Fishing in Australia

Dear Friends,
Okay, Work is done and the guys are out working hard to provide for the family. As we finish our trip, we have been warmed by the sun and eaten well. I think I am a bit pink. But Dave was very good about sunscreen. SLIP-SLAP-SLOP is the rule here.

I had asked for a board meeting. I let them pick the location. I do not think they are thinking business:


I was enjoying a book and a sandwich when a cheeky kookaburra swooped down and took my sandwich! To add insult to injury, he ate it in front of me. Ouch!


This is the face of relaxation. A vacation well deserved.


And yes, the guys provided. We had a delicious fish fry.


Heading home in the morning. I wonder what the weather is like?

See you soon.
Sincerely,
The Jansens

Here in Australia

Dear Friends,
This has been a whirlwind tour. The seminars in Melbourne and Adelaide were great. The venues are wonderful. Food fabulous. And the painting phenomenal.

We had teachers and students from across Australia as well as New Zealand and South Korea. We had more fun that should be allowed.


Here are some photos from Melbourne:





A large room with lots of space to get up and move.


A great venue in Adelaide with lots of smiling faces:










A great venue:

Happy Birthday!

Our dates are set for 2010!
Thank you for a great tour!
Sincerely,
The Jansens

SDP & HOOT 2009

Dear Friends,
We had a great time at SDP and HOOT. Our booths looked great. This year we had many of the Heritage Designers helping in the booth. Lots of fun and laughing. We handed out lots of flyers about the Heritage Art Education web site and Education Program. Here are a few pictures of the conventions:










If you haven't been to a convention, you have to try it! It is lots of fun plus a great opportunity to meet with teachers and artists from all over the world.

Sincerely,
The Jansens

Catching Up!

Dear Friends,
I know I said I would be better but all of a sudden it is October and I am in Australia. Where has the year gone?

Well, I have posted most of our pictures from Taiwan and Japan trips (March and April). But I do not think I have shared with you the great pix of France, PA seminars or Australia. I will do my best to get caught up. The best part is we are finding painting everywhere!

As I look at the pix on our camera, we wanted to share with you our experience at a flea market near Veronique and Francois's home in Colroy La Roche. Many of us have gone to the church bazaar or local flea market to enjoy the treasures to be had. Try attending one of these events in another country. You will see many of the same things but with the added component: How do I get this home?
Take a look:
Beautiful items everywhere:
Bureau-hmm Nice
Trunk: we both wanted it:
Jessica's Pick:



We saw castles:

We saw more castles:
Dave P wants a castle. We had to say no.










A typical French countryside kitchen.












Hey! How did Jessica's kitten pictures get into the mix?



We made it home with lots of great books and ideas.
Fondly,
The Jansens
PS Still looking for homes for three kittens (young cats).

Raggedy Ann of Hiroshima, Japan

Dear Friends,
Many have asked us about our friends Yozo and Yumiko Yamasaki and their painting studio and wood shop, Raggedy Ann. So here is their story.

Raggedy Ann is the first Decorative Painting shop of Japan. It began when Yumiko's sister, Kotami, who was living in Texas, told her of the wonderful world of decorative painting. With Kotami's urging, Yumiko opened the first decorative painting shop of Japan in Hiroshima. The first Raggedy Ann store was in the Itsukaichi area of Hiroshima City. Yumiko began to study painting as well. In 1987 she began teaching.

Yozo, Yumiko's husband has been making the wood for Raggedy Ann and other shops and distributors for years. He has two assistants that help him process orders. The Black Cat picks up orders every day. His wood surfaces are shipped throughout Japan.

For 23 years Yumiko operated a retail art store and studio on Coin Dori (Street) in Itsukaichi area of Hiroshima. In 2007 she and Yozo decided to bring their business home to Hatsukaichi. They remodelled the living space above the woodshop into a comfortable studio and art store. It has a spectacular view of the valley. It is perfect for seminars, relaxing and a bit of shopping. Oh, yes. And painting too!

So nowthey now have the art store and studio above the wood shop. Each day they walk down their drive to work. The store has all needed art supplies as well as beautiful gifts made by local and international artists.

Their assistant Miko helps with the seminars and day to day running of the store. Yozo keeps the wood surfaces in stock. And their dog, Kintaro makes sure everyone does their job. This is truly a family business.

And there are Raggedy dolls everywhere! These are only a few of the dolls that live at Raggedy Ann Art Studio.


Hmm A tough decision!


Oh no! Here are some more!

Decorative painting is very popular in Japan. The Yozo's woodshop is sending wood throughout Japan. Some of his pieces and designs have been seen as far as the United States. Yumiko teaches in her studio as well as traveling as far north as Nagoya for her students.

Each year Yumiko allows herself study time. She comes to the United States each winter to study with David as well as enjoy Christmas holidays with the Jansen family.


Yozo relaxes in Hatsukaichi with Kintaro. When Yumiko gets home they are all ready to start the new year.

We are truly fortunate to have the Yamasaki family as our friends. We enjoy their company and their creativity.

Sincerely,

David and Martha