A Fly By - A Little 4" x 6" Watercolor

“Always behave like a duck — keep calm and unruffled on the surface but paddle like the devil underneath.”
– Jacob Braude

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Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

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A Fly By – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor

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Of course I have to paint during airport layovers.  I filed this image away in my brain on the way to Denver, then started the painting while waiting for my flight to Idaho Falls.  I didn’t paint on the planes this trip because I was at the tail end of a good book.   I was reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.  It was a really good read.  I finished it on the way from Idaho Falls to Denver and bought John Grisham’s new book, The Racketeer – A Novel, at the airport.   It’s really good, too!

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I love books!  I hope to never have to go to an electronic reader, such as Kindle.  I’m pretty tired of electronic devices, by the time I curl up with a book.  There’s just something pure about that kind of joy. 

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About Jacob Braude

American judge and author Jacob Braude was a fount of humorous and inspirational stories and quotations, which he used to regale the courtroom in Cook County, Illinois, where he presided for more that 35 years. His books of sayings, including Speaker’s Encyclopedia of Humor and Braude’s Treasury of Wit and Humor, have been mined by toastmasters and lecturers for decades. He was born in 1896 and died in 1970.

An Old Rock Home in Canada

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

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

An Old Rock Home in Canada – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Sharpie

I painted this one from a photo by Bonnie (Artastic) on WetCanvas.  It’s really fun to do houses this way.  I use no rulers or any method of scaling.  I just wing it and start drawing.  I’m really enjoying anything architectural these days.  The rocks are dabbed on randomly with an itty bitty flat brush.  Fun!

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.

I’m tickled that I flew solo across three counties last year.  he he

Little Nurses - Watercolor

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

Love that!



Little Nurses – 5″ x 7″ Watercolor

This was done from a 20 year old photo provided by SkattyKat at WetCanvas.   I had fun doing it with very little real detail.    I could have done a better job with their little faces, but if I fiddled with them any more, they would only have gotten worse.

This is the only painting I had time for this weekend.  I worked on Saturday and went flying on Sunday.  I hadn’t been in the plane in 6 weeks, due to our crazy Oklahoma spring weather.  It was 109 degrees in the Muskogee Airport parking lot, according to my pickup.  I did learn (from my flight instructor in the right seat) that it cools approximately 3.5 degrees for every thousand feet you go up.  After doing a half a dozen touch and goes in Haskell, I was ready for 3500 feet! 

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.

Balloon Ride Over Thailand II

“When one’s expectations are reduced to zero, one really appreciates everything one does have.”
– Stephen Hawking



Balloon Ride Over Thailand II
Gouache on 5″ x 7″ Black Photo Mount Greeting Card

First, I have to say that my heart goes out to all the storm victims in Alabama.  There have been so many lives lost and property destroyed.  What a tragic night it has been.

This is another painting done from a photo reference by Dewi at WetCanvas, from her balloon ride over Thailand.  I had a lot of fun doing this.  Click on the photo for a larger look. 

It has stopped raining for a couple days, so this afternoon I’m going flying.  I’m just going to practice my landings, but I’m really looking forward to it.  Tomorrow it will be too windy and then the rain comes back for Saturday and Sunday.

About Stephen Hawking

British scientist Stephen Hawking, best known for his book A Brief History of Time, which did much to popularize physics, is a leading theoretical physicist who used Einstein’s general theory of relativity to prove the big bang theory. He was born in 1942 in Oxford. He was diagnosed with severe amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at 21 and was not expected to live more than three years. Over time he has become more disabled, but he continues to lecture, speaking through a computer-controlled voice box.

The Egret and the Frog – Watercolor ATC

“When thinking won’t cure fear, action will.”
– William Clement Stone



The Egret and the Frog – Watercolor ATC

“I’m Ellen the Egret.  The thing I like best about spring is the beautiful sunrises.  I could just look at them forever!  Something is tickling my foot!”

This little ATC went to Darlene, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
I like today’s quote.  I haven’t flown much lately, because the wild and windy weather in Oklahoma is beyond my personal minimums as a student.  Friday was calm, so I mustered up the courage to go do some touch and gos at the airport in McAlester.  I was nervous, because it had been a while.  After carefully doing my preflight, I preceded to do some takeoffs and landings.   I learned a lot in just an hour, that I can’t learn from a book and I’m glad I went.   Unfortunately, the forecast for the next 8 days call for major wind, so I’m grounded again.   I still have a lot of studying to do, so the time will not be wasted.

I am so close to finishing that I can taste it.  I can’t wait until I pass my check-ride, so I can take my husband with me.  That’s when all the hard work will really pay off.  We are going to have so much fun! 

About William Clement Stone

American businessman William Clement Stone overcame an impoverished childhood to head an insurance empire. He was born in 1902 in Chicago. His father died when he was three, leaving the family in debt. Stone dropped out of school to help his mother sell insurance. He called cold calls “gold calls,” and started each day saying, “I feel happy! I feel healthy! I feel ter-r-r-ific!” He cowrote the book Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude with Napoleon Hill. He died in 2002 at age 100.

Calla Lily

“What is harder than rock, or softer than water? Yet soft water hollows out hard rock. Persevere.”
– Ovid



Calla Lily

I remember this one!  The challenge was to paint from life… no photo.  I am not experienced in this at all.  I’ve tried to do it since then and I really do like it, but I paint mostly from photos.  When I get some time under my belt in an airplane, I want to fly to Indiana and plein air paint with Leslie White. 

Sunday, I flew by myself from McAlester to Eufaula (where I circled around the airport, but did not land) then on to Muskogee and back to McAlester.  I found every airport easily and had a great time.   Two hours of pure joy!  I even took some photos and am going to upload them to Facebook.  All the water (if you go by to look) is Lake Eufaula.  It stretches into 5 counties, although I only covered 3 counties in my flight.    Wheeeee!

About Ovid

Publius Ovidius Naso, the Roman poet known as Ovid, best known for the epic Metamorphoses, is considered one of the greatest poets of Latin literature. He was born in 43 B.C. in what is now Italy. He rose quickly in Roman government and was on track to become a senator when he chose to devote himself to poetry instead. His tale of Pyramus and Thisbe is the source for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Emperor Augustus exiled Ovid from Rome for unknown reasons in 8 A.D.; he died in exile in 17 A.D.

Begonia Greens

“Think it more satisfactory to live richly than die rich.”
– Sir Thomas Browne



Begonia Greens
Watercolor

This one was an exercise in greens.   I mixed a pallet full of different greens and just played away.  I still have that pallet and dig it out from time to time to play with the greens.   I admit that I often use greens straight from the tube, but it’s way more fun to mix them myself. 

I have to share… I flew for an hour by myself last night in McAlester.  I did really good and my landings are really improving!  My next trip is to pick the plane up in McAlester and fly it to Muskogee and practice there, then fly it back to McAlester.   Maybe this Sunday.  Wheeeeeee!

About Sir Thomas Browne

The erudite English doctor Sir Thomas Browne, who wrote a number of books on science and religion, was known for his baroque prose style and his controversial opinions. He was born in 1605 in London and settled in Norwich to practice medicine. He wrote his most famous book, Religio Medici (The Religion of a Physician), an intellectual autobiography, in 1635. A friend published it in 1642 without his permission, embarrassing him, but the book’s popularity encouraged him to write more. He died in 1682.

Christmas Egret

“The Golden Rule works for men as written, but for women it should go the other way around.  We need to do unto ourselves as we do unto others.”
– Gloria Steinem



Christmas Egret
Watercolor & Ink

It’s weird to think about Christmas, but we are waiting for the mother of all storms to hit our area (and many of yours) tonight.  I have been running around this morning gathering provisions and getting prepared.  Then, I discovered I had a flat tire, so my truck is now at the tire shop.  It has been a crazy morning.

My flight on Saturday was wonderful!  I flew from Muskogee to Fort Smith, then to McAlester and back to Muskogee.  I had my CFI with me, but it was still good.  I now have an endorsement in my log book that allows me to fly solo in Muskogee or McAlester, and points in between!  YAY!!!

I hope that wherever you are during the coming storm,  you are safe and warm.

Gloria Steinem

Social activist, writer, editor, and lecturer. Born on March 25, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio. Since the late 1960s, Gloria Steinem has been an outspoken champion of women’s rights. She had an unusual upbringing, spending part of the year in Michigan and the winters in Florida or California. With all this traveling, Steinem did not attend school on a regular basis until she was 11.  More….

My Chilly Flamingo

“Once the ‘what’ is decided, the ‘how’ always follows. We must not make the ‘how’ an excuse for not facing and accepting the ‘what.’”
– Pearl S. Buck

Boy, isn’t that the truth!



My Chilly Flamingo
Watercolor & Ink

This little flamingo is modeling the new winter line.  I did put palm trees on her scarf, to make her feel at home. 

We are enjoying some amazing weather here in Oklahoma.  It is supposed to be in the 70′s today and tomorrow!   But…. Tuesday, the high is supposed to be 27.  **shiver**  I’m going to take advantage of this beautiful day and do graphics on store windows in Quinton.  Saturday, I hope to do my long cross country flight with my instructor.  YAY!!

About Pearl S. Buck

Prolific American author Pearl S. Buck is best known for her 1931 novel, The Good Earth, which depicted peasant life in China; the book, published by the John Day Company, won the Pulitzer Prize. She was born in West Virginia in 1892, but her missionary parents raised her in China. She and her first husband lived in China until 1934, when they had to flee the political strife. She later divorced and married John Day’s publisher, Richard Walsh, in 1935. In 1938, she became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in literature. By the time of her death in 1973, she had published over 70 books, including collections of stories, poetry, and children’s literature.

I Don’t Think My Feet Are Big! – Bird Painting

“Trust your hunches. They’re usually based on facts filed away just below the conscious level.”
– Dr. Joyce Brothers



I Don’t Think My Feet Are Big!
Watercolor & Sharpie


I flew my night dual (CFI in the plane with me) cross country last night!   A cross country is flying between airports at least 50 nautical miles apart.  We flew from Muskogee to McAlester and back.  As we flew over Lake Eufaula, we could see the light in my yard!  How fun is that?

If the weather holds out, we’ll do a dual cross country on Saturday, from Muskogee to Ft. Smith, AR,  to McAlester and back to Muskogee.  Then…. (drum roll please)… I’ll make that same trip by myself, not long after that.  I am so excited!!

About Dr. Joyce Brothers

The popular American psychologist and advice columnist Joyce Brothers first found fame by winning The $64,000 Question game show. She was born in 1928. Her influence, through a daily newspaper column, radio and TV shows, and more than ten best-selling self-help books, has made her one of the ten most admired women in America, according to a number of polls. After her husband died in 1989, she wrote her most personal book, Widowed, delving into her own grief. She lives in New York.

Malcom - Frog Painting

“I think in terms of the day’s resolutions, not the year’s.”
– Henry Moore



Malcom
2.5″ x 3.5″ Watercolor & Gouache ATC

Yes, it’s another frog.  I have been creating art, but it’s for the licensing end of my world.  I’m going to be in Atlanta in just 2 weeks!  I have 8 collections prepared out of the 12 that I promised myself I would have ready.  That’s why I haven’t been getting around to the blogs or to WetCanvas.

I’m flying, too!  Yesterday, we flew to Tulsa International Airport.  Of course, my CFI wouldn’t let me do the landing.  I think he is more nervous than I am.  He has some trust issues that we need to work on. 

About Henry Moore

British sculptor Henry Moore is known for his voluptuous abstract figures. He was born in 1898 to a poor mining family. After Moore served in World War I, he became the first student of sculpture at Leeds School of Art; a sculpture studio was set up specifically for him. As he studied primitive arts, his own work became more abstract. He established The Henry Moore Foundation in 1977 to promote public appreciation of art. He died in 1986. His work can be seen in public spaces all over the world.

Flying Over Oklahoma

“Nothing will ever equal that moment of exhilaration which filled my whole being when I felt myself flying away from the earth.  It was not mere pleasure; it was perfect bliss…”
–Professor Jacques Alexandre Cesare Charles

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
–Napoleon Hill

Well, I guess you may have figured out that I had my first solo flight in a Cessna 172 yesterday!  It was wonderful!  I dreamed it, I achieved it and nobody can ever take it away from me.  Now, on to soft field landings and cross country training.  That first cross country (3 full stops at different airports, at least 50 miles apart) by myself will be huge!  A good pilot never stops learning and I still have a long way to go, but the first solo has now been accomplished.  YAY!!!!!




Flying Over Oklahoma
Four 4″ x 6″ Watercolor  & Acrylic Postcards

I painted this in November, 2009, from a sketch I did, looking out an airplane window on my way to Port Townsend, Washington for an acrylic workshop.  I painted it in my hotel room, while I was there.  I thought it would be appropriate for today’s post. 


Professor Jacques Alexandre Cesar Charles wrote this after the first free flight in a manned hydrogen balloon, December 1, 1783.  Note:  The exact adjective used by Professor Charles to describe the emotions is not “exhilaration” but “bilarite”, which can be translated exactly as ecstasy, exhilaration, joy and/or excitement.

See my shirt tail on Facebook!

In American aviation lore, the traditional removal of a new pilot’s shirt tail is a sign of the instructor’s new confidence in his student after successful completion of the 1st solo flight. In the days of tandem trainers, the student sat in the front seat, with the instructor behind. As there were often no radios in these early days of aviation, the instructor would tug on the student pilot’s shirttail to get his attention, and then yell in his ear. A successful first solo flight is an indication that the student can fly without the instructor (“instructor-less” flight). Hence, there is no longer a need for the shirt tail, and it is cut off by the (often) proud instructor, and sometimes displayed as a trophy.

Old House in Bethville

“Were the diver to think on the jaws of the shark, he would never lay hands on the precious pearl.”
– Saadi



Old House in Bethville

7″ x 10″ Watercolor

The reference (by ddpatterson at WetCanvas) for this painting was an old, crumbling house.  I had a great time rehabbing it!  There were no pens used for the outlines, just a wee little brush.

I am late getting to my blog today, because I actually got to fly this morning.  I found a new flight instructor, in Muskogee.  I haven’t flown in 2 months, so it was wonderful getting back up there.  Can you hear me “whoo-hoo-ing” from there? 

About Saadi

Saadi was a Persian moralist poet best known for Gulistan (The Rose Garden), which combines prose and verse, and Bustan (The Fruit Garden), which includes histories, anecdotes, and fables. He was born in 1291 and lived in Shiraz in what is now Iran. For 30 years, he traveled throughout the Middle East, including Turkey, Egypt, and Arabia. One of his most famous poems adorns the entrance to the Hall of Nations at the UN building in New York. He died when he was 107 years old.

Beary Pink

We have the power to direct our minds to replace the feelings of being upset, depressed, and fearful with the feeling of inner peace.
–Gerald G. Jampolsky

 

Beary Pink
5″ x 7″ Watercolor

In this painting, I was practicing something I saw in Don Andrews’ book.  I wet all the paper around the bears and then added colors, tilting the paper to let them run into each other.  It was fun!

I had a great flying lesson last night!  I think I am getting closer to soloing.  My flight instructor is letting me have total control, to see how I work through things that come up.  My landings are getting better and I even stalled the plane (on purpose) at 2000 ft, to practice how it’s supposed to feel in the flare, before the wheels kiss the ground on landing.  It was so cool!!!  I only have 13 hours and I really want to solo soon, so I can get more hours in on the weekend, when my CFI is unavailable.  He doesn’t seem to have much time for me.   


Gerald G. Jampolsky, M.D., a child and adult psychiatrist, is a graduate of Stanford Medical School. In 1975, he founded the first Center for Attitudinal Healing, now a worldwide network with independent centers in over thirty countries. He is an internationally recognized authority in the fields of psychiatry, health, business, and education. Dr. Jampolsky has published extensively, including his best-selling Love Is Letting Go of Fear. He and his wife, psychotherapist and author Diane Cirincione, Ph.D., have worked in forty-nine countries and currently reside in both northern California and Hawaii.

What I Dream About

“It’s not what you are, but what you don’t become that hurts.”
– Oscar Levant

 

What I Dream About
4″ x 6″ Watercolor Postcard

This  is a painting of the plane I am training in, except for my trainer is not red.  It’s kind of a dull tan and brown.  Where’s the artistic zing in that?  *grin*
 
I did this little painting for a free project over at Art House Co-op called “What I Dream About”.  I have participated in several Art House Co-op projects.  I just signed up for the Canvas Project – Volume 3.   I participated in the Canvas Project, Volume 2 and it was really fun!  Their projects are inexpensive or free and a lot of fun to do.  I did the sketchbook project and was able to add like 8 galleries to my resume.  The little sketchbooks traveled all over, to different galleries.   Any-Hoo, try one of their projects.   Here’s a link to their blog. (I received no compensation for singing their praises – I just like them a lot.)

Last night, I had the best flying lesson…. EVER!   I am gaining on this thing.  I even flew with the strongest crosswind I have experienced so far.  It was still great.  I’m not embarrassed to admit that several woo-hoos escaped my lips and I was giggling like a little girl.  It must be infectious, cause my CFI was laughing with me.  What a great day!  I must absolutely be the luckiest girl on the planet, except for maybe one that wins a $280 million dollar  lottery.  Oh….. ya gotta buy a ticket?  Crap!  That puts me out.  ha ha ha 

About Oscar Levant

Oscar Levant was a brilliant musician whose work was often overshadowed by his witty, neurotic persona. He was born in 1906 in Pittsburgh and moved with his mother to New York in 1922 to study music, gaining renown as a concert pianist before his twentieth birthday. He composed the scores for more than 20 movies in the years 1929 to 1948. He appeared in movies such as An American in Paris and hosted a TV talk show for two years; the show was taken off the air due to his risqué comments. He died in 1972.

Quiet Farm

“True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.”
– William Penn

 

Quiet Farm
4″ x 6″ Watercolor Postcard

This was a fun little card to do.  I wanted the buildings to be kind of off kilter and playful, but I got a little too mired in the detail and forgot the whimsy.   I seem to only have succeeded in making the buildings a little crooked. 


Funny thing, my husband likes my realistic paintings a lot better than my normal (ha ha ha …normal???) style.  When he sees my bright colored fun paintings, he gives me the fake smile and small nod that many of us recognize.

Lesson #4 in my flying adventure last night.  The storms stayed away long enough for me to get a lesson in, so off I went.  I did a bunch of multitasking last in my 1.3 hour lesson.  Okay, here’s an example of one of my touch and go operations.  Are your seat belts fastened?


Accelerate to 55 knots then pull back on the yolk to take off, but don’t pull back too far or you’ll stall.  Get your altitude to about 1500 ft,  while keeping the plane straight and level.  (keep the nose up, keep climbing,  rudder, ailerons, rudder *sigh*)  Then make a 90 degree turn and proceed to about 1800 ft,  (keeping the nose up and plane level and straight) then turn 90 degrees left, while taking out some power, keeping the nose down or up (to keep the horizon line in the right place) and decrease power to about 2100 rpm, aiming for a 90 knot airspeed.  When you are level with the end of the runway, add carb heat and slow to 85 knots, flaps at 10, and turn 90 degrees left for the base leg.  Then, flaps at 20, keep the nose down (putting flaps in makes the nose rise), reduce airspeed some, make 90 degree turn into final, flaps at 30, reduce airspeed, keep the nose down,  (not too far) center up with runway, keep it at the right altitude, after going over the highway, pull the throttle almost all the way out and head for the landing, keep the nose up, full flaps, throttle all the way out, let it kind of settle above the runway then pull back the throttle and land, pull back, pull back, pull back… whew! ….. carb heat in, flaps all the way up, yoke in, full throttle to 55 knots and pull back to take off again……

I think I did that (or something like it *giggle*) about 6 times.  I did have to go around once, because I was too high.  (no… not on drugs, just in altitude. he he)  All in all, it was a very good night and I was exhausted when I got in my truck to go home.  Then a 45 minute drive home.  Whew!  How much fun is that? 

About William Penn

William Penn is remembered as the founder of Pennsylvania; the democratic government he set up became the model for the United States Constitution. He was born in 1644 in England. After he was arrested several times for preaching Quaker ideals, he decided to found a settlement in America. He drew up the “Great Treaty” with the Delaware Indians to ensure they were paid fairly for their land and toured Europe marketing the new colony. He died in 1718.

Broken Hearted

“Just as appetite comes by eating, so work brings inspiration, if inspiration is not discernible at the beginning.”
– Igor Stravinsky

 

Broken Hearted
2.5″ x 3.5″ Watercolor ATC

I don’t know why I see a broken heart, but I kinda do.   On the lighter side, I had my 3rd flying lesson last night!    It was so fun!  We flew patterns and touch and gos.  WOW!  I am really loving this flying gig!  The hour lesson just doesn’t last long enough for me.  It goes so fast!  I am gaining a little more confidence and some of the things are coming a little more natural.  All I can say is WOO-HOO!!! (Talk about something that makes your butt wiggle!)

About Igor Stravinsky

Igor Stravinsky, the modernist Russian composer, had a profound influence on classical music with his musical innovations in such pieces as the ballet The Rite of Spring, which shocked contemporary society with the newness of its sound. He was born in 1882 near St. Petersburg. After briefly considering law, he apprenticed to composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. He was also a virtuosic pianist. He continued composing and touring into his 80’s. He died in 1971.

Pony in Winter Coat

“My father used to say to me, ‘Whenever you get into a jam, whenever you get into a crisis or an emergency…become the calmest person in the room and you’ll be able to figure your way out of it.’”
– Rudolph Giuliani

That is such good advice!  My CFI tells me the same thing about piloting a plane.  Be calm and you’ll have a much clearer head to handle whatever comes your way.

 
Pony in Winter Coat
2.5″ x 3.5″ Watercolor ATC

This was fun to do, using some of my favorite watercolors.  There’s something satisfying about painting with Quinacridone Sienna.  It goes with anything and it’s so  yummy.  I paint with it really thin and transparent to thickly rich.  I blend it with reds and yellows and greens.  I just love it!  In the background, my staple color Purpurite Genuine, some lavender and some Blue Stone.   Of course, there are some accents with Apricot Gouache, which is kinda flesh colored.
I am going up for my third flying lesson tonight, then it looks like stormy weather moving in, to ground me for the rest of the week.   


Yesterday, I received the following blogging awards from Jingle.    I am thankful and honored and will pass them on.

About Rudolph Giuliani

Rudolph Giuliani, the controversial former mayor of New York City, took the national spotlight after the events of September 11th, when he stood strong, pulling the city together, which garnered him the Person of the Year accolade from Time magazine. He was born in Brooklyn in 1944. As mayor, he presided over a massive urban redevelopment and implemented the “broken windows” policy, which cracks down on small crimes to deter larger ones. After his term as mayor ended, Giuliani founded an investment and consulting company. He remains heavily involved in American politics and ran for president in 2008.

Outlook Over Oklahoma

“Your life becomes the thing you have decided it shall be.”
– Raymond Charles Barker

Outlook Over Oklahoma

Four – 2.5″ x 3.5″ ATCs

Golden Fluid Acrylic on Watercolor Paper

This was another fun Port Townsend, Washington motel room painting. I wanted to do something larger than an ATC, yet all I had with me were these small 2.5″ x 3.5″ pieces of watercolor paper. I don’t travel with scotch tape, so I scrounged around my motel room until I came up with the sticky part of the airline luggage tag. I cut little pieces of it with my tiny travel sewing kit scissors and taped the ATCs together on the back, so I could paint this in my motel room. I almost didn’t take it apart, except that I could envision it matted something like this.

About Raymond Charles Barker

Raymond Charles Barker was an influential American minister and author in the mid-twentieth century. He wrote such books as The Power of Decision and Treat Yourself to Life, on ways to change subconscious patterns. He became president of the International New Thought Alliance in 1943, a group practicing the religious philosophy developed in the late 1800’s by Phineas Quimby, with early proponents including Ralph Waldo Emerson. Unity Church and Divine Science are among its later offshoots. He founded the First Church of Religious Science in Manhattan in 1946 and served as its minister until 1979. He died in 1988 at the age of 77.