Eilean Donan Castle 5 in Fall Colors – 5″ x 9″ Watercolor & Prismacolor Pen

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”
– Epictetus

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Eilean Donan Castle 5  in Fall Colors – 5″ x 9″ Watercolor & Prismacolor Pen

I painted this from a photo taken in summer by Rick Brind.  The October challenge at paintmyphoto.com was to turn the summer photo to fall colors.  It was really fun!  I also submitted this painting to the fall art contest at Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff.

There are so many artists that will undoubtedly surpass me there, but for a $500 gift certificate at Cheap Joe’s, I’m willing to try.

Epictetus,  (born ad 55, probably at Hierapolis, Phrygia [now Pamukkale, Turkey]—died c. 135, Nicopolis, Epirus [Greece]), Greek philosopher associated with the Stoics, remembered for the religious tone of his teachings, which commended him to numerous early Christian thinkers.

His original name is not known; epiktētos is the Greek word meaning “acquired.” As a boy he was a slave but managed to attend lectures by the Stoic Musonius Rufus. He later became a freedman and lived his life lame and in ill health. In ad 90 he was expelled from Rome with other philosophers by the emperor Domitian, who was irritated by the favourable reception given by Stoics to opponents of his tyranny. The rest of his life Epictetus spent at Nicopolis.  More…

Crooked Little Road – 5″ x 7″ Watercolor & Ink

“To keep your character intact you cannot stoop to filthy acts. It makes it easier to stoop the next time.”
– Katharine Hepburn

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Crooked Little Road – 5″ x 7″ Watercolor & Ink

The word of the week on Illustration Friday is Crooked.    The little MG is from a photo reference by Sharrm at WetCanvas.  Wouldn’t that be fun?  Hop in your classic MG and hit the paved country roads?  I don’t think it’d be as fun on gravel.   You’d have to drive entirely too slow!  

I love Katharine Hepburn! One Christmas day, when I was single, I rented everything I could find with her in it and had me a Hepburn marathon!! African Queen is one of my all time favorite movies!

About Katharine Hepburn

Gutsy American actress Katharine Hepburn was ranked the greatest actress of all time by the American Film Institute for her roles in films such as The African Queen and The Philadelphia Story. She was born in 1907 in Connecticut. Early in her film career, RKO took away her overalls, demanding she dress like a screen icon, prompting her to walk through the studio in her underwear. Her romance with Spencer Tracy led to their delightful verbal sparring in films like Adam’s Rib and Woman of the Year. She died in 2003.

Another White House Painting…. Not! - 4″ x 6″ Watercolor

“Since no one is perfect, it follows that all great deeds have been accomplished out of imperfection. Yet they were accomplished, somehow, all the same.”
– Lois McMaster Bujold

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Another White House Painting…. Not!  -  4″ x 6″ Watercolor

I did this Sunday when I just felt like doodling.   You know how that is, right?  Sometimes we just wanna play for no reason at all. 

Enjoy your last full day of summer.   It’s still in the 90′s here in Oklahoma, but we have some 80′s sprinkled in here and there and the nights are cooling down.  I love fall and I’m looking forward to some crisp days.

About Lois McMaster Bujold

Lois McMaster Bujold, the award-winning American science fiction and fantasy writer, is best known for her “Vorkosigan Saga” space opera, a series of novels and short stories which blend action with strong character development. She was born in 1949 in Ohio and began writing seriously in her thirties. When her best friend began publishing novels, Bujold thought, “If she can do it, I can too.” She has won the prestigious Hugo Award four times. She lives in Minneapolis and has two children.

Eufaula, Oklahoma Post Office – 8″ x 10″ Ink Drawing

“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”
– Lao-Tzu

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Eufaula, Oklahoma Post Office – 8″ x 10″ Ink Drawing

It’s amazing how much I learn about these buildings when I draw them.  For instance, there are entrances to the basement of this building from both sides.  I didn’t paint the various signs on the building, but I just looked one of them up and it’s a fallout shelter sign.  I need to add that one.  That’s pretty cool.  I need to get a closer look at that sign to be sure.   I love the history these buildings have.  When I looked up McIntosh County History, I found that Eufaula has had a post office since 1874, but I doubt this is the original.  It’s a little too modern.

In 1876, The Indian Journal newspaper was founded and it’s the oldest surviving newspaper in the state of Oklahoma.  Interesting stuff.

About Lao-Tzu

The ancient Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu is believed to have lived in the 4th century B.C. Little is known about him, but it is likely that he wrote the Tao te Ching, the foundation of Taoist philosophy, and engaged Confucius in debate, honing both men’s belief systems. His name means either “old master” or the “old child,” and one legend says he was born with white hair after spending 80 years in his mother’s womb.

Auntie Faye’s Building Portrait in Black & White – 8″ x 10″

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

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Auntie Faye’s Building Portrait in Black & White – 8″ x 10″

I’m busy painting on this one and I should be showing it to you soon.  The store owners always get to see it before you, so it all depends on when James and Linda see it.  I imagine I’ll have it done Monday or so.  They did approve the pencil drawing before I proceeded with ink.  The sign in the painting just went up 2 days ago.  It’s colorful and fun!  Well, of course it is… It’s a Signs by Beth original. 

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.

McIntosh County Courthouse – 8″ x 10″ Prismacolor Pen on 140 lb Cold Press

“Always behave like a duck — keep calm and unruffled on the surface but paddle like the devil underneath.”
– Jacob Braude

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

McIntosh County Courthouse – 8″ x 10″ Prismacolor Pen on 140 lb Cold Press

Don’t you just love small towns?  The buildings have so much charm and they are rich in character.  Of course, they are also old… as in I did not draw in the window air conditioners that are poking out of all the windows. 

I’ll post again after it’s painted.

About Jacob Braude

American judge and author Jacob Braude was a fount of humorous and inspirational stories and quotations, which he used to regale the courtroom in Cook County, Illinois, where he presided for more that 35 years. His books of sayings, including Speaker’s Encyclopedia of Humor and Braude’s Treasury of Wit and Humor, have been mined by toastmasters and lecturers for decades. He was born in 1896 and died in 1970.

She Wanted an Identical Tractor – 5″ x 7″ Watercolor and Ink

“Just don’t give up on trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”
– Ella Fitzgerald

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

She Wanted an Identical Tractor – 5″ x 7″ Watercolor and Ink

Okay… maybe I wanted an identical tractor.  he he   Scatty Kat from WetCanvas posted a photo of herself in this jacket and a separate photo of a rusty old green tractor.  I decided to paint that charming old tractor to go with Illustration Friday’s theme of Identical.  It was fun!  An afterthought… I should have made the green bits red so it would stand out better against the background, but I did the background last and by then, it was too late.

About Ella Fitzgerald

With her three-octave range, a purity of tone, and a wonderfully expressive voice, singer Ella Fitzgerald has been called the voice of American jazz. She was born in 1917 in Virginia and began singing professionally at age 16. Her rendition of the nursery rhyme “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” launched her stardom. Her best known recordings include the Cole Porter and George Gershwin songbooks; she also toured with Duke Ellington’s band. She died in 1996.

Dessert Anyone? - 4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Ink

“There is a criterion by which you can judge whether the thoughts you are thinking and the things you are doing are right for you.
The criterion is:   Have they brought you inner peace?”

–Peace Pilgrim

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Dessert Anyone? - 4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Ink

This is the last one I painted from Lin’s photos at WetCanvas.  It was actually two different photos for this one painting.  They seem to have the yummiest desserts over in the UK.  I have painted a lot of desserts over the years from WetCanvas’ European artists’ photos.  Fun!

Peace Pilgrim

From 1953 to 1981 a silver haired woman calling herself only “Peace Pilgrim” walked more than 25,000 miles on a personal pilgrimage for peace. She vowed to “remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food.” In the course of her 28 year pilgrimage she touched the hearts, minds, and lives of thousands of individuals all across North America. Her message was both simple and profound. It continues to inspire people all over the world.

“This is the way of peace:  Overcome evil with good, and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.” ….Peace Pilgrim

Doctor’s Building at McAlester Regional Hospital – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor

“No great deed, private or public, has ever been undertaken in a bliss of certainty.”
– Leon Wieseltier

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Doctor’s Building at McAlester Regional Hospital – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor

I was in McAlester Monday and had 30 minutes to kill, so I drew this building on a little pad of 4″ x 6″ watercolor paper I had in my bag.  Then I painted it over the last couple mornings before work.  The ink is Prismacolor pen.  I have been using them more than Sharpie because I have more control and I have 5 sizes ranging from .01 to .08.  They are awesome! 

About Leon Wieseltier

Leon Wieseltier, the sharp-tongued literary editor of The New Republic, has used his role to deliver brilliant, scathing put-downs of intellectual fads and pretense. He was born in Brooklyn in 1952. He studied Jewish history and philosophy at Columbia, Oxford, and Harvard’s Society of Fellows. He won the National Jewish Book Award for the memoir Kaddish, about his year of mourning after his father’s death.

Split Rock Lighthouse – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Ink

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

Yeah!!

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Split Rock Lighthouse – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Ink

The reference  photo was from Surob at WetCanvas.  It’s the Split Rock Lighthouse on the shores of Lake Superior in Minnesota.   I know it’s hard to believe…. but I had so much fun painting this!    It really was kinda this color, too. 

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.

Little Orange Truck – Watercolor and Prismacolor Fine Art Marker

“The best antidote I have found is to yearn for something. As long as you yearn, you can’t congeal: There is a forward motion to yearning.”
– Gail Godwin

I like that quote!

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Little Orange Truck – Watercolor and Prismacolor Fine Art Marker

Well, I looked at that flowerdy truck and could not come up with a cool background in my sleepy state this morning, so I whipped out a little orange truck.  35 minutes of fun and it’s just a couple inches.  I’m sure I’ll play with both of these trucks some more to add some background interest.  Have a great weekend!

About Gail Godwin

American author Gail Godwin is best known for her well-developed characters in such novels as A Mother and Two Daughters, The Odd Woman, and Violet Clay, all National Book Award nominees. She was born in 1937 in Alabama and raised in North Carolina. She married and divorced twice and lived with composer Robert Starer for 25 years until his death in 2001. They collaborated on ten musical works. She has written 13 novels and two short-story collections. She lives in Woodstock, New York.

Flowerdy Truck Paint Job – 5″ x 7″ Watercolor, Ink & Inktense

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

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Flowerdy Truck Paint Job – 5″ x 7″ Watercolor, Ink & Inktense

I had 45 minutes to paint this morning.  Yesterday, I painted the fenders, tires and interior, so today I did the paint job.  Tomorrow, I do the background.  Backgrounds are usually my least favorite part.  Maybe I can use photoshop to layer it in front of a painting I have already completed.  Hmmmm….. check back tomorrow and see. 

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.