We're beginning the New Year with our first video interview! Get to know the Sifu- Kan Traywick Collaborated by our Chi The World directors. 

Chi The World needs your support. 2011 was a good year for us. In 2012 we are furthering our vision to support artists from around the world, to further fine arts and martial arts education, and to open a home base for Chi The World that includes a gallery, walk-n studio and a Dojo.


We've dropped our prices on hundreds of books at KrazyLouBooks on  Amazon 


Check out our site at zazzle.
2012 will also bring a new line of products at zazzle featuring the works of many Chi The World Artists. 


We will also be updating our friends on our progress. Takng new ideas. And, adding martial arts videos, bios and instruction.


In 2012 we will also feature new artists, informational articles,and portfolios of our work.


All of your support is welcome. Share our link. Tweet us. Share our sites. Comment on our blog. Join this site. Like us on Facebook, etc.We want to hear from you!


Donations are now being accepted to further our mission at Chi The World.We believe our chi can change the world!


Donatons may be made through paypal to chitheworld@yahoo.com

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From the whole crew at Chi The World.

Autumn leaf Monoprints Are Perfect for Diverse Age Group Art Classes

Butterfly Monoprint Acrylic on Foam Core $250.00 by Lou Breimon

I went into the Library to check supplies for my next art class when the head librarian explained that they needed me to do a simpler class because many younger children were coming in. Hmmmm... I always welcome the game 3 year-old into my art class, however, they usually paint or draw there own picture and the experience of being in the class and using the medium is big for them. 

These kinds of workshops usually have a diverse age group but; now I was being asked to design a workshop that would teach art and be interesting to kids from toddler to teen. Autumn is my favorite season. I love the leaves blazing on the trees. This class would have to be leaf monoprints. 

With leaf monoprints children can work according to their own personal age level and art experience while learning to mix colors and create designs. A three-year-old surprised me by adding hand prints in a beautiful earthy sienna that she had mixed herself. It was a concept that the whole class took off with.  Below is a supply list for a class of 20 that can be adapted in many ways according to one's budget. 

• 20 large sheets of construction paper ( I used yellow.)
• Scratch paper
• 30 fresh (not dried) medium sized leaves with strong veins.
• 2 or 3 different colors of Tempera Paint (Red, Brown, Orange for example.) Tempera is inexpensive and the project does take quite a bit of paint. Also, tempera has a great texture that goes well with the project.
• Larger size paint brushes. I used1 inch flat brushes

First have the kids fold their construction paper in half and re-open it.Use the scratch paper to paint the backs of the leaves on...then have them print 1/2 of the paper with the painted leaves. They will need to repaint the leaf several times to get strong prints. When they have completed 1/2 of the paper, have them fold it over carefully then press and rub the paper. Then re-open the paper to reveal the monoprint. 

Born To Ride Halloween T-Shirt from Zazzle.com

Born To Ride Halloween T-Shirt from Zazzle.com


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Daily I Ching Hexagram Free from Tarot.com

Daily I Ching Hexagram Free from Tarot.com

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From the Directors:


It's Fair Time and...We're back to work again


Kane and I decided to keep all of our friends posted on what we're currently doing for work here at Chi The World...decorating the Tehema District Fair. 2011 is officially the 200th birthday of the modern fair in America. For our friends around the world, county fairs are one of the few true American traditions that have lasted the test of time.  Although some people only think carnival when one says fair, that is only a small part of what the fair is about.  Fairs in America bring together whole communities of people to plan and participate in exhibits and competitions in everything from baked goods and fine art to agriculture and animal husbandry, from the rodeos to the destruction derbys. Every year we deal with quilting organizations, entertainers, 4-H programs, the FFA, wine makers, vendors, fine arts organizations, gardening clubs,  and that is only the tip of the ice burg.

Photograph by Adrianna Dryden

Sadly enough the budget crisis in California has caused state legislators to cut funding to many fairs all over the state. They are also thinking of eliminating funding to, as many as, 37 fairs in the State. But this year is going to be great. Participation is better than ever. We are designing and creating some Country Sunshine and enjoying our friends at the Tehema District Fair. 

Bull Rider- at RGB- acrylic on canvas by Lou Breimon

Above Photos: Kane Trawick(middle), Lou Breimon (left),
Managing Director Ashley Heisig (right)
Paint the sign at the Tehema District Fair 

Well Hung

Above and below Designed By Michaael Loebs. Painted
 by Solano County Fair Art Director Michael Loebs,
Lou Breimon  & Keith Breimon 

Chi The World Managing Director Keith Breimon,
 Technical Support Specialist James Haughtailing.

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Proceeds from our online stores goes to fund Chi The World, Chi The world Artists, and affordable arts and martial arts education. Check out our online stores. We have great products, Fine Art 
prints, books and more!


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Krazy Lou Books

Featured Artist: Elihu Joshua

Artist and Chi...The World member Elihu Joshua Dryden's experience as an artist spans over a decade. His works include: murals, works on canvas and tattoo art. Elihu has an energetic and experimental mixed media style and uses such mediums as spray paint, acrylics, pen, paper, metal, etc. His current passion is live painting at concerts, festivals, and parties.Check him out on FaceBook!

Elihu live painting at a party in San Francisco. Photograph by Jackie A. 2011

Acrylic and Spray Paint on canvas. "Dubstep Virgin Mary"

5 Must Dos for Teaching Kids Art Workshops


Teaching children's art workshops can be a fun and fulfilling way to contribute to your community, promote your artwork, and to make money. It can also be a challenging experience if you don't know what to expect. Here are five important tips that will help make your workshop a success. 

• Do a step-by-step class and come prepared: From years of experience giving workshops we have discovered that the step-by-step workshop is fabulous because it is organized, time efficient, and can be geared for groups that include various levels of art experience. Choose a subject that has some spunk and extra educational value. My most popular classes revolve around famous artists.  Once you know what your workshop and your medium will be, plan out the steps of the class. 

1.   If your class is an hour long, give three minutes or less for an introduction. 
2.  The kids want to know your name, what you do and what mediums you work with. 
3.  Keep it short! 
4. Next break the class down, for example: 3 minutes- the history of the famous artist; 2 minutes- what we will create today; 20 minutes- instruction on the orientation of the paper, perspective, how to sketch, and then the hands  (example) "...we will all sketch a street" (you show them ways to do this and they follow after with each step, etc.
5. When you have completed planning your workshop, do it with someone at home. Trust me it's a much better way to work out the glitches than in front of twenty kids with parents in tow!

• Be flexible: Call the coordinator or teacher and plan the workshop according to their venue and/or curriculum.  Give your contact person a supply list. And, ask them if they have supplies on hand. Let them know how much time you will need for set-up. 

• Expect to be surprised: Children are often underestimated in their ability to retain technical knowledge of mediums, tools, and techniques. There are  always a few very talented children in each of my workshops. However, I am always amazed at the ways the average child retains knowledge and employs techniques. I once had the parent of a seven-year-old tell me that when her daughter showed her her artwork, she told her about the artist, the water color resist she had done, the supplies she had used, and the type of brush she used.

• Give creative license: We have a funny saying, "You walk them through the class, half of them don't do what you said, they all love their picture and go home." We never know what is stirring in the mind of another. In general I like everyone to follow me and do the lesson. That never happens. There will always be the child that sees color differently, or makes their realistic flower with a happy face in it, or is answering his/her own questions about life through his/her artwork. I encourage the program and then keep it soft around the edges, giving creative license to individual style and creativity.

• Make room for happy accidents: I am walking around the room helping kids with the next technique when I spy a little girl sulking over a piece of white watercolor paper with a few brush lines on it. I walk over to her, "Can I help you figure something out?"  "I messed up my picture. I want another piece of paper," she demands. I don't let people start over as a general rule. It may sound harsh. It really isn't. Much of what we learn as artists is how to flow in our own creative process and to work with what we have laid down. Then I comment, "Well... that's a happy accident!" She looks at me quizzically. This is when I explain how that mistake can potentially be made into something great.

                                                  

                                                                                                     Thanks to everyone at the Vacaville Town Center Library and the Rio Vista Library for making this year's art workshops a big success. And the grand finale was, "Art with LouAnn." We were all surprised when 88 people flooded the room! We had 52 kids painting under-sea watercolor pictures and all of the aids running to assist children, change water, and get paint. Our library staff was fabulous. I would also like to give BIG thank-yous  to Kyle Dryden (left in the above picture). Kyle is our youngest Chi The World artist.  He not only TA'd the workshop... he also took most of the pictures (below). For more information on adult and children's workshops contact us at chitheworld@ahoo.com

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We're celebrating our first blog post! 


  Hi, I'm Lou Breimon a Fine Artist and martial arts student. I have been working in the arts for over 20 years in various venues. First and foremost as a fine artist. I love acrylic paint, assemblage, mixed media, collage. I like to doodle in oil pastel and pen. 
  I have been an arts educator since 1986 taking young people to paint windows, working at schools, libraries, community centers, and arts centers teaching art and coordinating programs for children and adults. I have also judged art shows for county fairs and schools and most recently the Solano County Office of Education. Over the past ten years I have hung well over three thousand works of art.  

  Kane and I  also decorate the Tehema district fair and are consultants there. 

We love the people, the work, and our purpose as artists and martial artists...to share our energy and wisdom with others. We are always jazzed when some one finds a solution, or rekindles their joy, or gains self esteem, etc. The gifts and sharing are universal. 

Kane Traywick is a fine artist who enjoys oriental art, tattoo style art and mixed media. He enjoys experimental art and taking on large projects.  He often works with pen, ink and graphite as mediums. He also paints and employs constructive style art projects. Kane has a great eye for detail and color.  He is trained in Jeet Kune Do, Wing Chun and Muay Thai. Hoorah, He served his country as a United States Marine. 

In The Beginning

I had a studio space in an artist community that I helped start in Fairfield.  My grandson Christopher lived in an apartment near the gallery. He came in one morning for coffee and told me he was studying martial arts with a new teacher.  I did not know it was Kane. I had met Kane once at my grandson's place and liked him instantly.

About two weeks later Kane showed up at my studio. He asked if I would look at his artwork. He wanted to know if I would show some of his works and if he could help me in the gallery. I was skeptical at bringing someone on. The studio was a large responsibility. Over the next two months Kane never let me down in sharing the work load or learning design techniques. He was great with customers and even reorganized the space. He quickly learned the rules of hanging and was always there on time. 

Then one evening at the end of summer we were talking. 

  "Do you know what I really want,"I said.

  "What do you want , Lou?" he replied. 

 "I want my own Studio, gallery and dojo, where people can play and practice and learn and we can show art in a great way." 

 I told him I thought it was a great combo. I said I needed a Sifu. He told me he was my grandson's sifu. 
Then I said,"I don't know where to begin."

He looked at me and laughed," We begin where we are at right now, Lou." 
 I laughed, too. 

We will be keeping you updated and sharing more in the near future about art, teaching art and about martial arts. We will also be sharing videos and Chi The World artwork.
We'll keep you posted.