B. J. Parker, shown in a self-portrait above, explained that the pandemic hasn’t changed a whole lot about how he works on his art. “I think this is because we visual artists spend so much time by ourselves in the studio. I think of my studio work as an opportunity to ruminate over questions about the guts of life—disappointments, successes, tragedies, and hope. The pandemic just seems to have acted as a catalyst to further intensify some of these questions.”
Parker is lead instructor at the Gateway Academy of Classical Art (GACA), an artist’s collective and training center located in the CWE. Since the pandemic began, he’s continued to teach small in-person classes, while producing content for online classes, and working on commissioned pieces as well. He’s also found time to finish his dissertation. Parker will earn a PhD in Hebrew Bible Studies from Baylor University this December.
“Teaching in-person classes at GACA is a real gift during the pandemic,” Parker said. “We’ve managed to keep a handful of committed people who want to gather and work on honing their abilities. The highlight of those days is working with a live model. The model/artist relationship is one in which there is a definite exchange of energy, ideas, and life. To get to do that during COVID times is not only surprising, but life giving.”
“The painting of Justis, above, proved to be a very rewarding experience for me, as I think of painting portraits as a way to meditate on an individual’s life,” said Parker. The painting was commissioned by Justis’ caretaker who asked that Parker convey the subject’s personality. Justis, who has severe disabilities, is described as active and vivacious. Parker chose to paint him in an outdoor setting to highlight his subject’s love of adventure.
Parker explained Large Scale Painting above: “This is the beginning of a new body of work that I am pulling together that tries to think about and create space for conversations about what humanity does with myth and tradition in a post-modern context in which we tend to not trust meta-narrative, but still yearn for the sublime. Stated another way, when what we know breaks down, how do we deal with the desire we have for hope? This particular piece is the first of 10-15 pieces.”
On Storm God Experimenting above: “As someone who tends to draw and paint rather tightly, I decided it would be good to experiment a little and see how I could challenge myself with the media.”
Sarah Laments: Progress shot, left. “This painting takes the myth of the binding and near sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 21 and considers it from the perspective of Sarah. I created this piece as a demo during one of my online classes and need to carve out some time to finish it up,” Parker said.
On Julie above: “Here are some progress shots from a recently completed portrait that was commissioned for a family in Hillsboro, IL.”
The final two photos appear in Parker’s dissertation. On By the Window, above. “I was able to use the creative act of painting as part of the research process in my dissertation project. I can definitely see links between much of what I make and the questions I’ve been thinking about for a long time.”
On Nest1: “My dissertation addressed the experience of suffering in the book of Psalms, an ironic subject to finish during the pandemic.”
In summation Parker said: “When the pandemic began, to be honest, I was a little terrified about life. I was less afraid of getting sick and more anxious about the uncertainty that I think we all felt. I think the process of working in the studio regularly allowed me to concretely transform those feelings of anxiety into peaceful acceptance. Yes, I am still anxious about what is to come, but the act of making has been the best balm I could have asked for.”
For more information, contact B. J. Parker’s via website. Parker has also started a Patreon page that allows him to share his process with those who might be interested in supporting his work.
Visit the Gateway Academy of Art’s Facebook page for more information about in-person and online instruction in classical drawing and painting. There’s a digital option that’s designed to come as close as possible to the in-person experience.
This weekend, December 4-6, GACA is hosting Fontbonne University Art Professor Victor Wang in a workshop with in-person (limited to 6, 1 spot is left) as well as a digital class and online demo options. More information can be found on Facebook, or by email to [email protected].