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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...

WONDERFUL MAY

It is always a great joy to witness the Music Center's annual "Very Special Arts Festival," and no more so than at this, the 46th! Bravo Awesome Peggy Collins for your massive support! The children's art that was posted along the way was delightful! Seeing all the...

APRIL WAS AMAZING

Continuing in April, there was a wonderful Salon on the Spiritually Creative Life in its 29th year, hosted by Lovely Carol Soucek King, with April's topic being "Faith." The main presenter was Ruth Broyde Sharon, an Interfaith leader/inspirational speaker/creator of...

THE JOYS OF APRIL

What better way to begin the month than dinner with lovely Jean T. at our favorite place, Prosecco Trattoria in Toluca Lake! One of the reasons we love it is because it's the kind of place where everyone knows your name and your favorites. That's thanks to amazing...

FINDING JOY IN OUR PURPOSE

Absolutely everyone has a purpose! Painting is my ‘work’ but I’ve found that my purpose in life is teaching and it’s in teaching that I find my greatest joy.  Here are a few moments in the past two weeks that I have loved. I used to teach a Landscape class at the...

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SERENDIPITY LEADS TO JOYFUL ADVENTURES!

Yes, I do tend to wander off if something catches my eye but that’s how all of my amazing adventures have happened as I told Jane Verrill, here on business for Harvard University, as we shared tea and reminisced at the Peninsula Hotel.  Tea time is made especially...

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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!...

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MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC…..

Checking in with Amy for a LA Opera event at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. What joy! But first….there was a luncheon. We got to see the final dress rehearsal for The Magic Flute! It was inspiring to see the students from across Los Angeles who were selected to see...

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LOVELY THINGS HAPPEN……

 ….and right up there was a photo shoot at the Huntington Botanical Gardens with amazing photographer Martha Benedict.  You can see her stunning work at www.marthabenedict.com I am always amazed at the difference a professional photographer makes…...  Sweet Cris from...

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COMING FULL CIRCLE……..

……I was delighted when Linda Cantwell asked me to speak and do a Brush painting demonstration for the San Marino League Sustainers.  This was amazing to me on so many levels as over twenty years ago I  gave a lecture to the San Marino League on the history of Brush...

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JOY at the HUNTINGTON…..

  I always look forward to all of my classes but this past week at the Huntington was an explosion of JOY!  There were 19 students and we painted Camellias.  …….But first, because there were quite a few new students, I did a review of various brush strokes and the...

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FINDING JOY in SORROW……

Some of you may have noticed that I changed the name of my blog to ‘LIVE JOYFULLY’ because that is not only my personal goal but my wish for all of you. ….It has always been my great joy and privilege to have Danny Han-Lin Chen, internationally acclaimed artist and...

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A DREAM FULFILLED…….

….and we witnessed it!  But first, does it really take one blonde and two brunettes to figure out a parking meter?  Apparently so! You all know how much I love ‘Recess Eatery’ on Brand Blvd.  I’ve long admired how Chef Sevan Abdessian built the restaurant slowly and...

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ALL JOY, ALL THE TIME….

…Beginning with Tai Ling Wong coming to pick up the cards she ordered for USC Pacific Asia Museum’s Gift Shop.  Of course she’s old friends with Kita and they had a fine time together with Kita actually behaving herself. Tai Ling, Manager of the Gift Shop,  had been...

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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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