Artists ~ Jeff Palmer ~ Cranston

Name: Jeff Palmer ~ Artist, Filmmaker
Redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/people/TaftStStudios/shop
Shopify: TaftStreetStudios
IG: @pixelpalmer

1. Tell us about your work

Up until the Pandemic, I would have considered myself primarily a filmmaker and screenwriter. But last year I dipped my toes back into making artwork and have been at it since. I started doing word art, then abstracts, then got into spray paint art which lead to some 3D pieces like Pac-Man and Ghosties. In November around Thanksgiving I tried my hand at linocutting and fell in love with it! I’ve been doing that nonstop.

2. Is there a story behind the name of your business?

My wife and I bought our first home on Taft Street (in Cranston) and Taft Street Studios sounded like a good fit.

3. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter/designer?

I’ve always been into artful things. I think when I was graduating high school I wanted to attend Parsons, but didn’t really have the portfolio for it. At Keene State College I fell in love with filmmaking and cinema; in fact I went back to get my masters in film at Boston University in 2016. Anyhow, when we were living in California for Rebecca’s education I kept up with film and video work, but started doing a lot of painting between 2004-2009. Between making music videos—which are an art project in their own right—short films and writing screenplays I became very interested in painting to get away from using technology all of the time. I also spent a few years working in graphic design and tend to incorporate those interests in a lot of my artwork. Basically, I just try to stay creatively active in any medium. If I have an idea to do something, I’ll give it a whirl. I dislike the phrase "stay in your lane."

4. Where do you draw your inspiration?

I get inspired from all sorts of things. To give you two completely different examples, I attended a Black Lives Matter Breona Taylor march in downtown Providence back in June. I remember being surrounded by so many passionate, courageous and outspoken people of all races, all ages, but especially hundreds of young folks. The whole march was led by teenage girls of color and they were truly on their game and in their element during the whole event. When I got home I started a series of word art paintings incorporating that energy from the march. On a very different note, humor and pop culture inspire me with ideas. When the fly landed on Pence’s head during the debate, I immediately painted a version of it and sold a few pieces at the Providence Flea. I love it when people get a laugh or find a deeper meaning and connection to my art. Creativity is really all about making a connection with people and making sense of the world around us.

5. I really dig your spray paint pieces. Can you tell us about the process?

For my spray paint pieces I mostly use natural and found items like branches, leaves, grass, weeds, anything I might find on a run. We live close to Roger Williams Park so that makes it easy. I also use stencils that I cut out myself and some wood letters that help speed up the process of lettering. I love contrast so finding ways to combine birds with leaves with bright colors and dark shadows is a good challenge. The only thing I don’t like about spray painting is adding fumes to the atmosphere.

6.  What’s your best seller?

I sold a lot of the Vintage Banana Phones over the holidays. Those grabbed people’s attention. I am now selling a lot of my linocut prints which is cool. Taft Street Studios was at the Providence Flea during October in 2020 and I was blown away at all the customers and people making comments about the art and walking away with a painting or two. I’m always so grateful when folks see value in what I create. Selling art is a nice byproduct of making it, but not the overall goal. I get a lot of thoughtful comments and feedback from people who just appreciate the art, and that’s fine, too! Currently I’m working on a handful of Rhode Island specific slogans and designs for clothing and products. Be sure to check my Instagram account for more info.

7. How long have you been in Rhode Island?

We moved to Rhode Island in the fall of 2018 and fell in love with The Ocean State.

8. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?

We really love being close to the water, the woods and the “big” city. Providence is great because it’s still human scale and easy to get around in a car, navigate on a bike or explore on foot. We lived outside of Boston for 5 years and I don’t miss the traffic and congestion one bit.

9. Favorite place to take out-of-towners?
Since the Pandemic it’s been hard to take people anywhere (!) but during pre-Covid times we always try to bring folks to experience a WaterFire, the PVD Fest, Federal Hill, the coastline, or the planetarium at Roger Williams Park. Pawtuxet Village is a short walk from where we live and biking into Providence for some food and drinks is always an easy way to show people around.

10. Any advice for new/wannabe makers?
Having taught a few filmmaking classes at high schools and colleges, I tell students to avoid restraining themselves with ideas for movies. As for art, I’d suggest the same thing. Don’t pigeonhole yourself into one category. If you love illustration, run with it and have fun with it! But if you find yourself getting bored or losing interest, it’s OK to shift gears and try something new and different. I never imagined I’d be carving new designs almost everyday, or even using spray paint as much as I have. The key is to not let your ideas wither because you think they aren’t possible or are un-filmable or unpaintable. Sometimes you just gotta dive into the deep end and start swimming. What’s the worst that can happen if you finish a painting and don’t like it? Paint it blank and start all over again! Get out of your lane. All the fun is off road and in the wild. In the world of art and creativity, there is always a way.

11. Please include anything else you want to add:
I just found out I will be the guest artist the month of March at the Willow Street Art Gallery in Providence, in the Armory district.