A Happy Orange Alien

Every failure, obstacle, or hardship is an opportunity in disguise.  Success in many cases is failure turned inside out.  The greatest pollution problem we face today is negativity.  Eliminate the negative attitude and believe you can do anything.  Replace “if I can, I hope, maybe” with “I can, I will, I must.”
– Mary Kay Ash

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Happy Alien – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor

I know… Bethville is a very strange place!  I can’t help the stuff that happens there. 

Mary Kay Ash

Mary Kay Ash earned a place in history when she stepped out in a man’s world to blaze a new path for women. Recognized today as America’s greatest woman entrepreneur, Mary Kay created new opportunities for women around the world. Her revolutionary move led to a multibillion-dollar success. In the process, she earned a place in the hearts of millions for her giving spirit, unwavering values and inspiring belief in the power and potential of women.   This site invites you to celebrate her remarkable story. It pays tribute to her life and her legacy, which continues to burn brightly through the countless lives she touched.

Stripedy Moose in Zentangle Inspired Forest

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

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Moose in Zentangle Inspired Forest

I have to admit… this is one of my favorite paintings, ever.  It just flowed from me while I was in my little A-Frame cabin in Idaho.  I had plans on the day I was working on this, to go up to Grand Targhee resort and have lunch, but I couldn’t pull myself away from this painting.  I stayed at it until it was done.  I really loved the whole process and I think this may have to become a large acrylic painting.  Of course, the problem with that…. a moose painting is unlikely to sell in our local gallery, since it’s all about Oklahoma.  No dang moose herds roaming around Oklahoma. 

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.

Zentangle Buffalo

“I do believe it is possible to create, even without ever writing a word or painting a picture, by simply molding one’s inner life. And that too is a deed.”
– Etty Hillesum

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Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Zentangle Buffalo

When in Idaho…. yeah, I was having fun painting the local flavor.  I was content to hang out in my cabin, painting from my Bethville brain.  I’ve been having fun with this particular twist on my usual style.  Each painting takes a really long time, though.   

About Etty Hillesum

Etty Hillesum, less famous than her contemporary, Anne Frank, lived a short life of great courage. She was born in 1914 in the Netherlands to a Dutch father and a Russian mother. She studied law, Slavic languages, and psychology. Hungry for knowledge, she cut down on food in order to buy books. She went voluntarily to the Westerbork camp to help fellow Jews interned by the Nazis. Her letters detail her experiences; her more meditative diary focuses on issues of faith. She died at Auschwitz in 1943.

Flowerdy Bear in Idaho

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

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Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Flowerdy Bear
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I’m thinking maybe this is a bear cub.  Certainly doesn’t look intimidating.  It’s possible it has been shunned by all the other bears because of his flowers… kinda like Rudolph and that red nose.  But that’s too sad to think about, so I’ll go with the vinyl wrap theory.  No matter what… he’s certainly found his way into Bethville! 
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About Phillips Brooks

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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.

A Little Watercolor Spark of Madness

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

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Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

My Little Spark of Madness

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I don’t know… maybe it’s the 11 days off… in a row… that caused this little painting.  Of course the hubby shakes his head and looks at me funny, but I like it. 

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I had a great vacation.  Idaho is so beautiful and spending time with my family was priceless!  I really should do that more often than every other year.

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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.

Pink Tennies on a Red Toucan

“Lost warriors have only to open their eyes to find the right and good path.“
– Chief Red Mountain

“We all carry a fountain of joy inside. This joy is not something special given to only a few of us. An abundance of joy, happiness, and peace is our right. Our hearts were meant to be full of love and laughter.  Life will not be without troubles, but joy and gratitude will heal all wounds and shine through all problems.”
– Nancy Hull-Mast


Red Toucan in Tennies – Watercolor

One may think I don’t like painting bird feet.   

I leave for vacation two weeks from today!  Yay!  I only take one week off every other year, unless I travel for business.   Business trips don’t count, although I do try to add a day off to every trip, in case there’s something I want to do in that particular city.  I am really looking forward to this trip.  I get to spend time with family and some alone artist time.  Both good!

I couldn’t find any biographical info on either of these people, but I certainly like what they have to say.

Which came first? The tennies or the pink poppy flamingo suit?

“Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.”
– Peter Ustinov

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Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Pink Poppy Flamingo in Pink Tennies

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This flamingo absolutely lives in Bethville, where no wardrobe choice is a surprise.  When people look at you and laugh, it’s because your pink poppy outfit makes them happy.  I believe that to our very core, that’s what we all want… to be happy. 

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By the way, changing themes did not correct my wordpress issues.  **sigh**

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About Peter Ustinov

British actor Peter Ustinov is best known for his Oscar-winning roles in Topkapi and Spartacus. He was born in London in 1921 to parents of blended pan-European extraction. He wrote several plays as well as a well-received autobiography, Dear Me. From 1969 until his death in 2004, he took on the role of goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, visiting disadvantaged children all over the world. He said his multicultural background gave him automatic loyalty to the UN.

Hey! Where are my shoes?

“If you haven’t forgiven yourself something, how can you forgive others?”
– Dolores Huerta

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Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Hey!  I’m in Bethville…. so where are my shoes?

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Needs no explanation, if you know my art.  **giggle**

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Yesterday was the hubby’s birthday.  We had a very romantic day of knocking dirt dobber nests off the stucco and scrubbing the red dirt stains away.  It took us 5 hours, but it made the hubby very, very happy.   Pork ribs and sweet potatoes for dinner didn’t hurt either.   He was celebrating the 27th anniversary of his 38th birthday. 

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About Dolores Huerta

American labor leader Dolores Huerta cofounded the United Farm Workers and played a major role in the American civil-rights movement. She was born in a mining town in New Mexico in 1930 and raised in California’s Central Valley, where she saw the plight of farmworkers up close. She abandoned teaching for activism after witnessing her students’ poverty. Her best-known campaign was the successful grape boycott of the 1960′s. She currently serves as president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, an organization aimed at promoting social justice in agricultural regions of California.

Embarrassed Pink Bird

“Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.”
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Shy Pink Bird

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Doesn’t this little bird look timid?  Maybe he really is a white bird…. flushing with embarrassment.   

About Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a beloved American poet of the 19th century, is best known for “The Song of Hiawatha” and “Evangeline.” He was born in Maine in 1807. He knew Latin by the age of six, and when he taught at Bowdoin College, he wrote the textbooks himself. He courted his second wife while teaching at Harvard and frequently walked the several miles from Cambridge to Boston across the West Boston Bridge. The bridge that replaced it was named the Longfellow Bridge in his honor. He died in 1882.

Yellow Duck with No Shoes

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
–Zig Ziglar

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

A Shoeless Yellow Duck

Most people would probably look at that title and think I was nuts….. but we know that in Bethville, birds wear shoes! 

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who looks at this blog and to those who comment.  I have been unable to reply to the comments lately, but I love every single one!!!  The fact that you take the time to tell me something I painted made you smile…. priceless!

Zig Ziglar is 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 is a committed family man, a dedicated patriot, and an active church member. Zig lives in Plano, Texas, with his wife, Jean.

A Bird in a Business Suit - Watercolor

“Failure seldom stops you. What stops you is the fear of failure.”
– Jack Lemmon

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Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Businessman Bird – Watercolor

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I painted this bird in a motel during a bad winter storm.  We got 14″ of snow in that storm and we don’t really have snow plows around here.

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I never go anywhere without my watercolors! 

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About Jack Lemmon

Jack Lemmon is best known for the poignant sweetness he brought to comedic roles in movies like Some Like It Hot and The Apartment, but is also remembered for his dramatic roles, including the struggling alcoholic in Days of Wine and Roses. He was born in 1925 into a wealthy Boston family and knew by the age of four that he wanted to become an actor. He won two Academy Awards and was known for his collaborations with director Billy Wilder and costar Walter Matthau. He died in 2001.

A Wild Pink Flamingo Painting

“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Whoooop!  A  Wild Flamingo Painting

This is an acrylic painting, painted over a failed effort.   The whole thing is pretty weird, if you ask me, but as I share these archives, I am sharing the odd ones, too. 

About Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson helped spark the transcendentalist movement with the essay Nature, which described his belief in the spiritual essence of humanity and the natural world. He was born in Boston in 1803. He was a Unitarian minister until he resigned in 1832 to become a philosopher and writer. He suffered the untimely deaths of many of his loved ones: three brothers, his first wife at age 20, and his eldest son at age five. Emerson died in 1882.

Watercolor Turkey Twins Go Exploring

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear — not absence of fear.”
– Mark Twain

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Turkey Twins Go Exploring

Another one from the archives.  It’s amazing how many varieties of birds I can find when I search through my paintings.   I hope you enjoy them, while I work on current art.

I had twin Banny Roosters once.    Darrell and his other brother Darrell.  They were  really little, but put huge fear in grown men.  They were very protective of me and would chase strange men (like the plumber or phone man) all around the yard.  They were hilarious!!

I love doing my blog every weekday.  I started doing this in 2007 and it’s just a part of my daily routine.  I need to start my day with a positive thought.  It stays with me all day.  I really appreciate those of you who take the time to click on your email message and come visit.  You are the best!!!

About Mark Twain

 

Samuel Clemens, the iconic American humorist and writer, is better known by his pen name Mark Twain. He was born in 1835 in Missouri. He worked at several jobs, including steamboat pilot and miner. He wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Prince and the Pauper, and other successful novels. His writing captured a very American vernacular and flavor, and helped create a distinctive American literature. He died in 1910.

The Dancing Raven - Can you see it?

“You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm.”
– Colette

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

The Dancing Raven – Watercolor & Ink

This bird looks like he’s dancing to me.  He’s doing a little Fred Astair move here.  Can you see it? 

I love that quote!  My husband says if you don’t know how to do something, you can pull it off… as long as you look cool doing it.  I like that, too.

About Colette

 

Colette was the pen name of Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, the French author acclaimed for her intimate, lyrical novels, including Chéri and The Vagabond. Born in Burgundy in 1873, she moved to Paris in 1893 when she married Henri “Willy” Gauthier-Villars, who locked her in a room and demanded that she write. After their divorce, she became a music-hall performer and continued to write. During World War I, she converted her second husband’s estate into a hospital for the wounded. She died in 1954.

I know I saw that rooster...

“Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.”
– Muhammad Ali

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

I know I saw that rooster…

This is an older painting, but I always liked it.  The reference photo came from Sharrm at WetCanvas.  I am working on a commission, so no new paintings for a bit.

I have a 13 mile drive to work, on country roads.  This morning, a car passed me and about 10 other cars, some in a no passing zone through Longtown.  They were sure in a hurry!  I imagined all kinds of scenarios that required them taking so many foolish chances to get into Eufaula faster.  The part that made me laugh right out loud… they turned into the McDonalds drive thru line with about 15 cars ahead of them. 

Have a very nice day!

About Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, the American boxing legend known for his saucy rhyming boasts as much as his quick fists, was a three-time heavyweight champion. He was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in Louisville in 1942. His bike was stolen when he was 12, and a cop suggested he take up boxing. Though he became known as the greatest fighter of the twentieth century, with 56 wins and only five defeats, the sport took its toll in pugilism-induced Parkinson’s disease. Since retiring from boxing, Ali has dedicated himself to civic and humanitarian issues. He was called on to negotiate the release of hostages in Iraq in 1991, and in 2005 he was awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Would you buy a used car from this alpaca?

“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.”

–Yiddish Proverb

“Need a good cleanse on the inside?  Find a funny friend.  Have dinner with someone who makes you laugh out loud.  See a movie that makes you laugh ’til you cry.  You need a bath!  On the inside.”

–Vickie Hitzges, Author of Attitude is Everything

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Herb the Alpaca – Are you Smiling Yet?

I painted this alpaca some time ago.  I call him Herb, because he looks like a Herb and a used car salesman.   (He also looks like he may have really bad breath!)  Would you buy a used car from this alpaca?  I don’t think so.  But I hope he brightened up your morning. 

The painting went to some folks who raise alpacas.

This morning, the clock and my daylight lamp in the studio both quit at the same time.  What are the chances of that happening.  Rather than see it as an omen that my day is going to be crummy, I see it as an opportunity to avoid things with electricity and batteries today.  I think I’ll get a lot done and have a really amazing day.  I hope you do, too!

Vicki Hitzges

Motivational Speaker, Former Television Host, & Corporate Publicist

Vicki Hitzges’s energy and humor encourage audiences to relax, laugh, and listen.  Vicki Hitzges is recognized as a CSP, Certified Speaking Professional, a title designated to less than 7% of the speakers who belong to the International Federation for Professional Speakers.  Vicki Hitzges polished her communication skills hosting television news and talk shows at Dallas TV affiliates for Fox, CBS, ABC, and the NBC affiliate in Corpus Christi, Texas, where she won a National Press Club Headliner Award for outstanding reporting ability.  Vicki Hitzges is represented for lectures by Leading Authorities, Inc., based in Washington, D.C.  More….

Most Unusual Kayak Tours – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Ink

“The natural flights of the human mind are not from pleasure to pleasure, but from hope to hope.”

 
–Samuel Johnson

“A truly powerful force in the universe is that of optimism. Optimism lies at the root of our mental and physical health. Feelings of hope can stimulate the body’s immune system and inspire recovery from a critical illness.

 

Optimism expresses itself in the persistence and resilience of living things. A child learning to walk repeatedly falls down and picks himself up until he stands erect. A decade after the eruption of Mt. St. Helens destroyed the local ecology, life reestablished itself on this volcano with amazing abundance and rapidity. And despite its hostile environment, a sole dandelion miraculously pushes itself up through a crack in the concrete. That dandelion is optimistic that it can and will survive.In the long run, the forces of love and life always triumph over those of fear and death. No matter how challenging the obstacles or difficult the tests, there is always cause for optimism.”

 

–Douglas Bloch

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Kayak Tours – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Ink

Oh My!  Something seems to be lurking in the jungle here.    I started this painting with the Iguana.  It came from a photo by Lisilk at WetCanvas, from the Reference Image Library.  I couldn’t paint the feet, so I decided to use another of her photos to hide them. 

These photos were taken when Li and her hubby were on the Tortuguero River in Costa Rica.

Samuel Johnson (18 September 1709 [O.S. 7 September] – 13 December 1784), often referred to as Dr Johnson, was an English writer who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer.  Johnson was a devout Anglican and committed Tory, and has been described as “arguably the most distinguished man of letters in English history”.  He is also the subject of “the most famous single work of biographical art in the whole of literature”: James Boswell’s Life of Samuel Johnson.  More…

Douglas Bloch, M.A., is an author, teacher and mental health coach who writes and speaks on the topics of psychology, healing and spirituality. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from New York University and an M.A. in Counseling from the University of Oregon. He is the author of ten books, including , Healing From Depression: 12 Weeks to a Better Mood, Words That Heal the Blues: Affirmations and Meditations for Living Optimally With Mood Disorders, and The Power of Positive Talk: Words to Help Every Child Succeed.  

A former radio talk show host and popular public speaker, Douglas has given lectures and workshops around the country to  businesses, schools, church groups, recovery centers and national psychology conferences. Douglas currently leads healing from depression and anxiety support groups in the Portland area. He also offers a mental health newsletter on his web site, http://ww.healingfromdepression.com

The Elk and the Magpie – Watercolor Postcard

“Change is a part of the flow of life. Sometimes we’re frustrated because change seems slow in coming. Sometimes, too, we’re resistant to a change that seems to have been thrust upon us. We must remember that change, in and of itself, neither binds us nor frees us. Only our attitude toward change binds or frees.”

–Anonymous

YEAH!!

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

The Elk and the Magpie – Watercolor Postcard

The photo for this painting was provided by Crias at WetCanvas.  I painted it when I was in Idaho in 2011.    I’m still working on the little painting of the character houses.   I’m loving how it looks so far.  I’ll share it on Monday, hopefully. 

Pink Moose – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Ink Postcard

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

–Melody Beattie

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2013

Pink Moose – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor & Ink Postcard

This little postcard was a doodle, more than anything.  I painted the moose from a photo by Stalksthedawn at WetCanvas, then just doodled.  This is another one from Idaho in 2011.  I’m working on some more new paintings, but they are slow, since I haven’t had much time to paint.  Should have a new one for you in a day or two.

I LOVE today’s quote!  It’s my life mantra, so to speak.

Melody Beattie is one of America’s most beloved self-help authors and a household name in addiction and recovery circles.  Her international bestselling book, Codependent No More, introduced the world to the term “codependency” in 1986.  Millions of readers have trusted Melody’s words of wisdom and guidance because she knows firsthand what they’re going through. In her lifetime, she has survived abandonment, kidnapping, sexual abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, divorce, and the death of a child. “Beattie understands being overboard, which helps her throw bestselling lifelines to those still adrift,” said Time Magazine.  More…

Happy New (I mean Moo) Year! – 5″ x 7″ Watercolor & Ink

“If a little dreaming is dangerous, the cure for it is not to dream less but to dream more, to dream all the time.”
– Marcel Proust

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Happy New (I mean Moo) Year! – 5″ x 7″ Watercolor & Ink

New is the word this week for Illustration Friday.   Well, here I go again… pretending I know how to draw a cow!  Can you tell they are drunk?  Someone filled their trough with champagne!  

Have a very Happy New Year!  I’m excited about all the wonderful possibilities in 2013 and I’m getting a running start.  I love this life!

About Marcel Proust

French writer Marcel Proust is renowned for his book In Search of Lost Time (formerly translated as Remembrance of Things Past), an autobiographical novel that Somerset Maugham called the greatest fiction to date. He was born near Paris in 1871. He had a severe asthma attack at age nine that nearly killed him; he remained in poor health much of his life. His bedroom was lined with cork for soundproofing; he wrote his novel at night and slept during the day. It took him 13 years to write the 3,200 page opus. He died in 1922.