Kitchen Still Life – Watercolor

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”

–Willie Nelson

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Chef Still Life – Watercolor

I painted this one two summers ago, from a photo by KreativeK at WetCanvas.  It’s one of my favorites, since I really don’t do still life paintings.   Look Ma!  No Ink!!!  **gasp***

I’m still working on KC paintings, but I don’t have anything to show you today.  I did box 25 sets of postcards this morning.  I still seem to have so much to do.  I am determined to make this show a success.  I am really glad I reserved a beautiful hotel suite for the trip, so I can finally take a bit of a breather and just enjoy the experience when I get there.

Willie Nelson to Receive Honorary Doctorate

March 19, 2013

 

Paging Dr. Nelson, we’ve got a severe case of “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain.” OK, so it’s not the medical kind of doctor, but Willie Nelson will be presented—along with Carole King and Annie Lennox—with an honorary doctor of music degree by Berklee College of Music.

The presentation will be made during Berklee College’s commencement ceremony on May 11. Annie Lennox will deliver the commencement address to the crowd of graduates and their families at Boston University’s Agganis Arena.

Berklee’s honorary doctorate recipients are recognized for musical achievements and influence, as well as lasting contributions to culture. Previous honorees include Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin, Loretta Lynn, Bonnie Raitt, Alison Krauss, David Bowie and others.

Wine, Anyone? A watercolor Painting

“Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value in your life.”

–Christiane Northrup, M.D.

 

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Wine, Anyone?

 

Here’s another one from the archives.  In 2011, I used a photo from the WetCanvas Reference Image Library for this one.  Monday, I’ll have another new painting for you.  Have a great weekend!

 

Christiane Northrup, M.D. 

 

From her website:  As a physician, author, mother, inspirational speaker, and pioneer in women’s health, I’ve dedicated my life to teaching women how to flourish.

Health isn’t just the absence of disease. It’s being physically and emotionally able to live joyfully and in alignment with your deepest self. You have the ability to build health every day. Just be open to new ideas and to adopting new habits.
I designed this Web site to help you enjoy vibrant health. Read my blog, the hundreds of articles in Health Wisdom A-Z, the Health Centers and my newsletter archives. Listen to recordings of my Internet radio show, or download podcasts and video clips, prepared just for this site.
Flourishingly yours,
CHRISTIANE NORTHRUP, M.D.
p.s. Stay connected by signing up for my newsletter and joining my Facebook community.

Coffee for Two – 5″ x 7″ Watercolor

After a speech one day, Zig Ziglar was approached by someone in the audience who said: “Zig, it was a great speech, but motivation doesn’t last.” Zig said, “Bathing doesn’t either. That’s why I recommend it daily.”
–from Wrinkles Don’t Hurt, by Ruth Fishel

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Coffee for Two – 5″ x 7″ Watercolor

Well… I’ve been working on another building portrait with a lot of detail, so I had to dip into the archives again.   This painting is actually framed and sitting in my lobby right now.  Main Street Studio brought it back to me with some others, to make room for a large solo exhibition someone was having.

Zig Ziglar

Motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, died last week at the age of 86. He will be missed, but he left a legacy of pithy wisdom and good advice in the form of books, tapes and videos.

Zig Ziglar was a motivational teacher and trainer who has traveled the world over, delivering his messages of humor, hope, and encouragement. As a talented author and speaker, his international appeal has transcended every color, culture, and career. Recognized by his peers as the quintessential motivational genius of our times, Zig Ziglar’s unique delivery style and powerful messages have earned him many honors, and today he is considered one of the most versatile authorities on the science of human potential. Ten of his twenty-eight books have been on the best-seller lists, and his titles have been translated into more than thirty-eight languages and dialects. He was a committed family man, a dedicated patriot, and an active church member. Zig lived in Plano, Texas, with his wife, Jean.

Smoothie Anyone? 4″ x 6″ Watercolor

“Now and then we have to remind troubled friends how strong they are. If problems make them forget, true friends will speak of the courage that they sometimes neglect.”
Dodinsky

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Smoothie Anyone?  4″ x 6″ Watercolor

I painted this little postcard from a photo by Lisilk at WetCanvas.  She always has the best photos!  I figured you might be a little tired of buildings. 

Dodinsky is the author of the upcoming inspirational and reflective gift book THE GARDEN OF THOUGHTS, scheduled to be released Spring of 2013 by Sourcebooks Publishing.

His written ruminations on life became a gift: Mothers passed on his writings to their daughters, brothers shared his thoughts with their fathers, and readers told their friends about the little treasures they discovered in his works. Appreciative emails from worldwide followers from all walks of life trickled in, sharing with him how he inspired them to look deeper within themselves for the answers to increase their own happiness and self-worth. Dodinsky was humbled to recognize that in his own little way, he was affecting the lives of others.

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

Do You See a Pan of Grease and Soap Bubbles?

“That the birds of worry and care
fly about your head
This you cannot change
But that they build nests in your hair
This you can prevent.”
– Chinese Proverb

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Artists Don’t Just See a Pan of Grease and Soap Bubbles – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Sharpie
Maureen at WetCanvas posted a challenge last weekend.  Take a photo of her pan of grease that was left overnight to soak and do a painting using the counterchange technique.  She posted this photo as a sample of counterchange.

Image from Maureen (Charlie’s Mum) at WetCanvas

Here are the steps I took to get to what you see above, including her original photo.  Fun!!!  Click on image to see it larger.

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Words from the Author of Body, Mind and Spirit by Anonymous

“Worry can light on our shoulders or sink its teeth into our flesh. Worry can become such a habit that it may actually take over most of our waking and dreaming hours. Worry can break down our immune system and weaken our natural ability to fight illness.

 For some people, worry is a full-time job and life companion. How much do each of us worry each day? This is a good question to ask when we are ready to get serious about changing our worry habits.

 Once we have identified how and when we worry, we are ready to reverse the pattern. Progress, not perfection, is the key in changing our worry habits. With an open mind and willing heart we have the power to change our habit of worry into one of trust. We know as we make this change that our Higher Power is truly at work in our lives.

 Today let me begin to replace my worry with trust and faith in my ability to use my resources to face whatever life brings me.”

Watercolor Bottles

“I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do! That is character.”
– Theodore Roosevelt

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Watercolor Bottles – 4″ x 6″ (no Sharpie)

I had a great time doing this painting (and without a sharpie.  he he)  It is done from a reference photo by Lin (oldrockchick) at WetCanvas.

About Theodore Roosevelt

Known both for his larger-than-life personality and his many achievements, Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest US president at age 42. He was born in 1858 in New York. He led the Rough Riders, a motley volunteer cavalry, to victory in the battle of San Juan Hill. As the “Trust Buster” president, he instigated some 40 lawsuits to break up monopolies. An ardent conservationist, he put 230 million acres under federal protection. The Panama Canal was begun under Roosevelt. He died in 1919.

Party Elephants

Speak when you’re angry and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret.
–Lawrence J. Peter

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2011

Party Elephants – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Sharpie Postcard
I painted this little postcard from another of Christine’s (Crispur2005) photos at WetCanvas.  They were wood or brass figurines (hard to tell) and if Christine didn’t live in Australia, I’d probably have to go to her house and kidnap them.  I fell in love! 

Lawrence J. Peter (1919-1990) was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and began his career as a teacher in 1941. He received the degree of Doctor of Education from Washington State University in 1963.
In 1964, Peter moved to California, where he became an Associate Professor of Education, Director of the Evelyn Frieden Centre for Prescriptive Teaching, and Coordinator of Programs for Emotionally Disturbed Children at the University of Southern California.

He became widely famous in 1968, on the publication of The Peter Principle, in which he states: “In a hierarchy every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence … in time every post tends to be occupied by an employee who is incompetent to carry out its duties … Work is accomplished by those employees who have not yet reached their level of incompetence.” The Peter Principle became one of the most profound principles of management from the University of Southern California. It is a heavily quoted principle at the Marshall School of Business.

Another notable quotation of his is that the “noblest of all dogs is the hot-dog; it feeds the hand that bites it.”
From 1985 to his death in 1990, Dr. Peter attended and was involved in management of the Kinetic Sculpture Race in Humboldt County, California. He proposed an award for the race, titled “The Golden Dinosaur Award” which has been handed out every year since to the first sculptural machine to utterly break down immediately after the start.  Source:  Wikipedia

Painting a Pot of Peppers in Watercolor on Masa

“Warm, eager, living life – to be rooted in life – to learn, to desire to know, to feel, to think, to act. That is what I want. And nothing less.”
– Katherine Mansfield

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

 Paint a Pot of Peppers – 10″ Watercolor on Masa Paper

Happy New Year!   I hope you had a safe and memorable New Year’s Eve.  I was asleep by 10, but I was at home with my husband, who I love more than I could have ever imagined, so my night was perfect.  I painted this little painting on Sunday.  I had a great time!

Over the weekend, I did 6 little paintings from references by Crispur2005 at WetCanvas.  It was a great way to change the year over from 2011 to 2012.  Not a hangover in sight. 


Katherine Mansfield stares out of her photographs with a direct gaze that challenges the observer. Courageous, contradictory, self-willed, single-minded, argumentative, elusive, in both her life and her work, she has always defied the attempts of posterity to pin down the qualities that fascinated her contemporaries. Bertrand Russell admired her brain and would have liked to seduce her; Virginia Woolf said she ‘stank like a civet cat that has taken to street walking’ but admitted that she loved her ‘I suppose in my own way’, and that Katherine was the only writer whose writing she was jealous of. Christopher Isherwood and Aldous Huxley were among a number of writers who borrowed not only her words, but also her character for their novels. D.H. Lawrence used her as the model for Gudrun in ‘Women in Love’. He and his wife lived in a ‘menage a quatre’ with Katherine and her husband which ended in such animosity that he afterwards sent her a postcard saying ‘You are a loathsome reptile; I hope you will die’. His wife Frieda also disliked Katherine but acknowledged that she ‘knew more of the truth than anyone else’.  Source:  www.KatherineMansfield.net

Stack of Cups

“Attempt easy tasks as if they were difficult, and difficult as if they were easy; in the one case that confidence may not fall asleep, in the other that it may not be dismayed.”
– Baltasar Gracián y Morales

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2011

Stack of Cups – 6″ x 9″ Gouache on Art Spectrum Colourfix

I hosted the WDE at WetCanvas last weekend.  It was so much fun!  The two weekends per year that I host, the hubby leaves me alone to do all the art I want.  That is pure joy for me.  This is a stack of my office coffee cups.  I had a great time with this one.  There is still time to play.  Just go to:  All Media Art Events forum.

About Baltasar Gracián y Morales

Baltasar Gracián y Morales, the Jesuit scholar and moralist author, was the leading Spanish proponent of conceptism (conceptismo), a method of expressing ideas through puns, epigrams, and other verbal devices. He was born in 1601 in Aragon. The Jesuit leadership frowned on his oratorical style, which included reading a letter from Hell to his congregation. His best known books include The Art of Worldly Wisdom and The Hero, which repudiated Machiavelli. He died in 1658.

Dishes Galore – 6″ x 6″ Watercolor & Sharpie

“Don’t underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”
– Winnie The Pooh



Dishes Galore – 6″ x 6″ Watercolor & Sharpie

Lisilk posted a challenge for last weekend’s WDE at WetCanvas.  It was to do a painting in 30 minutes and post it.  This is my 30 minute challenge.  All the dishes in the photo were hand blown (clear) glass.  Of course, I had to add my own little take on it… especially if it was to be done in 30 minutes. 

History of Winnie The Pooh

During the first World War, troops from Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada) were being transported to eastern Canada, on their way to Europe, where they were to join the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. When the train stopped at White River, Ontario, a lieutenant called Harry Colebourn bought a small female black bear cub for $20 from a hunter who had killed its mother. He named her ‘Winnipeg’, after his hometown of Winnipeg, or ‘Winnie’ for short.

Winnie became the mascot of the Brigade and went to Britain with the unit. When the Brigade was posted to the battlefields of France, Colebourn, now a Captain, took Winnie to the London Zoo for a long loan. He formally presented the London Zoo with Winnie in December 1919 where he became a popular attraction and lived until 1934.  More info here on http://www.just-pooh.com/history.html

On Just-Pooh, you can find fun information about Winnie the Pooh and his friends, read about the history of the Winnie the Pooh stories, find the latest Winnie the Pooh bear news, play games, and so much more! Use the links on the left to get started. We hope you enjoy Just-Pooh and the magical world of Winnie the Pooh.

Cream in Your Coffee

“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



Cream in Your Coffee
5″ x 7″ Acrylic on Black Card Stock

I always drink my coffee black.  I drink my coffee all day long, right up to bedtime.  LOVE the stuff!  I was working on my BIG painting when I painted this, so I used the acrylic paint that was already out.  It was fun.  The photo is by oldrockchick from WetCanvas.  Everything was wood or white, but that didn’t deter me from dipping into the color! 

I have had a very good year and I am so very thankfull for all my blessings this Thanksgiving.  I hope you are enjoying the holiday with family and friends and you come back safe and sound to our little blogworld.  ((hugs))

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.

Towel Dude – 5″ x 10″ Watercolor

“Life must be understood backward; but… it must be lived forwards.”
-Soren Kierkegaard



Towel Dude – 5″ x 10″ Watercolor
As you may have already guessed, this towel creature was from Astrid’s cruise.  It also was white on a
 white background.  I had fun playing with the light and shadows in pink and blue. 

Soren Kierkegaard

Born 5 May 1813, Søren Aabye Kierkegaard was the seventh and youngest child of Michael Pedersen Kierkegaard. Søren’s father, Michael, was retired at the time of his son’s birth, having achieved a relatively comfortable position in his community.

Michael had risen from serfdom to the new merchant class of Europe. Michael had been a shepherd, with little in the way of possessions. Michael’s success came from his work as a wool trader. Having been a shepherd, he had a keen understanding of wool, which he parlayed into success as an exporter. He amassed a fortune quickly, something he considered proof he was cursed… a theme running throughout his life and that of his children. However, Michael did want to use his wealth for good causes and for his family. As part of this new middle class, Michael wanted his sons to attend universities and prove even more successful.

Kierkegaard’s mother was Michael’s second wife, a former maid to the family. This second marriage took a great toll on the religious Michael. He had consumated the relationship with his maid shortly after his first wife died. He believed this act of “weakness” further angered God and increased the punishments he and the Kierkegaard family would experience. Michael never forgave himself — or his second wife — for the transgression.  More of this biography…

Tasty Tidbits

“Dreams come true. Without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them.”
– John Updike



Tasty Tidbits – 7″ x 8″ Watercolor

This was painted from a photo by Astrid at WetCanvas.  Astrid and her hubby like to go on cruises and this is some of the desserts found on one of their trips.   I have never been on a cruise.  I’m not sure I’d like it.  I sure did have fun painting the desserts, though!

Power was out all morning, here in Eufaula again.  Another bad storm came through last night and downed some power lines.  They had a water main break, too.  This time, I stuck it out, since I already had a fire truck in my shop, ready to be lettered.  Thank goodness I had all the graphics ready.  No electricity or water needed.  At noon, they had it all back on.  Now I’m waiting on the storm that’s due to hit this afternoon.  Let’s hope our brand new mayor doesn’t have to deal with a third outage this week.  (fingers crossed)  

About John Updike

John Updike, the Pulitzer Prize–winning American novelist known for his careful craftsmanship and small-town settings, published more than 60 books before his death in 2009. Born in Pennsylvania in 1932, he suffered from stammering as a child and was encouraged by his mother to write. After college, he joined The New Yorker as a regular contributor. He is best known for his series of novels about a fictional alter ego, including Rabbit, Run and Rabbit at Rest.

Group of Gourds

“Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use.”
– Ruth Gordon

 

Group of Gourds – 4″ x 4″ Watercolor

This was a fun one…. if you consider I was out of prepared masa paper. 

Have a great day!

About Ruth Gordon

American actress Ruth Gordon is best known for her roles in Harold and Maude and Rosemary’s Baby. She was born in Massachusetts in 1896. At age 19, she moved to New York to pursue acting; she performed in plays for the next 20 years. She and her first husband, Garson Kanin, wrote five film scripts for Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, including Adam’s Rib, which was based on the writers’ own marriage. She died in 1985.

I’ve Got A Brand New Pair of Roller Skates

“This I conceive to be the chemical function of humor: to change the character of our thought.”
– Lin Yutang

Very Interesting!



I’ve Got A Brand New Pair of Roller Skates – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor

… and you’ve got a brand new key.  I know…. now that song is stuck in your head, too!  I painted this on Memorial Day and that song stayed in my head for HOURS!! 

It was painted from a WetCanvas reference by BettyBoop22.

About Lin Yutang

Chinese author Lin Yutang wrote more than 35 books in English and Chinese, including My Country and My People and The Importance of Living, which brought him international fame. He was born in 1895 in the Fujian province in China. He created a Chinese-American dictionary, an indexing system for Chinese letters, and translated many classic Chinese texts. Written in a humorous, accessible style, his books bridged European and Chinese cultures. He died in 1976.

Salt & Pepper

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”
– Beverly Sills



Salt & Pepper – 8″ x 8″ Watercolor

This was done from a black & white reference photo by Connie at WetCanvas.  I had a great time playing with it.  It felt so good to get my watercolors out again.

About Beverly Sills

Beverly Sills, the talented American opera coloratura, became an international superstar in 1966 with her performance in Handel’s Guilio Cesare. She was born Belle Miriam Silverman in 1929 in New York. The New York City Opera rejected her repeatedly before they hired her in 1955. She left singing briefly in the 1960′s to devote herself to her young children: One is largely deaf, the other is mentally retarded. After retirement, she took the reins of the New York City Opera, turning it into a viable operation. Sills died of lung cancer in 2007 at the age of 78.

Wine on the Beach

“The experiences of life can become our teachers; the accidental predicaments of our lives are, in this sense, spiritual opportunities.”
–Tara Bennett-Goleman



Wine on the Beach – 7″ x 9″ Watercolor

This came from a larger and more complicated image from lisilk at WetCanvas.  I opted to do a loose and simple version, using only a large brush and not too much detail.  I had a really good time! 

Tara Bennett-Goleman, M.A., is a teacher, author, and psychotherapist. She also focuses on multi-cultural and inter-disciplinary fusions, integrating awareness training with the arts, social action, and psychology.

Tara’s book Emotional Alchemy: How the Mind Can Heal the Heart (Harmony Books, 2001) was a New York Times best-seller and has been translated into over 20 languages. The book integrated insights from mindful awareness training with those from her post-graduate studies with Jeffrey Young in Schema Therapy, a branch of cognitive therapy. Aaron Beck, founder of cognitive therapy has called Tara “a pioneer in the field of cognitive therapy and mindfulness,” one of the fastest growing fields in psychotherapy.   More….

Chef Still Life

“The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.”
– William Connor Magee



Chef Still Life – 10″ x 10″ Watercolor

YAY!  A new painting!  It’s been a while since I posted anything new so I’m excited.  Saturday I got up early and painted this still life from KreativeK’s WetCanvas references.  I normally don’t paint still lifes but this one called out to me.  I had so much fun!!  It’s big for me too!!  I rarely go this big.  I painted three paintings Saturday morning so I have more to share this week. 

About William Connor Magee

British prelate William Connor Magee was known as the Militant Bishop for his forceful speaking style, though he always worked for peace. He was born in 1821 in Ireland. Extremely bright, he enrolled in Trinity College at age 13. Ordained to a curacy at St. Thomas’s, Dublin, his fame as a speaker took him all the way to the powerful Archbishop of York. He spoke several times in the House of Lords, arguing against the dissolution of the Irish Church and against national temperance laws. He died in 1891.

The Underdogs

“It is said that all you are seeking is also seeking you.  It has been waiting for you for a long time.  Once it is here, don’t move away.  Rest.  See what happens next.”
--Clarissa Pinkola-Estes



The Underdogs
4″ x 6″ Watercolor Postcard
Reference Photo by Chelsi Rae Glein

My niece, Chelsi, has always been a champion for the underdogs.  When I was painting from her photo for this, I was thinking about how she probably saw real beauty in this view of what I am guessing to be the reject pile, at the pumpkin farm.  I enjoyed thinking of what a delightful child she was and what an amazing woman she has become, while I added each little dab of color.

I also see the beauty, Chelsi Rae! 


Clarissa Pinkola Estés, PhD, is an internationally recognized scholar, award-winning poet, Diplomate senior Jungian psychoanalyst, and cantadora (keeper of the old stories in the Latina tradition.) In addition to her international bestseller Women Who Run With the Wolves, Dr. Estés is Deputy Managing Editor and columnist writing on politics, spirituality and culture at the newsblog TheModerateVoice.com and a columnist at The National Catholic Reporter online.  Connect with her on Facebook.