Most Unusual Kayak Tours – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Ink

“The natural flights of the human mind are not from pleasure to pleasure, but from hope to hope.”

 
–Samuel Johnson

“A truly powerful force in the universe is that of optimism. Optimism lies at the root of our mental and physical health. Feelings of hope can stimulate the body’s immune system and inspire recovery from a critical illness.

 

Optimism expresses itself in the persistence and resilience of living things. A child learning to walk repeatedly falls down and picks himself up until he stands erect. A decade after the eruption of Mt. St. Helens destroyed the local ecology, life reestablished itself on this volcano with amazing abundance and rapidity. And despite its hostile environment, a sole dandelion miraculously pushes itself up through a crack in the concrete. That dandelion is optimistic that it can and will survive.In the long run, the forces of love and life always triumph over those of fear and death. No matter how challenging the obstacles or difficult the tests, there is always cause for optimism.”

 

–Douglas Bloch

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Kayak Tours – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Ink

Oh My!  Something seems to be lurking in the jungle here.    I started this painting with the Iguana.  It came from a photo by Lisilk at WetCanvas, from the Reference Image Library.  I couldn’t paint the feet, so I decided to use another of her photos to hide them. 

These photos were taken when Li and her hubby were on the Tortuguero River in Costa Rica.

Samuel Johnson (18 September 1709 [O.S. 7 September] – 13 December 1784), often referred to as Dr Johnson, was an English writer who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer.  Johnson was a devout Anglican and committed Tory, and has been described as “arguably the most distinguished man of letters in English history”.  He is also the subject of “the most famous single work of biographical art in the whole of literature”: James Boswell’s Life of Samuel Johnson.  More…

Douglas Bloch, M.A., is an author, teacher and mental health coach who writes and speaks on the topics of psychology, healing and spirituality. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from New York University and an M.A. in Counseling from the University of Oregon. He is the author of ten books, including , Healing From Depression: 12 Weeks to a Better Mood, Words That Heal the Blues: Affirmations and Meditations for Living Optimally With Mood Disorders, and The Power of Positive Talk: Words to Help Every Child Succeed.  

A former radio talk show host and popular public speaker, Douglas has given lectures and workshops around the country to  businesses, schools, church groups, recovery centers and national psychology conferences. Douglas currently leads healing from depression and anxiety support groups in the Portland area. He also offers a mental health newsletter on his web site, http://ww.healingfromdepression.com

Xiguna - November 6, 2009

The natural flights of the human mind are not from pleasure to pleasure, but from hope to hope.
--Samuel Johnson

A truly powerful force in the universe is that of optimism. Optimism lies at the root of our mental and physical health. Feelings of hope can stimulate the body’s immune system and inspire recovery from a critical illness.

Optimism expresses itself in the persistence and resilience of living things. A child learning to walk repeatedly falls down and picks himself up until he stands erect. A decade after the eruption of Mount St. Helens destroyed the local ecology, life had reestablished itself on this volcano with amazing abundance and rapidity. And despite its hostile environment, a sole dandelion miraculously pushed itself up through a crack in the concrete. That dandelion was optimistic that it could and would survive.

In the long run, the forces of love and life always triumph over those of fear and death. No matter how challenging the obstacles or difficult the tests, there is always cause for optimism.
--Douglas Bloch

X is for Xiguna
2.5" x 3.5" Watercolor & Ink

An edible fruit that looks similar to a watermelon, only shorter in size. Chinese

I was happy to find a food that started with X, for my alphabet series.

Samuel Johnson (18 September 1709 -December 1784), often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was an English author who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, novelist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer. Johnson was a devout Anglican and political conservative, and has been described as "arguably the most distinguished man of letters in English history". He is also the subject of "the most famous single work of biographical art in the whole of literature": James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson.

Douglas Bloch, M.A., is an author, teacher and counselor who writes and speaks on the topics of psychology, healing and spirituality. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from New York University and an M.A. in Counseling from the University of Oregon. He is the author of ten books, including the inspirational self-help trilogy Words That Heal: Affirmations and Meditations for Daily Living; Listening to Your Inner Voice; and I Am With You Always, as well as the parenting book, Positive Self-talk for Children. His newest work, When Going Through Hell…Don't Stop! A Survivor's Guide to Overcoming anxiety and Clinical Depression has just been published.A former radio talk show host and popular public speaker, Douglas has given hundreds of lectures and workshops to businesses, schools, church groups, recovery centers and national psychology conferences. He has also appeared on radio and television shows across the country.Douglas makes his home in Portland, Oregon with his partner Joan and his two cats and muses, Gabriel and Athena.

The Painted Rooster - June 22, 2009

"Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. 'Tis grace that hath brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home."

-John Newton

Today and always, let joy be your compass. When choosing a direction in life, choose the path of your heart. Do what you love, follow your bliss.

Fun is an underestimated emotion in our culture. We are told as children, "If you waste time having fun, you won't get anything serious accomplished." Yet most successful people describe their work as being incredibly joyful. An office that sings with laughter is always more productive. As one executive remarked, "The more I enjoy my work, the more efficient I become.."

Joy and laughter improve the quality of our relationships. Couples who lighten up rarely split up. Laughing at a difficult situation fosters detachment and understanding. It is only when we get too serious that trouble arises.

-Douglas Bloch

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"The Painted Rooster"

8.5" x 10" Watercolor on Yes! canvas sheet