About Kent Parker

​Growing up amidst a family of engineers, artists and adventurers I was fortunate to have an upbringing that instilled a high regard for the natural world and fostered an appreciation for the intricacies of form, pattern, and color found therein. My family and many of their eclectic artist friends influenced me in pottery, photography, lapidary and woodwork.

My appreciation for crafts led to an early apprenticeship as a wood boat builder. Upon leaving the boat yard I started my own woodworking business repairing vessels, doing custom yacht interiors and accepting commissions for one of a kind furniture pieces.

My path led to a career as a marine surveyor and for 34 years I provided formal inspections of all types of yachts for prospective buyers and other interested parties. I retired two years ago to focus entirely on woodworking and lapidary.

My pieces are utilitarian by nature with an emphasis on harmony of shape, color and grain. There is a relationship between design and material that I use to create a visual balance. Working primarily in wood, grain direction is an important element in my work. From an engineering view grain affects the structure, its strength and movement. Visually different grain patterns and carved textures can accentuate a pieces shape and invite an observer to touch and become involved with the piece.

 When creativity goes beyond the mere mechanics of a craft it becomes an extension of the artists thoughts and imagination and allows the observer a small glimpse at a world of passion that many may not have the opportunity to experience. It is my hope that my work will engage and inspire that passion.
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I primarily use hardwoods. Many times I will resaw the planks, flip and reglue to the desired dimension to minimize internal wood stress and to help stabilize the final piece from movement. Material is carefully chosen to provide a unity of color and hue. A piece is finished to allow its nature wood coloring to be seen without the use of colorants or dyes however I have in the past utilized a combination of painting, gilding (metal leafing), chemical patination and lacquering techniques. I also use various materials to include abalone, mussel, pearl, bone and stone for inlays for design embellishment and purfling.