CV/Bio
Gary B. Parks was born a Texan, but was raised in the farmland of Iowa. He followed in his father’s footsteps learning how to build, but he gained a wealth of knowledge from both of his parents and grandparents on how to think outside the box. His father used his creativity in building, but also in welding iron and wood designs. His mother was an artist and he studied her use of color. His grandfather inspired him to collect agate rocks and saw them in half to see the beautiful colors inside. All of this has helped to shape the artist he is today.
He has long since admired the strong lines in Frank Lloyd Wright’s buildings, and the colors and shapes of stained glass. At a time when all the builders were constructing the cookie cutter ranch style home, a client asked him to incorporate some stained glass and architectural artifacts into his new construction. Gary loved the freedom to create on such a large scale and it inspired him to collect stained glass and architectural artifacts for future projects.
His inquisitive mind keeps the wheels in his mind working overtime as he thinks of new ways to do something. Whether he’s studying the lines of architecture, sports cars or stained glass, he’s creating new ways to use that information in the next painting.
Although he painted some as a young man, he now paints on a daily basis. His paintings are energetic, bold, colorful and action packed just like him. You will see the influence of his love for fast sports cars with his use of red, black and metallic paints, the influence of a cut agate in the flowing rivers of lines and the influence of stained glass in his use of bright, bold colors.
He resides at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.