Watercolor and Pastel Paintings

Artist’s Statement

Don Parker

I enjoy the quality of color and the almost lit-from-behind transparency of watercolors. At times the spontaneity of water and color on paper makes me think that I am not so much controlling it as it is determining the final result. Watercolor painting is a balance between craftsmanship and serendipity.

I have discovered pastel painting in the last 3 years and find it a refreshing change.  In contrast to watercolors, pastels can be layered and blended almost endlessly and thus are less spontaneous than watercolor. They are not transparent, but, being almost pure pigment, can be spectacular in the saturation of color obtainable. I have chosen to paint pastels on watercolor paper in order to make an initial watercolor underpainting. Almost all of my subject matter derives from photos taken by myself, or someone in our family.

All of the paintings in this virtual exhibit have been made in Kendal’s Creative Art Studio since its opening in 2015. As part of my expression of gratitude to Kendal for this delightful space and exceptional opportunity to create, I have decided that all of the proceeds from the sale of paintings in this exhibit will be donated to the Kendal at Oberlin Residents Assistance Fund (RAF) and FAVA. 

If you’re interested in purchasing work click here!

Artist Bio:

Don Parker is a retired physician specializing in Nephrology, having practiced in Akron, Ohio for 35 years.  He is an Associate Professor of Medicine Emeritus at Northeastern Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio.  He currently resides at Kendal at Oberlin.

Art has been a life-long hobby for Don.  Formal training began in the ninth grade with a year of traditional Chinese painting from a professional tutor in Chengdu, China, where his parents were medical missionaries.  During high school, he took an evening community art course at Earlham College, Richmond IN, and, later, three terms of art at Manchester College, North Manchester, IN.  He has taken workshops with professional artist's (in basements and art centers, at Art New England, Bennington, VT, JC Campbell Folk School, NC and other venues, some sponsored by Road Scholar, to name a few).

For 30 years Don painted in oils and acrylics on canvas.  In the 1980s, Don’s wife, Joyce, persuaded him to join her in a watercolor workshop with a professional artist in the neighborhood.  It has been predominantly transparent watercolors ever since, with only the recent addition of another medium, pastels, to his repertoire.