PERFECT COMBO

Marsha and Stu, my Snowbirds from Chicago, winter in Newport Beach and my assignment is to find new and interesting things to do.  This years adventure began at The Broad and here you see the Jeff Koons installation ‘TULIPS’ hence the name for the third floor...

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A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION for BEAUTIFUL VALERIE

….hosted by Lyn Campbell at the Los Angeles Country Club was just as sensational as the guest of honor, the Hostess with the Mostest, lovely Valerie! Our delightful table favors…. I’ve been thinking a lot about friendship and mentioned it in my last blog. It seems...

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RAIN OR SHINE WE FIND JOY

…and a great joy is anytime I can spend with Beautiful Mary.  We started the year with dinner at the Bistro Gardens, one of my favorite spots for sharing friendship in a lovely surrounding.  I don’t make New Year’s resolutions but if I did, for sure it would be to...

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A BITTERSWEET GOODBYE TO BELOVED TYRUS WONG

  …..TYRUS WAS a ‘DISNEY LEGEND’ for his ground breaking concept artwork on ‘BAMBI’ but that only skims the surface of his many accomplishments attested to by the hundreds who came to pay tribute to him on Friday at Forest Lawn’s ‘Hall of Liberty’. The hall was packed...

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THIS BLOG IS ABOUT LIVING JOYFULLY

….so what better way to begin the New Year than by reading ‘The Book of Joy’, conversations with the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.  The overriding sense one gets is that they are both mischievous as can be and perhaps that’s the secret. It sure works for Snoopy! ……and...

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CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

…began joyfully with Clara and Penny treating me to lunch at the Peninsula's Roof Garden. One of my favorite things there is this adaptation of a Root Beer Float made with Ginger Beer!  Delicious!!! Thank you dear Clara and Penny for the delightful time and the very...

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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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