Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Denzel Palm. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Denzel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I first knew that I wanted to go down the creative/artistic path after I graduated from Western Michigan back in 2015. In 2013, I started a record label titled, The Free Afternoon Party with a few of my college friends. Originally, our main goal was to support one of the founders/musical artist in his music career. At that time, it meant creating T-Shirts, flyers, event concepts, & growing our footprint. As time went on the record label idea fizzed out but my creative spark was already activated. Because of my experience with The Free Afternoon Party, I knew I wanted to create. I had a strong urge to want to give more of myself to my friends, family, community. I just left as if I could express myself in a new way, creativity.
The next thing you know, I was living Downtown Detroit and wanted artwork for my wall. Instead of purchasing things, due to a lack of money. I went ahead and shot my shot at creating something myself. When people would visit, they would always inquire on were I got my artwork. When lead to offers to some of my paints and a art career slowly blossomed from that.
Denzel , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Denzel James-Franklin Palm. I live in Detroit, Michigan and I am a self-taught artist. For a majority of my life, everything was centered around basketball. Due to an injury, my interest shifted to the arts. I started my career off using mainly acrylic paint as my medium. And, quickly introduced Crayola Crayon into my work. My first solo exhibit was comprised of 40 paintings, made of acrylic paint and Crayola crayon. The response to my work was extremely positive, so it encourage me to keeping pushing.
Overtime, my artwork developed into something I couldn’t even imagine, when I began to create what I would call wall-sculptures. I was still using the medium of Crayola crayon, but I was melting down the material into different shaped molds. I would then build and assemble different patterns, arrays, and images on wood panel. To give the viewer a 2-D look at something that that have never seen before.
My biggest goal as an artist is to create something that always brings excitement out of the viewer, no matter how many times they few the piece. To a point were they notice new things about the artwork every time they view it. It should feel like a quick vacation every time you take a look. That the artwork has taken you somewhere else and made you think wow this is something else, something I have never seen, something that I have to share with others.
I think I am most proud that I am still pursuing a passion of mine. That I feel like I am getting better and more opportunities are coming my way. I definitely have moments when I feel discouraged or just want to focus my attention to my “regular” job. But, its something about being the driving force to your dreams. That everyday you are willing to clock back in and do the work because you are obsessed with the outcome, the results and the response.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
When I first started my art career, I was pretty isolated. It was during covid and I would just paint, post a few pictures and hope it sells. I never tried to connect with the art community and the members of the community. I think my competitive nature was just taking over and I thought it was a me vs them thing.
I think that was my biggest downfall and I can say this 3 years into things now. I have taken it upon myself to get out more, network, connect and introduce myself to more people in the art space. From my personal experience, people want to help people and thats just what the art community has done for me. They have been the best resource I could ask for.
They have been the biggest resource of encouragement, ideas, opportunities and just a good time. Meeting people and they embrace you like family because you both are pushing down that path of being an artist. Or, they are just able to related to you so many ways and you are able to share stories and at some point of time in their life. They have felt the same or experience the same.
Definitely wish I would of taken the approach of branching out earlier in my career.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Great question! I think this is so a rather easy question. There are so many ways to support an artist and all of these ways can go a long way.
Share an artist artwork. Sharing an artist artwork puts more eyes on the artwork. A share can happen via Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, really any social network. A simple comment even helps, just sharing how you feel about the work is a part of the experience artist are looking for. They want to see people react to their work, they are curious to know..what do other think.
Purchase artwork from the artist. Buying artwork is a pretty straight forward way to support. Many artist will have different price points or ways to support them. It would be an original artwork, a print, t-shirt, stickers or some type of merchandise. Big dreams get expensive, so finical support means more than you will ever know.
Attending events. Weather you purchase an artist’s artwork or just share it on social media. You can always show up to an artist’s showing. Artist showings are like the big stage for artist. Its the time, they get to get out and preform in from of the public. Show up, show support, check out what they have going on and invite some friends. Support comes in many shapes and sizes, but your presence and positive energy at an event can go a long way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thefreeafternoonparty.com
- Instagram: Denzel Palm
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denzel-palm-6b18a16b/