Ralph Parker received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Houston in 1972, and worked for many years as a draftsman in the oil industry, a freelance architectural illustrator, and a technical illustrator in the automotive armor industry. He and his wife Nell also operated an art gallery for a time in Ruidoso, New Mexico. After spending several years painting the landscape in gouache, he now spends his time sketching and creating storybook art as well as producing books, focusing on his art and fiction. To date, his books include two children's books about Sherwin the Snail, Finding Katya, a graphic novel, Painting The World My Way ~ The Gouache Book; and The Barn Project, a collection of barn drawings and paintings. His first book, Becoming a Painter in Only 45 Years, chronicles the ups and downs of his early years pursuing an art career. His first literary novel, Wake The Sleeping Giant will be published in May 2025. Ralph and Nell live in Central Texas.