The Rural Muse

09/26/2026

Cessna Fest, Kingman is tomorrow. I hope that several of you will enjoy the festivities. Unfortunately, The Rural Muse will be closed. I will be representing the gallery at the JM Collingwood Barn Art Market tomorrow and Connor Owen is preparing for an upcoming estate sale in Cheney.
We hope to see you next month. Stay tuned for some exciting changes.

Happy Dolly Parton day!

09/08/2026

Getting new paint kits ready to sell. These will be pre-orders now. $20 each. 11x14 pre-drawn canvas, paint. Brushes, pallet, instructions.
We can deliver for pick up at the gallery or they can be shipped for $5.95 fee.
Bulk order discount available for 12 kits or more.
These are just a few of the kits. More coming soon.
Order thru pm to Liz here.
Cash App, Venmo, Paypal and Square payments accepted.

08/15/2026

Hello everyone,
I hope that you're all making the most of these dog days of summer.

As most, if not all of you know, Liz has retired to Manhattan to be closer to her youngest son. Her older son, Connor, has taken over Raven's Relics, which is located inside the Rural Muse.

I have taken over responsibility of the gallery and our hours will NOT be consistent for the next couple of months unfortunately. Main Street, which the gallery is located on, is under major construction and this is also a slow period for us.

Also, I recently lost both of my parents. As the only child, I'm dealing with all aspects of the estate. Today, I had a major setback unfortunately, plus I haven't been feeling well for a few days.

I'm sorting through 68 years of memories preparing for an upcoming estate sale in October. I'm also working through a tedious land sale. With everything that's on my plate at the moment I'm unable to be at the gallery much. Painting and teaching is my passion and I miss both so much, but right now my hands are tied.

With this being said, I will be revamping The Rural Muse somewhat. I will be bringing in more of my art for a month long retrospective show in November. I'll also be adding some new artists this fall. So, I'll be moving around a lot of art over the next couple of months.

We actually have some exciting plans for this amazing space. We'll be adding some new offerings that I think will add to the Kingman community. I will be keeping everyone posted through our page as we move forward.

I'd like to thank each and every one of you for your support and inspiration during the past two years and I hope that you are patient with us as we grow into our future.

All the best,
Darren Parker

08/01/2026

Rabbit, rabbit 🐇 🐰
Hello 👋 August.
Please 🙏 be gentle on us.

I haven't been feeling good the last few days, so I won't be opening the gallery today, Saturday, August 1st. Stay tuned for my next post.
Thank you your support of the arts.
Be kind to each other.
Darren Parker

07/20/2026

This is important. We are asking each of our RM friends to help change these laws by asking all the candidates. This will help our local Animal Shelter. Please share.

🚨 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐃𝐎 𝐓𝐎 𝐏𝐔𝐒𝐇 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄🚨
Ask every 2026 Kansas gubernatorial candidate where they stand on animal cruelty and neglect laws. Their emails + a ready‑to‑send message are below.

🐾📧𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐬 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬.

🟥 Republican Candidates
Ty Masterson — 📧 [email protected]
Scott Schwab — 📧 [email protected]
Vicki Schmidt — 📧 [email protected]
Stacy L. Rogers — 📧 [email protected]
Charlotte O’Hara — 📧 [email protected]
Nick Reinecker — 📧 [email protected]
Philip Sarnecki — 📧 [email protected]
Doug Billings — 📧 [email protected]
Jeff Colyer — 📧 [email protected]

🔵 Democratic Candidates
Cindy Holscher — 📧 [email protected]
Ethan Corson — 📧 [email protected]
Curt Skoog — 📧 [email protected]

📧 𝑹𝙚𝒂𝙙𝒚‑𝒕𝙤‑𝙎𝒆𝙣𝒅 𝑬𝙢𝒂𝙞𝒍 𝑻𝙚𝒎𝙥𝒍𝙖𝒕𝙚 (𝑪𝙤𝒑𝙮 & 𝙋𝒂𝙨𝒕𝙚)

Subject: Where Do You Stand on Animal Cruelty & Neglect Laws in Kansas

Dear [Candidate Name],

I’m a Kansas voter, and I’m reaching out because our state continues to see severe cases of animal cruelty and neglect with consequences that often don’t match the harm done. This issue is urgent for many of us.

I would like to know your position on strengthening Kansas’s animal cruelty and neglect laws. Specifically:

Do you support stronger penalties for severe abuse and repeat offenders?
Would you back mandatory bans on animal ownership after cruelty convictions?
How will you improve enforcement and prosecution across counties?
What steps will you take to protect vulnerable animals and support shelters and rescues?

Your stance on this issue matters to me and many other voters who want meaningful change. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Kansas Voter

07/18/2026

Hi Musers,
I had planned on being at the gallery this Saturday afternoon, but the roofers for our house were delayed and won't start working on our roof until late this morning. I need to be at home with the big pups, since they are terrified of loud noises. Thank you for understanding. I promise that I'll see you soon.

Check out my newest graphic creation below.

All the best,
Darren Parker

07/11/2026

The Hot and Cold Market is going on in Pratt tomorrow at the Municipal Building from 10a to 2p. I'll be there representing The Rural Muse, so I won't be at the gallery this weekend. However, I will be at the gallery on Monday from approximately 3p to 6p. I hope to see you in either Pratt tomorrow or at the gallery on Monday. Please be safe.

07/04/2026

Happy 4th of July from our family to yours.

06/30/2026

The Ravens Relics is the newest addition to The Rural Muse . My son, Connor Owen , who is co-owner.of Kansas Estate and Liquidation Sales with me, will bring unusual, eclectic thrift and gifts to this little shop located in the gallery building.
Connor also does reselling for clients across the state.
Watch for the new hours and meet with him to sell your collections or find those pieces you are looking for.

06/30/2026

Darren Parker has said exactly what I wanted to say. Thank you everyone!
Our celebration Sunday was so much fun and our hearts were truly touched by our friends, family and community who took a little time to stop by and support us all.
I had a vision, literally woke up one morning and the entire gallery, raven, everything was planned. I made 1 phone call to Kathy Peterson and explained that vision and without hesitation, she was and is still on board. I called Darren and he immediately said yes. Of course I knew without his talents this place would not succeed. And so, 2 years ago this September, The Rural Muse began.
As I make a move to Manhattan KS, I am not done with our little gallery. I have big plans.
It is never easy to make this kind if a move, but with friends like Darren and J Morgan Griffiths and my son Connor Owen , huge things will happen and we can't wait to share them.
Thank you again Kingman. You are truly a destination for new businesses and a place where dreams come true.
❤️ Liz