Drawing Upon Emotion

Creating art is often an expression of emotional power. That’s why Madison Parry, 911 Dispatcher at Department of Public Safety (DPS) Communications (Utah, USA), often finds relief when she’s sketching images. Each pencil stroke adds a casual depth to her art; though the scene may not always directly capture what is on her mind, the feeling is freed.

Parry’s sketches and acrylic paintings usually serve a personal purpose of working through the things she prefers not to talk about. Sometimes the urge to draw comes during downtime at the dispatch center, which has drawn the interest of a co-worker or two who appreciate her talent. Though she rarely shares her art beyond individual gifts for her family, Parry describes the process as therapeutic.

As a self-proclaimed introvert, Parry has leaned on the beauty of creating art since about eight years old with memories of drawing while sitting on her great-grandparents’ porch, watching hummingbirds visit the garden. Her repertoire of sketches shows she is often inspired by her family’s long line of law enforcement officers, including her grandfather, father, and husband.

Though Parry had envisioned herself taking on a similar role, she has carved out her own unique career path with art remaining as an undercurrent. Her initial work in a detention center led to the honor of painting rooms with life-size scenes of Finding Nemo on the walls, a cheerful theme to brighten up a typically rigid building.

Her professional path took a turn into emergency dispatch, where she has stayed for seven years, mainly because she appreciates how her interactions have a unique impact. “I’ve always had a desire to help other people, and answering their calls is a way of caring and connecting,” Parry said.

Parry’s art themes sometimes derive from difficult days, but she loves to paint hopeful and powerful images that resonate with her work in the emergency services. Many of her pieces have positive and empowering characteristics, such as a phoenix rising above ashes, a police officer with angel wings, or a close look at a police badge. “I am entrenched,” Parry said.

Of course, those within her field are especially touched by her artwork, as related experiences are what help people value and connect with the artist’s emotions for greater impact.

As she considered entering the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch^® (IAED^™) National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) Art Showcase earlier this year, Parry contemplated the theme of “Interconnectivity.” She chose to focus on the Emergency Dispatcher’s role of serving at the helm to direct multiple agencies and connect the caller with the resources they need.

Parry drew a background view of an Emergency Dispatcher at a console in front of several screens, serving as an essential and invisible lifeline to multiple field responders. With her sketch, she aimed to emphasize the heaviness of being the human connection.

Reactions to her drawing showed many people understood and shared her sentiment, but supporters casually suggested adding a few discarded coffee cups on the desk to show the Emergency Dispatcher’s desire to keep up the energy through the dark and early hours, in particular.

That energy is even tougher for Parry to muster these days as the mother of three young boys who offer a whole new adventure. She instills her love for art with her children by providing various supplies at the ready for drawing together. They often commission Parry to help them create their favorite characters or scenes to put up on their walls, knowing she’s fully up to the task.

“I love art because sometimes you can see the artist’s perspective and recognize that they understand what you are going through,” Parry said. “Whatever form of art comes from the heart, it connects us, and it’s important.”