Art Imitates Life for Essex Furukawa Innovation Team Member
Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire
The leading global provider of magnet wire for the automotive, energy, industrial, and commercial & residential sectors.
Samuel Parker is in a unique position at Essex Furukawa Magnet Wire, one in which he gets to bring his creations to life—in more ways than one.
As an operator on the Innovation team, Parker works alongside a group of engineers and chemists developing magnet wire solutions that drive the automotive industry forward. He is also a talented artist that was commissioned by North American Magnet Wire President Jared Rowntree to paint a mural for the Fort Wayne, Indiana headquarters. Fittingly, the image is of an electric vehicle—an end-product that magnet wire is a key component in.
Now completed, the 9.5-foot by 4.5-foot painting, is on display in the main conference room for all employees and visitors to appreciate.
“Seeing it every day, it is surreal” Parker said. “It is worlds colliding. I literally make the magnet wire itself and now I have painted the very product that it powers. The canvas barely fit into my studio; I painted it freehand and worked very hard to get it across the finish line. I believe it is a masterpiece.”
He is not alone in that belief.
“Sam is a great person first and foremost, he also just happens to be an amazingly talented artist,” Rowntree said. “When I was shown examples of his work I was blown away. The painting was an opportunity for us to showcase our team and the talent in this company. I am proud to have it in the office, representing Essex Furukawa.”
The entire project came together, according to Parker, in large part due to tremendous employee support in Fort Wayne. Energy Technology Engineer Greg Bosk was first to take note of his artistic ability over a casual lunch conversation. From there, the momentum built. Senior Financial Analyst Kim Reasoner was next to notice his talent and developed a project proposal to present to Rowntree.
“Jared is truly trying to make things better for everyone. Literally everyone. I call him ‘The People’s Champ’ and I cannot thank each of those people enough for their support,” Parker said.
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“Honestly, the whole plant has been very good to me. In my 20 years I have seen a lot. I was an operator for the first 14, and then in 2017 I started making EV samples and working with the Innovation team to hit the specs for our customers. But I was an artist before I was born. Art was embedded into my DNA.”
His grandmother was a prolific artist. His grandfather, a trombonist in the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, composed the music for the Fort Wayne bicentennial and was awarded a key to the city. His uncle… yes, an artist and his godmother also runs her own studio in Maine. For his part, Parker earned a BA in Fine Arts from Purdue, where he won the prestigious Winger Award for painting. Now he is a self-described family man, and a hard worker.
His support for EV customers in creating sample products during crucial design work with the Technology and Innovation teams have been invaluable for Essex Furukawa and its growth in North America. As accomplished as his projects have been, he says he that still has a lot left to give to his artwork. Parker owns a gallery, teaches workshops for kids, and has set deeply personal goals for the future.
“Dreams come true,” he concluded. “I want to make the people around me proud. My ancestors. I want to inspire others to think outside the box, to not limit yourself. I know that if I work as hard at this as I do for Essex Furukawa then great things will continue to happen.”
For more examples of his artwork, visit Samuel on Instagram at EarlP_Art.