Since 1992 when Parker moved from Ottawa to Salt Spring Island his paintings have shifted in ways reflective of that move and the differences in landscape from central Canada to the West Coast. Today Parker lives in a house with a 180 degree view of the sky, ocean and Gulf Islands.
From his studio he looks toward Active Pass and can see ferries plying the waters between the Gulf
Islands. Galiano Island stands like a mountain coming out of the sea directly across from his studio while another group of islands, the Three Sisters, are at the mouth of Ganges Harbour.
The vastness of the view is reminiscent of the prairies and a great source of inspiration for Parker’s work. Each day he watches an ever changing array of clouds pass overhead and bank up against the Coastal Mountain range while shadows cast by those clouds play on distant islands. The effect of light on water and on the landscape is reflected in Parker ’s recent work and provides inspiration that goes directly to his soul.
This inspiration has caused a shift in the subject matter of his paintings. His prairie landscapes have given way to rolling hills, islands, mountains and the ocean. With the ocean, the West Coast Trail and the mountains so easily accessible, Parker ’s repertoire has increased constantly since his move to the coast. The visual journey Parker likes to take his viewers on through his paintings is also found outside his door. His inspiration from landscape to canvas is direct and immediate. From this environment Parker still travels out to different regions of Canada in order to find further inspiration. Parker still marvels at the diversity of the land, and it is this and his love of landscape that continues to drive him.
