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    University of Utah Marriott Library   > Marriott Library Fine Arts  > Utah Artists Project  > Colleen Parker   > Biography

            Colleen Parker  
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    As an artist, Colleen Parker describes herself as a “perpetual explorer”. Not only is she interested in exploring the designs and patterns in nature, but also in pushing her artistic experiments to the limit, always seeking new forms of expression. Her working in a variety of media, often with an unusual approach, brings excitement and spontaneity to her art. Parker works in both miniature and large formats, incorporating drawing, printmaking, collage and painting, either singly or in various combinations. Perhaps her most well known work is pastel over monotype, a unique approach she has developed which combines abstract and representational art. She was featured in the July, 1988 issue of The Artist’s Magazine where this technique was discussed.

Colleen Parker began her art education while growing up in Springville, the “Art City” of Utah, where she was exposed to some of the finest contemporary American art which became a part of the annual art exhibition at the Springville Museum of Art. Formal training was at Brigham Young University, Iowa State University, Chicago Art Institute and various workshops with such artists as Albert Handel and Daniel Greene, noted pastelists. Working independently with various experimental techniques, however, has been the major contributor to her development as an artist.

Parker’s work has been widely exhibited locally ad across the country, garnering awards in juried regional, national and international exhibitions. Much of her work has become a part of private and corporate collections in this country as well as England and South America. She is represented in the permanent collections of Brigham Young University and the Springville Museum of Art.

In 1991 the artist was elected a Signature Member of Miniature Artists of America. This election was in response to the high quality of the artist’s work as well as the recognition it has received over a period of years in the international shows sponsored by this country’s major miniature art societies.

For the past several years, Colleen Parker has been working from her studio at 163 South Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. In 2001, space became available in this same Historic Main Street building and, after contacting several other artists, it was decided that an Artists’ Cooperative Gallery be created on the site. The Lamplight Art Gallery is currently in its fourth year of operation (as of 2005), with 12 local artists participating. Five other artists have occupied additional studios in the building and various art classes are being taught on a regular basis. The Lamplight Art Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Colleen Parker

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

“Growth as an artist is a continual process. Everything I have encountered up to this point in my life has had a definite influence upon who I am as an artist. All that I presently experience in my day to day work on location or in my studio, becomes a part of this constant process of learning and growing.

When not working with a brush or pencil or pastel in my hand, I am observing my surroundings. While walking or driving through the countryside I am often composing, designing, taking mental notes and storing them for future reference. Much of my work is done as I draw from this information and render scenes I have remembered and felt.

Exploration of new dimensions has increased my range or expression as an artist and has kept me in a constant pattern of growing, searching, learning and enjoying! A great part of this enjoyment also comes from sharing with others, both children and adults, the excitement of exploration and learning to draw on the creativity which is in each one of us. Regularly teaching in the classroom at the Lamplight Art Gallery in Bountiful and occasionally presenting workshops at the Bountiful Davis Art Center and to various art groups throughout the area, I am experiencing an increase in my own growth and development as an artist as I continue to discover new and exciting ways to express myself through my art.“

AWARDS-

Miniature Art Society of Florida International Exhibition 2005 1st Abstraction and Surrealism
2004 “
1997 3rd Drawing and Pastel
1996 Judge's Choice
1990 2nd Drawing and Pastel
1989 1st Landscape
1988 1st Drawing and Pastel

The Miniature Painters, Sculptors, & Engravers Society of Washington, D.C. International Exhibition
2004 2nd Drawing and Pastel
2004 3rd Collage/Mixed Media
2003 1st Drawing and Pastel
2001 “
1998 2nd Drawing and Pastel
1997 3rd Drawing and Pastel
1994 1st Drawing and Pastel
1990 2nd Drawing and Pastel

Colored Pencil Artists of Utah
1994 Honorable Mention
1993 Judge's Choice

Postage Stamp Size Miniature
1991 Purchase Award
1987 Best of Show

Montana Miniature Art Society
1992 1st Drawing
1988 Best in Landscape

Georgia Miniature Art Society International Exhibition
1994 1st Landscape
1991 2nd Pastel
1990 2nd Pastel

National Miniature Society, La Lux, New Mexico
1990 1st Pastel

Miniature Art Society of New Jersey
1992 1st Pastel
1990 3rd Pastel

Utah Women Artists
1989 Honorable Mention

St. George Art Festival
1986 2nd in Oils

Contact this artist: Lamplight Art Gallery - dcparker@xmission.com

Biography courtesy of artist

 

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Copyright 2004, 2005, University of Utah Marriott Library and Utah Artists Project
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