About

Hello! My name is Carly Palmer and I am a self-taught Artist and Writer in the Chicagoland Area.

I spent many years as a Professional Makeup Artist specializing in bridal and wedding looks. This type of work requires a constant attention to detail and a steady hand working on a “live canvas”. It was here that I developed a keen eye for balance, precision and placement.

I wanted to bring more of myself into my work and starting painting abstracts. I naturally drifted into collage work as I’ve always had a deep appreciation for re-purposing and re-imagining. Collages allow me to explore the ever-present patterns of possibility in my life and the world around me.

Collecting images for collages often feels like a treasure hunt. I hand-cut all of my collages with scissors as I prefer to work “old-fashioned” and flip through magazines of the yesteryear. There’s something to said about feeling like you are stepping into a time machine.