Old and New

Right in the middle of Shanghai city, here is an ancient temple stood among the modern high rises. Glad to see the contrast and that here is a sense of history. Much like the churches in Manhattan, the temple is visited by many.

Tea in China

The place is known as "Dragon Well" that produced green tea. Unlike the red tea that typical Chinese restaurants served in USA, the leaves are neither formated nor roasted. The color of the tea is yellowish and pale green, with a fresh taste.

The leaves are the sprout of the new leaves on the bushes, to be picked by hand in the Spring time.

Silk Tour

The grand tour of the silk shop includes the process from the cocoon of the silk worm to the extraction of the silk thread. Just can't imagine how my ancestor eve envisioned such an innovation. Can you?

The silk thread is so fine that they had to combine 8 lines of cocoon to form one silk thread. Perhaps it is for the number of eight which represents the symbol of infinity in side view. After all, the Chinese pride the silk to last forever. The tour guide demonstrates the way to tell the real silk apart from the "Fake" or "Pseudo
polyester Silk" by lighting the fabric. The burnt real silk smells like burnt hair. The flame stopped after a second or so. Whileas the fake silk lite up and smelt like burnt plastic, highly inflammable.

Why is real silk so costly? The process is done by much trained human skills: from selecting the good cocoon, reserving the twin cocoons for the mega long threads, to drawing out the thread. Every step requires hands and eyes coordination.

Sorry, I am not able to verify the number of cocoons took to manufacture a silk scarf or a tie. My questions were like the silk thread, kept going and going . . .

Memory

Of the distant childhood. Was thrilled that mom found this photo somewhere, somehow it surfaced.

Guess I will exercise my photoshop skills very soon.

Mom 80th Birthday

Once in a life-time happy opportunity to celebrate mom's 80th Birthday. My husband, John, and grandson, Bill, gave mom a pleasant surprise.

Creative Problem Solving: Thousand Hand Guan Yin

Creative Problem Solving is a system of tools and techniques to make the Impossible Possible. This video fits in the umbrella of Making the Impossible Possible. Let me explain.

I like to share this because I was moved to tears by the shear beauty and possibility. Below is an excerpt sent to me from my dear friend Carolyn, who is an audiology. Few people know of my invisible hearing disability since a young child. More on this some other time.

However, there is always CPS, Creative Problem Solving technique to overcome challenges. I will do a pre-conference workshop of Painting on Water on June 20, 2009 in Boston. We may not get a thousand hands to paint on water, you can definitely have your hands in the water !!!

Learning technique is awesome. Opportunity to interact with the colleagues are priceless. Please join me either at the workshop and/or the complete conference for the total CPS experience.


= = =

Read the text below before watching the amazing video.

There is an awesome dance, called the Thousand-Hand Guan Yin, which is
making the rounds across the Internet. Considering the tight coordination
required, the accomplishment is nothing short of amazing even if the dancers were not all deaf.

Yes, you read correctly. All 21 of the dancers are complete deaf-mutes. Relying only on signals from trainers at the four corners of the stage, these extraordinary dancers deliver a visual spectacle that is at once intricate and stirring.

Its first major international debut was in Athens at the closing ceremonies
for the 2004 Paralympics. But it had long been in the repertoire of the
Chinese Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe and had traveled to more than 40 countries.

Its lead dancer is 29-year old Tai Lihua who has a BA from the Hubei Fine
Arts Institute. The video was recorded in Beijing during the Spring Festival
this year.

Click to watch the video.
Thousand Hand Guan Yin


= ==

Links to my colleagues who are also involved with the Creative Problem Solving techniques:
Renee Callahan Hopkins
Missy Carvin
Gregg Fraley
Jonathan Vehar
Amy Basic (also known as Amy Lee Segami)

Please send me your feedback at segami@segami.com

What the Buzz about CPSI ?

The buzz is about Innovation . . .
Are you ready to join the Revolution of Creativity for the cause of Innovation?

To be successful is to have great innovation.
Innovation is deliberate creativity.
Creativity is about change: doing something has not been done before as in a revolution.

The upcoming Creativity Conference, CPSI, from June 20 - 23, in Boston will change your outlook, perception, mission and purpose. You will not walk out as the same person when you walk in, I personally guarantee.

Why have you not heard of CPSI?
This event was created by the inventor of Brainstorming, Alex Osborn, some 50 years ago. It used to be what happened in CPSI stayed in CPSI. Yours truly attended CPSI 2006 Chicago, CPSI 2007 and 2008 Atlanta: witnessed the whole spectrum from the laugh and the joy to the puzzle and the skeptical; from the young and the old at various corners of the planet, to the left brains integrated with the right brains. After experiencing 3 years of consistent values, I have to share this.

I have to share the possibilities of Contagious Creativity with YOU.

Most creative folks are about doing something new and different. What excites them are the future, possibilities and options. They did not spend a lot of time on the past, talking about what they have done. In the light of revolution, they actually changed !!! They now have documents to show what had happened in CPSI.


Who and What are CPSI?
Click the first video for CPSI 2008. Watch it once then go back to my favorite moment at 1 minute and 33 sec when Dimis Michaelides, magician speaker, demonstrating the Amazing Eggs. Video about CPSI

Photo Album.


Keynote Speakers & Trainers
Dean Kamen, Inventor of the Segway and Founder of the FIRST Robotics Competition; Sarah Miller Caldicott, Thomas Edison’s great grandniece and author of “Innovation Like Edison”; Keith Sawyer, author of “Group Genius”
Seasoned trainers and facilitators will guide you thru the journey.

Programs
Too many choices to list them all here. There is something for everyone. From a full day, pre-fonference or post-conference special workshop to a bit-ize sampler. It's a buffet for the creativity brains.
On June 20, I will conduct Painting On Water: Think Like an Artist Act Like an Entrepreneur, from previous blog.


Sign up now
On May 11, 2009, at 1:30 pm EST, there will be a webinar to give a tour of the CPSI conference. Sign up for the newsletter. You can always unsubscripted it later.

Last but not least, Deadline for EARLY Registration is April 30.

You will be saying "Share Share" in no time.
(Share Share means Thank You in Madarine Chinese)

= = =
Here are some additional resources
Rosemary Rein on her Wild WOW Spirit of Customer Service
Rosemary Rein also has a video on Creativity Revolution
Jonathan Vehar on New and Improved
Missy Carvin's creative spelling MissyLaneous (more on this later. Reminds me of the now famous CreatIITvity campaign of IIT, Illinois Institute of Technology, my Alma Mater.)

Miracle in March

Had the good fortune to see Ms. Maya Angelou in person at Saint Sabina Church on the South Side of Chicago tonight.

It was an amazing experience to watch her dressed in gold, at her golden age. She was funny, witty and sprinkling wisdom on the audience at will. She sang, recited poems and told personal stories. What an inspiration to see what a person can become. Despite that I have read her books through the years, I looked her up on Wikipedia before the event just to refresh my memories.

I was in awe of what this woman embodied. What an interesting life. There must be a screenplay written somewhere about her life. Who would play her? Hmmm, perhaps no better choice than one of her proud daughters, Oprah Winfrey.

Unfortunately, Ms. Angelou did not wish to have her photo taken close up or give any autographs. Out of respect, no one pressed the request. It was an honor to shake her hand. Speaking to her directly, eyeball-to-eyeball, was priceless.

This is a Miracle in March. When I got the ticket, I was told that it would be very crowded. It was expected to have standing room only in a church that seats 1,200. I was prepared to bring along my binoculars. Then a surprising email from my good friend Harry informed me that he had arranged for a VIP ticket. I was able to sit up front and meet Ms. Angelou in person afterwards. What an memorable evening for me. Miracles do happen.

Thank you, Harry, thank you !!!

About T. Grace

Been enjoying the articles by Talayah Stovall, (also known as T. Grace). She is a speaker and an author in Chicago, specialized in relationship. She will have a book signing on Saturday, 3/28, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at AfriWare Bookstore, 266 W. Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois. If you are in the area or have friends close by, please pass the information and give her the support.


She is also on the board of Chicago Youth Centers, Rebecca Crown Center in South Shore. The ETA fund raiser event will take place on Friday, May 8 at 8:00pm. The play is "Levee James." A reception will follow the performance. Great opportunity to support the youth program. Please contact Talaya if you are interested.

Call for Artists

Viridian Artists Inc. in New York City Call for Artists
(per artist Kathleen King)

20th Annual International Juried Competition

Open to all US and international artists working in 2D and 3D media. Entries juried by Elisabeth Sussman, Curator, The Whitney Museum of American Art , NYC.

Cash prizes, Power-Point presentation, Group exhibition June 30-July 17, 2009.

Deadline for entries April 10, 2009. $40/3 pieces, $5 each additional.

Send SASE for prospectus: Viridian Artists Inc, 530 West 25th Street, NY, NY 10001, or download at www.viridianartists.com/

Phone: 212-414-4040, email questions: info@viridianartists.com

Click to Give

My friend Melissa told me about this Click to Give. Have you heard of this?

When you get to the site, click each of the six tabs, and the sponsors will donate to help feeding the hungry, animal rescue, rainforest, literacy, child health, and breast cancer. Seems too easy to pass. theanimalrescuesite.com/

This site provides medical care for children in remote area of Mexico. The mission founded by a Catholic priest

also has started a clinic, a boarding school, etc. http://www.giveaminute.org

Another one for the dogs and cats - the rates of abandonment have skyrocketed in this troubled economy. http://www.freekibble.com/

Speaking at Women Conference

Celebrating the International Women’s Day, I have accepted the invitation to join the panel discussion at the 5th Annual Conference, organized by Spirit, A Magazine Designed for the Diverse Woman.

The Theme this year is Celebrating The Woman In You.

Please join me if you are in the area. For details or registration, see below or click here.


FIFTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Celebrating the Woman in You

In honor of International Woman's Day, Spirit "A Magazine Designed for the Diverse Woman", is holding its fifth annual conference in celebration of diverse women, their accomplishments, and their contributions and dedication in cultivating a prosperous global society.

Event Details:

Date: March 7, 2009
Time: 12pm to 4pm

Location: Oak Lawn Hilton
9333 S. Cicero Ave.
Oak Lawn IL, 60453
Phone: 708-425-7800

$50.00 per person. Pre-registration is required (Fee may be paid at the door). To pre-register please send an e-mail to contactspirit@spirit-mag.com or call 708-430-9352. Your name will be with the attendant at the registration table collecting the admissions fee.

Key Note Speaker is Dr. Clara Awe, PhD, EdD
Assistant Dean for Urban Education Affairs
Director of Urban Health Program
University of Illinois at Chicago

Panel Discussion
Dr. Cheryl Richardson, Dr. Susan Neustrom,
Amy Lee Segami, Anisha Patel, Talayah G. Stovall,

The day will include:
Guest Speakers
Lunch
Raffle Prizes
Networking
Award Presentations
Gift Bags

Citizenship Day

Swore in as a naturlized USA citizen 19 years today. Proud moment of my life as I did it on my own.

For the first few years, I hosted parties and asked friends to join me. It also served to get my friends get out of the cabin fever. It was great fun to hoist the Glory in the snow, gather up goodies and pot luck dinner, then chatted away. However, when I moved to the high rise building, parking became an issue. From then on, I switched to celebrate my citizenship day on July 4, at sunrise, on the beach. It has become a tradition.

Julia Beveridge Award Reception

The award ceremony will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, from 3 to 5 pm in the Ballroom of the McCormick Tribune Campus Center. MTCC is located on the main campus at 3201 S. State Street, Chicago, IL 60616. Reserve your space at Women’s Services Center, 312.567.3789, email to women@iit.edu or register on line.

For information on reaching the venue, McCormick Tribune Campus Center, MTCC, contact the Campus Information Center at 312-567-3700.

The MTCC is an architecture destination. Worth your while to visit. Arrive early for a tour of the building where you will walk thru the open mouth of Mies van der Rohe. Click here for Parking information on campus.

= = =

For heads up, I might have to leave immediately after the ceremony to attend another meeting. So come early if you can for photo op.

= = =
It gives me great pleasure to share the news that my alma mater named me as a recipient for the 2009 Julia Beveridge Award at Illinois Institute of Technology. This is the highest honor awarded to extraordinary IIT women.

This is truly an honor since I had been nominated twice previously. Three is the charm. Thanks to the great recommendation letters and supports from friends and colleagues. Thank you.

(below was posted on the IIT website)
The Julia Beveridge Awards was established in 1990 to honor outstanding women for exceptional contributions to the University community, profession, and society at large, with emphasis on originality, imagination, distinction, and their commitment to academic and career mentoring for young women. The award is named for Julia Beveridge, the librarian of Armour Mission and the first registrar of Armour Institute.

Founded in 1890, IIT is a Ph.D.-granting technological university awarding degrees in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering, as well as architecture, psychology, design, business, and law. IIT’s interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum prepares the university’s 6,200 students for leadership roles in an increasingly complex and culturally diverse global workplace.

Join the Gool

Finalized the arrangement for Painting on Water™ workshop on Sunday, March 22 at Karen Solem Gallery in Elmhurst. If you are interested, read more workshop details here.

Come join the gool: both Good and Cool. Click here to sign up.

10 Days Later: Gool

Life is gool: good and cool.

No meetings, no memos, no pressing urgent emails waiting, of course, no paycheck neither. It's a trade off. Or a trade on. I can finally honor the request that many of you have asked for a long time: offer the Painting On Water™ Workshop.

It's been 10 days since I resigned from my VP position. A self-fulfill prophecy. One door closed, many other doors open. Since Feb 13, I received many of your heart-felt emails to support my decision. Thank you and thank you.

Enjoyed a great play: The Other Shore, see other blog below. Visiting friends from the past as well as making new ones. Ah, many more of you to reconnect and so little time. Please be patient with me. I will catch up one of these days.

That's why here is the blog.

Looking for Blogger

If you are a regular blogger, please contact me directly at blog@segami.com
Thanks.

Playing with Words

Writing is like creating a painting with words.

River Of Life

What does the River of Life look like? I just saw it in the play "The Other Shore" by Nobel Price Laurent playwright, Gao Xingjian, on Valentine's Day with a group of friends, art lovers, organized by Eric Lin. Eric's daughter, Christine Lin, is the custome designer in the show.

If you are in the Chicago area, hope you make time to see this rare gem before it ends on next Sunday, Feb 21st. It takes some interpretation and reflection on your part. At the end, your willingness to explore the deep meaning of life pays off.

Great cast. Watch out for a few raising shining stars. Trust me. If you see this show, someday, you will say, oh, I saw so and so back when . . .

They performed in the basement of the Methodist Church during the cold winter month in the North side of Chicago.

With the minimalist setting, it's pretty bare alright. Less is more. And that's what great performance is all about. You will concentrate totally on their expression and gesture, on the performance, rather than the stage backdrop. I was floating in the river with them, all the way home. Someday, I, too, will get to the other shore.

(the following is from their press release)

Nobel Prize winner Gao Xingjian's greatest work for the stage, The Other Shore explores the desperate human struggle to reach a state of nirvana by crossing the river of life to the other shore. According to Buddhist belief, humans experience an actual visible life full of suffering, but by living according to the virtues of paramilitary, morality, patience, meditation and wisdom, they can cross the "river of life" to the other shore and experience enlightenment. The Crowd, Man, Woman, The Card Player, and others engage in a symbolic struggle over the conflict between the individual and collective will. Using a dazzling array of styles, unconventional staging and lively characters Xingjian's staggering work shadows the individual human experiences of solitary struggle for meaning and enlightenment.

Continuing through February 21, 2009
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00; Sundays at 6:00

For Reservations: 312.458.9170 or halcyontheatre.org/boxoffice
Tickets on Thursdays and Sundays: $15 in advance, $18 at the door
Tickets on Fridays and Saturdays: $17 in advance, $20 at the door
$10 Tickets for Students and Seniors are available for all performances
For more info on discounts and special offers: halcyontheatre.org/specialoffers

Parking:
On street parking is available on a first come first serve basis. Off street parking is available after 5 pm at the Social Security Office Parking lot at 2127 W. Lawrence Ave. and at the Community Bank of Ravenswood at 2300 W. Lawrence. Pick up a free parking pass at the box office before parking in either of these lots or print the pass below and place it on the driver's side of your windshield.

Public Transportation:
The Lincoln Square Theatre is easily accessible by CTA. It is a short walk from the Brown Line at Damen (Reopened in December) or Western stops, the Metra UP-N line (At Ravenswood and Lawrence) or by the Lawrence Ave bus (#81).

Continuing through February 21, 2009
Halcyon: 312.458.9170 halcyontheatre.org/boxoffice

If you are going, please let me know. I would like to join you and watch it again. Yes, I like it that much.

= = =

“Flow”
Acrylic on Museum Board
Flat Art 32 X 20 inches
S. Wang & D. Van Alstyne Collection

Available as Giclee in any dimensions other than the original size to avoid any confusion. 312-635-3800 Giclee@segami.com

After 20 years: Door Closed, Door Open

As of 12:02 pm CST on Friday, February 13, 2009, I resigned as Vice-President of Basic International Inc. I will remain on the board and serve BII on a consulting basis for the waste-to-energy licensing program.

True love never dies, it just takes time to show. This will free up time for me to do other projects, such as lectures, curriculum development, workshops, writing and exhibitions.

Working on energy projects is necessary. Sharing the art and the experiential tool of innovation with the rest of you is priceless.

After a leave of absence, with six years of worldwide traveling, it is time to get back to my original work. It has been 20 years since I debuted at the Botanic Garden in Glencoe back in 1989. A lot to reflect on and a lot more to look forward to. Many thanks to those who believed in my endeavor in the early days. I come back even stronger. I return with more insights to offer.

Looking forward to working with you on various collaborations. See you farther along the river of time.

Thank you for your continuous support.

Review

Received this from Cecilia. Thank you for your kind words.
= = =
Dear Amy,

I was so touched by your new art works that I sat down and wrote how I felt about them:

Amy's art portrays the rhythmic patterns and lyrical cadences of nature; the flow and continuity of natural pathways. It celebrates the magnificent coloration; the joy and vitality of being alive. Her work captures Nature's dynamic processes: its passionate fieriness and its silent tranquility, eventually reconciling in a harmonious stillness of the natural world.

Congratulations! May the muses continue to inspire you in your creative adventures!

Cecilia Yau, 
Independent Education Consultant,
Creative Challenges Inc.
Toronto, Canada

Two Kinds

Since the very beginning, I was asked over and over again, how I created my paintings. It was something that people never seen before. Back 20 years ago when I first start showing my work, there was no Giclee or any color printer that could possibly print up a 36 by 40 inches image. The viewers are often puzzled. Curious. Excited. The patrons were delighted. Even now, the viewers with keen eyes could always tell a Giclee from the original. Hence, I coined the term Painting On Water™ to describe how I created my work. Back in 1989. 

There are two kings of people when they first hear the term. 

The first group, sine they are unfamiliar with the concept, assume that I speak bad English and what I mean is Water Color. They walk away, shaking their heads, assuming that they just heard an interesting Chinese translation of the term Water Color.

For the other group who cared to listen well and dare to ask,  I always compliment them on passing the active listening skill test. And what an open mind they have. So in many countless occasions, I am blessed with the attentive ladies and gentlemen who are eager to know more about the new ancient art, the subject, the intention, the process, the technique, etc. etc. They end up learning a lot more about an unique nearly lost art, the wisdom of the Asian philosophy, the magic of science application and walk away richer in their being.

Eventually, this led to my speaking engagement for larger audience. Will talk more about the speaking path in another time.

And they want more.

Many are interested on how, when and why I do this. I will out my thoughts down here, in hope of inspiring others to be innovative and facing the rapid change in the course of life. Take a step, give a try, make a statement, and create your very own Painting On Water™ someday.

For update on details and dates of public workshop, see the blog on Painting On Water: http://PaintingOnWater.blogspot.com/

Roar And Soar

At the beginning of the Chinese New Year, one often watched the Dragon Dance performed in China Town or on TV.

The Dragon roars and soars from the back of the room to the front and up on the performing stage, from the bottom of the sea way up to the sky, in an effort of casting all evils and bad luck, from the darkness to the light.

In this very eco-green era, artist Amy Lee Segami chose the green color to indicate the movement as we all roar away from the past, and soar toward the new era of alternative energy. This work titled "Roar And Soar" is currently shown in the exhibition "Center Line 2009" at Zhou B Art Center located at 1029 W. 35th Street in Chicago Bridgeport area.


“Roar And Soar”
Acrylic on Museum Board
Framed 43.5 X 25.5 inches
Flat Art 32 X 20 inches

Currently available at Zhou B Art Center, located at 1029 W. 35th Street in Chicago Bridgeport area. One mile west of US Cellular Field. Free parking in rear of the building. 773-523-0200 zulema@zhoub.com or o@zhoub.com

Ancient Love

Good news: one of my work is in the exhibition: A Time to Love & Red at Karen Solem Gallery in Elmhurst. The opening reception this Friday evening, Feb 6, 2009 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm.

Bad news: Regrettably, yours truly already made plan to attend another event at Pritzker Military Library in Chicago. And, I failed the self-cloning experiment. I will not be able to be at multiple places simultaneously, yet.

Lucky news: I am taking advantage of the blog to communicate, as if, we are standing in front of the piece together.


Below is the description of the piece in the show.

In this piece, titled "Contemporary Ancient Love," one sees the stark black ink of a Chinese Calligraphy character 情 (pronounced as Qing, means Love) at the upper right hand corner, against the backdrop of an ancient-style black-and-white Suminagashi* painting. At the bottom left-hand corner, one sees the highly stylized symbol of the Segami chop in red: the double S. She uses this to represent the western concept of love-- sense and sensibility.

The Chinese, as well as many other Asian cultures, regard Love as a serious matter. Hence it is represented in dark sumi ink. The left side of the character represents the heart and feeling. The right side of the character represents clarity. Love is the clarity of the heart, in an absolute sense, without doubt. This applies to parental love, a spouse's love, lovers' love, and the love between friends or the love between a person and an object, such as a piece of art. It can also extend to patriotic love. All in all, love is universal, from East to West.

Instead of the typical figurative expression of love with kisses or embracing, artist Amy Lee Segami uses the motion of the fluid movement captured by her signature style to express her interpretation of love. The gaps between the lines transform, going from open spaces at the lower bottom left to narrower margins at the upper right corner. As sense and sensibility are established, love appears. This is her artistic license for an artistic expression.

Difference between 爱 Ai and 情 Qing:
Chinese characters have multiple meanings and the meaning can be represented by various characters, synonymous. Romantic love is 爱情, Friendship is 友情, parental/family love is 亲情, etc. Therefore, 爱 is a sub-set of 情. 情 is boarder, more inclusive, according to Amy Lee Segami.


*Suminagashi (Sue-me-nah-gah-she) is an ancient art of flowing ink on the surface of the water, originated in China over 2,000 years ago. Like many traditional art forms, it was passed onto Japan and practiced by Shinto priests in the 12th century. In 1989, Amy Lee Segami (see-Gah-me), a former engineer, was inspired by this nearly lost traditional art. Since then she uses water as canvas, draws her knowledge of science and traditional Asian cultures to create paintings that blend the disciplines of art and science, as well as the expressive traditions of east and west.


"Contemporary Ancient Love"
Mixed media Sumi ink and Acrylic on Washi
Framed 30.5 X 25.25 ins.
Flate Art 24 X 19 ins.
currently available at Karen Solem Gallery