CHARLY PALMER
Charly Palmer was born in Alabama and raised in Milwaukee. He is an award-winning artist who has made a career not only in Graphic Design and Illustration, but in creating timeless and fascinating fine art works which continue to be added to the collections of thousands of art enthusiasts all across the country. Winning the ‘Gallery of Greats' contest with Miller Brewing Company in 1990, being commissioned to create the 1996 Atlanta Olympic poster, and the 1998 Winter Olympics in Japan, and having a piece featured on the television show “In Living Color“ are only a few of his accomplishments.
At the age of 5 he became fascinated by illustrations in "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats. “I could never get enough of the imagery in the book. This planted a seed in my young heart,” says Palmer. “Keats works were fascinating and magical to me.”His random geometric shapes, the simplicity of the layered textures and patterns, along with the mix of bold colors stuck in Palmer's mind.
As a young man, Charly studied the works of Viennese painter Gustav Klimt, who influenced his growing fondness of flat surfaces, mosaic colors and simplistic forms, which are highly symbolic in Klimt's paintings.
Charly gives credence to those who taught and mentored him. Bill Parks taught him while at the American Academy of Art. His mentors include the late Carl Owens, who
was the master of many different mediums, and Paul Goodnight, who used colors and textures in ever evolving styles. Charly is fond of the style of Joseph Holston, which helped him evolve into understanding simplicity of human form and the sensitive color palette. “Holston's simplified statements were more important than technique,” Palmer says.
Further influences are Jean Michele Basquiat, "a true artist whose rawness in technique inspired me, who I recognized didn't let medium or anything get in his way. I would like to mimic Basquiat in that way. To this day he continues to be a pioneer in influencing lots of artists," says Palmer. A
Charly, is a new Historian expressing his love and undying interest in history. He uniquely chronicles that part of American history which is so often been overlooked. Over his 25-year career, Palmer has focused on social, political and often on African American historical subjects. He starts with the Middle passage and continues through slavery, the Jim Crow and civil rights eras, the Negro Sports League and musical history. His focus is not limited to the African American experience, but also includes Native Americans and the Jewish Holocaust.
Palmer's passion is painting and his biggest challenge is to be the BEST artist he can be. His alter ego emerged several years ago after a trip to Cancun, Mexico. He began creating and signing works as “Carlos” as a way to understand his artistic voice and freely express himself. This journey helped him to truly find self. "Carlos” is Charly, one who is carefree, relaxed, excited, spontaneous, and passionate. After many successful years, “Carlos” has been put to rest and all works now signed C. Palmer.
Both Charly Palmer and Carlos visual statements can be seen in galleries across the country. Art enthusiasts who own a "Carlos" creation have a piece from what will be known in the future as the Charly Palmer "Carlos" period.
EDUCATION
1980 - 1982 B.F.A - The American Academy of Art - Chicago, IL
1979 - 1980 The School of the Art Institute - Chicago, IL
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2005 Art on 38thGallery, Philadelphia,PA Tilford Art Group, Los Angeles, CA
Apex Museum, Atlanta, GA
Mason Murer Art Gallery, Midtown -Atlanta,GA P. J. Herring Fine Art, Oakland, CA
2004 Savacou Gallery, New York, NY Bean Head Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
Alabama State University Art Gallery
E and S Gallery, Louisville, KY
Just Lookin' Gallery Hagerstown, MD
Thelma Harris Art Gallery Oakland, CA
2003 Apache Café, Atlanta, GA
2000 Beverly Libby Gallery, Atlanta, GA
1988 IN Art Center, Michigan City
SELECTED TWO PERSON and GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2006 Black Heritage Festival - Starland Art Gallery, Savannah, GA Avisca Fine Art - National Black Fine Art Show Mason Murer Fine Art - Buckhead Gallery, Atlanta, GA Mason Murer Fine Art - Midtown Gallery, Atlanta, GA2005 Avisca Fine Art - National Black Fine Art Show Thelma Harris Art Gallery Oakland, CA Tilford Art Group, Los Angeles, CA
Mason Murer Fine Art - Midtown Gallery, Atlanta, GA2004 ArtJaz Philadelphia, PA Avisca Fine Art - National Black Fine Art Show Tilford Art Group, Los Angeles, CA1993 Fine Art Images, Richmond, VA
1992 Apex Museum, Atlanta GA1992 Uzuri African-American Fine Art Gallery, Milwaukee, WI1991 Dennis Uhlig Gallery, Milwaukee, WI1991 West Bend Art Gallery, West Bend, WI1990 Dennis Uhlig Gallery, Milwaukee, WI Wisconsin Gallery, Milwaukee, WI Wustum Gallery of Fine Arts, Racine, WI1989 Peoples Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
PERMANENT PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Apex Museum - Atlanta
Alabama State University National Center for the Study of Civil Rights
Atlanta Life Insurance - Atlanta
City Hall - Milwaukee
McDonald's Corporation - Wisconsin
McDonald's National
Miller Brewing Company - Wisconsin
YWCA of Greater Milwaukee
Coca-Cola Company
Pepsi Cola Company
Publix Food Market
Hammond House Museum,
SELECTED COLLECTIONS PRIVATE
The Late Maynard Jackson, Former Mayor of Atlanta, GA
Honorable AndrewYoung
Mr. John Lewis
Ms. Angela Bassett, Renowned Actress
Mr. Courtney Vance, Renowned Actor
Ms. Phyllis Jackson
Honorable Mr. John Lewis, U. S. House of Representatives, GA
Mr. Tony Brown, National Broadcaster
Mr. John Witherspoon, Comedian
Miss India Arie, International Recording Artist
The Pehl Collection, MD
PUBLICATIONS
2007 Homes of Color Magazine
2005 Save The Date Magazine
2003 Looking Good Magazine “Signature Style”
2000 Creative Loafing
1997 Art Trends
1992 Ebony Magazine
1992 Essence Magazine
AWARDS AND COMMISSIONS
2005 YUM - Taco Bell
2004 YUM - Kentucky Fried Chicken
2003 Publix Mural Project
2002 YMCA Youth Development Center
1999 Fulton County Arts Council
1997 1998 Winter Olympic
Atlanta Convention Visitors Bureau / Atlanta
1995 1996 Olympic Poster
USA Track & Field Association
1994 Southern Bell / Atlanta
1992 Calendar - Miller Brewing Company “Gallery of Greats” Poster - Apex Museum “Tribute to Thurgood Marshall” Poster - City of Milwaukee-Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.
1991 Miller Brewing Company / Wisconsin Best of Show - League of Milwaukee Arts / Milwaukee
Best of Show - African-American Culture & Arts Museum / Dallas
1990 Best of Show - Dallas African-American Art Museum / Dallas Best of Show - Inner City Arts Council Festival / Wisconsin Best of Show - League of Milwaukee Arts Honorable Mention - Atlanta Life African-American Art Exhibit
1989 Best of Show - Inner City Arts Council Festival / Wisconsin McDonald's Corporation “Black History Makers of Tomorrow” Best of Show - League of Milwaukee Arts
1988 Best of Show - Inner City Art Festival / Wisconsin
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2004-2005 Richard Franklin Art Studios, Inc - Summer Adult Art Classes
2000-2002 High Museum Young Masters Summer Program
1999-2001 Drawing and Painting Art Station (Age 5-8 and 9-15)
Advance Drawing and Painting Art Station (Adult level)
2000 Introduction to Norman Rockwell Painting and Concept High Museum
( High School level)
1998-2000 Mixed Media and Advance Painting Art Station (Adult level)
1996-1998 Design and Illustration at the Portfolio Center (Grad school level)
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