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IS SUMMER OVER OR JUST BEGINNING?

How adorable! Precious Emilia and David, with their lovely mom, Maria, pick up their book, "That's Just What I Needed Today." August 7th and Somi is three ... can you believe it??? First an appointment at the spa where Somi had a blueberry facial before her usual...

JULY FLEW BY

If I turn around, the summer will be over, so I want to be sure to enjoy each wonderful moment! The best high after the 4th of July celebration was seeing Mamma Mia. We were in the absolute first row which was great as we saw everyone close up including the musicians....

I LOVE THE 4TH OF JULY…

It's grilled cheese sandwiches, games and unmitigated joy! Preparations start a week before the 4th. Tomatoes give the cheese sandwiches that special something but they have to be sliced thin and well drained. Party favors. The caricature is from the year before, when...

JUNE FLEW BY…

...with memorable moments such as delightful Peggy treating us to an evening of MUSE/IQUE at the Huntington. My birthday celebrations continued with lovely Marine and her delightful sister Eliza treating me at The Capital Grille. Another great movie night with Curtis...

MAY REMINICENSE

April was so very difficult that I'm going to skip right past it to delightful May. Perhaps it's because May is my birthday month but I really think there's so much more to look forward to in the month. Veronica pulled several landscapes for collector Pam to select...

CONTINUING MARCH

A highlight of March has to be being serenaded by Universal Renaissance man, my friend Stanley Penner, playing a bit of Mozart, Brahms and more... ...on his Bösendorfer. I was told to "Look up!" So many treasurers... A lovely "Gratitude Luncheon" at the Athenaeum....

MARCHING THROUGH MARCH

The Children's Festival was a wonderful way to begin the month. Three days of getting up at five, wearing a white apron and helping all the kids find their way to seats at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for an exciting dance performance by the Hubbard Street Dance...

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,...

CHINESE PAINTINGS in JAPANESE COLLECTIONS…….

……is in it’s final week at LACMA.  If you didn’t see this second half of the collection I so hope you’re able to view the exquisite scrolls before the exhibit closes. Miss Judith, Eileen and Lizzie kindly picked me up on Sunday at mom’s and off we went to meet...

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WINNIE-THE-POOH………

………has been dear to my heart for as long as I can remember.  Sandie Girl notice my ‘Winnie the Pooh’ book in the studio and commented about it. Happily I said that “Pooh Bear’ has traveled through life with me and how much I love him….This was overheard by Diane...

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SHUMEI ARTS COUNCIL of AMERICA……..

…… is located on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, CA. Many of you will remember the Dec. 2010- Jan.’11 exhibit in the ‘Shumei Hall Gallery’ showing my gifted students Brush paintings.  Jane Imai, one of the founders, was so very kind to us that when she asked if I...

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COUSIN RONALD WAS IN TOWN….

…….so that means eating until you’re close to passing out… starting with the usual deli spread from Nate n’Al’s. This photo doesn’t begin to show you everything and I’m just weak looking at it! While we wait for mom and Nikka to arrive Ronald works on getting Kita to...

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IT WAS AN INTERESTING WEEK….

……beginning with meeting Lynne Tucker, student and our amazing ProTravel friend at Panzanella Ristorante in Sherman Oaks for a luncheon sponsored by ‘World of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’. Tomiko went with me to this last year but refused this time around saying she was...

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A VERY WORTHY CAUSE……

….was celebrated on Saturday. Let me explain.  ‘ELIZABETH’S CANVAS’, founded by John-David Perry, is a 501 ( C ) (3) non-profit organization that empowers cancer patients and survivors through the creative process. Now does the name Perry ring a bell?  It...

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LISA SEE was at VROMAN’S BOOKSTORE ……..

……in Pasadena to launch the book tour for her latest novel ‘CHINA DOLLS’.  It’s just a good thing I got there a couple of hours early to save seats for Carol Soucek King and myself.  We had been there for the launching of ‘Dreams of Joy’ some three years ago...

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GRAND ADVENTURES……

With memories of our trip to serene and perfectly amazing Japan, Bonnie, Charlie, Miss Judith, Eileen and I went to LACMA for the first installment of ‘Chinese Paintings from Japanese Collections’.  But first lunch at Ray’s, a Patina Group restaurant at the...

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I’M SO PROUD OF MY STUDENTS…..

…..when they step out and show the world what wonderful artists they are. Tony is not only exhibiting now, he’s also teaching! (click to enlarge)   Link to Tony’s the article. Click HERE! And Lynne Sims not only sold paintings but got two commissions. ...

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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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