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Interview with Steven Parke
December 6, 2006 | 10:40 pm
HUCKY: How and when did you start working for Prince?
STEVE: 1988 - on the Lovesexy album. I was brought in to do the art on the set for the video Glam Slam and ended up doing more work for the tour including the giant pair of eyes on the touring stage and some tour shirts. That was a three month indoctrination into hotel living and caffeine consumption. But for all that I can say that watching Lovesexy rehearsals sitting onstage was more than worth the brain cells I probably burnt out with no sleep and too much coffee.
HUCKY: What projects did you work on while at Paisley Park?
STEVE: I was doing a lot of tour merchandise then ended up doing the Graffiti Bridge art which inadvertently led me to doing more in house stuff at PP. Basically anything between Gold and Rave as far as cds go, I had something to do with. It was a rough transition form doing illustration and painting to teaching myself how to use a computer and then handle filling the role as a one man art department for most of the time (except for Gold through Emancipation where I was lucky enough to have Michael Van Huffel busting his ass to keep the department rolling). Also–of course–all kinds of things that never saw the light of day. I was pretty fortunate to bounce onto any visual assignment that Prince needed taken care of. The scary stuff was mounting parties and doing interior design at PP– I really didn’t know how that would turn out. But a lot of the art and visuals are still there–so I guess that worked out cool. I really enjoyed getting to the point of photographing Prince (instead of just drawing him) but certainly wish I had the equipment I have today. Early digital was a nightmare.
HUCKY: Steve from your bio I see that you have worked with the two greatest musicians ever to come out of Minnesota, Prince and Bob Dylan. How would you compare the two?
STEVE: From my limited experience with Dylan–it was kind of the same. I just did some stuff and it was either accepted or rejected. And The Dylan work I did was accepted, rejected–and then when I saw someone wearing a shirt with the art–I called and found out it was accepted again and produced…lol.
HUCKY: What makes Prince an interesting subject to photograph?
STEVE: His confidence and knowledge of his own “look”. ‘Course–I was always tying to work against that just to shake it up. Don’t know that I succeeded in that regard.
HUCKY: What is your favorite shot you took of Prince? Can you share it with us?
STEVE: Yes–I love the stuff we did out at the arboretum near Paisley. It was really relaxed and natural. I wish we had done more like that. Of course–many I really liked never saw the light of day (see a theme here??…lol). I took a few shots were slated to appear in Radar magazine: his reflection in his car hood outdoors (also at the arboretum) and one of him just sitting in a big funky wooden chair–all decked out–n a big field of grass and trees. It was really cool and really colorful. My luck - Radar folded before it got printed.
HUCKY: How do you think Prince will be remembered 50 years from now?
STEVE: Musical genius that grabbed pop music and stood it on it’s head.
HUCKY: Do you still keep in touch with members from the Paisley Park Family?
STEVE: Yes indeed I do. I’ve done work since leaving PP with Paul Peterson, Rhonda Smith, Sheila E., Michael Van Huffel, Jacqui Thompson, and Kat Dyson–all of whom I consider friends. That place was a hotbed of talent and super nice folks. Plus I hear from or email other PP people from time to time, you, Hucky and Hans Martin Buff especially. Actually you never know WHO you might run into working with a band on the road! I also had the great luck to hook up with lots of those people who weren’t there when I arrived thanks to Sheila’s Family Jamm. As a matter of fact I have a graphic novel project dropping in early 2008 that Lisa Coleman is going to be involved in–which I am thrilled with. This group of people are some of the most giving and generous people you will EVER meet in any lifetime.
HUCKY: Steve what was it like to attend the Family Jamm in 2003, and do you think there will be a Family Jamm two in the near future?
STEVE: Well–as I said–I loved it. It was so great to hear some of the Madhouse and Family stuff. The energy and raw talent of all those people is ENORMOUS! I was impressed with the Revolution sans Prince–only ’cause you never could imagine it–they sounded amazing! Wendy is a truly underrated singer in my opinion, and doesn’t get the credit she deserves. I really hope to see another one happen–I know it’s a heck of a trick to pull it off, but it would be amazing. Sheila pulled off a minor miracle!
HUCKY: What are you most proud of?
STEVE: Not to be trite–but my son and wife. They have been incredibly supportive and fun through everything I do. My wife and I have been together sine we were 15 and 17 (that’s 25 years for those of you keeping score) and she was great during my long, long nights out in MN
(I really was glad we never had to coin the term “Paisley Widow”…lol). Once my son was born,
I did a few more gigs at PP, but I really did not want to have to be on the road and have my time consumed by my work, so that’s what moved me forward. And I am always grateful I made that choice.
HUCKY: Best Prince Moment?
STEVE: Soooo many–but my favorite–is Gwen Stefani’s favorite too. I am a music junky, so I was always bringing in cds I liked and kicking them through my office stereo. One day Prince walked in and heard this band (No Doubt) and asked about them. Coincidentally they played Letterman the week after and Prince thought Gwen was cool for getting on Letterman’s desk. When they came through town to play the Target Center–Prince asked me if I wanted to go. I was elated to get to go, but Minneapolis had just been ht with tornadoes–so I was getting more and more lost as I tried to get downtown since trees had blown across main roads. FINALLY I got there. It was great–I got to meet the band after the show and headed back to PP assuming I had more work in front of me. Instead I got to hang out with Prince, Gwen, Tony and Tom while they jammed in studio B rehearsal room. If you’ve never heard Gwen sing (no mic and NO reverb) with Prince on piano–you haven’t heard anything! Ironically I read that this was Gwen’s favorite Prince moment too!
Steve thanks for your time. Check Steve out at http://www.imagecarnival.com/ and http://flickr.com/photos/imagecarnival
Comments
Steve Parke is the most talented photographer/graphic artist/painter/music lover I have ever met! His keen sense of style and cutting edge photography and packaging has been a blessing to me over the years.
More importantly, he is a great friend, and a wonderful husband and father. He has ALWAYS been excited to help me and my family on our various projects. His vast knowledge of music is astounding, and his constant nagging has inspired me put out more product than I normally would have!
Happy Holidays Steve, Hucky, and to all the fans!
St Paul
Very cool hook up Hucky. Dont get this wrong but I think Parke is a really great and creative painter and illustrator, very talented, but as a designer and in typography…Im not too sure.
Could you ask him about the Vault Old Friends 4 Sale and why it was made to look so bad? Would like to know that.
Again, dont take that wrong Hucky, your stories are highly appreciated.
Modernaire
Hey Modernaire -
It was a very rushed atmosphere at PP and I rarely had any help or time to tweak anything. A million things were always hanging over my head and it was hard to gauge which one would tumble and hit me first. My background was as a painter and I had to essentially learn all this stuff on the fly. With all that said I thoroughly enjoyed all the sweat and late nights at the time. Not pushing any excuses - just some background and feel for the atmosphere.
Like any artist on the commercial side of the aisle - I’m happier with end results when I have more creative people (like copywriters, production people, type designers) to work with and more time to really plan. Though I work by myself much of the time, I have many good eyes and other designers I bring in and bounce ideas off of or work in tandem with for much of my current work. Creating in a vacuum is really difficult and leads to stagantion imo.
I don’t believe we ever set out to make anything look “bad”, but that’s all a matter of taste and perspective:)
Hope that helps!
steve
PS- I painted that banner behind Wendy and Lisa. That’s the first time I met them and they were very cool. They were supposed to get to keep it too- but Lisa later told me it “walked off”.
And thanks PAUL!! Where’s that new cd???lol
Thanks Steve I love your work. What year was that picture taken?
It looks like 1989 or 90.
Thanks Hucky for all of these great interviews on this site!!! It has been amazing lately with all the great interviews and pictures you’ve posted!
Also, thanks Steve for your interview! It was great to read. I don’t think it’s cool at all for Modernaire to make value judgements about your work on a page where you gave an interview for us to enjoy. And my comment back to Modernaire is this: one thing Steve Parke contributed to the artwork, design and layout (besides great art skills) was huge - ORIGINALITY and UNIQUENESS - much of this work is like nothing you’ve ever seen, and I’m sure Prince greatly appreciated that!
Wendygirl - that was a release party for Fruit At The Bottom in Largo Maryland…so whenever that was. All I know is I can’t grow hair like that anymore - nor do I own that sweater;)
Wah - thanks very much for your support! I don’t mind what people think or what honest questions they have about my work. Mind you - I may not be able to answer some questions…but I don’t take offense.
Great Interview Hucky and Steve. Hucky you should write a book, you could call it (After the Rain) not sure how Prince would take it but who cares.
That’s a interesting interview. There were so many people behind the scenes that many of us never knew of.
Steve, just out of curiosity and if you recall, how long did it take to do that Wendy and Lisa project? Are we talking a few days, weeks, or months? It’s Beautiful!
velvetj-
back in the day I could knock stuff out like that in a few days. Now…hmmm…photoshop and painter have ruined my life!!!! lol.
I occasionally paint - but more for me or friends than anything else.that painting skill STILL works great when doing retouch ( I did a bunch of work on the Six Feet Under and Sopranos sets that just came out. The point is you will never know it, well- I hope not anyway;) or adding light to a scene.
Thanks for the kind words.
Steve, I know that’s a little informal, but since I’ve followed Prince and associated artists since forever, I’m gonna take the liberty. I love Wendy and Lisa as artists, and I think they are a couple of beautiful women. But your painting of them is beautiful-er than life! 
It’s remarkable!
thanks Jean- I agree with you on all counts- ‘cept I don’t think a painting ever truly does a person justice compared to real;)
I am proud to be able to call Steve a friend of mine for many years and I have been fortunate enough to have dinner with his family back east, and hang out with him occasionally here in Los Angeles. Nice to see that he is still alive and making noise!
Good guy and a talented chap. I always felt it was too bad that Prince didn’t take full advantage of his gift.
Duane
Steve thanks, great stuff are you in contact with Wendy and Lisa?
sexyone-
Thank YOU - and I email with Lisa from time to time.
How did I miss you post Duane!! Thanks and keep those UFO stories coming:)
mutual props Steve! I’ve never seen that pict above. I’ve been talking to Lisa lately and she likes the UFO shows too! Have you seen/heard her stuff on Heroes? Great show, great music.
Duane
Steve Parke is one of my most-valued friends. He taught me..so much. I don’t know how I would have learned to make a living without him. And a trusted friend. Always.
The biggest thing I’d want to emphasize….the group of Prince alumni….from every era…are the most talented and most giving, fantastic group of people a person could ever hope to count as friends. This means you too, Hucky. It’s no bullshit.
I just wanted to let everyone know that Steve Parke is one of the most talented guy’s I’ve ever worked with. I’ve used him on many of my projects since the Paisley Park days. He has the ability to work quickly but also creatively, along with fact that he actually “listens” to what you’re looking for. I know I’ll always get an amazing project when working with Steve… but most importantly I call Steve a GREAT friend. Thanks Hucky for showcasing his talents!
Jacqui
hey grandpas big chick.. prince old bodygaurd…. jw if anyone has any cool stories that i might not have heard of… thanks.
Brandon Huntsberry
Now that I’ve heard you had to learn the digital stuff on the fly and without much of a team to coach you, I understand why some things looked the way they did. I’ve bashed the emancipation design quite a few times, mainly because there are many things in there that are cool, but it all looked as it was thrown together in a rush, with not much knowledge on photoshop or illustrator.
And indeed, working in a team gets better and quicker results while improving your own skills constantly. It’s a pity you weren’t allowed to set up a studio with different talented people. That would have been great for both the fans as yourself. Looking forward to that graphic novel!! Thanks for all the work you did!
hey, good going!!!, say hello to katie for me, love ya, Meg from the renn fest. Happy for you both.
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Nice. Very nice. I especially like that No Doubt story. Imaging being a fly on the wall during that jam session. Incredible!!!