“This I conceive to be the chemical function of humor: to change the character of our thought.”
– Lin Yutang
This must be why I often say “I needed that!” after a good belly laugh. 
Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012
Stuffed Olive Postcard – 8″ x 10″ Watercolor
The owner of this restaurant, Debbie Gibbens, has the best set of marketing skills! She is always doing something original and quirky to promote her businesses. (Besides this restaurant in Eufaula, she has 3 locations of Libby’s, a wonderful clothing store; in Eufaula, Tulsa and St. Louis.) Debbie commissioned this postcard. She wanted the restaurant, a VW bug and a sock monkey. The trailer was my idea and she liked it. I also did their sign when they first opened. The olive is a carved, dimensional olive.
Here are some of the practice steps I took on the way to the final painting…
Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012
Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012
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.
How adorable! Love the olive trailer!!! And I love olives, period! Would love to visit the restaurant!
Thanks, Phyllis! I had so much fun creating this. The trailer was especially fun!
Hahaha, such an adorable little car and trailer! Your style really suits the little bug. And the little sock monkey is hilarious. Love it!
Thanks so much, Cindy! I have already had another merchant commission a sock monkey painting of their building. This is so fun!!!
Thank you, so so so much for the progress pics. It really is enjoyable to see the thought process involved. The sock monkey is a light hearted addition. Your personal twist of trailor in tow is just fun which I found enticed the viewer to stay a while more.! Loved progress of following along..
Thanks so much, Denise! It was really fun to do and I’m hoping it will be catching with the other businesses in town.
This is fantastic Beth!!! Love the olive trailer and the cloud reflections in the window of the building. Great detailing!!! The sock monkey is too cute! ~Sophia
Thanks Sophia! I’m tickled you noticed the reflections in the window. In her ad, they boast about a free lake view with every meal, so I added the lake reflections in the windows. Good eye!