Walls Gallery features work
by Robert Andrew Parker, 
‘Artist, Muscian, Poet’

CAPE ELIZABETH — Now showing at Rachel Walls Fine Art in Cape Elizabeth is the work of Robert Andrew Parker which includes 125 oil paintings, watercolors, pen-and-ink drawings, stand-up cutouts, fascinating model planes, prints, and small portraits. The exhibit, titled “Robert Andrew Parker: Artist, Musician, Poet,” will be open all summer, through Sept. 16.

Parker has illustrated 100 children’s books and and is well known for his pen-and-ink drawings in the New Yorker Magazine. At 91, he is still creating  — with broad strokes and color — artworks that are refreshing and alive, but he no longer does pen-and-ink drawings because he has macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration is  a progressive eye disease that affects 10 million Americans, depleting their central vision in degrees, until they are legally blind. (See sidebar)

Among the famous artists who had macular degeneration but continued to paint were Georgia O’Keeffe and Edgar Degas. Here in Maine, the late Dahlov Ipcar and William Thon also had macular degeneration.

The Parker exhibit shows a variety of his works before and after he began to suffer with macular degeneration in 2000. 

In a gallery on the first floor is a large oil on canvas titled “London Sunset” created in 2009. The piece shows a silhouette view of London as the artist was landing in a plane. In an interview, Parker said, the light and sunset caught my attention as I looked down from the plane.” A world traveler, Parker said he always brings a sketch pad with him.

Papier mache heads that look like porcelain figures and selections of his children’s book illustrations can also be seen in this gallery. The book, “Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum,” written and illustrated by Parker, reveals the artist’s love of music — especially jazz. He still plays the drums in a jazz band on Saturday evenings when he is home.

On the second floor of the gallery is a selection of small portraits of people and interesting oil paintings of the sea, another favorite subject. A large watercolor and pen-and-ink drawing of the inside of an operating room titled, “Dinner for Soldiers,” focuses on the tragedy of war, and recalls David Levine illustrations from the New Yorker Magazine.

Some prints on the second floor remind one of works by Ben Shahn. “I knew Ben Shahn and his wife, Bernarda, at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, where I studied in 1952 under Jack Levine,” Parker said.

Having traveled the world, Parker said he likes living in Maine “because of the quality of light here.”

Robert Andrew Parker is a role model for others because he is still painting and active, and because he does not let his failing eyesight diminish his pleasure in life. 

“Gary, Indiana,” oil on canvas, by Robert Andrew Parker

Two types  of macular degeneration 

PORTLAND — Macular degeneration affects 10 million Americans, damaging the tiny, central part of the retina called the macula, leaving peripheral vision unaffected.

There are two types of age-related macular degeneration:  “Dry” which is a progressive disease, but can be managed if caught early. This variant accounts for about 90 percent of the cases and the loss of vision is gradual. “Wet” AMD emerges much more quickly and requires immediate attention. 

Some symptoms include subtle differences in the ability to see details, straight lines appear wavy, diminished ability to see differences between light and dark and reduced visual acuity or blurring of near and far vision. All these characteristics may be symptomatic of other eye impairments, but also are symptoms of macular degeneration. If straight lines look wavy, it is wise to see an eye doctor and get professional assessment.

Dinner, cookbook part of event on managing macular degeneration

PORTLAND — Gallery owner Rachel Walls has coordinated with the American Macular Degeneration Foundation to present a program focusing on managing age-related macular degeneration. 

The event will be held at University of New England, Portland campus, on Wednesday, July 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. 

The event features a dinner with special foods that help manage macular degeneration. Participants will also get a copy of the cookbook “Eat Right for Your Sight,” by Jennifer Trainer Thompson, James Beard and Johanna M. Seddon M.D. Included in the book are recipes that use ingredients known to help reduce the risk of macular degeneration.

A short film titled “A is for Art,” focusing on artist Robert Andrew Parker, 91, and his creative survival with macular degeneration, will be shown.

The event will be held at Innovation Hall, 772 Stevens Ave. The cost of the evening which includes dinner, the cookbook and the showing of the film, is $75. For more information call 266-5411.

— Pat Reef