JAMES PARKER'S NEW ART

Just as Monet painted the water lilies he grew at his home in Giverny, James Parker's favorite subjects are the plants in his Cape Girardeau yard.

Roses, dill, jonquils, money plants, Gerber daisies and yarrow all populate his newest creation in acrylic, watercolors, collage, stitchery and ink.

Forty of Parker's works are now on display at the newly remodeled Stev-Mark Inc., the gallery and framing store at 16 N. Spanish St. A reception for the artist will be held from 6-10 p.m. today at the gallery. The public is invited.

All the original works are for sale, and prints of one of Parker's graphic designs also will be available.

It has been eight years since Parker's last major art exhibit in Cape Girardeau. But the retired founding director of the University Museum has not altered his style or his subject matter, only deepened his dedication to them.

His is art more meant to please the eye with the skill of the rendering than to challenge the viewer to understand.

"I classify myself as a decorative artist," Parker says. "This is what I enjoy doing."

He loves the simplicity of Japanese art seen in his stylized butterflies and cherry blossoms.

Parker's younger Army days stationed in Rome, Florence and Trieste and as a teacher in Arizona can be seen in some of the new work.

A Southwestern collage titled "Shaman Ceremonial Panel" contains smalti, mosaic pieces from Venice.

Another titled "Ottele" is a portrait of a potter friend in Santa Fe. There are petroglyphs and plenty of golf leaf.

Stitchery remains Parker's favorite medium. He spent 100 hours on the stunning stitchery "Yellow Rose," which is Persian wool on Belgian linen.

Though the show does include a portrait, Parker was never interested in drawing people because life drawing requires such swift, broad strokes.

"I always wanted to be very precise," he said.

Stev-Mark Inc. co-owner Steve Mueller's father opened Cooley Paint at the store's current location in 1952.

Parker has supervised the renovation of the store, which has new carpeting and new decor.

"It's a new image," he said.