On July 7, 2009, this most delightful message was received by Richard and Irma McGuiness of Auburn Maine:   "I thought you would like to know that my wife visits "garage sales." I do not go with her, but I may go in the future. She found a painting and bought it because she liked the frame. A few days later when I removed it from the clutter in the trunk of the car, I liked the detailed western painting by someone named Vern Parker.   Obviously, the person who sold it had no idea. I carefully cleaned it (after I found your website), took pictures and hung it on the living room wall."   This charming painting much resembles the one that hangs in my own home.  The vivid colors and brilliant contrast suggests Parker's early style, which probably dates the painting back to the 50s, at least.  The canvas measures 12" x 16, frame not included.  For more information on this painting, contact Richard and Irma at: rmcguinnes@megalink.net

This unique plaque is listed on eBay July 22, 2009 for $39.95.  The description reads: "  Plaque size is 5" x 9". Marked on back C 50 Special Plaque, Silverton, Colorado. It is unsigned and undated, but the image is from a famous painting by Vern Parker titled "Battle of the Stallions". Published by Petley Studios, circa 1958. Parker is best known as a painter and woodcarver in the 40's and 50's, when he carved gates and signs for the wealthy ranchers of the Santa Ynez, California. His original works are prized by collectors throughout the world. Plaques like this are rarely offered and highly collectable." In July, 2009, while waiting for my physcial therapist, I was thumbing through the May, 2009 issue of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC.  To my great interest, I came across an article called "Photo  Journal" by Drew Gardner.  He does a fascinating pictorial journal involving the descendents of famous people.  Among his photos were Robert Geronimo, great grandson of Geronimo, famous Chiricahua Apache hero.  This grabbed my interest quickly, because the portrait of Geronimo was the inspiration for Vern Parker's "Apache Warrior,' presently housed at the San Juan Historical Archives, Silverton, Colorado.  I am sure it will be of interest to the admirers of Vern Parker and his art.                                                                            Robert Geronimo, great grandson of the Chiricahua Apache hero.  Geronimo, Chircahua Apache hero.  Vern Parker's "Apache Warrior." Great Descendents History is wonderful but nebulous: hard to fathom, harder still to “see.”  This project is my attempt to look it in the face, literally.  By comparing modern people with their famous forebears—vital figures who shaped the world and continue to influence us—we can learn about how the past is passed on. To create a pictorial family tree, I have to find descendants, verify lineage, acquire replicable portraits, get props and costumes, build backgrounds, mimic lighting.  It’s painstaking and inexact; you can see, for instance, that Geronimo (right, in 1886) and his scion hold slightly different rifles.  But the work is worth it, even when ancestry isn’t visually obvious.  Most everyone wonders about their genealogy.  I’m trying to satisfy that curiosity on a grand historical scale. More of Drew Gardner’s work can be seen at drewgardner.co.uk.