Transforming Natural Mediums into Evocative Works of Art

Kent Parker creates  time-less functional art pieces in wood that will be cherished for generations. His home is like walking into a sanctuary where the fine details of his home are personally hand-crafted in fine wood and textures pleasing to the eye. There is a harmony and Asian influence evident in his artistic sensibility. Texture and the tactile experience of Kent’s work are important to him, as he sees wood grain and patterns found in stone and nature as art in itself.

Born in Sacramento into a family of engineers and artists, precision and function have been a part of Kent’s world forever. Attention to  detail and enjoying nature seeded his early life, and he’s developed an intimate relationship with the natural world. Kent started sailing with his family at the age of three and at a young age lived on a sailboat with his uncle. He apprenticed at a boat-yard where he was taught to build and repair wooden yachts by master craftsmen, which ultimately led him to start his own business as a Shipwright specializing in wood boat repair, custom wood- interiors and furniture.

Kent transitioned from his yacht  repair business to being a Certified Marine Surveyor. Over the years he was hired to inspect many ‘famous’ yachts, one of which belonged to singer/songwriter David Crosby. Their mutual appreciation of wooden boats developed into a friendship and eventually a commission for Kent to create specialized wall mounts for his guitars which gave him easy access “when inspiration took hold”. Kent has made ten custom guitar holders for David designed with abalone inlay and jade pivot pins.

Kent’s mastery and attention to detail are apparent in his technique of “book matching”, a woodworking technique that allows a grain pattern to mirror itself. He started working with stone at a young age and is frequently inspired to  integrate  his hand-cut and polished stones into his woodwork. He finds patterns in nature that he reflects as ornamental elements into his fine woodwork creations as showcased in his piece entitled “Unity Box.” The title “Unity Box” mirrors his desire for people to embrace diversity in life and each other.

Recently retired from inspecting luxury yachts for the past 33 years, Kent works full-time creating beautiful fine wood furniture, custom boxes for wine, whiskey, cigar, jewelry boxes, and urns which he commissions on request. One of his most exquisite pieces is a replica of a Model D Steinway Piano in miniature that houses a 6L, 3L, 1.5L, and three 750 ML bottles of wine in an interior of patinaed silver leaf over Japan Red paint. It was originally commissioned to be a part of Auction Napa Valley and later juried in for display in the Sonoma “Artistry in Wood” Exhibition.

Kent Parker’s life history is inherent in his unique talent integrating a variety of natural mediums into evocative works of art. Kent and his wife Tracy Lynne have made Napa their home for the past 18-years and cherish all the beauty the Napa Valley has to offer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.kpwoodenstone.com // 707-252-9383

Article By: Janna Waldinger