Paula Walters Parker creates art that grapples with both her personal experiences, and the experience of her community. Some of her themes are clipped directly from the headlines, inspired by songs, or based on her experience as a Black woman navigating a world in which there are many biases. Using art as commentary on history, politics, personal trauma, and as a pathway for healing, she often draws influence from her family experiences and memories growing up in the U.S. and Jamaica.

Parker describes her practice as creating a scenario whereby she relinquishes control to the materials, allowing herself to be attuned to  the accidents and opportunity to pivot in moments of crisis. Her process often takes her on a journey to discover the beauty in the things she is not able to control while leaving room to embrace new discoveries and meaning from the work. Each day, she explore the imaginal through meditation and “active Imagination,” as a tool to grapple with the multiplicity of systems and boundaries that are created to work with, and against, progress.

The work is colorful, with bold and dynamic gestures that communicate a deep attraction to conflict and the resolution that is possible when explored. This is evident in the dynamic juxtaposition of various media that create layers of textured history in her work

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Parker acquired her BFA in painting from Parsons School of Design and her MFA in Creative Arts Therapy from PRATT Institute. She has worked as an Art Therapist, while curating and participating in group and solo exhibitions throughout the New York City metro area. Parker has maintained her art practice while working to facilitate unique partnerships, creative, and learning opportunities for her students as an Art Instructor with the NYC DOE. She recently presented her work in schools at the International IDEC ( Interior Design Educators Council) Conference.

Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, she currently resides with her family, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.