Blog

2017 was another memorable year for me, from meeting and working with hundreds of artists and art lovers to visiting some great places in the world.  I spent most of the year teaching workshops and painting in and outside classrooms in five continents but I know this was not possible without many people who worked so hard.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each of the organizers, volunteers and students in dozens of workshops I taught in the past year for their time, dedication, professionalism, patience, kindness and love for what they do (the list of 2017 groups follows at the end).

I also want to say thank-you to all of you who follow me through my blog, newsletter, facebook and instagram, for giving me so much to be thankful for.  Whenever our paths cross, whether virtually or for real, I consider it ichigo ichie, meaning "one time, one meeting," my favorite Japanese adage.  I am grateful that we have connected for the love of watercolor.  I appreciate and value our meeting each time and I hope our connection will continue to enrich our lives.

Speaking of gratitude, I want to remind myself of this zen idea of chisoku (contentment) for the year 2018.  This originated from a book by Lao Tzu who wrote, "Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are.  When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."  My new year's resolution is not about what I want to achieve or change but more about happiness of finding and appreciating what I already have.  "There is no way to happiness; Happiness is the way," as Thich Nhat Hanh said.  May your new year be filled with love and peace!

- San Diego Watercolor Society (California, USA)

- Northern Arizona Watercolor Society (Arizona, USA)

- Central Coast Watercolor Society (California, USA)

- Artists in Morro Bay (California, USA)

- Saddleback Art League (California, USA)

- Center for the Arts Bonita Springs (Florida, USA)

- Catalyst (California, USA)

- Northwest Watercolor Society (Washington, USA)

- Ellis Art Studios (BC, Canada)

- Artists in Knoxville (Tennessee, USA)

- Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild (California, USA)

- Artequinto (Spain)

- Centre d'Art Sébastien, Saint Cyr-sur-Mer (France)

- Watermill at Posara (Italy)

- Northeast Art Workshop Retreats (Massachusetts, USA)

- Cheryl Bruce Creativ (Australia)

- Newcastle Art Society (Australia)

- Brisbane Painting Classes (Australia)

- Adelaide Art Society (Australia)

- Watercolour Society of Western Australia (Australia)

- Southwestern Watercolor Society (Texas, USA)

- Alpha Painting Holidays (UK)

- Utah Watercolor Society (Utah, USA)

- Madison Watercolor Society (Wisconsin, USA)

- Siena Art Institute (Italy)

- Salinara (Italy)

- TheArtsBox (Italy)

- Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center (Hawaii, USA)

- Ikebukuro Community College (Japan)

- Brea Art Gallery (California, USA)

- Watercolor Artist magazine

- North Light books

- San Diego Opera

- and many others who I had the pleasure of working with.

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