Institute for Philosophy & the Arts'
Salon on the Spiritually Creative Life

[Photography by Nathaniel Taylor]

THE SALON ON THE SPIRITUALLY CREATIVE LIFE

Our 28th Year Continues
... still on Zoom!

Please join Carol Soucek King virtually on
Sunday, December 8, 2024 Via Zoom
To discuss one of God's essential aspects
illuminated throughout her book
Under the Bridges at Arroyo del Rey

Spirituality

With Main Presentation

Nan Rae
Artist, Author, Lecturer, Inspirational Speaker,
Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist

"It's Not About Art, Is It?"
A journey through Nan Rae’s artistry
and the embodiment of the Chinese saying
“from heart… to arm… to hand… to brush… to paper.”

Scroll Down for:
Morning's Agenda
Speaker's Bio
Zoom Info
Today's Meditation, Lyrics & Poem
2024 Salon Dates/Themes

9:30 am Pacific Standard Time
Zoom Room Arrivals and
Himalayan Singing Bowls by Healing Arts Practitioner
Janet Martorello
 

10 am until noon – Program

Meditation
with
Nan Rae
Artist/Teacher/Author

Nan Rae's New Book - now available on Amazon --
Walk with Me... In the Garden of Our Friendship
includes many of Nan’s Meditations for
The Salon on the Spiritually Creative Life

Opening Song

"A Mysterious God"
Music and Lyrics by Dean LeGrand Carlston ©10/13/2024
Dean LeGrand Carlston, DDS
Composer/Singer/Instrumentalist

Dean welcomes us to listen to and download his music at no charge by accessing his personal website: deancarlston.com

Salute to December Birthdays
with
Graham Lance Richardson
Retired Westside Realtor after 35 years.
Licensed Plumber & Gas Fitter.
Certified Welder to 100%.

Main Presentation:

Nan Rae
"It's Not About Art, Is It?"

“Chinese brush painting is meant to be more than a mere representation of an object, but also a symbolic expression. A full plant is never painted, but rather a few blossoms will represent the plant in its entirety and, in fact, all of life itself—a Tao principle. Paint without looking at the subject. Instead, bring it forth from your mind and heart and feel at one with Nature.

“This form of painting is also referred to as ‘written idea.’ Visualization of an idea, which requires much thought and devoted practice, is required before touching brush to paper. Through visualization, the artist's mind, soul, artistic motivation, and inner beauty are brought forth to create art that is unique and spirited.

“Brush painting takes you on a voyage of self-discovery, finding contentment and assurance as you explore and express your inner spirit. Your inner spirit will give what you ask of it and what you train it to do. That is the supreme lesson of Chinese brush painting: learn and be rewarded.”

--Nan Rae

Music Interlude
by
Douglas Decker
Recording Engineer/Musician/Composer
"Soul Communion"
by Iris Irene Herd

Poetry Reading
with
Patricia Ferber
Sculptor/Painter/Educator/Curator/Poet
"Spirituality"

Followed by Discussion

Opening the Discussion will be
Nino Wong, designer/business leader/Volunteer
Chairman of the Chinese Garden Docents,
Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens.

All are invited to continue sharing thoughts on
Spirituality.

until noontime

Finale
"He"
by Richard Mullan and Jack Richards 1954 
Susie Katharine Shaw
Actress/Vocalist

To conclude Susie will lead us in Richard King's favorite
Native American Prayer
 

About Our Speaker 

Nan Rae is an Artist, Author, Lecturer, Inspirational Speaker, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist.

As an artist, her work reflects the power of the creative concept. Asian in technique, her Brush paintings are profoundly impressionistic. Her deft, rapid brush strokes capture the viewer in a wondrous sweep of pure, free, and energized freedom yet clearly contemporary, clean in form, and candidly robust, often exhilarating.

At Art Expo, art connoisseurs commented that they felt as if they entered the painting and became subjectively involved in it. Exhibited at the Grand Palais in Paris, Japan, and China, this best-selling artist’s paintings and prints hang not only in the most prestigious homes in Southern California but also in private and corporate collections across the country, Canada, and Europe.

Nan Rae has illustrated several books for various authors, and the book “Suma the Elephant” won the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Award in New York for the artwork. The New York Philharmonic chose Nan Rae’s art for their important trip to North Korea and China. She has also provided the artwork for the San Francisco Symphony’s yearly celebration of the Chinese New Year as well as designing artwork for the Golden Globe invitations. Prints and greeting cards produced from her artwork are sold in museums and fine stores throughout Europe and the United States. Nan has taught over 4,000 students, and her book The Ch’i of the Brush has also been published in France and Spain.

Nan Rae conducts workshops in her studio and nationally. She has taught at the Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino for over 25 years. Nan has also conducted workshops online via Crowdcast, which made her reach students worldwide.

Nan is also a social media influencer with a combined following of over a quarter million followers. She shares her inspirational teachings, Artwork, and Brush Painting Videos as @NanRaeFineArt on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and @Nan Rae on Youtube.

Her three inspirational books are What If... We Have The Power To Change Our Lives and That’s Just What I Needed Today and recently released Walk With Me... In the Garden or Our Friendship. Many requests for Nan Rae’s speaking engagements have been a result of these books. Nan's fourth inspirational book Inspired Thoughts on Love, published by Laughing Elephant Books, will be released early next year!

Nan has also produced Italian silk scarves based on her artwork.

As a philanthropist, Nan Rae is a member of Harvard University’s Veritas Society. She’s also a member of the Huntington’s Heritage Society and a Successor. She also supports Operation Walk Los Angeles and is part of the Ovation Circle for the Centre Theatre Group, and is a major contributor at the Music Center.

Nan lives by her motto, “Live joyfully.”

Nan Rae Studio
e. nanrae@nanraestudio.com
p. 818-842-6489
f. 818-846-7201
nanraestudio.com

For the time being, the Salon will continue to meet on Zoom. When appropriate, we will meet in person once again at Arroyo del Rey.

For access to the Salon on Zoom:

This meeting is being hosted by Zoom.
There is no charge to use this service.

Before the Salon on Sunday:
You will need to either go to the Zoom website, www.zoom.us, and register for a free account to access this meeting through your web browser or download and install the Zoom application on your device.

If you download the application to your device, you do NOT need to register for a free account. To download the Zoom application, click on this link... https://zoom.us/download

For any questions or assistance,
email Curtis McElhinney at Curtis@curtisvision.com

Meditation, Three Songs, One Poem

Meditation on Spirituality
by Nan Rae

When I was twenty, I was graced with an overwhelming experience. I wouldn’t call it religious because it surpassed any religious dogma, but rather, it was universal, encompassing all of humanity.

In a moment of time, I was aware of the existence of what we refer to as God and that this existence, this energy, loved me more than I could comprehend or contain. At the same time, I was made aware of this force loving everyone…equally!

That overpowering experience held me until this day, keeping me even in the darkest of times.

It happened because, as a Jew, I had asked, “Does God want me to believe in Jesus?” Immediately, I knew I was a different person… completely different, transformed…and I felt as if I had had a shower on the inside of me. To this day, I don’t understand how accepting that premise could so completely change me.

Now, so many years later, I’ve come to understand God as the energy of all creation, the loving creator of all that is.

An excellent metaphor that helps my understanding is picturing myself as a lamp. I take my cord and plug and place it into a wall socket.

Does the socket ask:
Who are you?
Have you been good?
Are you a perfect human being?

No, rather, the socket is overjoyed that I plugged in and that the energy, the light, can now flow through me.

Now, as we approach a brand new year, all shining with promise, may we all let that light flow from us to everyone we encounter.

Nan Rae Studio
e. nanrae@nanraestudio.com
p. 818-842-6489
f. 818-846-7201
nanraestudio.com

"A Mysterious God"
Dean LeGrand Carlston ©10/13/2024

God was walking on the water,
moving in mysterious ways
He stilled the waves and calmed the thunder
His words ring true in these latter days:
“Love your God with all your heart,
Then love each other as ye love Me
These two laws are all that matter
Peace will flow and set man Free”
God moves in mysterious ways,
His wonders to perform
Loving God as well as others,
heals the world and mutes the storm
Glory Glory Hallelujah,
Heaven glows within each breast
Seek and Ye shall find, essential to our mortal quest
Glory Glory Hallelujah,
Love mankind in every way
But first love God and get to know Him,
He moves before us to light our way
Glory Glory Hallelujah,
God moves in mysterious ways
His Grace embraces all of mankind,
so let’s be grateful,
let’s be grateful all the day.

"Soul Communion"
by Iris Irene Herd

My Soul Ariseth unto Thee
Lord Christ of Light and Love
My Soul Ariseth unto Thee
Upon Thy Jeweled Wings of Spirit Life

My Soul Ariseth unto Thee
Thru Heaven Worlds of Peace
Abide in Me and I in Thee
Lord Christ of All Eternity

Joy of Thy Spirit Blesseth Me
and I am One with Thee
One With Thee One With Thee
With Thee, Lord Christ of All Eternity
One With Thee
With Thee

"He"
Richard Mullan and Jack Richards 1954

He can turn the tides and calm the angry sea;
He alone decides who writes a symphony;
He lights every star that makes our darkness bright;
He keeps watch all through each long and lonely night.

He still finds the time to hear a child’s first prayer;
Saint and sinner call and always find him there.
Though it makes Him sad to see the way we live,
He’ll always say, “I forgive.”

"Spirituality"
A Poem by Patricia Ferber

Once you obtain it you can’t let it go,
it prevails in your life wherever you go.

It resides deep within your heart and soul,
spirituality, like personality, is unique on its own.

For each of us, it holds a special meaning
between you and your God.
It flourishes in the sunlight and the sky above when dark.

It dances with the shore as an incoming wave,
or snow on a mountaintop on a cold winter day.

Spirituality lightens the load, creating magic wherever you go.
It floats like a cloud embraced by divine love,
shining upon you from the heavens above.

All 2024 Salon dates and themes

STABILITY
Sunday, January 14, 2024

GROWTH
Sunday, February 11, 2024

POSSIBILITY
Sunday, March 10, 2024

FAITH
Sunday, April 14, 2024

GRATITUDE
Sunday, May 12, 2024

HUMOR
Sunday, June 9, 2024

UNDERSTANDING
Sunday, July 14, 2024

KINDNESS
Sunday, August 11, 2024

HARMONY
Sunday, September 8, 2024

LOVE
Sunday, October 13, 2024

HEALING
Sunday, November 10, 2024

SPIRITUALITY
Sunday, December 8, 2024

Please let us know which salons you can attend by calling (626) 449-1238.

With all loving thoughts and hoping to see you soon!

Carol Soucek King, M.F.A., Ph. D.
Email: KingCarol@aol.com  
 

CAROL SOUCEK KING MFA, PhD © 2002-2022 All rights reserved