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

Jaz, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

From a very young age, I was expressing myself artistically. Whether it was markers, playground rocks, or the weekly redesigns of my Doodle Bear, anything that I could “artify” was fair game. Art was simply intrinsic to who I was. In kindergarten, when asked about my future, I’d declare I’d be an illustrator, a fine artist, a muralist—anything creative! However, adolescence brought challenges. Social pressures and a difficult family dynamic chipped away at my confidence, and I internalized the belief that my abilities were insignificant. I shifted my focus to music and performance, the art forms where I felt “allowed” to excel. During this decade of performing and community involvement, I was taught the basics of Photoshop and relished every opportunity I was given to create a graphic design. I felt an exciting wind in the air after I discovered the power of Adobe programs. Was this graphic design stuff…art?!

Years later, the unexpected disruption of 2020 brought a resurgence of my creative passion. Confined to my home, with the privilege of continued income, I rediscovered the joy of drawing and painting. Cooking, exercise, and analog art became my outlets for expression and stress relief. I shared some of my portraits online and it brought a surprising wave of positive feedback, rekindling my creative spark. At the time, I was navigating a toxic marriage, and while my creative career goals were not yet a reality, the dreams of a different life and making art full-time were churning constantly in the back of my mind.

Then, in 2022, my life transformed when my marriage ended. Facing the daunting task of rebuilding, I felt disoriented but also a newfound freedom. It was during this time that I encountered an advertisement for RMCAD’s new Illustrative Design program—a serendipitous opportunity! My stars were aligning! I had never seen a degree path that combined illustration and studio art with graphic design! This was literally perfect. With my children now school-aged, and my recently won autonomy, I could finally pursue my own dreams. Enrolling in art school felt incredible. After years of self-doubt, here I was at 35, finally walking the path I’d envisioned as a child. It’s not just about fulfilling a personal goal for me; it’s also about showing my kids that it’s never too late to change your situation, to chase your dreams, and to create a life filled with passion and purpose. Here I am now, wrapping up my sophomore year, and seeing my hopes begin to rise up out of the dirt of past hurts and disappointments, and begin to bloom anew!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m an artist and graphic designer energized by vibrant colors, whimsical imagery, and the limitless possibilities of blending traditional analog art with technology. I create attractive visuals for a variety of projects, from logos and illustrations to surface patterns and vectors. My recent schoolwork includes a fully designed, 20+ page pitch deck for a future Winter Olympics, complete with logos and pictograms that I developed from sketch to final product. I geek out when I am able to combine unique yet user-friendly graphic layouts with thoughtful text and illustrations! I’m drawn to projects that allow me to experiment with unexpected color palettes and infuse hand-drawn elements into digital creations. My ideal clients are those who appreciate playful, emotionally expressive art. I love to work on projects like personalized portraits, corporate brand guides for amazing creative enterprises, or striking, bespoke editorial illustrations that stand out from the flood of generic AI imagery. I aspire to build a thriving freelance career, collaborating with clients to bring their visions to life while also pursuing personal projects like children’s books and gallery exhibitions. Ultimately, I aim to create art that enriches lives, from small joys like journal covers to impactful, altruistic works that inspire people to action. Explore my portfolio at lovejaz.art to see more, and connect!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe society can better support artists and a thriving creative ecosystem by rejecting the false scarcity mindset. This mindset fuels unhealthy competition between fellow creatives. Instead, we should recognize the ample room for diverse artistic works. Encouraging inclusion will always lift everyone. We must also actively challenge the historical biases that have privileged certain demographics in the art world. People crave representation, and providing platforms for artists from marginalized communities is essential for a genuinely inclusive and sustainable creative economy. To me, this means not only showcasing diverse perspectives but also ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities, such as affordable studio spaces, grants, and exhibition opportunities. By leveling the playing field, we can create a more beautiful and inclusive art world.

I often, too, imagine the possibilities of what could happen if we expanded our understanding of where art belongs. Why are galleries and coffee shops the default? Local businesses, from hair salons and car dealerships to convenience stores, could become vibrant hubs for showcasing and selling art. For example, Windows of Inspiration is an organization that pairs artists with small businesses to create amazing window displays, drawing attention to both the artists and the businesses. On a larger scale, there are multiple national corporations with a strong presence in Colorado that have partnered with local arts centers to support accessible and inclusive programs, demonstrating that businesses of all sizes can play a role. I would love to see more of this kind of mutual support on a smaller, neighborhood scale. Think about the potential impact of these unexpected partnerships: artists gain exposure and income, businesses enhance their atmosphere and connect with the community, and individuals encounter art in their everyday lives. Again proving that an ethos of abundance, inclusivity, and creative collaboration helps everyone benefit.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson I’ve had to (and am continuing to) unlearn is the expectation of immediate perfection. Growing up with a perfectionist parent, I internalized this idea that my first attempt at anything should be flawless. This was especially frustrating when it came to art. I’d have this vivid image in my head, but my initial execution would inevitably fall short. My ADHD, with an extra dose of hyperactivity, doesn’t help either. If something didn’t click instantly, I’d get frustrated and move on. But art, unlike other fleeting hobbies, has always stuck with me, and because of that I am choosing to honor and love what I create, through every stage. With art as my “why”, I’m learning the power of consistency and revision. It’s been a tough process, rewiring that ingrained need for instant excellence. Now, I actively embrace the messy middle, the iterative process of refining and reworking until a piece aligns with my vision. It’s still a struggle sometimes, that impulsive urge to abandon something when it gets challenging. But pushing through those moments and developing the discipline to see a piece through to completion is where I feel the most fulfilled. And the feeling of exhilaration when I finally reach the finish line? That’s unbeatable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lovejaz.art/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovejaz.art/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaz-palmer1111