The Meeting House at Carlton Landing

“We can let the circumstances of our life harden us so that we become increasingly resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften us and make us kinder and more open to what scares us. We always have this choice.”
– Pema Chodron

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

The Meeting House at Carlton Landing – 5.5″ x 8.5″ Watercolor and Sharpie

I painted this from a photo I took some time ago.  Now there is little window boxes on the windows and a hand painted sign (by me) hanging on the corner of the building.  Carlton Landing is a wonderful new community on Lake Eufaula that is like the old days, where you knew your neighbors and got together in the common areas to celebrate events or just hang out.   The meeting house will be one of many areas that people can come together.  It’s a magical place and I’m happy to be a part of the team, as their sign lady.

Our Favorite Place is opening on May 3rd!  I am so excited!  My artwork is there, among so many other wonderful pieces of art.  It’s truly a unique gallery and showcase for all things made in Oklahoma.  Go take a peek at their website.

Pema Chodron is a leading exponent of teachings on meditation and how they apply to everyday life.   She is widely known for her charming and down-to-earth interpretation of Tibetan Buddhism for Western audiences.

Pema is the resident teacher at Gampo Abbey, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the first Tibetan monastery for Westerners and has authored several books, including:

Always Maintain a Joyful Mind (lojong teachings)
Practicing Peace in Times of War
No Time to Lose
The Pema Chodron Collection (audio)
Getting Unstuck:Breaking Your Habitual
Patterns & Encountering Naked Reality (audio)
The Places that Scare You
When Things Fall Apart
Start Where You Are
More info here.

Sneak Peek – Bethville III – Crop 1

“He who cannot change the very fabric of his thought will never be able to change reality.”
– Anwar al-Sadat

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Sneak Peek – Bethville III – Crop 1

I worked Saturday and Sunday, so I didn’t get to play with my paint, so today and tomorrow, you get another couple peeks at proofs for my new Bethville series.  I can’t wait to get more done on these.  I was going to paint them for my house, but I just got accepted into a new gallery that is opening in March and I really need to work on inventory for them.    The hubby doesn’t know this yet, so I may have to pull them from his steely grip. 

About Anwar al-Sadat

Egyptian president Anwar al-Sadat won the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize in conjunction with Israeli prime minister Menachim Begin for the Camp David Accords. He was born in Egypt in 1918. He participated in the 1952 coup to oust the corrupt King Farouk and became president in 1970. He led Egypt into the Yom Kippur War to reclaim part of the Sinai Peninsula. When that failed, he took the risky diplomatic path, opening the door to détente. He was assassinated in 1981 by Muslim extremists.