Coffee for Two

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.

 

Sanqhar, Scotland

“If you have one eye on yesterday, and one eye on tomorrow, you’re going to be cockeyed today.”
–Author Unknown

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2012

Sanqhar, Scotland – 5″ x 7″ Watercolor and Ink

Dominic posted the photo of Sanquar on WetCanvas over the weekend.   It was fun to paint.  I didn’t even have to eliminate the people… because there weren’t any in the photo.  Hmmmmm 

This quote is from my little book Wrinkles Don’t Hurt, by Ruth Fishel

Ruth Fishel, M.Ed., is an inspirational meditation teacher, workshop leader and the author of many books including:

 TIME FOR JOY

LIVING LIGHT AS A FEATHER

CHANGE ALMOST ANYTHING IN 21 DAYS

HANG IN ‘TIL THE MIRACLE HAPPENS

PRECIOUS SOLITUDE

TIME FOR PEACE: A Monthly Affirmation Plan

WRINKLES DON’T HURT, Daily Meditations on the Joy of Aging Mindfully

 

Negative Painting or A Bird in a Tree

“Take some time today to smile at the person you see in the mirror.
If you see lines or wrinkles…
Just smile.
If you see a few gray hairs or all gray hair or no hair at all…
Just smile.
If you see a face with worry or pain…
Just smile.
If you see some of your mother’s or father’s face…
Just smile.
Let your heart soften.
Send love and compassion to the you in the mirror
And
say
I love you!”

– Ruth Fishel from her new book, Wrinkles Don’t Hurt

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2011

Bird on Masa – 5″ x 7.5″ Watercolor

I did this bird by doing negative painting with Daniel Smith metallic watercolors on a sheet of masa I had prepared months ago.  Here are some of the stages…

Copyright Beth Parker Art 2011

I enjoyed this a lot.  With all the craziness surrounding the holidays, it was wonderful to just concentrate on a little painting for 3 hours.

I hope you’re having wonderful times and you are staying safe. 

Click on the images to enlarge them.

Ruth Fishel, MEd, is a prolific author, national retreat and workshop leader and meditation teacher. Her inspirational and spiritual books have sold over 800,000 copies.

I love Ruth’s books and quote from them often.  Go see more about her at http://www.ruthfishel.com/

Mickey – Frog Painting

“Recognize how far you have come today.  Recognize how much you have changed, how much you have grown.  Recognize the good in you today.

It is a day to take positive inventory.  It is a day to recognize your progress.  It is a day to celebrate yourself today.

Today I am taking the time I need to look at my growth and progress.  I celebrate being alive.  I celebrate the good in me.  Today I celebrate me.”

–Ruth Fishel
Daily Affirmations

Mickey

2.5″ x 3.5″ Watercolor ATC

I love this little frog against the black.  My blog friend, Linda Halcomb, says that these frogs remind her of spring and to keep them coming.  You got it, Linda.  I have more! 

About the Author

Ruth Fishel is the co-founder and co-director of Serenity, Inc., a multifaceted alcoholism and drug treatment program for women, founded in 1974, in Natick, Massachusetts; as well as of Spirithaven of Cape Cod, a healing program for women in personal growth and recovery. She writes and presents workshops and retreats throughout the country, guiding people on their spiritual journey with the tools of meditation, affirmations and visualizations.

Masters Study – Pablo Picasso, Autoportrait 1899-1900

Today I am posting a little extra.  This comes from my little book, Time for Joy, by Ruth Fishel (daily affirmations) and the stuff she says after the quote is really good.  So I am going to type it all in here for you, one little finger peck at a time.

“Whatever we see as our “self” must have a place in our own hearts and consciousness before we can become individualized as personalities.”
–Marsha Sinetar

“The way we see ourselves begins with our earliest memories.  It comes from the messages we received from those around us.  If we see ourselves in any negative way, we are letting these messages from others run our lives in a negative way.
It takes time to identify those voices and know that they are not ours.  We need to take that time to know that no matter what and who we are, we are just where we need to be to grow and mature.
Once we can allow ourselves this respect, we can develop as individuals.  Today is a wonderful day for this.”

“Today I am discovering who I am.  Today I am becoming my person, worthy of developing all of me.  Today I am beginning to know that I am okay the way I am.”
–Ruth Fishel

Isn’t that cool!

Masters Study – Pablo Picasso, Autoportrait 1899-1900

2.5″ x 3.5″ Gouache on Art Spectrum Colourfix

I remember every brush stroke I did on this, like it was yesterday.  Again, something that looked easy was very difficult.  I loved every minute of it, right down to that little “YO”. 

A link to the original painting by Pablo Picasso is escaping me again.  I can’t find this painting, so I’ll do a little photoshop thing, to show you both.

I am going back to my post with Ferdinand Loyen du Puigaudeau to do the same, so you can see the original.  You can find it here.  Mine is awful, when you see them side by side.  I was so new to painting and it was really difficult, especially 2.5″ x 3.5″. 

Marsha Sinetar, Ph.D., is an organizational psychologist, mediator, and writer who for the past several years has been increasingly immersed in the study of self-actualizing adults.

Marsha Sinetar’s life and works are about helping adults move toward wholeness. She lectures, teaches, and writes about how the entirety of what you do in live, including your work, should contribute to your happiness, joy and fulfillment.

I have probably given you Ruth Fishel’s bio many times, since I quote often from her book, so I’ll give you a link to her Facebook page in stead.

The Cat’s Backyard – December 31, 2009

Today, I am slowing down my pace.  I do not have to accomplish the entire world in this day.  It is one day.  Today I have time to stop and smell the flowers.

from  – “Time for Joy” Daily Affirmations
by Ruth Fishel

The Cat’s Backyard

4″ x 6″ Watercolor

I thought I’d try my hand at a normal painting.  No psychedelic cats here, today anyway!  he he

Ruth Fishel, MEd, is a prolific author, national retreat, workshop leader and meditation teacher. Her books include: CHANGE ALMOST ANYTHING IN 21 DAYS, TIME FOR JOY ( which has sold over 300,000 copies), PRECIOUS SOLITUDE, THE JOURNEY WITHIN, TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF, HANG IN ‘TIL THE MIRACLE HAPPENS, and STOP! DO YOU KNOW YOU’RE BREATHING?  Ruth’s books take the reader on marvelous journey through pain and loss to inspiration and hope. They are both a program for recovery and a path to growth, peace and love of self, others and God.

P is for Peppers – October 7, 2009

“According to the laws of aerodynamics, the bumble bee cannot fly.”

There are times when we must go beyond all logic and take a chance with what we feel. These are the times when everything and everyone shouts No at us, and yet something deep inside says, “Go for it!”

We must go with our own convictions, our own conclusions. Life is too short for us to be led by the conclusions of others when we do not agree that they are right for us.

I am filled with the strength and energy I need today to follow my own truth. I am willing to take risks today and find out for myself what works for me in my life.

Time for Joy

Daily Affirmations by Ruth Fishel

.
P is for Peppers
2.5″ x 3.5″ Watercolor & Pen

This is one of my favorite little ATCs. I’d like to do some more peppers, in acrylic perhaps.

ArtNowforAutism is doing a reverse auction to raise money for autism research. The first two days, the artwork was all $90 each. Today, they went to $60 each. They will stay there today and tomorrow. On the 9th and 10th, they will be $30. Check it out. There is some beautiful artwork there. They raised $2660 in the first two days. I’d love to see all of the donated artwork sell.

Ruth Fishel, is a therapist, retreat and workshop leader, and author of several books, including “Precious Solitude,” “The Journey Within, A Spiritual Path to Recovery,” a pioneer book on meditation, spirituality, and recovery, and the best-selling “Time for Joy.” She also teaches “Stop! Do You Know You’re Breathing?” a program she developed for teachers and health care workers. She now co-directs Spirithaven, Inc., which she co-founded in 1989.

Northern Oriole – September 11, 2009

No matter what is going on in my life today, I can always find something for which to be grateful. When I stop and think about this and make a gratitude list, there is no room for depression or self pity. There is so much to be grateful for today.

“Time for Joy” Daily Affirmations
by Ruth Fishel

.

Northern Oriole
4″ x 6″ Watercolor Postcard

About Ruth Fishel
Ruth Fishel, M.Ed., C.A.C. is the co-founder and former director of Serenity, Inc. She now teaches, writes and presents workshops and retreats throughout the country, helping people become whole and healthy using the tools of meditation, affirmations, and visualizations.

On the 8th anniversary of the horrific events of 9/11, it is an especially good time to take inventory of all we have to be grateful for.  Make it a great day!  -Beth

Birthday Cake – June 15, 2009

“Scientists tell us that our body is constantly
rebuilding and curing itself. When the body is fed the
mental picture of wholeness, it builds it’s cells
according to that picture, whereas when fed thoughts
of hopelessness and incurability, the body builds the
cells according to that mental picture.”

-Catherine Ponder

Today, see yourself as well and whole. Put all your
energy into positive thoughts, knowing that the body
is healthy and strong.

“Time for Joy”
Daily Affirmations by Ruth Fishel

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B is for Birthday Cake

2.5″ x 3.5″ watercolor and ink

Alphabet Exchange