Going to Peaces

This is my addition to Camille Olsen's journal for the Flying Moleskins project. Camille's theme is Peace. At first I was stumped about what to paint to depict Peace. I could see John and Yoko riding on Cat Stevens "Peace Train" singing "Give Peace A Chance"...but after I thought about it for a few seconds I couldn't see it. With my warped sense of humor, I started to get a can of green peas, throw em in a blender, paint em, and call it "Envision Whirled Peas". Fortunately, that one didn't stay afloat either. So I just started painting without a notion of what I was doing and finished it without a notion of what I did. That's it above...a potpourri of Peace stuff...peaceful scene, a dove, a peace lily, a peace symbol, and a Peace rose. Unless you mistake the fall foliage for a major forest fire, the painting's not too bad.


With a flying start, this month's Window to the Words Challenge, "For The Birds", took off faster than a beagle on a pork chop. There's already over a dozen talented entries which you can view by clicking HERE. My rendition of a wood thrush is pictured above. Birds seems to be a very popular theme, maybe because Spring is busting out all over, but my birdseed bill is sky-high.

And, if you're a bird affecianado, check out the "Incredible Bird Photos" like the one of a woodpecker, above, on "WOW - Windows of Wonders" by clicking HERE.

There are three other new posts on WOW...one on "The Shoppers of Wal-Mart", which I wouldn't recommend if you don't like nightmares and having dark, disturbing doubts about the future of mankind. But...the post of "Forever Friends" is a delightfully touching story of a real "odd couple" who found life and happiness in each other. Your kids and grandkids would love this one. The photo below shows the two, and you can view their story by clicking HERE.


And Don't Miss This One...It is truly incredible...STREET PAINTING!!
The photo below is NOT a photo trick...that street is painted!! check it out by clicking HERE.
I am a big kid. I get up each morning, eager to see what new wonders might be waiting. I revel in finding new things, seeing new stuff, making new friends and cherishing old ones, My soul and spirit is strengthened by humor, uplifted by beauty and inspiration, tempered by compassion and sorrow, and defined by that mixture. I like to share that recipe, and that's the reason I started WOW...Windows of Wonders. I invite you to join me as I post the weird, the funny, the beautiful, the inspiring, the touching, the awesome and everything in between.

Cya down the road.......James

SNEAK PREVIEW!!! Windows to the Words

These are the 3 photos of children I will post on The Windows to the Words project on March 1. Are they cute or what?

3 Sunday Notes ....... 2 Cute PICS

I will seldom spotlight an artist's blogsite simply because there are so many wonderful artists in our community and I'd hate to run the risk of slighting anyone. But I did say seldom. About 2 weeks ago, I ran across Pencil Sanity Maria's talent is outstanding....her inspiring story is marvelous. I urge you to visit her.

|I started reading when I was 2 months old. By the time I was 3 months old, I could read "Strained Prunes" on the Gerber baby food bottle and know it was time to go into crying fits. Since then, I have read 143, 798 books. I've read everything from War and Peace to Debbie Does China. The cream at the top of my reading experiences consists of works like Michener's "The Source", Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" and Dekker's "Circle Trilogy". When "The Shack" came to Costa Rica in paperback a few months ago, it was $25. Being the cheapskate that I am, I had only one option....I called my sister, Margaret, in Texas and told HER to buy it and send it to me. Loving person with a heart of gold that she is, she did. THE SHACK is the most moving, compelling, book I have ever read. It is one that I will reread...over and over...and wear out a highlighter or two on. If everyone in the world would read "The Shack" with an open mind and an open heart, then world tension would decrease 87% and inner tension would almost disappear. I recommend it immensely.


As much as I enjoy and admire puppies and kitties and all the paintings derived from those two subjects....I have a soft spot in my heart almost as big as the soft spot in my head for CHILDREN. Adebanji's rendition of DSFDF's Victorian challenge was awesome. And Dominique Eichi's "The Look" blog of Feb. 20 is absolutely fantastic. On March First I will post pictures of 3 children on Windows to the Words. I am inviting all artists to pick a child and paint or draw that child and send it in. I am often overwhelmed at the talent that flows from the DSFDF project. With the basic qualities of LOVE, INNOCENCE and WONDER inherent in children as the basis for artwork, I can't wait to see what may flow from this Children WTTW project. So PLEASE go to WTTW...read the guidelines...join in...and spread the word.

I'll leave ya with a couple of cute Pics.....have a great weekend!

Windows to the Words Submission

This is my submission to the Windows to the Words Practice project. It's based on writing subject 3...The Mind of a Criminal (Lonely Cell).

Too many of us take our freedom for granted...unless it's taken from us. I wanted this cell occupant to look like he had lost his freedom. I think I succeeded, but, unfortunately, it also looks like he's lost his girlfriend, his job, his bank account, his car...and his lunch. When I started this, I decided that I would work from my imagination and not use any reference photos or drawings. The result? It looks like I worked from my imagination and didn't use any reference photos or drawings. It looks amateurish, but I tried something new, and maybe next time I'll improve.

Windows to the Words is getting a slow start, but that's OK...I have plenty of patience. Submissions: Art....4 Writing....1 Photos.....ZIP.

Panama Bound (and Gagged?)

Well, I'm off to Bocas Del Toro for a few days to bug the Panamanians (I also make faces at the tourists). I say gagged because I may not be posting for a few days. Now quit that...you don't have to look so happy and relieved. And..don't get your hopes up...they have an Internet Cafe in Bocas if I can learn how to use it. Maybe I can get that sweet little senorita that runs it to show me.... :-P

Anyway, I did want to touch base on a few things. Windows to the Words can be such a nice adventure. I never want anyone to consider it MY project, but YOUR project. I invite and plead for y'all to visit it and tell your friends. I have tried to make it simple to understand...from the Home Page to navigating to the 3 associated pages. But I can give instructions on how to eat a banana, and they have to call in a team from MIT to explain it. Akiko and Margaret have submitted the first paintings to the Artwork page...and both are stunning. No photos or writing (except for mine...Tears in the Rain). Incidentally, I have had several E-Mails commenting on Tears in the Rain. YES....I did write it...OK? It has been a coon's age since I did any serious writing. You can check it out as Subject 2 on the WTTW Home page.

Cya for now. I'll be thinking of some of you snowbound artists going out and doing your "plein airs" under the icicles while I'm watching the waves break at Red Frog beach. Keep Strokin! Your buddy in the Rainforest......James

TADADADA....Announcing!!!!!!

I normally don't post on Sunday,..but I have something I gotta tell ya about. I had an idea a while back that kept bouncing around in my head (plenty of room in there to bounce). I got with several of my blog/artist friends and approached them with the idea. They gave me the green flag and offered support and assistance. So I launched it. Click on Windows to the Words and lemme know what ya think.

Also, in an attempt to establish a bit of order and organization in my business affairs and Internet stuff (and President Obama thinks he has a tough agenda) I am activating my blogspot The View From The Volcano just for Costa Rica, Latin America and rainforest stuff....if anyone's interested. That site is just for showing off a little art, telling stories, and hoping that you'll stop and visit. I'd offer ya a cup of the world's best coffee, but I haven't figured out how to attach it to the site.

And on this site, James Parker Art, I'd like to announce, or warn you, that I'll do my best to have 3 regular features. Fun Saturday...with a funny photo.
Cartoon Tuesday..with a captionless cartoon (you supply the punch line in your comments). And...on Thursday...Smile, You're on Candid Canvas...where I'll have a drawing or painting of a blogspot artist. If you have a picture of yourself on your site...you're fair game. Consider yourself warned.