Eufaula, Oklahoma Post Office – 8″ x 10″ Ink Drawing

“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”
– Lao-Tzu

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Eufaula, Oklahoma Post Office – 8″ x 10″ Ink Drawing

It’s amazing how much I learn about these buildings when I draw them.  For instance, there are entrances to the basement of this building from both sides.  I didn’t paint the various signs on the building, but I just looked one of them up and it’s a fallout shelter sign.  I need to add that one.  That’s pretty cool.  I need to get a closer look at that sign to be sure.   I love the history these buildings have.  When I looked up McIntosh County History, I found that Eufaula has had a post office since 1874, but I doubt this is the original.  It’s a little too modern.

In 1876, The Indian Journal newspaper was founded and it’s the oldest surviving newspaper in the state of Oklahoma.  Interesting stuff.

About Lao-Tzu

The ancient Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu is believed to have lived in the 4th century B.C. Little is known about him, but it is likely that he wrote the Tao te Ching, the foundation of Taoist philosophy, and engaged Confucius in debate, honing both men’s belief systems. His name means either “old master” or the “old child,” and one legend says he was born with white hair after spending 80 years in his mother’s womb.

You Made Me Smile

“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, but only saps today of its strength.”
– A. J. Cronin

Boy… isn’t that the truth!

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

You Made Me Smile – 3″ x 5″ Watercolor & Sharpie

I painted this for my friend, Donna Pearce, who is retiring from her job as the editor of our local newspaper, The Indian Journal, at the end of the month.  We had a surprise party for her last night at the VFW and this was the card in her gift bag from me.  Donna is a very wonderful person.  She works so hard and never complains.  She has generously given her valuable time to the community, wherever she was needed.  We served on the Eufaula Area Arts Council board together.  Donna sings, writes, paints, and smiles all the time.  I am proud to call her my friend and I will miss her constant presence all over town.  Enjoy your retirement, Donna!

This card was painted from a reference photo by Lin (oldrockchick) at WetCanvas.

About A. J. Cronin

Archibald Joseph Cronin, the Scottish novelist who wrote as A. J. Cronin, had a full career as a doctor before turning to fiction. He was born in 1896, worked as a Royal Navy surgeon during World War I, and later was appointed Medical Inspector of Mines in Wales. Some of his most famous books are The Citadel, The Keys of the Kingdom, and Pocketful of Rye. His works were known to reflect both his religious beliefs as a Roman Catholic and his medical training. He died in 1981.