Quick Chat: Local Artist Doc Parkin

Quick chat with Doc Parkin by Natalie Tharraleos

What inspires you to create art?

Nature, mainly woodlands, trees, flowers and those kinds of things. It really helps when someone requests something so I know roughly what they want. Creating a piece never feels like a chore. I enjoy creating things that way. I like to make things as gifts. It’s fascinating to see something you’ve forgotten you did up in someone’s home.

How do you experience creating art in East Leeds?

It’s sporadic with me. I don’t do anything for ages, then I have a real spell of making things, and then I forget again for a while.  I don’t really have any organised system.

I swap over with different techniques, try out new things, and then I might go back to the original thing.

I’m not very comfy trying to sell things; if someone has asked me, I know they want it, so it feels easier. I feel more confident. It’s easier to make a living using creativity as part of my job, like in my work with children.

What makes the journey easy/challenging/fulfilling/sustainable…..

The challenge is trying to out there in the world. I  get inspired at different times in different ways; generally, I find it quite easy to make and do things.

 As an artist, you can sometimes worry about how people will judge your work- that can feel awkward; you might think should I do it? Am I good enough? But then, when people enjoy what you’ve made, that feels great, and you want to make more.

What are your favourite materials to create with?

Oil paint and wood because I like the colours, and I like the feel of wood, and I like to carve it.

I love using recycled materials- I find pieces of wood and paint over things. I sometimes use cardboard – I really enjoy making cardboard models and paper mache.

Ordinary decorating paint is good for doing  big mural  work

I’d like to paint something really big- an ambition is to be asked to do something really large scale. I’d enjoy doing something that’s going to be seen by a lot of people. I’ve painted murals on a playscheme wall before, in a bar in town and outside in a nature reserve in Leeds

Your message to others who want to make a living from, celebrate or share  their creativity: 

Be persistent, be positive and believe in yourself. If you really want to do it, you can.

Any upcoming events you want to tell readers about or links to your work

Not at the moment, but I take commissions.

If you’re looking for a unique and beautiful handmade gift or a local artist to feature in an exhibition, you can contact Doc at  their email: docpark@hotmail.co.uk