This is my new book, Buy This Damn Book! Memoir of An Aspie Artist. My life has been a crazy ride. I've seen quite a lot. I think this is good. I also think it's necessary for an individual to becoming a genuine person and artist. I mean, if an artist's work does not speak from experience from a well-rounded perspective, what's the point. 

   In this memoir, the reader gets an accurate feel for what little Carl and grown-up Carl went through. This book is strictly for adults and not suitable for children. It talks of my challenges with home life, school, relationships, having Asperger's Syndrome, and life as an artist. It involves a raw and honest account of my ups and downs, losses, triumphs, and things in between. It's a book about toxicity and overcoming it. My hope for the reader is that you will, after reading this book, go away with perhaps some inspiration of some sort. If you've been sitting on the fence, unsure how to find your true inner voice, may this book encourage you on your unique journey through this crazy and beautiful life. 

​Get my book here:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0892BBC55/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=buy+this+damn+book+carl+parker&qid=1590250244&sr=8-1
   

   The female. She's magnificent. She carries a physical beauty a man will never have. That shape, that mystique, that...essence...

   In this painting, When She Appeared by the Window, I wanted to show elements of the female entity. She can be warrior, mother, wife, mate, genius, helper, healer, goddess, and teacher. All in all, we'd be doomed without her. Men, remember that the next time you feel like acting ungrateful for the great females in your life. 

   My mate, Misty, has saved me many times, both in terms of saving me from being an idiot, making terrible mistakes, and saving me from myself. She heals me, inspires me, genuinely loves me, and has an inner strength many could only dream about.

   Remember that gift you considered for the great female in your life? Go get it. ;)

   Every now and then, it's rare, but it happens, that special person comes along that gives a shit. One such person is Greta Thunberg. Yeah, she was big in the news, but the message should not be lost. We need that great reminder of why our planet is being hacked on. The amount of pollution is sickening. The irresponsible actions of certain industry is atrocious. It should never be allowed. Animals dying from these horrible actions or inactions. It's disgusting. What can we do? Well, for starters we can take our heads out of our asses and give a shit too. Many of us do and many of us don't. 

   In this piece, The Spirit of Greta Thunberg, we see a serene Greta, gliding along in sunset waters, thinking and looking rather zen-like. However, you know the lion waits just underneath. Let's be like Greta, let's find the lion inside and do something. Let's give a shit. You just never know how you can contribute. As for my bit, I paint. I pour my deep energy into that. Our world needs whatever talent or talents we happen to possess. Use them. X.

   

   

   Ever fall in love? Many have, or at least, THINK they have. ;)

   In this piece, flowers represent closeness and love. Falling in love with a man or woman can be all-encompassing! Having love within a family is wonderful and healthy. I have experienced falling in love and going weak in the knees, but having family unit love, I did not have. Sad? Yes, but it shaped me as an artist and a resilient human being.

   When we meet special souls on this life journey, we remember them, and should value them. I've been fortunate to have met my soul mate, Misty, and have met wonderful people in terms of my collectors, as well as friends. There are people who actually care about me, like seeing me do well, and add to my life. I thank you all for who are brave enough to be. You're not forgotten.

I called this painting, Weekend of Love. May you truly feel what's in this art. X.

   Greta Thunberg. She's a tough one. She's a warrior of a rare kind. She screams in the faces of adults who like to stay in the dark concerning big world problems. She really is a great example of the kind of person we ALL should strive to be. Aside from the science part of things, she simply has big balls! That's an admirable thing. When she took on Trump and made him, or rather HE, made himself look like a buffoon, that was priceless. That was just damned fun! Good for her.

   She's a champion for the autistics. Me being an aspie, myself, she makes me feel proud. Look what a so called, disabled person can do. It's awesome.

​   With this painting, I let the flow do its thing and I'm pleased with the results. With my flow and style, I tend to change things a little, make them unique, a little strange, a little whimsical, and all Parker. 

   Next time you're looking at our world, our planet, try to remember Greta and her sacrifice, endurance, and strength. Maybe a little bit of her spirit will seep into you. 

   She's enjoying the beach, yet she feels something else. She feels...a longing...

   There's perhaps a lover, or husband. The breeze blows in and touches her face. She closes her eyes. His face appears in her mind. The smell of salt is in the air. A distant gull sounds off. She continues down the lonely beach. We shall see what the day has in store.

     When  I painted this piece, Morning Commute, I had no idea what was going to happen just a few short months later.   At the time, it made me think of my time living in Montreal, waiting for the Metro.  Now I look at it through slightly different eyes.  It seems more evocative of a bygone era now, something we'll never quite get back, like the innocent optimism of the 1950's (or so I've heard) or "that time" when we had to look stuff up in books (which I actually remember).  I have visions of the collector who eventually has this paining, sitting, years from now, and a child asking, "what's that picture of?".  The child will likely be the child or grandchild of the collector, someone who knows nothing af any time before they became cognizant of the world around them.  

     I can then picture the collector,  pausing momentarily, then having successfully pulled the memory from their mind, telling the youngster about a time when we used to go places that were crowded, restaurants, bars, sometimes even stores were crowded.  And we, if we lived in larger cities,  we often rode buses or trains that were so crowded that there was barely standing room as you were packed on like sardines, breathing the same air.  And we did all that and never thought a thing about it.....until we had no choice but to think about it.   And then the child will laugh and say, "you tell funny stories." :)

   The female. We owe her EVERYTHING. Don't ever forget that. You need to respect her. You need to treat her well. Love her, strive to understand her, and embrace who she is. If you're unwilling to do this, you will miss out on so much.

   She carried you for 9 months. She sacrificed more than you could ever fully comprehend. She is mother, caregiver, angel, moral support, goddess and warrior.

   If you're a man, and you have not really tried to understand your mother, sister, daughter or wife, it's time you started. It'll be the best part of your personal evolution. Suddenly, you'll be more than just a man. 

   This painting is called, She Keeps Her Self. I called it that because she has the right to do just that, keep her true self, her value, her unique gifts. She brings so very much to the world. If anyone should try to stop her from bringing her worth, may they be damned. 

   Love. What is it? I know what it isn't. It isn't like anything else. It's vastly powerful. It can be so wonderful and it can be selfish and destructive. All that considered, this painting is all about the gentle things with love. I like love in its gentleness and lightness. I value the respect and genuine caring that can be shared between two people that deeply adore one another. To me, there's no higher state of being. 

   At the end of the day, love is the light that burns the brightest, heals the most, replaces money and power, and shows us what really matters. Without love, everything is rather hollow.   

   Ever walk by some flowers and they make you stop in your tracks because they're so beautiful? Ever see a piece of art that caused you to feel something? Ever see a happy look in a child's eyes and think, "Wow, this is what's important and I'm lucky to be alive." I have.

   In this piece, Things We Hold Dear, I flowed in a very strong sense of joy and celebration of life. It was a lot of work, yet not exactly work because it was so freeing and brought me deep happiness to paint it. I truly hope you feel the joy from this painting.

   Next time, you see a genuine smile on someone's face, a big, majestic tree blowing in the wind, or the twinkle in a loving eye, think of life itself. Aren't we so lucky to be alive and share all the things that make us human? When we stop and really think, we can realize the absolute beauty and joy in even a seemingly simple flower. X.