大象传媒

Stoke on Trent artist Ian Parker was born with a medical condition which mean his joints are permanently fixed, and the use of his hands and feet are minimal.

"Some people who have the same complaint are able to walk," he says "I tried walking by means of crutches and callipers for about sixteen years. It was a great strain and I knew I would have to give it up eventually."

Ian was determined to overcome his disability and started painting at school by holding a the brushes in his mouth. In 1993 he graduated with a degree in fine art, and went on to have his work printed in magazines, and on Christmas Cards.

"To be honest it came naturally. I would always pick things up with my mouth, because I couldn't use my hands," Ian says. "So I naturally took up writing and drawing, using my mouth instead."

Mouth and Foot Painting Artists

After graduating from his degree Ian has worked with with the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists. He now does designs for their range of Christmas and greetings cards, and also calendars. They are sold to help fund other disabled artists and raise awareness of them.

The MFPA have supported disabled artists for more than 50 years. Some, like Ian,听 are born with disabilities and develop their artistic flair at an early stage. Others, due to tragic accidents leaving them disabled, have found they have a talent, and can use it as a means of supporting themselves and their recovery.听

Ian also holds exhibitions, and does talks and demonstrations for the MFPA about his method of painting. He often visits schools in Staffordshire and Cheshire to do workshops. He says it's often the first time that people have ever seen a mouth-painter at work.

Family life

Ian is married to Mary and they have two daughters, who he occasionally features in his paintings. Mary says what Ian's achieved is remarkable.

"It's very difficult for artists to make a living usually, so being able to work for a publishing house, and submitting work is great and hopefully long term Ian's work will get promoted, which would be even better."

In February 2006, Ian had a 9 day residency and exhibition at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery. During the residency, he drew and painted in several different areas of the Museum, culminating in a self-portrait of him working in the Spitfire Gallery.

He also became a member of the Museum's Spitfire Support Group, which is raising money to restore the aircraft to its former glory.