Parker - "Yellow Room" Very abstract oil painting of a yellow room including a table, coffee pot and flowers

Patricia Zinsmeister Parker • Ohio: B: 1934

Yellow Room • Oil on Canvas 49” x 97”

One day in New York, 1978: Marcia Tucker, curator of the New Museum of Contemporary Art coined the phrase, “Bad Painting” for a groundbreaking exhibit by 14 edgy modern artists. In a press release for the show, Tucker made clear “Bad Painting” was an ironic title for a style she actually considered good art.

Meanwhile, in a studio at Kent State University: A midwestern mother grew bored drawing figures with her masterful right hand, so switched to her untrained left. For a woman who’d spent years as a department store fashion illustrator, the results were earth-shaking. “The professors were blind-sided and didn’t know what I was doing, but I was older and didn’t really care. A light came on.” Patricia Zinsmeister Parker had stumbled on the same artistic breakthrough as Marcia Tucker. Great art could be more than great figure drawing. In an age of photography, drawing realistic figures had become a parlor trick requiring little imagination, artistic insight, curiosity or storytelling skills. Patricia Parker wanted something more.

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People are often surprised to find that many modern artists, including Picasso, were skilled figure-drawers who decided to take their art in a different direction. Patricia Zinsmeister Parker had always had a talent for figure-drawing. The Cleveland Institute of Art gave her a Gifted Children’s Scholarship for precisely that reason. But, until she switched hands, she had not been a great artist. “I don’t overanalyze it, but it did force me to tap into the other side of my brain. Originality and unique vision became more important.”

Today Patricia Zinsmeister Parker Regenhardt (her second husband came after the name Parker was established in art circles), is a long-time Canton resident whose work is represented by prominent galleries. She headlined a major show of regional art at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Her work is in major collections, including the Cleveland Clinic, Gloria Getty, KSU, Forest City, BP Oil, Akron Museum of Art, The Butler Institute of Art, and the Smithsonian Institution.

All because a bored Canton housewife found more artistic freedom in her left hand than her right.

Canton Museum of Art Permanent Collection • Gift of Patricia Zinsmeister Parker 2011.8

4 Ways to Sound Smart When Viewing at The Canton Museum of Art

1.
“She can actually draw real well with her right hand. Which is why she uses her left. Think about it and it makes sense.”

2.
“Her style is sometimes referred to as ‘Bad Painting’, but only ironically. It really is good art.”

3.
“By de-emphasizing artistic norms, like figure drawing, she uses more creative means to tell her stories.”

4.
“You know, she started as a fashion illustrator for Polsky’s Department Stores. But that was with her right hand.”

Parker Timeline. Scroll over images to see timeline.

1934

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Cleveland’s blue collar Brooklyn neighborhood. Her father was a civil engineer.

1940s

Her 6th grade teacher visited her parents and told them their daughter had remarkable talent. She was offered a scholarship to study at the Cleveland Institute of Art as part of their Gifted Children’s Program. Studied life-drawing with Paul Travis.

1950s

Attended Ohio University on an academic scholarship where she was classmates with Jim Dine (ARTe 9.29.14). Married and moved to Akron where she raised three sons.

1960s

Worked as a fashion illustrator for Polsky’s Department Store in Akron. Began studying art at Kent State University while raising a family.

1973

Earned a BFA Degree in Painting from Kent State. While attending Kent, she stumbled on a new art style, termed “Bad Painting,” when she grew bored drawing with her skilled right hand and switched to her untrained left hand. Professors were puzzled, but left her to her own devices.

1975

Earned MA Degree from Kent State. Began a remarkable run of appearances in the Cleveland Museum of Art’s prestigious May Show, including a Best of Show (1982) as well as several Judges and Juror’s Awards.

1978-1990

Adjunct Professor in Akron University’s School of Art. During this time she also earned a second Masters from Kent State, this time a Master of Fine Arts.

1980s-2000s

Her work appeared in numerous solo exhibitions staged by leading universities, museums and galleries.

1988

Featured in a Retrospective of Paintings at the Butler Institute of American Art.

1994

Recognized by the Senate of the State of Ohio for Induction into the Hall of Fame for achievements and contributions to Art.

2001-08

Took part in Independent Study programs at the Instituto de Allende, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

2006

Appeared in Online Project staged by the Saatchi Gallery in London, one of the world’s most prominent galleries of contemporary art.

2009

Studied printmaking at the University of Akron, School of Art.