Well Dressed Dog
Posted by: Beth Parker on: February 9, 2010
“Laughter is the best medicine for a long and happy life. He who laughs-lasts!
Wilfred A. Peterson
I couldn’t agree more!
Well Dressed Dog
5″ x 7″ Watercolor
If you ask me, I’d have to say this fellow doesn’t like his new sweater. There’s just something in his eyes. 
Wilferd Arlan Peterson (August 21, 1900 – June 2, 1995) was born in Whitehall, Michigan and lived most of his life in Grand Rapids, where he was the Vice President and Creative Director of an advertising firm, the Jaqua Company. A prolific writer for various industry publications, his inspirational essays began to appear on the “Words To Live By” page of This Week magazine in1960 (which was distributed in 42 metropolitan Sunday newspapers with over 13 million readers). Letters of praise from admiring readers led to the publication of The Art of Living, the first of a series of books that would sell millions of copies. Essays in this book were also recorded by William J. Nichols, editor of This Week magazine, to produce an album called “The Golden Album of Inspiration.” more…
Party Peppers
Posted by: Beth Parker on: February 8, 2010
“If one scheme of happiness fails, human nature turns to another; if the first calculation is wrong, we make a second better.”
– Jane Austen
Party Peppers
5″ x 7″ Watercolor
The fun part about painting peppers in their shine! Oh, and the way some are red and green at the same time, or yellow and red. They are just fun to paint.
About Jane Austen
Jane Austen (1775-1817), the British writer whose sparkling, socially incisive novels remain extremely popular two centuries after her death, is best known for Pride and Prejudice, which she called her “own darling child.” She started writing solely for her own family, and her novels, including Sense and Sensibility and Emma, were initially published anonymously (or “By a Lady”). Nevertheless, she won fame later in life, and she earned the high honor of burial in Winchester Cathedral after her death in 1817 at age 41.
Friday’s Cat
Posted by: Beth Parker on: February 5, 2010
“Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”
– Nathaniel Hawthorne
Sandy
4″ x 6″ Watercolor
I hope Mona likes Sandy. She told me that Sandy is 11 years old and is a little grumpier than vivacious little Pelle. She has the most piercing blue eyes. Here is the real Sandy.
I hope you enjoyed my Swedish cat series. I sure enjoyed painting them.
About Nathaniel Hawthorne
The novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), famous for his dense prose and allegorical undertones, is perhaps best known for The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables. He was born in Massachusetts, and his New England upbringing permeates his work. Hawthorne achieved fame late in life: his first work, a collection of short stories, was rejected by publishers, but he continued to write even as he worked at the Salem Custom House.
Thursday’s Cat
Posted by: Beth Parker on: February 4, 2010
“Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing.”
– William Butler Yeats
Oh I certainly do agree with that!
Pelle 3
4″ x 6″ Watercolor
My husband tells me that these paintings would look more like Pelle, if I had his ears closer together. Funny how non artists can see things we sometimes can’t. Here is the real Pelle. (See? Not even close) LOL
About William Butler Yeats
Irish author William Butler Yeats, known for his mysticism and Celtic imagery, won a Nobel Prize for his plays but ultimately achieved more renown as a poet. He was born in Dublin in 1865. Co-founder of the Abbey Theater, he served as its resident playwright and worked with actress Maude Gonne, who inspired the romantic longing expressed in many poems. He married at age 52 and co-wrote A Vision with his wife, a book with occult roots that explores the mythology in his poetry. He died in 1939.
Wednesday’s Cat
Posted by: Beth Parker on: February 3, 2010
“The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter.”
– Norman Cousins
Pelle?
4″ x 6″ Watercolor
Here is the same cat I posted yesterday. You’d never guess I was looking at the same photo. he he I used a little Daniel Smith white iridescent (it probably has a fancier name), blended with the blues. In real life, this cat has a bit of a shimmer.
About Norman Cousins
American writer and editor Norman Cousins is best known for his book, Anatomy of an Illness, an account of how he used nutrition and positive visualizations, including laughter, to heal from an illness diagnosed as fatal. He was born in New Jersey in 1915. He served many years as editor-in-chief of the Saturday Review, a job he loved. Under his guidance, circulation increased from 20,000 to 650,000. He received the UN Peace Medal for his world activism. He died in 1990.
Tuesday’s Cat
Posted by: Beth Parker on: February 2, 2010
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.”
– Plutarch
I love that!!
Pelle 1
4″ x 6″ Watercolor
Pelle’s true appearance was eluding me, so I just had fun with him. He loves the camera, but I’m not too sure he loves the artist.
About Plutarch
Plutarch, the Greek historian who penned more than 46 anecdote-laced biographies of famous Greek and Roman figures in his Parallel Lives series of books, was more interested in exploring the influence of character on a man’s personal destiny than in writing dry histories. He was born in Greece during Roman rule, most likely in the year 46. He traveled extensively through the Roman Empire, finally returning home to become a priest of Apollo at the Oracle of Delphi. He died in the year 120.
Monday’s Cat
Posted by: Beth Parker on: February 1, 2010
“We make our fortunes and call them fate.”
– Benjamin Disreali
Sandy
4″ x 6″ Watercolor
I have a WetCanvas friend in Sweden who made me a very wonderful little felted portrait of my step-mother’s dog, Goldie. I was so thrilled that I am doing little portraits of her cats. I’m mailing them to her today and thought I’d share them with you this week. So, this is the week of the watercolor cat.
This is Eliza. She is a ragdoll, which are very loving and have gentle tempers. Pelle and Sandy to follow.
About Benjamin Disreali
Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) was a novelist, dandy, and ultimately a politician — he served twice as prime minister of England, the first (and thus far only) Jewish man to hold that office. He introduced a number of domestic reforms, including the Factory Act, the Public Heath Act, and the Education Act, but is best remembered for his imperialist foreign policies. During his second ministry Britain annexed the Fiji Islands and the Transvaal, purchased a controlling share of the Suez Canal, and declared Queen Victoria the empress of India.
Goldie
Posted by: Beth Parker on: January 29, 2010
“Once the ‘what’ is decided, the ‘how’ always follows. We must not make the ‘how’ an excuse for not facing and accepting the ‘what.’”
– Pearl S. Buck
Goldie
Little Watercolor
Due to the huge winter storm blanketing our area, I may not get to my shop today. So I dug into the paintings I have on my home computer and found Goldie. You’ve seen her before, but it’s been 6 months and she wanted to come out again. he he
I am just thrilled to have electricity! The main punch from the storm missed us by only a few miles. They got major ice! I think today, we are supposed to get snow. My home is at the bottom of a very steep 500 ft driveway, so chances are, I’ll have a three day weekend.
About Pearl S. Buck
Prolific American author Pearl S. Buck is best known for her 1931 novel, The Good Earth, which depicted peasant life in China; the book, published by the John Day Company, won the Pulitzer Prize. She was born in West Virginia in 1892, but her missionary parents raised her in China. She and her first husband lived in China until 1934, when they had to flee the political strife. She later divorced and married John Day’s publisher, Richard Walsh, in 1935. In 1938, she became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in literature. By the time of her death in 1973, she had published over 70 books, including collections of stories, poetry, and children’s literature.
My Friend Valri
Posted by: Beth Parker on: January 28, 2010
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
Caribbean Crab
Posted by: Beth Parker on: January 27, 2010
“A complete revaluation takes place in your physical and mental being when you’ve laughed and had some fun.”
–Catherine Ponder
Boy, that’s the truth!
Caribbean Crab
5″ x 7″ Watercolor & Prismacolor Pen
I’ve been posting such serious stuff lately that I thought the blog-o-sphere could use a little of my regular fun! Haven’t you ever seen a crab with lipstick and flip-flops before? he he
Catherine Ponder is considered one of America’s foremost inspirational authors. She has written more than a dozen books, which include such bestsellers as her Millionaires of the Bible series. She is a minister of the non- denominational Unity faith — long known as the “pioneer of positive thinking” — and has been described by some as “the Norman Vincent Peale among lady ministers.” She has served in Unity Churches since 1956, and heads a global ministry in Palm Desert, California. More….
