a recent article from Richmond Magazine, by Joan Edwards.
AT 34, WEARING SHORTS AND A CASUAL SHIRT, PARKS PEGRAM DUFFEY III MAY NOT LOOK LIKE A SEASONED CHRONICLER OF DOWNTOWN RICHMOND'S HISTORY. BUT DUFFEY, AN AVID RESEARCHER AND SELF TAUGHT ARTIST, IS BENT ON CAPTURING RICHMOND'S RICH ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY ON CANVAS. SO FAR, HE'S DOING WELL....
With each carefully placed brush stroke, images of Downtown Richmond, past and present, unfold on Duffey's canvas as he creates works of art. His Grandma Moses-like-reflections provide Richmonders with a pictorial history of their capital city. Each primitive-style painting is a celebration, wether it be an annual event or an architectural wonder.
In one of Duffey's Richmond collections, which includes a trio of paintings entitled "Three Views of Richmond," we see circa 1810, 1830 and 1860 from several different vantage points, including Mayo's Bridge, Hollywood Cemetery and Manchester. Duffey's brightly colored re-creations stretch over the years to show glimpses of a city steeped in tradition. The differing views and time frames are typical of his work.
Contrary to what some might think of a sought after and well known artist, Duffey doesn't live in a chic condominium overlooking the city or on an estate bordering the James River. He lives very comfortably in the Oregon Hill section of the city. His narrow two story Victorian home reflects a bygone era, as do most of his paintings. Inside, the focus is again victorian, with dozens of lithographs and paintings strewn around the floor. Tables are piled with plants and brushes, and half-completed drawings fill every easel.
When life gets hectic, Duffey likes to escape to the lush garden behind his home, where he has created his own Caribbean oasis in the heart of the city. Whenever his stress mounts, Duffey heads for his oasis and starts weeding and working in the garden. Looking over his flora and fauna, he smiles. "it's what I call cheap, good, clean therapy."
Perhaps it's Duffey's blending of interest in art and architecture that provide the contrasts in his work. His art is simplistic yet detailed, busy but serene. Contradictory? Maybe. But Duffey says he lives in a contradictory city. He jokingly notes, "just think: There are no dogs allowed in Dogwood Dell."
A native Richmonder, Duffey started painting at age 4 after seeing the ruins of Rosewell Plantation in Gloucester County, Virginia. "I became fascinated," he remembers. "I started drawing and I became possessed; my first painting was 'Rosewell'."
Duffey sold his first piece of art in high school. His first Richmond venture was a poster of the Easter Parade on Monument Avenue. "People thought I was crazy to come out with a poster," he recalls, "but I just did it. The Easter Parade really is Richmond. Monument Avenue is Richmond to me." The print was such a success that Duffey is working on a new Easter Parade for 1995 which will feature Fabrege' eggs as balloons in the sky.
Even though he had no formal art training, Duffey grew up watching his mother paint. "she works in a primitive style," he notes, pointing out the similarity. "My great-grandmother also designed needlework in geometric designs."
Since school, Duffey has divided his time among Richmond; Washington, D.C.; Charleston, S.C.; and the Virgin Islands. It was his time in Charleston and the islands that influenced his use of vivid, bright colors.
Duffey recalls his first visit to St. Thomas, now one of his favorite haunts. It was Winter in Washington, and Duffey made a snap decision to escape from the cold. He ended up on a plane to St. Thomas. But instead of a week's retreat, he wound up staying four months, thanks to a friend who introduced him to a local gallery owner who, in turn, asked him to prepare an exhibition of his work.
Before returning home, Duffey headed for Jamaica, where he says that he enjoys painting snow scenes. "I would rather experience the cold on canvas than actually feel it," he admits with a smile. But, he adds, "people told me that my work reminded them of the islands [long before I went to the Caribbean]." He attributes that to the fact that he's always loved flowers and wildlife, and that certain vibrant colors have always attracted him.
He describes the Caribbean in the same way he describes his paintings: "The islands have a primitive atmosphere but also a sophistication." He notes that while his art is fun to create, it's always based on serious architectural influences. That's why extensive research is so important to him.
Having his paintings reflect Richmond's architecture in it's original form is of utmost importance to Duffey. "It's like detective work. I like to [paint] what Richmond would really look like [if the architecture had not been changed]." He spends a great deal of time sifting through information the library at the Valentine Museum, where he researches buildings that can no longer be found along Richmond's skyline. He candidly comments, "I would like to do a book on 'lost' Richmond, on all the architecture that was lost here."
In his painting, "Capitol Square by Moonlight (ca. 1870)," Duffey took the wing off the Capitol building, restoring it to it's original appearance. When researching, Duffey uses old photos, insurance policies and old prints of Richmond to aid in his efforts. "I wanted to document a lot of the houses [in Richmond} and recreate them," he explains. To capture the mood of the city and learn about it's gradual evolution, Duffey has talked with Hellen Skinner, a Richmonder in her 90's. He comments' "She's been a real source of information for me. She used to live next door to Centenary Methodist Church and has many stories and vignettes of Richmond. She has seen Richmond go through a transformation."
It distresses Duffey that so many of Richmond's buildings have been destroyed. "Richmond is a beautiful bride with the front teeth knocked out," he remarks. "There have been a lot of buildings torn down that shouldn't have been." Duffey contemplates a moment before adding, "They pave paradise, then I paint it."
Duffey is glad that there are still pockets of the city, such as Church Hill and Jackson Ward, where original architecture flourishes and he's hoping that the waterfront redevelopment will help revitalize the city. He remembers commenting in the first article published about his work that he wanted to paint all of the historical buildings in the city. After 200 paintings, he says, "I've just about done that."
At the moment, Duffey is most proud of a painting that has nothing to do with Richmond. It's entitled "The Festive White House with Presidents Past and Present" and was commissioned by the National Republican Party for President Bush. It along with two others was recently accepted into the permanent collection of the White House Historical Association. Like many of Duffey's paintings, This White House winter scene contains many characters and sights. If you look closely, you'll see presidents Bush and Carter- Bush is standing close to Millie, his dog. Thomas Jefferson is surrounded by his architectural accomplishments. President Johnson is next to lady bird, who is planting wild flowers. General Lee is in the background, saluting, indians are camping out and balloons fill the air. When Bush saw the painting, he loved it, Duffey says. "It was chosen to be the inaugural print and card.
Balloons are an ongoing theme in many of Duffey's paintings. He explains why: "about ten or twelve years ago I saw a painting of balloons in Richmond and loved it. The ground is so busy and my skies are restful. I thought of balloons. They are uplifting and from the vantage point that I paint, it looks like you are in a balloon. A lot of [times they just] tie into the painting."
Over the years, Duffey has also painted a number of Virginia colleges and universities. He laughs and says, "Since I didn't go to college, I decided to paint them all. When I do a college I spend a lot of time with the [contact] person at the college. We go through all of the important and fun things that have happened on campus." Those incidents likely will find their way to the canvas. If you look closely at some of the college paintings you'll find streakers, flashers and people hiding in the bushes.Duffey like to include details in his work that will encourage people to study it. "[My paintings] keep your mind clicking.
Another facet of his work includes re-creating client's homes on canvas. In those paintings, he always includes family members and pets. He notes, "They are very personalized. It's fun-the people that I meet through these commissions."
Currently Duffey does a lot of limited edition lithographs and some poster editions. He has about 25 different prints on the market; many are Richmond oriented. His newest release, "Island House" will be advertised nationally.
Another project is illustrating a children's book. "It's a break from the regular routine and it's fun," he says. In the future, he would like to get into furniture design and three dimensional art.
Duffey is delighted that people associate his work with richmond. "I like [to present my work] in a clean cut manner. I show the pretty parts of the city. People can identify these parts."
Duffey doesn't hesitate to identify Hollywood Cemetery as his favorite place in the city. Why? "Well, if everyone came back, it would be one hell of a cocktail party. Seriously, the setting is so beautiful. Richmond is Hollywood Cemetery at midnight in the moonlight overlooking the James." And Parks Duffey is the person to paint it.
Click here if you would like to see a list of collections and schools.
| To contact Parks Duffey, please call: (804) 938-1040 Email: PDuffey@art-usa.com Postal address: 529 High Street Petersburg, Virginia 23803 www.art-usa.com |