Awareness Post - Alfred Parker

Alfred Parker (1906-1985) was an American artist and illustrator. He attended the St. Louis School of Fine Arts, before gaining recognition for winning a national competition for House Beautiful, an interior design magazine. He began illustrating for a variety of magazines and sold his drawings to Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Sports Illustrated, and many other reputable publications.

"Beautiful with Wings," watercolor on board, 19¼" x 15⅝", for Ladies Home Journal, July 1941

He became involved in the New Rochelle artist community in New York and was commended for his variety in themes, style, and media throughout his work. In his lifetime, he won over twenty-five gold medals and awards of excellence in Art Directors Club and Society of Illustrators' shows.

"Lucy Liverpool," watercolor and gouache on board, 19.75" x 16.5", for The Saturday Evening Post

Parker produced illustrations for a variety of magazines and publications throughout his career. Additionally, he was a founding faculty member for the Famous Artists School in Connecticut. His artwork was well-known and received nationally and he earned a reputation as a skillful illustrator. 

"Glamorous Redhead," gouache and colored paper, 10½" x 7 "

I was drawn to Alfred Parker’s work because of his striking compositions, use of color and negative space, and overall sense of movement and “life.” I really love how he draws people and his incorporation of the background and negative space in the figures is something I am trying to utilize in my own art.