Paintings that celebrate an honest colours and stories.

Charly Palmer is a fine artist and graphic designer based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, who has been portraying black icons and historical events in his paintings for decades. Studied Art & Design at American Academy of Art and School of the Art Institute in Chicago, run a design studio then became art instructor and mentor for artists.

Working primarily with acrylic paint, Palmer has pursued figurative work for many years. Palmer said: “I’m fascinated and moved by history in particular specifically, African American history. Art was my way of expressing what I felt about the African American journey. With art, I am able to share my ideas and thoughts in colour.”

In his youth, Charly Palmer was fascinated by the “Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats, an illustrated children book about the wonder and pure pleasure a child experiences when the world is blanketed in snow and it’s the winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal. What appealed to him most is the random geometric shapes, the simplicity of layered textures and patterns, and the mix of bold colors. He started to love illustration when he was 5 years old.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. Image source: The Atlantic.

The latest creation by Charly Palmer was the cover album of John Legend – “Bigger Love”, will be available very soon on June 19, 2020.

Palmer also illustrated children books: There Is A Dragon In My Closet” written by Dorothea Taylor, “Mama Africa” – How Miriam Makane spread hope with her songl written by Kathryn Erskine and the latest one is  “I Can Write The World” written by Joshunda Sanders.

Charly “Carlos” Palmer’s work include: 1996 Olympic Atlanta, 1998 Winter Olympic in Nagano Japan, also for Atlanta Life Insurance, McDonald’s Corporation, Miller Brewing Company, the Coca Cola Company, and many others. He received the 2018 Coretta Scott King – John Steptoe Award for best new talent.

Palmer also often use flowers in his paintings: “The flowers are about celebrating, gifting and expressing love for yourself and others. When I use flowers, people tend to align it with femininity when it really is about beauty”

 

For more information about Charly Palmer : Website charlypalmer.com — Instagram @charlypalmer — Facebook charly.palmer.

Source: 13 Incredible Black Artists, Past And Present, Everybody Should Know — What Captivates Children About The Snowy Day? — Hearne Fine Art About Charly Palmer — Band Of Vices: Charly Palmer — Spence Gallery: Charly Palmer Artist.