Christmas Came Early …
... in the studio last Saturday. Everyone was gathered around my table with big smiles to greet me and they gave a joyous shout of Merry Christmas! There were hugs all around and then it was time to paint. We had a wonderful day sharing various treats with Christmas...
IT WAS TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS …
...and all thru L.A.I wondered and wondered how best to convey...wishes and wants and my whole laundry liststraight to the source of good old St. Nick! On Dasher, on Dancer head straight to the doorof Valerie and Eugene's and search no more.For there in the house all...
MORE ON OUR NATIONAL TREASURE…
Tyrus Wong. Erik Friedl sent me this link and you will enjoy every moment of it. Using a 2,000 year old kite making process, Tyrus forms a Centipede and then we see it flying. This is definitely a must watch....
FINALLY ON OUR WAY TO WHOLE FOODS
…to order our Thanksgiving turkey, we stopped at Virgil’s Hardware (they’ve been in Glendale forever and have everything). We parked at the door and were about to get out when we saw the most amazing sight ever…a big black mutt of a dog carrying his leash in his...
THE KATRINA DOLPHINS: One Way Ticket to Paradise
What an amazing tale of courage, survival and hope was told to ‘The Tuesday Reading Group’. Marion Jones &Marky Allen hosts of the event at the Valley Hunt Club Vanya Rohner,Halla Aguirre,Georgeanne ...
SATURDAY’S CALLIGRAPHY CLASS…
was treated to a real ZEN experience when Master Calligrapher Shantien ‘Tom’ Chow painted two large scrolls on the floor of the studio’s reception area. We were all mesmerized as Tom first wrote five Zen words. Zen, Bed, Dream and Beautiful...
VIP NIGHT at CIRQUE DU SOLEIL…
for the benefit of ‘MY FRIEND’S PLACE’ and ‘LOS ANGELES YOUTH NETWORK’. Jana and hubby Ivan Tether (who’s on the board at My Friend’s Place) first told us about this wonderful organization that provides a safe haven for homeless youth in Hollywood. Their mission...
WHEREVER VALERIE FOSTER HOFFMAN IS…
…it’s a grand celebrational, simply sensational PARTY! You can imagine my delight in being included as I actually had the day clear (O.K., so maybe I did play hooky). Back to the party…the Athena Circle invited the foremost designers in Los Angeles to interpret ‘A...
TYRUS WONG is a NATIONAL TREASURE…
and Sunday, Oct. 25th is his 99th birthday! To celebrate, a group of relatives, friends and admirers gathered at the Santa Monica beach (at the north end of the pier) to watch Tyrus and his lovely hand-made kites. (This amazing experience happens the 4th Saturday of...
LEARNING & PRODUCT EXPO: ART
I’ve been teaching Brush Painting workshops at the Pasadena Convention Center since the inception of these great shows. It’s always great fun as artists come from all over the country to learn new techniques from the various instructors and find out about...
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!