Meet Doc Parker

There’s no one quite like Doc Parker. A firefighter, paramedic, author, and tattoo artist, Doc has lived a life dedicated to both saving lives and creating art. Her story is one of courage, curiosity, and an unwavering drive to make a difference — whether through the stroke of a tattoo machine or the pulse of an emergency call. She’s proof that art and service can go hand in hand, and that creativity and compassion often come from the same fire.

A Childhood Full of Wonder

Doc has been an artist since she was 10 years old, when her earliest drawings were of space shuttles and the mysteries of the cosmos. As a child, she dreamed of being an astronaut — even imagining herself skateboarding on Saturn’s rings. Her fascination with space comes from her love of the unknown. “Surely we aren’t the only beings in the universe,” she says with a smirk. “I wish they’d come down and take over, honestly.”

That boundless imagination carried into her art. During high school, she joined art clubs, took every art class she could, and showcased her work in local galleries, including the Aurora Gallery in Louisville. While she was encouraged to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design, Doc instead pursued graphic design, a choice that would later lead her to combine structure and creativity in her career.

From Firefighting to Tattooing

Though Doc has been tattooing professionally since 2020, her connection to the craft began long before that. As a teenager, she started an apprenticeship with dreams of becoming a tattoo artist. But life took her in another direction — she became a paramedic and firefighter, careers that allowed her to serve her community in powerful, immediate ways.

For over 23 years, Doc has been on the front lines, answering emergency calls, saving lives, and supporting her community. She became an paramedic out of frustration after seeing medical mistakes and wanting to make a difference. “I got sick of seeing doctors screw up,” she says bluntly. “When I save someone’s life and see them a month later in the grocery store — that’s why I do what I do.”

Eventually, Doc realized she could return to her artistic roots — tattooing became the creative counterpart to her medical career, a second calling she plans to continue into retirement.

Mastering the Art of Black and Grey

Doc is known for her mastery of black and grey tattoos — a style she values for its timelessness and staying power. “Black and grey always tends to stay in the skin,” she explains. “Even if it fades, the grey stays. Color can fade out, but black and grey will stay.”

Recently, though, Doc has been experimenting with color tattoos, expanding her range and enjoying the creative challenge. Like everything she does, she approaches it with precision, patience, and a deep respect for the craft.

A Voice for Mental Health

Having spent decades as a paramedic and firefighter, Doc has seen the toll those professions take on mental health. After 15 years in the field, she faced her own breaking point — the result of years of compartmentalizing trauma. “We tend to compartmentalize everything,” she explains. “You might run one tough call, but then you’ve got ten more to do before you even have time to process it.”

Her recovery led her to write Living Through the Darkness, a book for first responders that provides mental health insights, coping tools, and honest conversations about the struggles they face. “Getting help was the best thing I ever did,” she says, and she’s determined to spread that message to others.

Doc is passionate about mental health and suicide awareness within emergency services, believing that frequent debriefing and open dialogue are crucial for survival in such demanding careers.

The Similarities Between Saving Lives and Tattooing

Doc sees striking similarities between her life as a paramedic and her work as a tattoo artist. Both require cleanliness, precision, and compassion, and both allow her to connect deeply with people from all walks of life.

“Back then, tattoo artists were considered outcasts and traveled with the circus,” she laughs. “We’re all weird and sht. To be a successful tattoo artist or EMT, you’ve got to have a broad mind. You have to be ready for anything that comes through.”

A Mentor at Heart

Mentorship is one of Doc’s greatest passions. She loves guiding other tattoo artists, offering tips, sharing techniques, and passing down the lessons she’s learned. “Teachers do things to earn money; mentors do things to spread knowledge,” she says. For Doc, mentoring isn’t about authority — it’s about keeping the cycle of learning alive.

Life Beyond the Studio

When she’s not tattooing or saving lives, Doc can usually be found hunting, fishing, working on vehicles, remodeling her home, or grumbling about society and politics. She admits, “I like to be outside. I have to be doing something all the time. I take on way more projects than I should.”

She thrives on activity, whether it’s fixing engines or exploring the outdoors — staying still just isn’t in her DNA.

Looking Ahead

After decades of serving others, Doc’s ultimate goal is simple: retirement — with freedom. She dreams of buying a camper, hitting the open road, and tattooing wherever life takes her. “No goals,” she says with a grin. “Just pack up and go!”