Working on some new Eufaula Postcard Art

“Man’s main task in life is to give birth to himself, to become what he potentially is.”
– Erich Fromm

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Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

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Eufaula Postcard Art

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Having a little Fun with some designs for some new Eufaula postcards.   I didn’t paint this one with a black background, but I used Photoshop Elements to add the black.  If you look at the hi res version, you can see how much it needs to be cleaned up.  So this is not ready to go to the printer at all, but it is a start. 

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About Erich Fromm

Erich Fromm, the humanist German psychoanalyst and author, is best known for his book, The Art of Loving, which describes love as care, responsibility, respect, and knowledge. Born in Germany in 1900, he emigrated to the United States in 1934, fleeing Hitler’s regime. He taught at a number of universities in the U.S. and Mexico and wrote eight books delineating his view of human nature. He believed that modern society makes us feel isolated and long to reach out to others. He died in 1980.

It’s a Watercolor Puppy on Masa

“One of the common ways we block success is by refusing to take action on a project or opportunity until we can see the entire pathway from start to finish. We are afraid to start because the outcome is uncertain. While we plan, think, research, and analyze, the opportunity slips away.

Highly successful people take a different approach. They just lean into it—they open themselves to opportunities and become willing to do what it takes to pursue opportunities further, without any expectations. They say “yes” to opportunities, take the first step, and then find out along the way if they want to keep going.”

–Jack Canfield

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

It’s a Puppy!  Watercolor on Masa 6″ x 8″

Okay… I painted this one a while back, but I thought something heartwarming was called for, in light of all the tragedy surrounding us in Oklahoma.  It’s 90 miles away, but still grips every one of us.

What is more fun than a puppy?  Can you smell her breath from here?

The photo is of Cleo, by OldRockChick at WetCanvas.

Jack Canfield

As the beloved originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, Jack Canfield fostered the emergence of inspirational anthologies as a genre – and watched it grow to a billion dollar market. As the driving force behind the development and delivery of more than 123 million books sold through the Chicken Soup for the Soul® franchise (and over 500 million copies in print worldwide), Jack Canfield is uniquely qualified to talk about success.

Behind the empire Time Magazine called the “publishing phenomenon of the decade” is America’s leading expert in creating peak performance for entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, managers, sales professionals, corporate employees, and educators. Over the last 30 years, his compelling message, empowering energy and personable coaching style has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals achieve their dreams.  More…

The Quilt & The Shoe – for 6x62013 Rochester, NY

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

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

The Quilt & The Shoe – 6″ x 6″ Watercolor

This little painting is headed for Rochester, NY.  For the last 5 years, I have participated in an event at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center called 6×6. It is a huge fundraiser for the gallery.  I started doing it for the resume, but continue for the fun.  Last year, I forgot and they contacted me and reminded me because they had paintings from every state except Oklahoma.   Of course I dashed one off to them.

In 2012, they sold 2417 6″ x 6″ paintings.   They receive art  from celebrities, international and local artists, designers, college students, youth and ME, from all over the world.    We are not allowed to sign the front, so no one knows who did the painting they are purchasing.  (There is a form with info on the back.)  Each piece of art sells for $20.  They raffle off positions 1-20 for first grabs at the art.

When you purchase your painting, they tell you who the artist is.   They reveal the names of all the sold out artists on July 5th, and artwork can be picked up 10 days after that.    If you click the 2012 link, you can see photo gallery from last year’s event.  It takes a ton of wall space!

You can purchase paintings online, beginning June 4th, as well.   This is their 6th year with this event.

About William Clement Stone

American businessman William Clement Stone overcame an impoverished childhood to head an insurance empire. He was born on May 4, 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 on September 3, 2002 at age 100.

Nicole’s Unique Gifts & Meme’s Place – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor & Ink

“Live with intention.  Walk to the edge.  Listen hard.  Practice wellness.  Play with abandon.  Laugh.  Choose with no regret.  Appreciate your friends.  Continue to learn.  Do what you love.  Live as if this is all there is.”

–Mary Anne Radmacher

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Nicole’s Unique Gifts & Meme’s Place – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor & Ink

This business is right next door to Our Favorite Place.  Kim & Tracy Franklin have that store packed to the gills with all kinds of cool stuff.

Wow!  We are having some strange pre-Christmas weather.  There’s blizzards to the north and dust storms to the south.  Here in Oklahoma, it’s just a little windy.  We are so lucky…. so far.

Mary Anne Radmacher is a writer and an artist. She conducts workshops on living a full, creative, balanced life, teaches Internet writing seminars, and works with individual clients. She has been writing since she was a child, and she uses her writing to explore symbols and find meaning. She is the author of Lean Forward into Your Life (Conari Press, 2007), and Live Boldly (Conari Press, 2008). She lives with her husband near Seattle, Washington. Visit her online at www.maryanneradmacher.com or www.maryanneradmacher.net. “

Eufaula, OK – Main & Selmon, Going North – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor & Ink

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”
– Thomas Jefferson

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Eufaula – Main & Selmon, Going North – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor & Ink

If you turn right here, I’m just down the block on the right.  I love that building on the left.   It now houses Paradise Realty, but it has been many things in my 21 years in Eufaula.   It’s a wonderful old building.  Just in case you’re curious… that building on the right really is pink.  It used to be a soap store and that is when it went pink.  It now has a second hand store in it.   Don’t you just love the clock? 

About Thomas Jefferson

President Thomas Jefferson was a true Renaissance figure: politician, inventor, archaeologist, architect, and more. He was born in Virginia in 1743 and later designed his adult home at Monticello. Many consider him the brightest man ever to inhabit the White House. Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence; the Library of Congress was founded from his personal collection. He died on July 4, 1826.

Eufaula – Main & Selmon Facing South – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor & Ink

“None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Eufaula – Main & Selmon Facing South – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor & Ink

If you turn left right here, my sign shop is about 3/4 of a block on the right.   Funny thing about this painting… I took it over to the gallery (Our Favorite Place)  on Friday and before I even left… it sold!  Yay!!!!  And a couple more small paintings and a few postcards…. before I even left the gallery!  Love it!

In this painting, Our Favorite Place is the 4th building down on the right.  It’s a quick 2 minute walk from my shop.  I’m taking two more paintings over there today.  Of course I have to have a caramel latte while I’m there.  

About Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson helped spark the transcendentalist movement with the essay Nature, which described his belief in the spiritual essence of humanity and the natural world. He was born in Boston in 1803. He was a Unitarian minister until he resigned in 1832 to become a philosopher and writer. He suffered the untimely deaths of many of his loved ones: three brothers, his first wife at age 20, and his eldest son at age five. Emerson died in 1882.

The Foley Mansion - Circa 1901 - 8" x 10" Watercolor in Progress

Fearful as reality is, it is less fearful than evasions of reality.
–Caitlin Thomas

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

The Foley Mansion – Circa 1901 – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor in Progress

This is as far as I have gotten on this painting.  I’m working from a really old black and white photo.  The Foley Mansion burned in 1962 and I have been unable to find out what color it was.  This morning  I found a painting of it on the internet and it was white in the painting.   I’m still not convinced that it was white.  Do you know?

I found some other interesting stuff about C.E. Foley.  He had a ticket for the Titanic voyage!  He missed the trip due to illness and his luggage was already on board the ill fated ship.  One of the artifacts that was salvaged by Titanic recovery crews was a $5 bank note. It was issued from the First National Bank of Eufaula, Oklahoma. The bank note was dated November 16, 1907. That is the date Oklahoma became a state. The Foley family is convinced it belonged to C.E. Foley. It is believed he kept the note as a keepsake, seeing he was a supporter of Oklahoma becoming a state.

Caitlin Thomas (8 December 1913 – 31 July 1994), née Macnamara, was the wife of poet and writer Dylan Thomas. Their marriage was a stormy affair, fuelled by alcohol and infidelity, though the couple remained together until Dylan’s death in 1953. After her husband’s death she wrote the book Leftover Life to Kill, an account of her self exile to Italy. She paints a picture of a grieving widow seeking solace in distance, a younger lover and alcohol.  More…

Eufaula Memorial Library – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor

“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us.”
–Alexander Graham Bell

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Eufaula Memorial Library – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor

Our library is a hugel part of our community.  There are a lot of programs for children and adults alike.  The Librarian, Margaret Collins, and her staff are doing a wonderful job!

In 1985, Eufaula Public Library became Eufaula Memorial Library and moved into the new building created with funds raised by area citizens.  The Friends of Eufaula Memorial Library group was organized in 1987 to support the programs and activities of the library. Organizers were Mary Wendel, Nadine George, and Marguerite Schmitt. The first meeting was held on February 24, 1988.

Alexander Graham Bell was born on March 3, 1847, in Edinburgh, Scotland. His education was largely received through numerous experiments in sound and the furthering of his father’s work on Visible Speech for the deaf. Bell worked with Thomas Watson on the design and patent of the first practical telephone. In all, Bell held 18 patents in his name alone and 12 that he shared with collaborators. He died in 1922.  More…

State Farm Sock Monkey Painting – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor & Ink

“You miss 100% of the shots you never take.”
– Wayne Gretsky

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

State Farm Sock Monkey Painting – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor & Ink

First I have to say my heart goes out to all the people in Aurora, Colorado.  I visited that city when my brother lived there in the 70′s.  It’s horrible what happened at that movie theater and it’s going to have such a huge impact on a state that has already been rocked with too much this year.

This is another painting from my hometown of Eufaula, Oklahoma.   My friend Janiece Vest owns this business and is such a huge part of our community.  Janiece is a giver and a community leader who has worked very hard for the Chamber of Commerce and other causes.

I love this one.  I giggled at the State Farm bear peeking out the window the whole time I was painting it.  Fun! 

About Wayne Gretsky

Wayne Gretsky, the Canadian hockey champion known as the Great One, held 61 NHL records when he retired in 1999. He was born in Brantford, Ontario, and was a prodigy on the ice, competing with ten-year-olds when he was six and playing professionally by 16. He hit the big time playing for the Edmonton Oilers. When he was traded to the L.A. Kings in 1988, Canadians burned the Oilers’ owner in effigy. In 1999, ESPN named Gretsky the fifth-greatest athlete of the 20th century.

Signs by Beth Building Portrait in Color – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor

“Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish.”
– Ovid

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Signs by Beth Building Portrait in Color – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor

This building is 100 years old, at least.  It used to be a car dealership.  On homecoming week, when there is a lot of alumni in town, an occasional person will wander in and tell me about what it used to be like.  I love those stories.  I don’t own this building, but I have been leasing it for 15 years.  I operated for 4 years out of my house, then spent a year outgrowing two other locations.  This one suits me perfectly.  It’s right downtown in Eufaula and I love having the large shop to work in.  I’m on the end of the block.  There is a nail salon next door and O’Reilly’s Auto Parts is across the street.  Nelson’s Feed Store is just to the east, across from O’Reilly’s.  It’s a piece of hometown America to the max and I love it!

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. “

Our Favorite Place and a Sock Monkey

“Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use.”
– Ruth Gordon

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Our Favorite Place – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor & Sharpie

This is another sock monkey building portrait.  Our little town is having so much fun with these.  This is the new Our Favorite Place, a Made in Oklahoma Store & Art Gallery, featuring only art and products created in Oklahoma.  In the back is Sips & Bytes, where you can get a coffee or a smoothie and a dessert, while enjoying the free wi-fi.  I love this store!  My art is there, too.    The proprietor is Karen Weldin, who owns Eufaula Lakeshore Realty, along with her partner, Susanne Bain.  She bought this building a couple years ago and has been restoring it back to it’s original 100 year old glory.  It has only been open a couple months and it’s a real treasure for the little town of Eufaula, Oklahoma.

The sign shop has been so busy lately that I am having a hard time getting over here to reply to comments.  I apologize for that.  I love your comments sooooo much and I read every one.  Please don’t stop!  I love hearing from you.  I’ll get more time soon, I hope.

About Ruth Gordon

American actress Ruth Gordon is best known for her roles in Harold and Maude and Rosemary’s Baby. She was born in Massachusetts in 1896. At age 19, she moved to New York to pursue acting; she performed in plays for the next 20 years. She and her first husband, Garson Kanin, wrote five film scripts for Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, including Adam’s Rib, which was based on the writers’ own marriage. She died in 1985.

Winter Wheat – 6″ x 6″ Watercolor & Sharpie

Happiness is not a destination. It is a method of life.
–Burton Hillis

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Winter Wheat – 6″ x 6″ Watercolor & Sharpie

I saw a black and white photo of a tractor in the midst of some Kansas winter wheat crops in a newspaper and it spoke to me.  This is what came from my brain, while thinking about the wonderful winter wheat crops in Oklahoma.  When we drive from Eufaula to Oklahoma City, I love seeing those bright green fields of color, surrounded by all that is a dull wintery brown.  This is going to be a larger acrylic painting.

Burton Hillis seems to be an elusive fellow.  I couldn’t find much of anything on him.  I did find the statement below, which I like very much… even if I can’t whistle.   Hey,  I can hum!  

Burton Hillis speaks of whistling as an outlet for the joy and peace that well in the heart. Moreover, he strongly believes that one who whistles cannot be harboring any meanness or malice deep in his heart. Whoever hears an angry person whistle?

 

Read more: http://purpleslinky.com/humor/burton-hillis-and-others-on-whistling-and-humming/#ixzz1lzGLF1Ph

Gossiping Penguins

“Most people are so busy knocking themselves out trying to do everything they think they should do, they never get around to do what they want to do.”
– Kathleen Winsor

Gossiping Penguins 

5" x 7" Gouache on Black Greeting Card

Saturday night, I was awakened by the sound of a helicopter flying mere inches over the house…. or so I thought.   We actually had a 5.7 earthquake!

Many of the reports I read stated that people thought it was a low flying airplane, when it was the roar of the ground shaking violently.   Nothing fell at our house, but I heard stories of pictures falling off the walls at some homes.    Having lived in California for over 10 years, I remember earthquakes well.  But it’s only the second time I have experienced one in Oklahoma.  This one beat the 1952 record for the strongest Oklahoma earthquake.

My neighbors still insist that a military helicopter flew over our homes… minutes before the earthquake, although nobody actually “saw” it. 

Photo reference for this painting was provided by mginsberg at WeCanvas.  Thanks, Marianne!

About Kathleen Winsor

American author Kathleen Winsor is best known for the racy historical novel, Forever Amber, which made a huge splash when it was first published in 1944, selling 100,000 copies the first week. It was banned in 14 states for its sexual content. The ensuing debate contributed to the loosening of restrictions that allowed works by D. H. Lawrence and Henry Miller to be published in the US. Winsor wrote a number of other novels, none as successful. She was born in 1919 and died in 2003.

Eufaula from 3500 Feet

“Can anything be sadder than work unfinished? Yes, work never begun.”
– Christina Rossetti



Eufaula from 3500 Feet – 6″ x 12″  Watercolor

At last I finished this little painting.  It may not be completely accurate, but it’s as close as I could muster from so far away.  It is the city of Eufaula, from a solo trip I took from McAlester to Oklahoma.

About Christina Rossetti

Christina Rossetti, the Victorian era English poet, is known for the melancholy themes in such poems as “Goblin Market” and “When I Am Dead.” She was born in 1830 in London to Italian-born parents. Her father was poet Gabriele Rossetti and her brother was the painter/poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti. She rejected two marriage proposals because, although she loved both men, neither shared her religious devotion. According to her brother, she wrote effortlessly and rapidly. She died in 1894.

Three Little Piggies

“We have to fight them daily, like fleas, those many small worries about the morrow, for they sap our energies.”
– Etty Hillesum



Three Little Piggies – 10″ x 14″ Watercolor & Sharpie

Today is the first day of Eufaula’s 27th Annual Whole Hawg Days.  I thought it would be a perfect fit to post the little pigs I painted on Sunday.  Click that link to see the logo I designed this year.  They cut it off some, but you can still see it.

If you’re a local, come on out and join the fun.  The folks at the Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce work really hard to make this a great event every year.

About Etty Hillesum

Etty Hillesum, less famous than her contemporary, Anne Frank, lived a short life of great courage. She was born in 1914 in the Netherlands to a Dutch father and a Russian mother. She studied law, Slavic languages, and psychology. Hungry for knowledge, she cut down on food in order to buy books. She went voluntarily to the Westerbork camp to help fellow Jews interned by the Nazis. Her letters detail her experiences; her more meditative diary focuses on issues of faith. She died at Auschwitz in 1943.

Art Walk and Car Show Poster

“We must walk consciously only part way toward our goal and then leap in the dark to our success.”
– Henry David Thoreau



Art Walk & Car Show Poster – 11″ x 14″ Watercolor

I was selected to do the poster for Eufaula’s Art Walk this year.  I did this over the weekend.  They wanted a car in it, because of the car show, and the town is a simplified version of a section of Main Street.  I had a great time doing it.

I think they are going to insert the name and dates, etc, with a computer.  They haven’t seen this yet, so you have the first look.  It may change after they see it. 

About Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau, the transcendentalist philosopher and author, is best known for Walden, a spiritual memoir about his two-year sojourn in the woods. He was born in Concord, Massachusetts, in 1817 and lived nearly all his life in that small town. He explored the area as a land surveyor, and became the first American environmentalist. His writing presaged the field of ecology. He died of tuberculosis in 1862.

Pink Cat in the Hat

“It has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly.”
– Isaac Asimov



Pink Cat in the Hat – 4″ x 5″ Watercolor

This is another version of Sharrm’s cat, Keetah.  I painted her using a distorted graph here.  I have painted Keetah a few times over the last 4 years on WetCanvas.   Here’s another one that may be Keetah.   What a great cat.

It was a very wet weekend in Oklahoma.  I believe we got 5″ of rain in Eufaula.  We certainly needed the rain and it came all at once.  More expected over the next couple days.  I did a lot of studying, but also managed 3 new paintings to share this week.  YAY!!

About Isaac Asimov

Isaac Asimov, the American author known as one of the top writers of science fiction’s golden age, penned nearly 500 fiction and nonfiction books, including the Foundation trilogy and I, Robot. Born in 1920 in Russia, he moved to the US with his parents at age three. As a teen, he would read pulp magazines in his parents’ candy store and became inspired to write his own stories. His fiction frames interesting ideas in a bare-bones narrative. He died in 1992.

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.

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.

Are You Still Back There? - Bird Painting

“Valor lies just halfway between rashness and cowardice.”
– Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra



Are You Still Back There?

Watercolor & Sharpie

I  saw on Facebook yesterday (from our Mayor) that Willie Nelson is coming to play at the Eufaula Cove Amphitheater on July 2nd.  That is way cool!  This little burg will be hopping that weekend.  We already go from around 2500 to 25,000 people on a holiday weekend, during the summer.  I imagine we’ll exceed that by many thousands.  Today is the first time I have seen the video on the Levelland Productions website.  That’s a lot of people packed in there!   (I haven’t been to a concert at the cove.)

Can you tell that I need to think about summer?  This week, we are supposed to see some 50s and 60s, before it gets cold again.  I’m going to plan some outside jobs and get a little vitimin D. 

This is the last of the little birds I painted a couple weeks ago.  Gee… I wonder what’s next?

About Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

The Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, who was renowned for his picaresque novel Don Quixote de la Mancha, had as colorful and difficult a life as his hero. He was born in 1547 near Madrid. He lost the use of his left hand in the battle of Lepanto, after which Barbary pirates captured him and his crew for five years. Later, he was fired from his tax-collecting job and began writing Don Quixote in debtor’s prison. It was published in 1605 and made him an overnight success. He died in 1616.