Ted Parker and his wacky imagination

4 MN

Ted Parker and his wacky imagination

It’s in the bar of his friends that Ted Parker has exhibited his work for the first time. Public enthusiasm led him to embark on the illustration and to create a very unique style. Since then, his work has continued to spread. He exhibited at galleries and produced illustrations for The New York Times. More recently, the artist has worked with us to achieve different visuals for t-shirts from the current collection. His illustrations depict hyper-happy characters in situations both absurd and ridiculous. At first glance, his drawings revolve around humor, always full of lightness and fantasy. But when we look more closely, there is a slightly scary world, sometimes almost disturbing. We wanted to know more about this artist with the imagination a bit wacky…

03

Hi Ted! How are you? Whereabouts are you when answering our questions?

It’s 11:03 pm and I’m down in the studio, all is fine thank you.

Your style is easily recognisable. How did you manage to find your touch?

This was a culmination of certain ideas and influences I had gathered thus far. The first big chance in the way I worked was brought to me by the German Painter George Baselitz , who is known for his upsidedown Paintings. I’d reckoned that if you have been drawing for numerous years you build up muscle memory. Being stuck and dissatisfied by the lines I would draw I also started working upside down as a way to cheat the brain. And until this day everything I make is done upside down. I love cheating the brain.

Can you tell us a little bit more about your creative process? Which tools do you use?

I like solitude for working, ussually the nighttime is the best time for such a thing. Then have a coffee and a smoke and just get at it. I ‘ll start painting a (random) idea or an image just to start it off, get the vibe going. Hopefully then my subconcious will emerge , and ideas and spin off ideas will follow.

24

At first glance your drawings appear quite frivolous and humorous: a roller-skating ostrich or a man working out with his dog! Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I’m very much influenced by (early) photography and especially the notion of capturing a moment. I wanted to take this notion and apply that in re-creating a new history where I would re-capture a life . I would live it vicariously through this bold character I had created and in this re-writing of history I can put in all that I can think of ; childhood fantasies /memories, primordial fears, dirty jokes, true love, forgotten dreams and lost pets.

Looking back, there is something quite scary about your characters. They all have that same look on their faces, a frozen smile and bulging eyes. What does that really mean?

I don’t know what it means, but I do like the idea that this over-joyous exuberance is not really the ‘truth’. Having the dot-dot-dot smiley faces certainly helps in regards to creating this ambiguity, because of the level of unease and distortion it brings to the images.

There is a hint of 50s-60s male advertising chauvinism to your illustrations (even though your men are also ridiculed). What do you think?

A part of my work deals with the female-male relationship and how it looks in my universe after it’s been filtered through my own fucked up-ness. I don’t know about no chauvinism, but I do like that era.

25

I’ve just thought of a question looking at your drawings. Are you a fan of Jim Carrey or the Truman Show in particular?

No not particularly , but I get the question. I’m also creating a world for my character that’s not reality.

What’s Ted Parker like in real life? Is he as nutty as his characters?

I’m a bit more of a dick in real life I think, that’s complemented my frumpy appearance , but underneath that are rays of sunshine.

You often depict animals. What’s your rapport with the animal world, in your history and your daily life?

I remember watching an animated version of Animal Farm over and over again as a child. Saw some Lassie (dog), Flipper(dolphin) , Skippy (kangaroo) shows in between not watching Animal Farm. And we had dogs growing up. So I guess it all derives from childhood trauma.

038

How do you see your work evolving in the coming years?

Making more painterly type pieces on the one hand and getting craftier with the commercial stuff.

Where do you live nowadays? Is there a town in which you’d like to live one day?

I currently reside deadsmack in the center of the Netherlands in a city called Utrecht. I’d like to have a big brown stone in the big apple one day. We’ll just have to see how that works out.

Do you have any projects for the coming months?

My friends are opening up a second coffeeshop/bakery/pub/restaurant thingy which is gonna be huge and I’ll be doing some designwork for them. Herman Miller just started following me on instagram, so they should be calling me any day now. And hopefully I’ll get around to my website.

066

Thanks you yo Ted Parker.

Find Ted Parker on Facebook, Instagram and on his official site.

– L.K –

Interview réalisée par Valentin Porcher
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After you have submitted an order, the Customer receives by email and without delay a confirmation of his approval of the Order.

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The delivery shall take place at the location indicated by the Customer at the time of the Order.

Additionally, by undertaking these different steps to Order, the Customer accepts to strictly comply with this Agreement, in accordance with section 1316-1 of the French Civil Code.

The Vendor undertakes to deliver the Goods and Services subject of the Order Confirmation. In the event that a Good ordered is unavailable, the Vendor will promptly inform the Customer about this.

However, under section L.122-1 of the French Consumer Code, the Vendor reserves the right to cancel your Order if the Order is abnormal, involves bad faith or for any other reason that is under the sole discretion of the Vendor. The Vendor also reserves the right to reject orders from any customer with whom the Vendor have an ongoing legal dispute regarding a prior order.

Free delivery and exchange offered

For orders over €120, delivery is free.

Returns are free from France thanks to our prepaid label.

Prices and delivery times

Shipping cost

Collection points: €5

Home delivery with signature: 7.5€

Free delivery for orders over 120€

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Free delivery for orders over 120€.

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Andorre, Biélorussie, Croatie, Islande, Monaco, Norvège, Royaume-Uni, Russie, Suisse, Turquie

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Home delivery: €9.5

Free delivery for orders over €120

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Bahamas, Canada, États-Unis, Mexique

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Home delivery: €15

Free delivery for orders over €120.

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5-9 working days

Argentine, Brésil, Chili

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Free delivery for orders over €120.

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6-9 working days

Arabie Saoudite, Bahreïn, Chine, Corée du Sud, Émirats Arabes Unis, Hong-Kong, Indonésie, Israël, Japon, Malaisie, Qatar, Singapour, Taiwan

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Home delivery: €24

Free delivery for orders over €120.

Delivery time

4-7 working days

Australie, Nouvelle-Zélande

Shipping cost

Home delivery: €27

Free delivery on orders over €120.

Delivery time

6-10 working days

Returns

You have received your order but the product does not suit you?

You can return your products within 15 days of receiving your package, for any order.

For the festive season, the deadlines are extended to 30 days.

The items must not have been worn, washed or damaged and must be returned in their original packaging, in perfect condition for resale.

How do I return my package from France?

Return shipping from France is free via Mondial Relay.

To return your parcel, it is very simple :

  1. Go to “My account”, in the “My purchases” section,

  2. In the list of your orders, select your order,

  3. If your order is eligible for return, please tick each product you wish to return. If a product has been ordered in several copies, you can indicate the quantity to be returned.

  4. Indicate the reason for the return at the bottom of the order details and click on “Request a return”. You can track your return request in the “Returns” section of the “My purchases” section.

  5. Once your return request has been validated by our team, all you have to do is stick your pre-paid label (provided at the time of delivery) on the package, insert the completed returns form in the parcel and drop it off at a Mondial Relay point.

How can I return my package (International online returns)

International return packages are at the customer’s expense (including cost of shipment by the chosen carrier, customs & duties, taxes, etc.)

To return your parcel, it is very simple :

  1. Go to “My account”, in the “My purchases” section,

  2. In the list of your orders, select your order,

  3. If your order is eligible for return, please tick each product you wish to return. If a product has been ordered in several copies, you can indicate the quantity to be returned.

  4. Indicate the reason for the return at the bottom of the order details and click on “Request a return”. You can track your return request in the “Returns” section of the “My purchases” section.

  5. Once your return request has been validated by our team, simply download the return form and place it in your package. 

  6. Send your package to the address indicated on the return form.

Want to make a return request with a guest account?

It's very easy : contact us by email at service-client@olow.fr indicating your order number, the items you wish to return and whether you wish to request a refund, a credit note or an exchange.

How long does it take to get my money back once my package has been sent?

Refunds will be made within 10 days of receipt of your items and automatically to the account associated with the credit card used for payment or to the Paypal account used for payment.

Is it possible to return my item in the shop?

No, for all internet orders, returns can only be made to the address mentioned above.

What can I do if my item has a defect?

We take great care in the manufacture and finishing of our products. However, if you wish to report a manufacturing defect on a product, we invite you to contact our customer service by e-mail: service-client@olow.fr.

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