Barry A Parks
@barryaparks.bsky.social
Painter, Retired Architect and later Design & Construction Project Manager for a large college system.
I love to travel, and often attempt to recapture favorite moments in my paintings. Also some of my travel photos.
I love to travel, and often attempt to recapture favorite moments in my paintings. Also some of my travel photos.
In keeping with the season, here is a variation of the Christian Christmas story placing the Holy Family in a version of a car stable during the US Depression era. They are, of course, identified by a star and the arrival of shepherds and sheep. #christmasstory #painting #art #acrylic #christianart
December 26, 2025 at 5:28 AM
In keeping with the season, here is a variation of the Christian Christmas story placing the Holy Family in a version of a car stable during the US Depression era. They are, of course, identified by a star and the arrival of shepherds and sheep. #christmasstory #painting #art #acrylic #christianart
Here's one last (for now) photo from December in Vaux-le-Vicomte where a few years ago the decorations turned the interior dome room into an exterior forest filled with trees and forest creatures. Stunning! #tourism #travel #vauxlevicomte #france #chateau #christmas #decoration #photography
December 25, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Here's one last (for now) photo from December in Vaux-le-Vicomte where a few years ago the decorations turned the interior dome room into an exterior forest filled with trees and forest creatures. Stunning! #tourism #travel #vauxlevicomte #france #chateau #christmas #decoration #photography
Landscape architect Le Nôtre's vast formal gardens at Vaux-le-Vicomte - the greatest 17th century example - were carved from 100 acres of woodlands and were laid out along a nearly two-mile axis to create a stunning setting for the château and outbuildings. #travel #tourism #vauxlevicomte #france
December 24, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Landscape architect Le Nôtre's vast formal gardens at Vaux-le-Vicomte - the greatest 17th century example - were carved from 100 acres of woodlands and were laid out along a nearly two-mile axis to create a stunning setting for the château and outbuildings. #travel #tourism #vauxlevicomte #france
Vaux-le-Vicomte is located 55 km outside of Paris. It is the predecessor of Versailles and the largest privately-owned chateau in France. An amazing transformation takes place each year with elaborate Christmas decorations. Fantastic! #travel #tourism #france #vauxlevicomte #christmas #architecture
December 23, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Vaux-le-Vicomte is located 55 km outside of Paris. It is the predecessor of Versailles and the largest privately-owned chateau in France. An amazing transformation takes place each year with elaborate Christmas decorations. Fantastic! #travel #tourism #france #vauxlevicomte #christmas #architecture
St. Mary's Church of the Assumption is located in Praha, Texas. In 1895 Swiss-born Gottfried Flury painted much of the interior using a combination of stenciling, infill painting, and freehand techniques to mimic stone vaults and Gothic tracery. #travel #tourism #church #architecture #Czech
December 22, 2025 at 4:32 AM
St. Mary's Church of the Assumption is located in Praha, Texas. In 1895 Swiss-born Gottfried Flury painted much of the interior using a combination of stenciling, infill painting, and freehand techniques to mimic stone vaults and Gothic tracery. #travel #tourism #church #architecture #Czech
Since 1473, Perugia, Italy's Duomo has closely guarded (behind 14 locks!) the wedding ring Joseph gave Mary. The ring emerges twice a year to be placed in the reliquary for adoration. Many couples place their own wedding rings against the ring. #travel #tourism #perugia #italy #wedding #church #mary
December 20, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Since 1473, Perugia, Italy's Duomo has closely guarded (behind 14 locks!) the wedding ring Joseph gave Mary. The ring emerges twice a year to be placed in the reliquary for adoration. Many couples place their own wedding rings against the ring. #travel #tourism #perugia #italy #wedding #church #mary
In Siena, Italy this marble faceplate fronts what was likely a public collection box for alms or donations. Two figures (probably angels) are above the slot. The words "LIMOS" and "OVCP" ("limosina" = alms) can be made out at the bottom. #travel #tourism #siena #italy #history #photography #charity
December 19, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Houston, TX mail carrier Jeff McKissack saw what Mr Disney was doing in Orlando and decided to create his own theme park focused on the "perfect food," the orange. Behold The Orange Show (1979). Sadly, it did not draw the same crowds as Disney. #travel #tourism #houston #texas #theorangeshow #orange
December 18, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Houston, TX mail carrier Jeff McKissack saw what Mr Disney was doing in Orlando and decided to create his own theme park focused on the "perfect food," the orange. Behold The Orange Show (1979). Sadly, it did not draw the same crowds as Disney. #travel #tourism #houston #texas #theorangeshow #orange
Houston, TX was built by entrepreneurs and creative types. This is the Beer Can House. The house's owner John Milkovisch dedicated himself to consuming over 50,000 beers so that he could recycle the cans as a substitute aluminum siding. #photography #travel #tourism #beer #houston #dedication #texas
December 17, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Houston, TX was built by entrepreneurs and creative types. This is the Beer Can House. The house's owner John Milkovisch dedicated himself to consuming over 50,000 beers so that he could recycle the cans as a substitute aluminum siding. #photography #travel #tourism #beer #houston #dedication #texas
Perugia's San Michele Arcangelo got converted into a small fort in 1479, a period of internal power struggles and ongoing conflict with the Papal States. The church underwent restoration in 1948, uncovering ancient frescoes. #travel #tourism #perugia #italy #photography #church #history #sanmichele
December 16, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Perugia's San Michele Arcangelo got converted into a small fort in 1479, a period of internal power struggles and ongoing conflict with the Papal States. The church underwent restoration in 1948, uncovering ancient frescoes. #travel #tourism #perugia #italy #photography #church #history #sanmichele
The interior of Perugia's San Michele Arcangelo (5th C) reveals 16 Corinthian capitals. Some of these were likely taken from a Roman temple to Vulcan, signaling a move from pagan Rome to early Christianity. #travel #tourism #photography #perugia #italy #history #church #roman #architecture #history
December 15, 2025 at 1:54 AM
The interior of Perugia's San Michele Arcangelo (5th C) reveals 16 Corinthian capitals. Some of these were likely taken from a Roman temple to Vulcan, signaling a move from pagan Rome to early Christianity. #travel #tourism #photography #perugia #italy #history #church #roman #architecture #history
The Tempio di Sant Michele Arcangelo near the edge of Perugia, Italy was erected beginning in the 5th C, making it one of the oldest in Italy. It stands atop a hill beyond the original wall, separating it from the then pagan town. #travel #tourism #photography #perugia #italy #history #church
December 14, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Tomball, TX - a suburb community of Houston - has historic connections with Germany and is currently holding its German Christmas Market, drawing crowds. Food options reveal much: schnitzel, pretzels, sauerkraut, strudel, BBQ, tacos, burgers.... #tomball #texas #germanchristmasmarket #travel #food
December 13, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Tomball, TX - a suburb community of Houston - has historic connections with Germany and is currently holding its German Christmas Market, drawing crowds. Food options reveal much: schnitzel, pretzels, sauerkraut, strudel, BBQ, tacos, burgers.... #tomball #texas #germanchristmasmarket #travel #food
Beginning in the 9th C. BC, Oriveto served as the primary Etruscan town. Rome arrived in 264 BC. This Church-built gateway with Pope Boniface VII's statue (Porta Rocca, 13th century) supported a papal fortress established to control a rebellious populous. #travel #tourism #orvieto #italy #history
December 12, 2025 at 4:51 AM
In 2016, I discovered that an artist had attached the grime on the walls of Rome's Arno River embankment with a pressure washer, generating sketches with the dirt that was allowed to remain. #art #travel #tourism #rome #italy #arnoriver #photography #sketches #arno966
December 10, 2025 at 11:30 PM
In 2016, I discovered that an artist had attached the grime on the walls of Rome's Arno River embankment with a pressure washer, generating sketches with the dirt that was allowed to remain. #art #travel #tourism #rome #italy #arnoriver #photography #sketches #arno966
The Porta San Paolo is a southern gate in the 3rd-century Roman walls. In 549, the Ostrogoths of Totila sieged then entered through this gate thanks to treason of the Isaurian garrison. In Sept 1943 the Nazis battled Italians here to occupy Rome. #travel #tourism #rome #italy #history #portasanpaolo
December 10, 2025 at 4:37 AM
The Porta San Paolo is a southern gate in the 3rd-century Roman walls. In 549, the Ostrogoths of Totila sieged then entered through this gate thanks to treason of the Isaurian garrison. In Sept 1943 the Nazis battled Italians here to occupy Rome. #travel #tourism #rome #italy #history #portasanpaolo
The Padiglione dell'Uccelliera (Aviary) in Rome's Villa Borghese was part of the same building project as the Borghese Gallery (17th C) and featured exotic birds. The structure is decorated with Borghese's symbols like eagles and dragons. #photography #travel #tourism #rome #italy #borghese #aviary
December 9, 2025 at 3:00 AM
San Antonio, TX: The Alamo Live Oak (AKA Big Tree) was moved by a four mule cart into the Alamo's Convento Courtyard in 1912, already a 40 year old. It was then the largest successfully moved tree. It is 39' high and has an 88' canopy. #sanantonio #tx #travel #tourism #alamo #tree #oak #history
December 8, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Veronese painted this Last Supper scene (now at Venice's Gallerie dell'Accademia). The Venetian Inquisition had questions. Why was this holy moment filled with unsavory characters (even Germans!)? Changes required! So the artist renamed it "Banquet in the House of Levi." #travel #venice #italy #art
December 7, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Near one end of Venice's Rialto Bridge is this elevated sign. The gilded head marks the former location of the pharmacist's shop "Testa d'Oro". Of 90, this shop was one of 40 authorized to distribute poisons. One ingredient: snake viper! #photography #venice #italy #sign #travel #tourism #history
December 6, 2025 at 2:39 AM
A Venetian sign of the times to address all your late Grand Tour communication needs. #venice #italy #photography #signage
December 5, 2025 at 3:08 AM
A Venetian sign of the times to address all your late Grand Tour communication needs. #venice #italy #photography #signage
I started posting on BlueSky to share my paintings. Again, I interrupt my recent series of Venice pics to show my newest work: a family-commissioned (imagined not documented) beach scene. I present "Red, White, (S)and, Blue." (Canvas, 48"x24"x1.5") #painting #acrylic #art #beach #art #beachscene
December 4, 2025 at 4:56 AM
The paving pattern in Venice's St. Mark's Square is widely familiar and this layout dates from 1723. Curiously, an inscription ("For the art of the shoemaker") is dated 1625. Perhaps that powerful guild had occupied this location or paid for the new pattern. #travel #tourism #venice #italy #sanmarco
December 3, 2025 at 12:26 AM
The paving pattern in Venice's St. Mark's Square is widely familiar and this layout dates from 1723. Curiously, an inscription ("For the art of the shoemaker") is dated 1625. Perhaps that powerful guild had occupied this location or paid for the new pattern. #travel #tourism #venice #italy #sanmarco
The winged lion of Venice adorns the top section of the clocktower beside St. Mark's Basilica. This Renaissance structure, revealed in 1499, contrasts with the Venetian Gothic architecture of St. Mark's Square. #photography #travel #tourism #venice #italy #clocktower #torredellorologio #renaissance
December 2, 2025 at 2:15 AM
The winged lion of Venice adorns the top section of the clocktower beside St. Mark's Basilica. This Renaissance structure, revealed in 1499, contrasts with the Venetian Gothic architecture of St. Mark's Square. #photography #travel #tourism #venice #italy #clocktower #torredellorologio #renaissance