Nelson’s Feed & Seed – Eufaula, OK - 8" x 10" Watercolor

“One way to become enthusiastic is to look for the plus sign. To make progress in any difficult situation, you have to start with what’s right about it and build on that.”
– Norman Vincent Peale

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Nelson’s Feed & Seed – Eufaula, OK

The Nelson family has owned the feed store since the early 1930′s.  Vernon Nelson purchased it and his grandson, T.Max Nelson runs it today.   It was leased to others for a time in the early years, but it has been Nelson operated since 1962.  Don’t you just love it?

If you look over your right shoulder, you will see my sign shop.  Their rooster has been known to wander over for a visit.

The quote below was also with the above quote and I loved it, so you’re getting a little extra today.  It’s from the book Body, Mind & Spirit by Anonymous.

 ”Beginning our days with a positive mental outlook is a great depression chaser. Simply lifting our heads and looking up and out instead of down will make us feel better. Although we can’t spend all our time staring at the sky, we can train ourselves to look for the best in ourselves and others.

 Even in the middle of difficulty or pain, we have choices. We can choose a gloom-and-doom attitude and endlessly replay the thoughts that accompany it. Or we can step back and find the one good thing. We may be blinded with pain. The situation may appear hopeless, utterly bleak. But recovery guarantees that we are equal to it; that in our pain there is at least one good thing.

We are the masters of our fate. We can change even the most difficult situations with an attitude of hope and positive expectation. Approaching each day with a hopeful heart will give us a different approach to our troubles.”
–Anonymous

Little Piece of My Big Painting

“Believe in yourself!  Have faith in your abilities!  Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”
–Norman Vincent Peale



Little Piece of My Big Painting – Acrylic on Canvas

Here is a second little look at a piece of the 24″ x 48″ painting I am working on.  The first piece is here.  My husband was out of town last night, so I played with it some more.  It’s going to take forever with all the layers of acrylic, but I am having so much fun working on it.   By the way, it seems strange to call such a joyful experience “work”. 

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale (May 31, 1898 – December 24, 1993) was a minister and author (most notably of The Power of Positive Thinking) and a progenitor of the theory of “positive thinking”.

Peale was born in Bowersville, Ohio. He graduated from Bellefontaine High School, Bellefontaine, Ohio. He has earned degrees at Ohio Wesleyan University (where he became a brother of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta) and Boston University School of Theology.

Raised as a Methodist and ordained as a Methodist minister in 1922, Peale changed his religious affiliation to the Reformed Church in America in 1932 and began a 52-year tenure as pastor of Marble Collegiate Church in Manhattan. During that time the church’s membership grew from 600 to over 5000, and he became one of New York City’s most famous preachers.
More…

Bulls of Many Colors & Main Street Studio Opening

“Old unhealthy thoughts can block off inspiration and motivation.  Dropping them releases a strong flow of power through the mind.”
–Norman Vincent Peale



Bulls of Many Colors
6″ x 9″ Watercolor

I had a great time painting these young bulls!  I am in love with bright color!  Fun stuff!

Last night I went to the opening of the Christmas show at the Main Street Studio, here in Eufaula.  I have a group of paintings that will be there through January 6th.   The Arts Council wanted to fill the studio with art for the holidays and I love being included.  Here is a shot of my paintings.



The funny thing…. the light is out, right above my paintings and the lady who hung all of the paintings put mine there, because they really don’t need a lot of light to show up.  They do kinda jump off the wall at you, among all the conservative, realistic paintings.  he he 

If you’re in Eufaula, go by and look.

Norman Vincent Peale

Peale confessed that as a youth he had “the worst inferiority complex of all,” and developed his positive thinking/positive confession philosophy just to help himself. In 1937, Peale established a clinic with Freudian psychiatrist Dr. Smiley Blanton in the basement of the Marble Collegiate Church. (Blanton brought with him the “extensive experience” of having undergone psychoanalysis by Freud himself in Vienna in 1929, 1935, 1936, and 1937.) The clinic was described as having “a theoretical base that was Jungian, with a strong evidence of neo- and post-Freudianism” (Carol V.R. George, God’s Salesman: Norman Vincent Peale and the Power of Positive Thinking , p. 90). It subsequently grew to an operation with more than 20 psychiatric doctors and psychologically- trained “ministers,” and in 1951 became known as the American Foundation for Religion and Psychiatry. In 1972, it merged with the Academy of Religion and Mental Health to form the Institutes of Religion and Health (IRH). To his death, Peale remained affiliated with the IRH as president of the board and chief fund raiser. Indeed, Peale pioneered the merger of theology and psychology which became known as Christian Psychology.  More….

Dancing Buildings 2

“Keep alert to the magic motivational word that forms an inspiring idea for you.  It can reactivate and change you from indifferent to dynamic living.”
–Norman Vincent Peale

 

Dancing Buildings 2
6″ x 18″ x 1.5″ Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Talk about fun!  I had a ball creating this painting.  I have just the perfect place to hang it, too.  I think this will be the first one I hang in my studio.  I don’t know why I have bare walls in there.  I think maybe because I usually paint so small.  I’m not sure.  I like this one, though. 


Here is a link to the watercolor version.

Here is the progress shots and some angles, showing the sides.  The first two are the chalk sketch and the base coat.  The others just show the sides.  Click on photos for a larger view.


Norman Vincent Peale

Born in Bowersville, Ohio, USA, on May 31 1898, Norman Vincent Peale grew up helping support his family by delivering newspapers, working in a grocery store, and selling pots and pans door to door, but later was to become one of the most influential clergymen in the United States during the 20th-century.
He was educated at Ohio Wesleyan University and Boston University. He was a reporter on the Findlay, Ohio, Morning Republic prior to entering the ministry and went on to author some 40 books. Ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1922, Peale served as pastor at a succession of churches that included Berkeley, Rhode Island (1922–24), Brooklyn, New York (1924–27), and Syracuse, New York (1927–32) before changing his affiliation to the Dutch Reformed Church so that he could become pastor of the Marble Collegiate Church in New York City (1932–84). There he gained fame for his sermons on a positive approach to modern living, which were regularly broadcast, first on radio and later on television. The church had 600 members when he arrived to pastor in 1932; it had over 5,000 by the time he retired in 1984. In 1969 and 1970 he was president of the Reformed Church in America.  More…

Caladium

"Joy increases as you give it, and diminishes as you try to keep it for yourself.  In giving it you will accumulate a deposit of joy greater than you ever believed possible."

Norman Vincent Peale


 

Caladium

6″ x 6″ Watercolor

I did this one for the Plant Parade project in the Florals and Botanicals forum at WetCanvas.  Each month, we all paint from the same references or theme and we upload it on the 25th of the month.  I think I have been doing this since late 2007.  It’s really fun and it’s not unlike what Ryan did with his poppies yesterday.

Tomorrow, I’ll post the acrylic I did. 



Norman Vincent Peale was the pastor of Marble Collegiate Church for 52 years and one of the most influential religious figures of the 20th Century. The author of 46 books, including the all-time inspirational best-seller, The Power of Positive Thinking. With Marble Church as a base, Dr. Peale launched far-reaching innovations in the decades of the 1930s, 40s and 50s. He was a dynamic motivational speaker on countless platforms, the co-publisher of the world’s leading inspirational magazine, Guideposts, and the co-founder of the first school for pastoral psychology, The Institutes of Religion and Health. Dr. Peale recognized the powerful impact of mass media and in 1935 launched a weekly radio broadcast, “The Art of Living,” which was to continue for a record-setting 54 years. His down-to-earth message of optimism, courage, and faith in God’s love for the individual has helped countless millions find confidence and inner peace.
Dr. Peale spoke to an average of 100 groups a year, until the age of 93, and he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan. He died at his home in Pawling, NY, on Christmas Eve, 1993. Dr. Peale’s wife, Ruth Stafford Peale, passed away in February 2008.

My Friend Valri

"Watch your manner of speech if you wish to develop a peaceful sate of mind.  Start each day by affirming peaceful, contented, and happy attitudes and your days will tend to be pleasant and successful."
–Norman Vincent Peale

 
My Friend Valri
3″ x 4″ Watercolor

I painted this from a full face photo, but I loved the unruly little lock of hair in her face, so I cropped it.  I like the way it turned out, even if you can see all the pencil lines.  If anybody has hints about those pesky pencil lines, please let me know.

Norman Vincent Peale

minister, author
Born: 5/31/1898
Birthplace: Bowersville, Ohio
Norman Vincent Peale was one of the most influential clergymen in the United States during the 20th-century. Ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1922, Peale served as pastor at a succession of churches that included Berkeley, Rhode Island (1922–24), Brooklyn, New York (1924–27), and Syracuse, New York (1927–32) before changing his affiliation to the Dutch Reformed Church so that he could become pastor of the Marble Collegiate Church in New York City (1932–84). Peale’s simple, optimistic, and dynamic sermons, in which he offered a positive outlook on modern living brought increasing numbers of parishioners and increasing fame to Peale. His sermons were regularly broadcast, first on radio and later on television. In addition, Peale published a weekly newsletter for businessmen, Guideposts, which reached two million subscribers at its apex. Peale also published several best-selling books, including The Power of Positive Thought (1952), The Art of Living (1937), Confident Living (1948), and This Incredible Century (1991).
Died: 12/24/1993
more…

Kitten Eyes

Have absolutely no sense of guilt about being happy and successful if you operate honestly and with a sense of social responsibility.

Norman Vincent Peale

Kitten Eyes

2.5″ x 3.5″ Watercolor

Imagine that! A kitten!

I hope you are not getting sick of my seemingly endless fascination with painting cats. This is a little kitten named Water. She is one of four foster kitties that Just Chaos took care of for a time. Of course, I had to have a little extra fun with her eyes.

I quote from Norman Vincent Peale often, so I looked to Wikipedia this morning, to find something new to tell you about him. He was such an interesting guy!

Concealed hypnosis

A second major accusation of Peale is that he attempts to conceal that his “techniques” are actually a scientifically well known form of hypnosis, and that Peale attempts to persuade his readers to follow his beliefs through a combination of self-hypnosis and false evidence. While his techniques are not debated by psychologists, Dr. Peale’s said his theological practice and strategy was directed more at self analysis, forgiveness, character development, and growth ^[17] much like the Jesuits of the Catholic Church.^[18]

Peale asserts that practicing his “techniques” will give the reader absolute self confidence and deliverance from suffering. The critics, in turn, assert that the repetitive “techniques” are actually a well known form of hypnosis (autosuggestion), hidden under a thin guise with the use of terms which may sound more benign from the reader’s point of view (“techniques”, “formulas,” “methods,” “prayers,” and “prescriptions.”). One author called Peale’s book “The Bible of American autohypnotism.” (Meyer, Donald. The Positive Thinkers. Pantheon Books, 1965, p. 264)

N is for Nuts - October 5, 2009

Have great hopes and dare to go all out for them. Have great dreams and dare to live them. Have tremendous expectations and believe in them.

Norman Vincent Peale
Positive Thinking Every Day

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N is for Nuts
2.5" x 3.5" Watercolor & Ink

Another one for the alphabet exchange.

Aspens Aglow - Sptember 29, 2009

Miracles are not altogether made out of dreams. Often they are put together out of plain, everyday, nonglamorous facts.

Norman Vincent Peale
Positive Thinking Every Day

Aspens Aglow
W&N Watercolor in my 5" x 8" Moleskine Travel Journal

Those aspens were glowing all around Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I was fortunate enough to be there late enough to see them turn yellow, yet early enough to miss the first snow and cold weather. I painted this on my way to the airport Saturday morning. I actually took two hours going that 11 miles to the airport. It was just too beautiful to rush.

Greens - September 17, 2009

Remember Edison's remark: "If we did all the things we are capable of doing we would literally astonish ourselves." Astonish yourself!

Positive Thinking Every Day
-Norman Vincent Peale

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Greens
4" x 6" Watercolor

This was a challenge that I'm not sure I pulled off. Lots and lots of green. aargh! I had fun, tho.


My husband told me yesterday that he went to hear a motivational speaker one day, when he was still working. It was some guy named Norman Vincent Peale. Norman Vincent Peale!! I would love to have had that opportunity! How cool would that be! I really believe strongly in the power of positive thinking!

Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993) was the Champion of Positive Thinking. His legacy is with us to day in the ministry of the Schulers (CrystalCathedral.org), and is currently re-inforced by the highly bankable "The Secret" and there is no doubt that the Peale legacy is powerful and vibrant.

Peale confessed that as a youth he had "the worst inferiority complex of all," and developed his positive thinking/positive confession philosophy just to help himself. It certainly paid off!

Peale's works came under criticism from several mental health experts, one of whom directly said Peale was a con man and a fraud. (Meyer, Donald. "Confidence Man." New Republic. July 11, 1955, pp. 8-10.) These critics appeared in the early 1950s after the publication of The Power of Positive Thinking.

By the way - my husband loved his boat! I told him to be careful with it though, because I forgot to paint in the fenders. he he

Foresee Concrete Plant - June 9, 2009

The world in which you live is not primarily determined by outward conditions and circumstances but by thoughts that habitually occupy your mind.

--Norman Vincent Peale
Positive Thinking Every Day

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Foresee Concrete Plant

7" x 12" watercolor