Red Tractor in Tulip Field

“Action is the antidote to despair.”
– Joan Baez

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Red Tractor in Tulip Field – 6″ x 6″ Watercolor

What a morning I have had.  I drove my little Jeep Wrangler this morning because I broke the garage door last week that my shop truck goes into.  10 minutes into my commute, it overheated and I pulled off the road.  I waited for a tow truck for two and a half hours.  That’s why I am just now posting today.   My day can only get better! 

I painted this from a WetCanvas photo by Elainesq.

About Joan Baez

American singer Joan Baez, known for her clear soprano and her belief in music as a tool for change, is widely considered the godmother of modern folk-rock. She was born in New York in 1941. She is an ardent activist, working for civil rights, nonviolence, and worker’s rights. She received the ACLU’s Earl Warren Award for her commitment to international human rights and, at the 2007 Grammy’s, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Her music includes the chart-topping version of “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and the album Diamonds and Rust. She has one son.

Be Your Original Self

“You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.”
–Zig Ziglar



Red Tulips
4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Gouache

My new adventure into Art Licensing has been a real eye opener.  I am learning that much of the art we put out there is being stolen and others are claiming it as their own.  My bubble has officially been burst.  I was always taught that art created by another is not to be copied or stolen.

I am a part of a LinkedIn group called CopyRights – Artist’s Rights.  Together, we are blogging today about examples of how you can be inspired by someone’s work without copying it.   I do have to admit that I am a self taught artist and I have learned so much from watching all of the talented people around me.  The example I am showing you today is part of my learning process.  It has not and never will be for sale, but I want to show you the way I interpreted it in my own way.

I love the original pastel art by Susan Dunker that I found while looking into fauvism.    I had a lovely tulip photo from Marionh from WetCanvas’ Reference Image Library.   The photo is royalty free for use by artists to paint from.  Keep in mind – You cannot sell the photo, but you may sell a painting that uses the photo as reference material.   Also, no copyrighted photos may be uploaded to the Reference Image Library.

Here is my little example.


I mainly played with the color.  I would not feel comfortable selling it as my own.  I am going to show you what I am more likely to do in the next examples.

Both of these were painted from photos by my friend Dewi.  I would have no problem selling either of these paintings as my own.


I hope this clears up some common misconceptions about what is not okay.  I will be updating this post with links to other artists who are participating in our “Be Inspired” blog hop today.  

Here are the links so far:

http://joannezsharpe.blogspot.com/2011/03/find-your-beautiful-voice.htmlhttp://sharynsowellartblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/be-inspired.htmlhttp://embellishmentskids.blogspot.com/2011/03/be-inspired-blog-hop-aaron-christensens.htmlhttp://chrischunart.blogspot.com/2011/03/be-inspired-blog-hop.htmlhttp://www.vickieleastudios.com/art-licensing/so-what-inspires-you-a-discussion-about-originals/http://monicaleestudios.com/blog/http://www.brendapinnick.com/2011/03/02/be-inspired/http://itsmollysmith.blogspot.com/2011/03/be-inspired-designer-blog-hop.htmlhttp://www.droozdoodles.com/2011/03/be-inspired-blog-hop.htmlhttp://phyllisdobbs.info/2011/03/02/creative-inspiration/http://www.jgoode.com/its-about-inspiration-not-duplication/

Hilary Hinton “Zig” Ziglar (born 6 November 1926) is an American author, salesperson, and motivational speaker. He has published over 48 works, including the 2007 book titled God’s Way Is Still the Best Way.^[1]