Michael S. Parker studied at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. After a few years of freelancing and working in-studio for Castle Rock LLC, a company in Orem, Utah, Michael decided to continue his education with graduate studies in painting. For two years he studied at Laguna College of Art + Design in Laguna Beach, California. There he worked with artists Wes Christensen, Joe Gerges, and F. Scott Hess. In the Spring of 2009 Michael completed his studies at LCAD and received his Master of Fine Arts in painting. Currently, he is teaching at BYU, and painting in his studio. Michael lives in Utah with his wife Mary and three daughters.
Artist Statement
“My aim is to make memorable images. I choose to paint implied narratives through representational realism. It is my goal to make images that invite the viewer to participate in the narrative, to find themselves reflected in and connected to the characters within the story. I find that the implied narrative is a strong way of conveying emotions and meaning that people can interpret and connect to in many different ways. I search for levels of meaning within the painting, not only with the narrative but also through references to art history and my own personal artwork. Through my work, I seek to find interesting moments that present themselves through everyday living. I draw upon personal experiences as well as from the observations of others.”
