We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Liz Palmer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Liz below.

Liz, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was definitely a piece that was about a year and a half in the making and certainly my most intimidating project. In 2020, a client reached out to me and asked if I would be willing to create a piece incorporating her grandmother’s ashes. I immediately said yes. I was honored, for sure, but I was also very afraid of disappointing her. However, this was something that I felt in my gut I should do. Fast forward to 2022, her new house was completed and she was ready for me to begin the piece. She brought the ashes over to my house and upon arrival, she also explained that she wanted a painting rather than resin art (my comfortable medium). My mouth just blurted out, “Yes!” But my brain was like, “girl, lol, you don’t paint.” Again, I really felt that it was something I needed to do for her. I could feel how special this was! I’m pretty spiritual, so I asked her grandmother for guidance in the process, and about two weeks later, I finished a stunning piece on canvas, and my client was over the moon. I somehow was not at all shocked that it turned out well, but very humbled by her trust in me, which allowed me to surrender to the process and create something meaning for her. It will stay with me forever.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I sort of fell into resin art in 2019 after a couple of years of being a little bit lost. My friends were all starting to pair off and settle down (at least that was my perspective), and I was coming off a few years of draining myself in “hustle culture.” I decided to try some resin art out because I’d seen it on Pinterest and subsequently watched a few Youtube videos. I posted my creations, and began receiving order requests that day that haven’t stopped since!

Over the years, I’ve really found my groove with what I like and what I don’t like through LOTS of trial and error. I’ve also learned to honor the part of me that’s not a finisher. I think in order to be successful and find things you like, you have to try a bunch of stuff, but the key is that you don’t actually have to finish anything you’re not lit up by. I’m a fan of quitting. Start and stop as much as you want and be proud that you tried! I don’t necessarily think stopping because it’s hard is the answer, but stopping because you’re not excited will allow you to make space for things that do light you up.

In the first year or two of working with resin, I worked really hard to turn my little art shop into a full fledged business. The thing is, I don’t like running businesses! I’m creative and entrepreneurial to an extent, but a real turning point for me was deciding when and how to scale back so that I could find the most joy in my art. I recently decided to close my online shop and work solely off Instagram and email. I like being referral based and connecting with my clients directly. Allowing people to order online took a lot of that away and made me feel more like a retailer than an artist, and although it was a tough decision to close the website, it gave me my power back and allowed me to be true to myself. I think any artist should be really clear on WHY they’re doing what they do. For me, creating allows me to blow off energy and manifest what’s in my head. It’s purely a hobby of enjoyment that happens to make money. Some people are profit driven, and in that case, they may make different choices. My point in saying that is always be true to yourself, because your customers will feel when you’re genuine no matter what that looks like.

I’ve also used my platform to try out new things unrelated to resin art! I often share my home projects, shopping hauls and general things that I think the people who follow me would be interested in! I’ve worked hard to not take social media so seriously because I’m a human at the end of the day, and I want to keep that perspective for myself. I’m not perfect, I’m super normal, and there’s more sides to me than just the one that’s largely presented on my grid.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think something that non-creatives may struggle with is that art is usually an outlet for something. I spent a lot of time writing a blog in addition to creating, and although I received lots of positive feedback, at times, some would say, “I just don’t get it.” Well, sometimes, art isn’t supposed to be “gotten.” Or maybe, the message or the piece wasn’t for that person. But I would bet that anything anyone creates could be “gotten” by someone, somewhere. It’s sometimes simply a matter of creating for yourself simply for the personal expression, and if you’re lucky, you find a receiver for your message.

I also don’t believe anyone is truly “non-creative.” Creativity is so subjective. I believe that a lot of people mis-label themselves as non-creative because there’s a fear of trying, fear of failing or fear of making something no one likes. But that’s what I love about art- it literally doesn’t matter if no one likes it. If you made it, it’s art. Now, maybe you won’t wind up on display at the met, but who says you have to show a single person? I would challenge anyone to try new creative endeavors just for the fun of it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the self-confidence that grows with time. I can tell you emphatically, that this confidence doesn’t come from praise, “likes,” or even sales. It comes from overcoming failure. It comes from seeing yourself. It comes from learning and growing and looking back a year later like, “Whoa…. how did I even get here? This is so cool.” The confidence I have built in my expression, my skills, my resilience and my growth has spilled over into so many areas of my life. It’s allowed me to go forth and say “What’s next?” without fear. I don’t judge myself nearly as harshly as I used to, and resin has quite literally taught me to “go with the flow.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: lolaandroseemporium
• Other: email me directly at [email protected] or direct message me on Instagram!