Rising Stars: Meet Sherman Parnell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherman Parnell.

Hi Sherman, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory. 
I’ve been a creative all my life. Initially, when it was time to go to university, I decided to attend for engineering, but I ultimately decided to continue to develop my skills and pursued visual communication and painting classes. I’ve been fortunate enough to work on creative projects consistently ever since graduating. I also spent some time as a Creative Project Manager, where I worked on amazing public art projects that helped me to realize how impactful the arts can really be. 

In the near future, I hope to focus more on my personal work; I have so many ideas I can’t wait to explore! 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve experienced some hard times. Things always seem relatively straightforward until life gets in the way and complicates it. 

The pandemic made things difficult in many ways, but I was fortunate enough to have a backlog of projects to keep me busy. 

Nevertheless, I’ve always been focused on improving my work and making it more impactful, so when things get tough, I always revert back to my training! 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in creative illustration and fine art. For a while, I did a lot of mural work and worked on big public art projects throughout the Ohio/Kentucky area. 

My work right now is known for its rather deep subject matter, its kind of gritty texture, and its use of color and design. I’m most proud of the client work I’ve done up to this point. I always saw myself as an artist working on my personal work, but through the years, I’ve been able to help others to express their ideas, and I couldn’t be happier about the outcomes. 

I’m not sure what sets me apart, but I hope to continue making art for a long time! 

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I think covid taught me to be patient. I graduated right as the lockdown came into effect; there wasn’t much opportunity (seemingly), and there were moments where I felt like a failure. I also learned to just appreciate life as I know it lot more now that things have gone back to a more normal place. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shermparnell9409.myportfolio.com/illustrationportfolio
• Instagram: Instagram.com/shermanparnell