Celebrating Charly Palmer

Charly Palmer is known for his remarkable contributions to the world of art. However, he is a man of many talents. He navigates the art world as an artist and as a teacher, muralist, graphic designer, illustrator, and mentor to emerging artists.

Working primarily with acrylic, his subjects range from landscapes to intriguing portraits. As an African American artist, he is particularly interested in the history of African Americans.

He has covered many prominent figures, including Martin Luther King, Muhammad Ali, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Barack Obama. He has collaborated with numerous brands to create some of the most exquisite pieces of art. Read on to learn more about Charly Palmer.

Early Life & Education   

Born in 1960 in Fayette, Alabama, and raised in Milwaukee, Charly Palmer attended the School of Art Institute of Chicago. His fascination with arts and illustration started at a very early age. As a young boy, he was fascinated by illustrations in 'The Snowy Day' by Ezra Jack Keats. Reminiscing the olden days, he shared that Keat's magical illustrations planted a seed in his young heart.

Over the years, he developed a unique and intriguing style that makes him one of the world's most distinguished fine artists. He received a degree from the American Academy of Arts, starting an extraordinary career. He views the world from a unique perspective and creates visual theatre inspired by history and life experiences. Today, he owns a long list of achievements and notable works to his name.

Notable Work, Exhibits, & Achievements

Highly sought after, palmer's work is part of numerous private and public collections worldwide, including Miller Brewing Company, the Coca-Cola Company, McDonald's Corporation, Atlanta Life Insurance, and Vanderbilt University. His work was recently shared with the world on the cover of John Legend's latest album, Bigger Love. 

He also completed a project with the Green Bay Packers, designing some of the most spectacular art pieces for the Lambeau Stadium. Just Lookin' Gallery, African American Museum of Southern New Jersey, and Spence Gallery are only a few of the many museums and galleries that have exhibited Palmer's works. In 2018, palmer received the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Illustrator Award for Mama Africa! – one of his many children's storybooks. 

While Palmer's career is associated with a long list of works and achievements, perhaps the most notable is his contributions to the Olympics events. In 1996, he designed the eye-catching Olympic poster. He was honored again by the US Olympic Committee in 1998 when they chose him to paint the US Olympic Poster in Nagano in Japan as part of the Winter Olympics festivities.

For a few years, Palmer also worked as Carlos – a pseudonym often described as his alter ego. As Carlos, he took a more spontaneous approach to arts, resulting in powerful pieces that are most primal and abstract. This rather unconventional take is evident in his impactful Civil Rights series.

The Black Lives Matter Movement

Palmer is an advocate of the Black Lives Matter movement. He worked on the Time Magazine cover for the July 2020 issue, "America Must Change." He is acclaimed for painting on the subject of race, and his paintings speak with confidence.

His subjects permeate different issues regarding social justice, civil rights, and empowerment. Talking about his work and undying interest in history and current political issues, Charly Palmer said, "I'm fascinated and moved by history in particular specifically, African American history. Art was my way of expressing what I felt about the African American journey. With art, I am able to share my ideas and thoughts in color."

Visit Charly’s website to purchase his work:

www.charlypalmer.com