Vicki Palmer

ArtistVicki Palmer

story by Kim Brauss

“I’ll try any type of art at least once,”

says Florence artist Vicki Palmer.

“I can’t pin down one type of art that I do. I love all art. I paint, love pottery, jewelry making, and sculpture. …I am presently having fun working with unusual materials. I am working on a sculpture made from just about everything.” Palmer, a graduate of Winthrop University with a major in art and art education, is among the artists accepted into ArtFields – the annual, nine-day art competition in Lake City. Palmer is one of the entrants in the Southeast competing for $100,000 in prizes. ArtFields was founded in 2013 with a “mission to celebrate Southern art and revitalize” the town through the arts. “My art is inspired by everything around me. With technology today, the possibilities are endless. There are patterns in a piece of wood, color in the night sky; how can artists not be inspired? …I lived in Bishopville for thirty years. People who know me will be surprised by this because I was previously more of a wildlife artist.”

Palmer’s creativeness was recognized by her parents at an early age. “My mother tried to find an art class for me to attend at age five. At that time there were no classes for small children. I was lucky enough to have the local YMCA allow me to take classes with adults.

I just loved it. I still remember the smell of the art materials, the beautiful paints, and the lovely women in that class,” Palmer said. “I have loved everything about art my entire life.” Palmer’s been an art teacher and freelance artist most of her life. She taught at St. Anthony’s Catholic School for 13 years. She’s now semi-retired, working on her artwork during her spare time when she’s not working as an activities’ assistant at Karesh Wing nursing home, where her mother resides in Camden. “My favorite piece I ever created usually is the last piece I worked on. I become so involved in the project that I almost forget why I created all the pieces before it. If I had to pick one, it would be a portrait of my dogs. The dogs in the painting have all passed away and it makes me smile when I see it.” The piece of work accepted this year in the 2021 competition is titled, “Tranquility.” “The subject of this work is a chameleon made completely of glass and wooden beads. It also has a 3-dimensional element in the raised eye. Almost every bead was placed individually, which was very time-consuming. The beads are placed to mimic the texture of the chameleon’s skin. Like a chameleon, the colors play off each other depending on the light source. I love how this piece turned out.” Some ArtFields' enthusiasts may recognize Palmer’s 2019 entry titled “Steampunk George.” Palmer painted a portrait of George Washington, the first president of the United States, and added elements of steampunk art. “Steampunk art is science fiction. It incorporates technology inspired by 19th Century industrial steam-powered machinery. It is usually incorporated with something historical that would not usually go together. As in my ‘Steampunk George’ painting,” Palmer said, “I Incorporated many science fiction elements, as well as technology that had not yet been invented.” “I hope that sometime in the future my art will be my full-time career,” Palmer said. Palmer’s work in ArtFields is for sale. The venues for the artwork this year can be found online here:

www.artfieldssc.org/galleries/venues

She also creates commissioned work. She is married to a “very patient and understanding husband, Steve,” and has two stepchildren, Scott and Stacey, and also has a 2-year-old granddaughter, Sloane. She can be reached at spalmer@live.com. Palmer’s art will be located at Bold and Sassy Children’s boutique, 109 N. Acline St. Lake City, during ArtFields.