Green Bird Trio in Acrylic

“It’s never too late to be who you might have been.”
– George Eliot

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Acrylic Bird Trio

Another bird archive.  I always liked this one.  It’s funny… going through archives, I sure see a lot of styles.  I think I finally found my true style, but it’s fun to revisit these.  I am wanting to play with my acrylics again. 

About George Eliot

George Eliot was the pen name of Mary Ann Evans, the Victorian author known for her psychologically astute novels set in small English towns. She was born on a farm in England in 1819 and wrote several acclaimed novels, including Middlemarch, The Mill on the Floss, and Silas Marner. She lived with George Henry Lewes for several years, which was considered highly scandalous at the time. She died in 1880.

Here Come the Geese!

“One comes, finally, to believe whatever one repeats to one’s self, whether the statement is true or false.”
–Napoleon Hill

“Our inner dialogue can have awesome power. It often determines the behavior that defines who we are. We do, of course, have some choice as to the direction this inner dialogue will take. It’s as easy to affirm our self-worth with positive messages as it is to tear ourselves down with negative ones. And yet, many of us fall so easily into negative patterns of thought.
As with so many aspects of our life, we become proficient at what we regularly practice. The regular, preferably daily, use of positive affirmations can make such a profound contribution to our well-being and willingness to grow and learn, that it can change the course of our life. All we have to do is develop the discipline to make these positive messages habitual.”
– Karen Casey
 

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Meandering Geese

 

I have always liked this one.  It’s so simple, yet the geese have personalities.

 

My sign shop computer and cutters are all working!!!  Finally!!!    … 

 

The last 2.5 weeks have been testing my ability to remain calm under stress.  I did it, but it was a challenge at times.  Now to play catch up.  Six working days until the 4th of July.  I am always the busiest right before holidays, so let the fun begin!

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More about Napoleon Hill here.

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Karen Casey, Ph.D., a Naples, FL resident since 1991, published Each Day a New Beginning, her first book, in 1982. This daily meditation book for women in recovery has sold more than 3 million copies. The 25-year Anniversary edition of Each Day a New Beginning was released in August, 2006. It was closely followed by The Promise of a New Day, in 1983, another daily meditation book for both men and women in search of serenity. It has sold more than 1.2 million copies. Following on the heels of these two books, Karen has written 22 additional books with more on the way. In fall, 2005 she published CHANGE YOUR MIND AND YOUR LIFE WILL FOLLOW.  In April of 2006 she published ALL WE HAVE IS ALL WE NEED and she published three more books in 2007. SERENITY was released in March. BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE, in April and in December, a companion book to CHANGE YOUR MIND AND YOUR LIFE WILL FOLLOW, called  ITS UP TO YOU: A PRACTICE TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE BY CHANGING YOUR MIND.  In late July, 2010, LET GO NOW: EMBRACING DETACHMENT  was released.  Currently Karen is working on her memoir.  More here.

A Purple Bird

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.”
– Amelia Earhart

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Big Purple Bird – A Watercolor

Seems so funny to see a painting of mine without the ink.  This is another one from the archives, while I sort out the computer issues.

About Amelia Earhart

 

Amelia Earhart, who was born in 1897 in Kansas, became the first person to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean and gained renown as a woman in a field dominated by men. Earhart worked as a nurse’s aide during World War I and learned to fly after moving to Los Angeles in 1919. She first became famous as one of a crew of three to fly across the Atlantic in 1928, but her best-known flight was her last. As she was attempting to fly around the world in 1937, her plane disappeared over the Pacific Ocean and was never found.

Chicago Fire Truck

“We are, each of us, angels with only one wing, and we can only fly embracing each other.”
– Luciano Decrescenzo

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Chicago Fire Truck -  4″ x 6″ Watercolor

I painted this from a photo by Savatage at WetCanvas.  I had a great time with it.

I bought a new vinyl cutter yesterday and it is supposed to be here today, so I can get back to making signs.  At home, in the mornings, I’ve been working on more bookmarks.  I think I have 8 of them inked.  It’s a great project to take my mind off of computers.  I’ll share later. 

About Luciano Decrescenzo

 

Luciano Decrescenzo, the Italian writer, filmmaker, and intellectual, has published 28 books on subjects ranging from Greek philosophy to his own childhood in Naples. He was born in 1928 and worked as an engineer for IBM for several years before turning to philosophy and writing. He has also directed, written, and starred in a number of Italian language films and received honorary Athenian citizenship in 1994.

My Pink House

“Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways it can change someone else’s life forever.”
– Margaret Cho

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

My Pink House

This is a little corner of my house.  There is a cliff on the east side and a lake on the west side so it’s hard to photograph.  I took this photo standing on the cliff.  I’ll try to do another one, showing more of the house.

I finally have my computer back.  I do not have my vinyl cutter back.  I have an old plotter and may have to upgrade.  So the sign shop is still in a holding pattern… as it has been for two weeks.  It feels good to at least be able to get orders in the system and do the design work.  I can’t wait until this is all resolved and I’m functioning at 100% again. 

About Margaret Cho

 

Margaret Cho, the outspoken Korean-American comedian and actor, made television history as the first Asian-American with her own TV series, All American Girl. She was born in 1968 in San Francisco and has mined her life for extremely successful one-woman shows, including I’m the One That I Want and Notorious C.H.O., both of which spawned albums, movie versions, and books. When not touring with her comedy, Cho works now in Hollywood as both an actress and a director.

Watercolor Turkey Twins Go Exploring

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear — not absence of fear.”
– Mark Twain

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Turkey Twins Go Exploring

Another one from the archives.  It’s amazing how many varieties of birds I can find when I search through my paintings.   I hope you enjoy them, while I work on current art.

I had twin Banny Roosters once.    Darrell and his other brother Darrell.  They were  really little, but put huge fear in grown men.  They were very protective of me and would chase strange men (like the plumber or phone man) all around the yard.  They were hilarious!!

I love doing my blog every weekday.  I started doing this in 2007 and it’s just a part of my daily routine.  I need to start my day with a positive thought.  It stays with me all day.  I really appreciate those of you who take the time to click on your email message and come visit.  You are the best!!!

About Mark Twain

 

Samuel Clemens, the iconic American humorist and writer, is better known by his pen name Mark Twain. He was born in 1835 in Missouri. He worked at several jobs, including steamboat pilot and miner. He wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Prince and the Pauper, and other successful novels. His writing captured a very American vernacular and flavor, and helped create a distinctive American literature. He died in 1910.

Choo Choo Train 21 – 6″ x 8″ Watercolor

“The highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it.”
– John Ruskin

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Choo Choo Train 21 – 6″ x 8″ Watercolor

This train painting got it’s name from the CCT 21 that really was on the train photo by Lisilk at WetCanvas.  It is a Denver & Rio Grande Western train.  Do you think the train people have a good sense of humor?  Does the CCT really stand for Choo Choo Train?  Well…. probably not, but this is Bethville, after all.

I just got my computer back.  I lost my hard drive on Saturday and I’ve been down ever since.  I sure do miss it when it’s sick.  The sign shop comes to a sudden halt!   I did some cleaning and routine maintenance around the shop and some paperwork, but made no signs.

Aaaaaccckkk!  There’s a wasp in here!  Gotta go!

About John Ruskin

 

John Ruskin was an English art critic who influenced the attitude of a whole generation toward art and architecture. He was born in 1819 in London. His career began with an essay defending his friend, artist J.M.W. Turner, from critics. His book Modern Painters made Turner popular and gave stature to the Pre-Raphaelite movement. He founded the Cambridge Scool of Art in 1858, now known as the Anglia Ruskin University. Leo Tolstoy called him one of those rare men who think with their heart. When Ruskin inherited wealth, he gave most of the money away. He died in 1900.

Rooster and Quilt

“Every new day begins with possibilities.  It’s up to us to fill it with things that move us toward progress and peace.”

–Ronald Reagan

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

The Rooster and the Quilt

Here is another fine example of me getting a little carried away with detail.  My friend Shannon bought this painting to hang in her office.  That made me happy!!!

Ronald Reagan

Born in Tampico, Illinois, on February 6, 1911, Ronald Reagan initially chose a career in entertainment, appearing in more than 50 films. While in Hollywood, he served as president of the Screen Actor’s Guild and met his future wife, Nancy (Davis) Reagan. He served two terms as governor of California. Originally a liberal Democrat, Reagan ran for the U.S. presidency as a conservative Republican and won two terms, beginning in 1980.  More…

Shoe Shopping Turkeys

“Vitality shows not only in the ability to persist, but in the ability to start over.”
– F. Scott Fitzgerald

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Turkeys go Shoe Shopping

Here’s another bird painting.  I did this one in 2008.  I was already into birds wearing shoes.  he he

The weatherman just said the heat is going to blow in here like Sherman blowing into Atlanta.  Made me giggle until I realized that with that heat will come humidity.  Yuk.

About F. Scott Fitzgerald

 

Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, who wrote as F. Scott Fitzgerald, is best known for his novel The Great Gatsby. He was born in St. Paul in 1896. Fear of mortality spurred him to write the novel This Side of Paradise while in the Army. It was rejected twice by Scribner’s before they finally published it. His wife Zelda’s schizophrenia was the basis for his novel Tender Is the Night. After they separated, he moved to Los Angeles and wrote screenplays for studio films. He died in 1940.

The Dancing Raven - Can you see it?

“You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm.”
– Colette

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

The Dancing Raven – Watercolor & Ink

This bird looks like he’s dancing to me.  He’s doing a little Fred Astair move here.  Can you see it? 

I love that quote!  My husband says if you don’t know how to do something, you can pull it off… as long as you look cool doing it.  I like that, too.

About Colette

 

Colette was the pen name of Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, the French author acclaimed for her intimate, lyrical novels, including Chéri and The Vagabond. Born in Burgundy in 1873, she moved to Paris in 1893 when she married Henri “Willy” Gauthier-Villars, who locked her in a room and demanded that she write. After their divorce, she became a music-hall performer and continued to write. During World War I, she converted her second husband’s estate into a hospital for the wounded. She died in 1954.

A Little Featherly Bird

“This I conceive to be the chemical function of humor: to change the character of our thought.”
– Lin Yutang

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

A Feathery Little Bird

I am going to revisit my various bird paintings, while I try to get some new work done.  I hope that’s okay.  There are some cuties.

My sign shop continues to be insanely busy!  I am trying to stay off the computer as much as possible.  It’s hard, too.  Since I work alone, the computer is my connection to so many people and so much brain stimuli.  But as everyone knows… it’s easy for a quick 15 minute look-see to turn into an hour of no work getting done.

Okay… here I go…  really…. going to make signs…. yes I am….. bye…….  for now.   

About Lin Yutang

 

Chinese author Lin Yutang wrote more than 35 books in English and Chinese, including My Country and My People and The Importance of Living, which brought him international fame. He was born in 1895 in the Fujian province in China. He created a Chinese-American dictionary, an indexing system for Chinese letters, and translated many classic Chinese texts. Written in a humorous, accessible style, his books bridged European and Chinese cultures. He died in 1976.

A Paisley Horse! 6″ x 8″ Watercolor

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
– T.S. Eliot

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

It’s Really a Paisley Horse!  6″ x 8″ Watercolor and Black Staedtler Pigment Liner

Yes… I think we have already established that I’m a little bit wacko!  But, in case you weren’t sure… this should remove all doubt.  (Especially since I an considering a series.)

The border and background is inspired by Mexican Folk Art and the paisley?   Pure Bethville.   

The brown horse reference photo is by SkattyKat at WetCanvas.

About T.S. Eliot

 

T.S. Eliot, the Nobel Prize–winning poet, is perhaps best known today for a light book of rhymes that became the Broadway hit Cats. He penned such weightier poems as “The Waste Land,” “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” and “Four Quartets.” His work is rich with deeply felt religious meditations, but he never wanted to be perceived as a religious poet. He was born in 1888 in St. Louis and made his adult home in England, where he worked as an editor at the publisher Faber & Faber. He died in 1965.