We recently connected with Corinne Palmer and have shared our conversation below.

Corinne , appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Thank you, for your interest. Seven years ago, I took the risk of leaving the stability of salaried career to pursue my art full-time. It wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support and encouragement of my husband. Could we make a go of it without a guaranteed second income? I was scared; what if my art doesn’t sell? I had to weigh the fear against knowing that if I didn’t take the opportunity, I never would.

Corinne , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Thank you, for this amazing opportunity to speak about my art. My name is Corinne Palmer, and my studio is The Painting Crow. I was born and raised in Northern Alberta, but the South-West coast of British Columbia has been my home for over 30 years. I was born an artist; self-taught in my youth, but also a graduate of the Fine Arts program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Art school is really where I learned to paint.

This was always my dream to be a Artist and nothing else. I have grown my home-based studio from what I did in my spare time to my full-time job. Selling my original artworks and prints, as well as taking on commissions. Anywhere I could show my work, I jumped at! Coffee shops, restaurants, retail shops, playhouses, art markets, pay-to-hang spaces and local galleries. Through these venues and social media, I’ve gained more collectors and enthusiasts, than I ever imagined I could.

I’m an artist who likes to explore many different themes and subjects to express myself. The natural and manmade world, people, music, my own stories; anything that sparks inspiration makes. It’s how I connect with myself and the world around me. At my easel, I have found deeper self awareness and healing in my practice. My art has evolved to become very personal, a way to share my unique perspective on being human.

With my ongoing series “Who We Are”, I paint symbolic emblems of my memories, objects that are a visual record of my experiences. The work offers a view onto the carefully curated shelves in the back of my mind; inviting people to see their own stories in the images. In May, I had my first solo art show in a gallery, Studio 13 Fine Art on Granville Island. It was beyond anything I could have hoped for, and I’m really excited for what comes next.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

These are great questions! I would have to say be open to developing relationships with your clientele. Don’t be afraid to let them in. The more they get to know you, the more they will connect with your art. Buying art can be an big investment that’s often a decision made with the heart and not the head.

Offering a wide range of sizes and price points gives more opportunities for people to acquire your work. A client who can afford to buy a $2000 painting is just as valuable as those who collect prints and postcards.

If you have something that’s been well received before, keep it up if you can. I continue to take pet portrait commissions; something I’ve done since I was 16 years-old. A lot of my word of mouth and returning business is supported by this side of my studio.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience…that brings to mind how I was doing things during the covid-19 pandemic. I thought my studio would never recover, and I would have to go back to my former career. I kept painting; added hand-drawn/coloured ornaments to my line; kept up my social media; had more studio sales to offer works at a discount. I did all I could to make sure that once we returned to normal, I stayed connected with those who supported my creative journey. It’s importance to me that I express my genuine appreciation for my clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: thepaintingcrow.ca (under construction)
• Instagram: @thepaintingcrow
• Facebook: @thepaintingcrow
• Other: Email: paintingcrow@hotmail.com