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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...

REMEMBER “IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT”?…

…As promised, here’s the reason I was at Lisa See’s on that eventful, stormy night. You’re in for a real treat because Lisa has written that much anticipated sequel to ‘SHANGHAI GIRLS’ titled ‘DREAMS OF JOY’ which is also published by Random House.  Written in...

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IN THE BEGINNING IS THE CLAY…

…BUT OH WHAT A TRANSFORMATION IN THE HANDS OF A MASTER SCULPTOR!   But let’s go back to that beginning. In 2009, Kathryn Sample, USC’s gracious First Lady, conceived of the most fitting tribute to honor her husband Steven Sample when he would retire in May of...

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THE BEVERLY HILLS GARDEN CLUB…..

…..has the most delightful members and I was recently privileged to speak to over thirty women of this lovely and receptive group. Afterwards my assistant Nikka and I were treated to the most delicious Asian luncheon prepared by ‘The Kitchen for Exploring Foods’....

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BONO, yes ‘the’ BONO WROTE….

…..the most moving tribute to Sargent Shriver, one of my true heroes, on Thursday, January 20th in the OP-ED section of the New York Times. “His faith demanded action…for the Word to become flesh, we had to become the eyes, the ears, the hands of a just God. ...

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A Private Tour…

…..at the Shumei Hall Gallery. (Esther) Yating Li, a PCC student from mainland China gives us the interpretation of calligraphy on Clara Yang’s scroll mounted landscape painting. Tomiko Varga,( Esther) Yating Li, Carol Soucek King, Emma and Nika Carrasco with...

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THE NAN RAE GALLERY ….

…dedication day during Founders Week at Woodbury University. Speech…speech! Dr. Kenneth Nielsen, President of Woodbury University Judith Nelson my hero  and Eileen Ogle Standing: Hildegard Lindsay, me, Valerie Hoffman and Carol Soucek King Seated: Michael...

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What a Joy to Present…

“JOURNEY of the IMAGINATION” A group show by my amazingly talented students, now professionals in their own right. We were privileged to exhibit at the most beautiful site possible, SHUMEI HALL GALLERY 2430 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107 A brief description of...

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INSTALLATION DAY……

…..for the ‘Journey of the Imagination’ exhibition  to be held at Shumei Hall in Pasadena. What a joy to curate this amazing work by such talented artists. Kc Camp discussing a technical point. Will McGaul, noted Interior Designer was a great asset in getting...

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IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT…..

…..and I was on my way to Lisa See’s house in Brentwood from the Burbank hillside.  For you two people in the universe who may not know of Lisa, she is the most prolific and powerful writer, author of  amazing books such as ‘Peony in Love’, ‘Snow Flower and...

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DISNEY ARTISTS FEATURED….

….in the new Nan Rae Gallery at Woodbury University. In collaboration with Suspended Animation Gallery, Woodbury University is presenting “Animators as Artists”, an exhibition of non-Disney art by Disney Artists.  The collection was gathered by Terry Chonin,...

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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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