Creatives Like Us Podcast - Ep:44
Episode 44 of the podcast Creatives Like Us hosted by Angela Lyons – with guest Sandra Palmer
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Sandra Palmer: Surreal Collage, Heritage and Finding Your Way Back to Art
Before we start the episode here is a reminder about the podcast. Creatives Like Us is a podcast speaking and highlighting people in the creative industry who are of colour.
Creatives Like Us is inclusive and it's also focusing on people who champion people of colour and want to promote and support them in their career or area of creativity.
I’m Angela Lyons, a brand, website and marketing graphic designer. I studied Product Design at Central Saint Martins and even when I was accepted there I thought it was because I’m black and they have to fill a quota or am I really good. This has been at the back of my mind for years. I still carry it now.
This is a podcast about conversations with people who can encourage and inspire others, especially students and graduates entering the creative industry. It could be a career change or something you might want to explore a new industry. I hope this podcast will help. I love helping people - there is an old saying it takes a village.
This episode is a little different and is in a blog style, as I read out Sandra's answers. In between Sandra’s answers Sandra has kindly shared her creative work to accompany this podcast episode.
Not to take anything away from Sandra’s episode – this is the final episode of Season 3. So enjoy!
Connect and follow Sandra:
Sandra’s Creative Journey
What creative are you?
Hi Angela, I'm a surreal collage artist
How did you start?
I stared creating collages during lockdown, after spending 16+ years as a Contour designer (lingerie + swinwear). Due to being an asthmatic I had to isolate and this helped me with mindfulness and to reconnect my art.
What was the moment you realized you were "creative"? Was it something someone said, a project that clicked, or did you always just know?
To be honest, there was never a real ‘moment’ i've always been creative even as a child.
Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome in your career? How do you navigate those feelings?
Oh yes, I have! I navigate through this by practising daily gratitude! At the end of each day, i write down 3 things that i am thankful for. It's my daily reflection.
What does success look like to you now, versus when you first started?
I started with hope and a dream. For me now, success is being able to do something i love everyday! This includes sharing my artwork with family and friends in public spaces and exhibitions and every order and commission made! That's success to me.
REPRESENTATION & IDENTITY
How has your identity as a person of colour shaped your creative work or career path?
Being a person of colour has been very important to my journey as a creative. It’s been very important, who I am, how I represent. My parents instilled hard work in me and i try to be the best i can. I try to include my heritage, there’s a nod to my family in my art with an added parma violet in each piece (my family is the Palmer's) and i also try to add a hummingbird to signify Jamaica.
Have you ever felt like you had to compromise your authentic self to fit into creative spaces? How did you handle that?
To be honest whatever situation I'm in I can't be anything other than myself. I’m also lucky that in art it’s ok to be you, its who you are and your story, that sets you apart!
What does it mean to you to see people who look like you in your creative field?
It’s fabulous! I love seeing other artists doing well and getting recognition for their amazing work. Whenever i meet another black artist at an event i go over for a chat and we exchange details. It’s great to support others and they're journey.
What's one change you'd love to see in the creative industry regarding diversity and inclusion?
Ooh maybe more grants, more mentorships.
Do you feel a responsibility to represent or pave the way for others? How does that sit with you?
Yes I do, in some respects I hope that I am paving the way for the next generation. I hope that i represent in a way that shows a woman of colour who is working her way up with genuine hard work and decency.
Catalyst connection
We all have those pivotal people who appear at just the right moment in our journey – mentors, champions, chance encounters, or even people who challenged us in ways that pushed us forward.
Who was one (or more) of the key people who put you on the path you're on now? What did they do or say that made such an impact? Sometimes it's a single conversation, an opportunity they created, or just believing in us when we doubted ourselves.
This has to be my Mom, she has always championed me. When I was at a crossroads in my practise she encouraged me to go back to my art, and she was right!
Current
What is your creative project right now?
I'm currenly working on Birmingham landmarks and photographing them to include in my landmark collages. I’m also working on an Out of Brum collection, looking at other landmarks out of Birmingham to include in my work.
Future
What is your future project?
I’m looking at doing more people photos and adorning them with my floral collages.
End on a personal or quirky question
What would you tell your teenage self?
Keep going and don't be so hard on yourself.
Quick fire fun in 5 question
Crisps or chocolates? Chocolates all the way! Lol 😂 😆
Beach or forest? Ooh go on beach!
Book or kindle? Definitely a book!
Reggae or soul? Reggae
Pattie or sandwich? Curry pattie!
Thank you Sandra!
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Links for Angela
This podcast is hosted by Angela Lyons of Lyons Creative.
If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to be featured on this podcast, please email angela@lyonscreative.co.uk
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