Flowerdy Bear in Idaho

“Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones.”
– Phillips Brooks

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Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Flowerdy Bear
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I’m thinking maybe this is a bear cub.  Certainly doesn’t look intimidating.  It’s possible it has been shunned by all the other bears because of his flowers… kinda like Rudolph and that red nose.  But that’s too sad to think about, so I’ll go with the vinyl wrap theory.  No matter what… he’s certainly found his way into Bethville! 
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About Phillips Brooks

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Phillips Brooks, the American clergyman now mostly known for writing the words to the Christmas song, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” was one of the most influential ministers of his time, with his sermons reprinted in major newspapers. He delivered the eulogy at Abraham Lincoln’s funeral. Born in Boston in 1835, he spent most of his life there as overseer of Harvard University, rector of Trinity Church, and bishop of Massachusetts. He died in 1893, and the day of his funeral was declared an official day of mourning.

A Little Watercolor Spark of Madness

“You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.”
– Robin Williams

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Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

My Little Spark of Madness

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I don’t know… maybe it’s the 11 days off… in a row… that caused this little painting.  Of course the hubby shakes his head and looks at me funny, but I like it. 

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I had a great vacation.  Idaho is so beautiful and spending time with my family was priceless!  I really should do that more often than every other year.

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About Robin Williams

In 2005, Robin Williams, the Oscar-winning American actor known for his wild improvisations and amazing mimicry, was voted by fellow comedians and comedy insiders as one of the top 50 comedy acts ever. He was born in 1951 in Chicago, and he first garnered attention as a stand-up comic in San Francisco. A guest role as the alien Mork on the TV series Happy Days was so popular it led to his own show, Mork and Mindy. He has starred in many successful films, including Mrs. Doubtfire and Good Will Hunting. He has three children.

Inside 4 Paws Cabin – 6″ x 6″ Watercolor and Ink

“Many of us, whether we are conscious of it or not, create much of the unhappiness we experience. Our disappointments are the result of our own negative or limited thoughts about ourselves and our world. What are some of those limiting thoughts, those subconscious beliefs, which keep us from experiencing joy and wholeness?

 

TODAY I will see each disappointment in my life as a challenge to discover the negative or limited beliefs which keep me from seeing myself as a person of unlimited resources and potential.”

 

–Liane Cordes

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Inside 4 Paws Cabin – 6″ x 6″ Watercolor and Ink

I just booked a flight and rental car for my trip to Idaho this summer.  I’m headed there to see my mom and my brother.  I love Idaho so much and I’m particularly fond of Driggs, Idaho, on the quiet side of the Tetons.  Jackson Hole is on the busy side.  I stayed in Driggs 2 years ago at a lovely cabin called 4 Paws, after spending time with the family in Blackfoot.  The cabin was so cute!  Lots of bear themed decor and wonderful privacy, as the cabin was situated on acreage west of Driggs.  I painted this little painting for the owners of the cabin.

This year 4 Paws is booked, so I am on the search for a similar cabin to spend a few days painting and exploring.  I have a little time, since I’m not going until August, but I’m already excited! 

Liane Cordes is the author of Reflecting Pond.  The Reflecting Pond is a collection of meditations that takes one subject at a time and covers it in depth. Whether we have a concern about self-acceptance, fear, friendship, or love, there is a chapter full of understanding thoughts. Used as an extra dose of support on specific issues, this book will help us think through day-to-day living problems

Have You Seen The Yellow Bears at Yellowstone?

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
– Elisabeth Kuber-Ross

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2011

Yellow Bears – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Sharpie

I painted this from a photo I took in August, when I went to Yellowstone Bear World near Rexburg, Idaho.  I had a great time there.  I took this when I was in the drive thru park.  I also spent time in the petting zoo and I fed the baby bears.  It was a great adventure that I found was NOT just for kids. 

I just realized that I painted the Yellowstone bears yellow.  It is pure coincidence, not cleverness on my part.  he he

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, M.D. (July 8, 1926 – August 24, 2004) was a Swiss American psychiatrist, a pioneer in Near-death studies and the author of the groundbreaking book On Death and Dying (1969), where she first discussed what is now known as the Kübler-Ross model.
She is a 2007 inductee into the American National Women’s Hall of Fame.   She was the recipient of twenty honorary degrees and by July 1982 had taught, in her estimation, 125,000 students in death and dying courses in colleges, seminaries, medical schools, hospitals, and social-work institutions.  In 1970, she delivered the The Ingersoll Lectures on Human Immortality at Harvard University, on the theme, On Death and Dying.
See the foundation here.

There’s a Bear in the House!

“Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones.”
– Phillips Brooks

I LOVE that quote.  It’s so true!



There’s a Bear in the House! – 6″ x 6″ Watercolor & Sharpie

I painted this little painting for the couple that own the wonderful cabin I stayed in on my vacation.  This is where I set up my art supplies and did a lot of painting.  The kitchen table became my studio.  Since the cabin is named 4 Paws and there are little bear things all through the house, I thought it would be fun to put a bear in the painting.

I mounted it on black canvas, and I’m going to put it in the mail to them today. 

About Phillips Brooks

Phillips Brooks, the American clergyman now mostly known for writing the words to the Christmas song, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” was one of the most influential ministers of his time, with his sermons reprinted in major newspapers. He delivered the eulogy at Abraham Lincoln’s funeral. Born in Boston in 1835, he spent most of his life there as overseer of Harvard University, rector of Trinity Church, and bishop of Massachusetts. He died in 1893, and the day of his funeral was declared an official day of mourning.

The Watchful Bear

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order,
confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast,
a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”
–Melody Beattie

Wow!  I love that one!



The Watchful Bear – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor

I was playing last weekend with the help of a book I have on wildlife reference photos.  I tried to paint an elk for my brother, since he is an active member of the Elks, in Idaho.  He has been such a good brother and son lately, taking great care of my mom, who is in the hospital.  Anyway…. The elk looked like a demented cow/sheep/moose/alpaca.  I had a good laugh and threw it in the trash can.  Moving on, I painted this bear… just for fun!  He looks like he’s watching something really interesting.

Have a good weekend!  If life goes according to plan, I’m going to play with masa!  (No… I am not making homemade tamales.  Been there, done that,  and once is enough!)  Masa is a paper that I can’t wait to try.

Melody Beattie is one of America’s most beloved self-help authors and a household name in addiction and recovery circles.  Her international bestselling book, Codependent No More, introduced the world to the term “codependency” in 1986.  Millions of readers have trusted Melody’s words of wisdom and guidance because she knows firsthand what they’re going through. In her lifetime, she has survived abandonment, kidnapping, sexual abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, divorce, and the death of a child. “Beattie understands being overboard, which helps her throw bestselling lifelines to those still adrift,” said Time Magazine.  More…..