He was raised in Nebraska after his family settled on a farm near Kearney in 1873. Parker left Nebraska in 1886 to study at the Chicago Art Institute. Like many late 19th Century artists he received a journeyman's education through periods of study at several art institutions like the Julian Art School, Paris, the Art Students League in New York and the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. During this time he studied with such eminent artists as Gerome, Laurens, Whistler and Chase. During his career as an artist, which often included teaching, Parker won many awards for his paintings. He won a medal at the Munich International for "English girl" in 1905.