Chicken Dinner

“May I mindfully acknowledge that others, like myself, are still growing spiritually, and forgive their past offenses, as I forgive my own, so I can know the blessings of a loving heart.”
– Jean Smith

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2011

Chicken Dinner – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor Sketch
I did this sketch from a reference photo by Crispur2005 (Christine) at WetCanvas.  Christine lives in Australia and she said this was Christmas dinner for the chickens.  I like that! 

Jean Smith is such a generic name that I found artists, politicians, photographers, baseball players, etc.  So rather than give you information about the wrong person, I’ll just say that a very insightful person, named Jean Smith, is responsible for today’s quote.  I got it from my wonderful little book called Wrinkles Don’t Hurt by Ruth Fishel.

Painted Chicken

“Forgiveness is a gentle refusal to defend ourselves against love any longer.  It is a willingness to perceive everyone, including ourselves, as either expressing love or feeling a need for love.”
– Gerald Jampolsky

 

Painted Chicken
8.5″ x 11″ Watercolor on Yes! 

While I was preparing for my newsletter, I went through my store of paintings to find things to upload to my website.  I saw some that made me cringe and some that made me giggle.  This one made me giggle.  There are many things wrong with it and there is not a shadow in sight, but I love it for all of it’s plain old simplicity.    There’s just something American Pie about it. 


I thought I’d update you on a painting I posted a while back, asking how I should finish it.  It has been sold!  I finished it the way the new owner requested and this is the result.



I painted a 1.5″ gallery wrapped canvas with acrylic, matching the watercolor on the background of the painting.  I then attached the painting to the canvas and coated with clear UV sealant.  Isn’t it fun when things work out that way? 

Gerald Jampolsky

Best selling author Gerald Jampolsky is a child and adult psychiatrist, graduate of Stanford Medical School and an internationally recognized authority in the fields of psychiatry, health, business and education. Dr. Jampolsky, founder of Center for Attitudinal Healing in Tiburon, California learned about love and forgiveness by helping thousands of adults, children and families over the past 30 years deal with the psychological, social and spiritual aspects of facing both chronic and life threatening illnesses. In his best selling books “Love is Letting Go of Fear”, “Forgiveness: The Greatest Healer of All” and in his latest book,”Shortcuts to God: Finding Peace Quickly Through Practical Spirituality” he reminds us that health comes from achieving inner peace and forgiveness is the medicine that helps get us there.

No Thanksgiving Dinner - November 25, 2009

"In every person who comes near you look for what is good and strong; honor that; try to imitate it, and your faults will drop off like dead leaves when their time comes."

– John Ruskin

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No Thanksgiving Dinner
5" x 5" Golden Fluid Acrylic on Ampersand Panel

I'm pretty sure if he could talk, he'd tell you he's glad he's not a turkey today. I hope all of you U.S. people have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

About John Ruskin

John Ruskin was an English art critic who influenced the attitude of a whole generation toward art and architecture. He was born in 1819 in London. His career began with an essay defending his friend, artist J.M.W. Turner, from critics.. His book Modern Painters made Turner popular and gave stature to the Pre-Raphaelite movement. He founded the Cambridge Scool of Art in 1858, now known as the Anglia Ruskin University. Leo Tolstoy called him one of those rare men who think with their heart. When Ruskin inherited wealth, he gave most of the money away. He died in 1900.