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The Watercolors and Poetry of Janet Brice Parker
Kudzu Monthly June 2003 Art/Poetry Feature

 

1995  (Click images for larger view)

Flower house

Thick silky scent
through patterned hills
blends dew and orchids.
A canvas full of
shifting splendor.

 

Bongo Man

Funnel cakes and moo-moos,
hot dogs, tacky art.
Sounds of Jimmy Buffett's songs
belted from the heart.
Sun tan oil and mustard
floating through the air.
Beer and cotton candy
at a seaside craftsy fair.

1998 

 

Caribbean Christmas

He walks along the shore
and breaks into laughter as
He takes our hands.
We circle through
palms, and dance
barefoot in the sand.
We dance to banjo,
tambourine, castanets
and lyre.
And celebrate
His birth.

2001 

 

1930's Jazz Night

Deepest black night
of city streets and shadows
brings beautiful music
behind life's walls.

1992 

 

Birth

Painful summer.
No carefree breeze
to end the plight
of restless nights.
But, first-born calls
and I am broken.

2002 (See note below)

 

Jamie Paints

The studio is her's today,
and liquid joy creates
Watercolor coveralls
and hair and hands and face.

Three years old, with freedom
in a pan of colors bright.
A brush makes swirls in water bowls,
and Jamie squeals with delight.

1993 

 

Beach Baby

Animal crackers and V-8 Splash
and SPF 45.
He's set, for at least a minute or two,
'til some kids come running by.

He wants to ride the waves
with dad and throw the big beach ball.
He wants a castle in the sand,
thick and wide and tall.

The chair is empty, that boy's long gone
and running down the beach
A trail of animal crackers behind
and mom within close reach.

1994 

 

Glitter Moon

Cool blue-violet sky
imbued this
sculptor's waiting.
Rendezvous with form
gave the the paint
a fragile knife.

1995 

 

Riviera Red Place

The "Redneck Riviera"
is the place I love to go.
Sugar white sand, see-through sea,
and a pace down low and slow.
Newspapers aren't for reading
but spreading long and wide.
For piling mounds of fresh boiled shrimp
while you watch the rising tide.
The "Redneck Riviera"
on the Gulf of Mexico
beats any "Frenchy" foreign place,
and everyone wears clothes.

2000 

 

1993 

Room to Sea

Trees and houses
stop short of
a lofty place
to sit and dream
in a room
for seeing the sea.

 

 

Images and Poetry Copyright © Janet Brice Parker 1993 - 2002
All rights reserved

 

About the Artist and Poet

 
Janet Brice
Parker

Janet Brice Parker began her studies at age twelve and painted under private instruction until she entered the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She studied with internationally known watercolorist Richard Brough. She was also instructed by Alvin Sella and many other outstanding painters who taught her the importance of good composition and design.

During her career as an artist Janet has worked for a television station, as a freelance designer, and as a set designer for the Lyric Opera in Kansas City. She has worked as a courtroom artist for television stations in Alambama and Tennesse, as a freelance illustrator for the Baptist Sunday School Board in Nashville, and as a graphic designer for a screen print company in Nashville.

Awards received by Janet Parker include Huntsville Art League juried show award; a Gold Addy for graphic design from the Huntsville Advertising Federation; an award presented by Dynamic Graphics, Inc., Peoria, Illinois for Outstanding Graphic Design in Television; a drawing chosen for the Permanent Collection, University of Alabama in Huntsville; and a purchase award at the annual juried show in Grayton Beach, Florida.

Note: Painting "Doctor" courtesy of Dr. and Mrs. Mitch Schuster of Decatur, Alabama. Used with permission, and with our thanks.

 

Reader's Comments

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I really enjoy your work...I am a young painter from Up state New York and I do alot of landscape pieces of the Adirondacks. I also incorperate poetry into my work. Just recently I started to actually put some of the poetry with the actual painting and matt it as a part of the piece. I really love the way painting can inspire poetry or the way poetry can in tern inspire painting.
very cool.
travis

Travis Widrick <Wid46@hotmail.com> - Thursday, April 01, 2004 at 09:11:35 (EST)
I'm not a computer person and I couldn't figure out how to make it show me your art, but I've seen
enough of it the past 25+ years to know I would LOVE them. I loved reading the poetry.
The one about the animals crackers on the beach brought tears to my eyes...I'd love to see the painting
that goes with it!

Veronica Pettus
- Friday, June 13, 2003 at 20:54:38 (EDT)
Why, Mz. Janet...Hot Diggidy Dog Diggidy!!..You done gone and got yerself a mighty fine mess o' folks admiring yer outstanding, remarkebel werk. I reckon that means yer gonna haft to pik up them brushes and git yerself busy agin!
Yer Hugest Fan
- Thursday, June 12, 2003 at 13:26:45 (EDT)
Oh, Janet, what wonderful talents you possess. I am amazed and awed by your wonderful work.
Brenda Ross <brerfox@dowco.com>
- Tuesday, June 10, 2003 at 01:33:00 (EDT)
Nice to read items that are informative and carry acceptable messages. Enjoyed Janet Parkers watercolors.
walter kozier <wkozier@stny.rr.com>
- Monday, June 09, 2003 at 10:40:21 (EDT)
Wow, Janet...what a fantastic presentation!
(And so nice to see your face, too!)
"Jamie Paints" is my favorite, but they're all marvellous!
I didn't realize the June edition was out, or I would have
been here sooner...I'm enthralled by your work, my friend.
:)
Lary

Laryalee <laryalee@hotmail.com>
- Sunday, June 08, 2003 at 19:11:09 (EDT)
Your watercolors express the immediate yet leave much room to dream. And I sure liked "Riviera Red Place."
Fred Tribuzzo <ftribuzzo@earthlink.net>
- Saturday, June 07, 2003 at 11:27:30 (EDT)
Lovely, lovely works of art -- each touched me, but I especially loved the children.
Leysa Robertson <leysa@hotsprings.org>
- Friday, June 06, 2003 at 17:14:26 (EDT)
I love it! It is incredible! I found your history interesting as well.

Combining poetry with painting gives far more impact than either alone.

Thanks!

Harold

Harold Hayward <kalidasahh@attbi.com>
- Friday, June 06, 2003 at 01:48:37 (EDT)
Your art bubbles over with the best that there is in life, colour, verve, and joy.

patricia <redoaks@sprint.ca>
- Wednesday, June 04, 2003 at 17:17:22 (EDT)
YO,YO,YO WHAT CAN I SAY YOU'RE NOT JUST SOME BEAUTIFUL,
GORGEOUS,LOVELY,FOXY BABE.
YOU CAN PAINT AND MAKE MY DAY, WITH YOU'RE FLYING COLORS
AND SWIRLING FLAIR. YOU GO GIRL AND KEEP THE BRUSHES
MOVING TO KEEP OUR HEARTS SOARING WAY UP IN THE AIR.
LOVE, ROBERT AND LISA

ROBERT GARDNER <rpinkeg2@hotmail.com>
- Wednesday, June 04, 2003 at 15:00:15 (EDT)
What a delightful way to keep your fans up to date. Please share more as you create them. Your expressive flare combined with the emotion "within" the artwork that you convey is a rare ability. I am honored to be able to say, "And I knew her when . . . ."
Rebecca Falkner

Rebecca Falkner <rfalkner@realtysouth.com>
- Tuesday, June 03, 2003 at 23:37:50 (EDT)
Your work is magnificent! The paintings are so colorful and each one tells a story, even without the added poetry. But thanks for the poetry, too.
Molly <grimmysmolly@aol.com>
- Tuesday, June 03, 2003 at 20:41:02 (EDT)
Janet did a portrait of my boys when they were younger that nearly brought me to tears.
I love the loose, flowing, colorful backgrounds in her paintings. Everything feels so breezy.
You're right Jerry, she's not quite human. Wish I could be a member of whatever species she is, don't you?

Terri
- Tuesday, June 03, 2003 at 17:35:07 (EDT)
I have several pieces of Janet's artwork in my home and have shared some of it with my daughter. My favorite is the one she created many years ago of her grandmother Mae and my daugher Jennifer. Janet's work always brings a smile to my face and heart. Barbara Davis
Barbara Davis <bcdavis@uab.edu>
- Tuesday, June 03, 2003 at 09:32:08 (EDT)
Janet your work is simply magnificent. I love your use of color and the relaxed feeling you achieve with your brush strokes. The poetry perfectly compliments each "scene". I'm so glad you found Kudzu, and in turn am glad I have a new friend!
Pam Kimmell <junekimm@aol.com>
- Tuesday, June 03, 2003 at 07:27:23 (EDT)
JANET, YOUR TALENT IS INDEED GOD GIVEN AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL AND COLORFUL PAINTINGS BRING JOY TO ALL WHO VIEW THEM!! I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO SHARE YOUR POETIC THOUGHTS AS WELL AS YOUR ARTWORK.
JUDA P. DYER
- Tuesday, June 03, 2003 at 02:37:29 (EDT)
Thanks, I needed that. Very nice.
Jerry <gaiawar@webtv.net>
- Monday, June 02, 2003 at 21:54:32 (EDT)
Very nice work! I really like the musicians in particular and especially 1930's Jazz Night.
Andrew Reddaway
- Monday, June 02, 2003 at 20:40:53 (EDT)
I am awed. I've always thought of people such as yourself, artists who can dab and daub and streak and attack these painting and watercolors as someway not quite human. I used to believe that for someone to be able to put forth the imagery which speaks volumes on a higher plane. I still think this way. I am awed.
Jerry Bolton <righterjerryb@aol.com>
- Monday, June 02, 2003 at 20:32:30 (EDT)
Your "thoughts and sights" are music to my soul!
Rebecca Ross
- Monday, June 02, 2003 at 20:21:03 (EDT)
LOVE Janet's watercolors and poetry! What a breath of fresh air her creations bring!!!!
Doni Harrison <doni321@hotmail.com>
- Monday, June 02, 2003 at 16:05:59 (EDT)
Great artwork and writings -- thank you for sharing, Janet!!
Brice Harrison
- Monday, June 02, 2003 at 16:00:57 (EDT)

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