We recently connected with Parke Ballantine and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Parke thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

The mission of my work as a creative director and multimedia artist is rooted in the concept of embodied power and liberation. At its heart, this mission is about reclaiming the relationship between our bodies, identities, and expressions—championing art and storytelling as tools to honor the nuanced, messy, and profound truths of being human.

This mission is deeply personal to me. It stems from my own journey of navigating healing, queerness, and creativity in a world that often asks us to bottle it up or conform. I have found that the practices that enhance my unbridled embodiment have been the sweetest antidote to disconnection, depression and discontent. It’s about finding belonging and confidence within ourselves, expressing that outwardly, and empowering others to do the same, forming authentic bonds as illuminated mirrors for each other. It’s a form of healing, play and energy exchange.

Through all my work I create environments that invite people to explore and reclaim their identities with authenticity and freedom. As a stylist and director, I’ve led campaigns that amplify diverse, dynamic, and emerging voices—ensuring that groundbreaking visionaries not only see themselves as compelling reflections in positions of influence but also as visible in the shaping of futures beyond the boundaries of what we currently know. As a DJ, I design intentional soundscapes, blending genres to weave connections between emotional and sonic experiences, using music as a catalyst for deep feeling and introspection. I think of my role as a guide to the radical act of inhabiting oneself fully and living on the exhilarating edges of possibility.

I believe this mission matters because our selves are often politicized, marginalized, and commodified. To reclaim embodiment is a revolutionary act. It’s a way of saying: “I am here, fully present and unapologetically myself, and my story is valued—it’s meant to be seen, heard, and felt. It’s meant as a beacon to awaken and amplify the light in others.” My goal is to offer not just fabulous outfits and images, art, and exciting soundscapes but experiences that inspire this truth in everyone who encounters me and my work.

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 have always been drawn to creative expression as a means of exploration, experimentation, and connection—a way to process and communicate the ineffable. As a young person, I found solace in art spaces and communities. It seemed like critical thinkers, outcasts, and dreamers were naturally drawn to the dimly lit rooms of late-night music venues, backstages, and other havens for the creatively curious. Long before I began my career, I was primed to filter my ideas, disciplines, and desires through the lens of artistic practice.

My early interests in poetry, film, photography, and performance became a foundation for my journey, though it wasn’t always linear. I dropped out of high school during my freshman year, later resuming my education through community college, where I began to merge my love of creative mediums with a newfound understanding of healing, social systems, and intersectional politics. This fusion of art and advocacy drove me to earn my BA in Ethnic Studies and Film Studies. Upon graduating, I worked as a videographer and digital storytelling workshop leader at a Native American community health center, integrating creative work with community healing.

Over the years, my career unfolded across cities like the Bay Area, Chicago, and NYC, where I worked in marketing and creative roles before returning to Austin during the pandemic. In 2022, I launched my own business offering Creative Direction and Fashion Styling services for commercial and editorial projects. I joined Austin’s KOOP 91.7FM in 2023, where I host and DJ shows like Mood Ring and Around the Town Sounds. With my eclectic vinyl collection, I also perform live DJ sets at venues, crafting soundscapes that bridge emotion and sonic connection.

This past year, I co-founded Pleasure Principle with photographer Blair Conner, a lifestyle and boudoir photo studio focused on uplifting body and sex positivity through both client sessions and editorial work. I’ve also reignited my passion for being behind the camera, exploring personal photography projects that I look forward to sharing in the year ahead. I thrive on having my hands in many projects—it keeps me inspired, connected, and in tune with what’s happening across industries while fueling my vision for what’s next.

In an era where creation has become more democratized, I find myself drawn to what truly sets people apart. Access to tools and expertise has shifted dramatically, allowing new voices and fresh perspectives to emerge, which I think is both exciting and liberating. Early in my career, it was daunting to often be “the only one” in certain spaces. Now, I see opportunity in collaboration and in carving out transformative, intentional work that goes deeper than aesthetics.

What sets me apart is a combination of diverse experience, intuitive leadership, and a deeply personal approach to creativity. I bring a rich network of contacts across cities and industries, connecting clients and collaborators with the right people to bring their visions to life. As both a visionary and producer, I combine technical expertise in media production with an ability to intuitively craft tailored, one-of-a-kind experiences—whether it’s a creative campaign, a DJ set, or a deeply personal photography session.

I believe in the transformative power of storytelling, representation, and communication to shape how we see ourselves and the world. My work is not about quick fixes or surface-level solutions. If you’re seeking an empowering experience—one that stretches your comfort zone in pursuit of creating something authentic and aligned with your identity or brand—then I’m your person. If you’re looking for a highly curated and thoughtful process, genuine collaboration, and meaningful relationship-building, I’m your person. If you want to infuse your work with healing, purpose, and vision, I’m your person.

My work is not transactional—it’s transformative. I create experiences that inspire connection, growth, and self-discovery, leaving you with more than just a product: a new understanding of yourself and your story.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that I needed to force myself into existing structures that weren’t designed for me. For a long time, I tried to fit a round peg into a square hole—making myself smaller, ignoring my strengths, and focusing on areas where I struggled, all in an effort to conform. This approach not only stifled my creativity but also made me undervalue my own contributions, sacrificing my growth for the comfort of playing by rules that didn’t serve me.

Unlearning this lesson wasn’t immediate—it came through a series of failures and realizations. I had to walk away from roles that undervalued my perspective or were threatened by the boldness of my ideas. Those experiences, though challenging, pushed me to recognize the power of my own contributions. When I started hearing and seeing the results of the impact my full work had, I realized that my unique excellence was the one thing no one could take from me.

Another key part of this journey was understanding that there is no singular path to success. So many routes aren’t illuminated in the mainstream, but there are infinite ways to succeed, live, and work in alignment with our talents, passions and values. It’s about building systems, relationships, and practices that honor who you are and amplify your strengths rather than trying to mold yourself into someone else’s vision.

Now, I lean into what I’m good at and seek collaboration or support for the areas where I need help. From the tools I use to stay organized to the way I interact with clients, I’ve learned to shape my approach around what feels authentic to me. When we honor who we are and work in spaces that lift us up, everyone wins. It’s not just a personal victory—it creates ripples of possibility for others to do the same.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

Absolutely! Having multiple revenue streams is one of the things I love most about being self-employed and a creative—it’s both a fulfilling way to work and a smart strategy for sustainability. Since the nature of creative work is often seasonal and always in flux, having a variety of income sources allows me to adapt, stay engaged, and take on a range of projects.
While I’m deeply passionate about editorial and artistic projects, they’re often the least lucrative or hardest to secure. To balance this, I supplement with commercial work, such as styling for lifestyle brands and product studios. I also take on personal styling clients for special events or larger transformations, apply for arts grants, and hold part-time or contract roles in curation, strategy, and production.

In recent years, opening a photo studio (Pleasure Principle) and DJing have allowed me to expand into new creative mediums and meet niche client needs. These avenues create a mix of passion projects, large-scale branded collaborations, and short-term income opportunities, all of which form a strong foundation for my work. This variety not only keeps my business sustainable but also keeps me inspired and often traveling.

Additionally, my skills include some graphic and web design meaning I’m able to handle most of my own marketing and branding needs, though I’m exploring support for social media in the new year—because, honestly, it’s not my favorite thing to do!

Ultimately, the mix of revenue streams helps me stay creative, flexible, and aligned with my values while continuing to grow and expand my practice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.parkeballantine.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parke.ballantine/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parkeballantine/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/parke-ballantine-styling-austin
• Other: https://www.mixcloud.com/TheeParke/

Image Credits

Blair Conner, Joi Conti, Chris Nightengale, Latiece Brown