J. D. Parrish

Mr. Parrish is a California native, born in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. As a young man, he travelled extensively throughout the Western United States and abroad. He lived several years in Polynesia and Australia. The constants in his life were his family and the love of drawing. From a young age he always frew. In school his teachers scolded him, "if you don't stop drawing, you'll never amount to anything!"

While studying architecture at Arizona State University, Parrish took a drawing class. He soon learned that art would drive his work passion for the rest of his life. The discipline and effort to improve motivated and pushed him forward. Working witht he figurative was the most challenging. Parrish later graduated with a B.F.A. in illustration from the prestigious Art Center of Design in Pasadena, California.

After graduation, Parrish worked as a freelance illustrator in the Los Angeles area, but found commercial illustration unfulfilling. He returned to Arizona to raise his family and began to concentrate on fine art. Parrish studied the old masters and their treatment of the figure. His love and appreciation of their work led him to a new way of thinking about art. 

During his travels he visited the great museums of Europe, confirming to his mind the artistic direction he wanted to take his art. Studying the classical figures of Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Bernini led him to the neoclassical works of Canova, Ingres, David, Lord Leighton and Bouguereau. The Art Nouveau works of Mucha and Klimt also made a powerful impression upon him.

While travelling in Italy, Parrish was overwhelmed with the power of Michelangelo's sculptures. He felt their energy. The works of Canova, Bernini and the ancient and Greco and Roman sculptures captivated him. "The sculpted figure is powerful." Parrish commented. "When I view a painting it invites me into its own magical world to visit and look around. A sculpture is different. The sculpture comes into our world and becomes one of us." Looking at Parrish's work, one can recognize the paintings and the heroic style of his sculptures.

J. D. Parrish resides in Arizona with his wife and two daughters, teaches illustration, drawing and painting and continues to paint and work as an artist and sculptor.

EXHIBITIONS:

The Spring Salon, Springville Museum of Art

International Art Competition of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints

BYU Hawaii 

Polynesian Culture Center

Los Angeles Art Expo

Las Vegas Art Expo

Princess Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines 

Gallery Harvest, Nagoya, Japan

Nash Gallery, Carmel, CA

International Art Show, Birmingham, England

Miami International Art Show

International Art Expo, Frankfurt, Germany

Anizio Art Exhibit, Phoenix, AZ

Art Asia, Hong Kong

Tokyo International Art Show

Maranda Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA