Meet Bryan Palacios | Craftsman & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bryan Palacios and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bryan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I felt lead to start Palacios Design Co. in 2017 as inquiries increased. Like many creatives, I explore opportunities that leave me feeling inspired. Starting a LLC created a sense of new opportunity, almost like opening up an unexplored wing in my home. Since 2017, it has become a place of professional refuge.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being a creative is funny, I suppose. Bringing things and ideas into existence is truly euphoric, but just like most euphoric experiences, it leaves one yearning for more once the dopamine wears off. That part is lame. Ha. This keeps creatives coming back to the workshop. I’m still learning how to manage this ebb and flow. Burst of inspiration sometimes smacks me between the eyes and my senses become open and beautifully vicious in a way. Finding ways to “offload” that inspiration can be difficult, but I encourage creatives to game plan in advance by setting up various mediums like notebook-art, journaling, poems, idea casting, song writing, photo taking, etc. For me, it is often acrylic painting. Painting is something I have always done. My earliest memory of creating is kindergarten finger painting. It unlocked something for me at that time. Seeing smiling faces when I would bring home my creations, seeing paintings up on the fridge. It has always been and I hope to continue to be a source of refreshment. There are seasons in life in which my creating has taken on other forms, such as woodworking, gardening, making music, surfing, graphic design, etc. but freeform color on canvas will always have a place in my heart.
I want the world to know I’m still rough drafting, haha! I’ve only just begun! I’ve been blessed with this wonderful thing we call life, and exploring creative aspects of myself is akin to reading a story book. It takes you on a journey. Reading that story requires space and time. It beckons the reader to pull up a comfy chair and a hot cup of coffee. It takes the reader to a different world. I’m along for that ride one chapter at a time, and I wanna take my time. This is what I want the world to know.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Being a San Diego native, there is so much to do and see. I feel very blessed to live and help raise a young family here in San Diego, California. From our local mountains that receive fresh snow in winter, to the sun bleached shores in summer, I love it all. I’d suggest not a week long vacation, but rather a year long sabbatical to see it all. And even then, San Diego would still be offering new and fresh experiences that keep travelers coming time and time again. If there’s one thing, hit up Balboa Park and really take it all in. Do it early in the day and make sure to walk the botanical gardens, the Mingei Japanese gardens, catch a show at the World Beat Center, have a meal at a cafe, check out the Spanish village where artisans have their working studios, and take the time to listen to the various musicians there playing for tips. I always leave inspired.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My spouse Ashley has been along for the ride since we first met on November 14th of 2013. She is my muse. It also helps she can get into the creative flow herself, thru mediums of her own. Artists need other artists, as well as audience. If possible, be amused, or be a muse.

Instagram: PalaciosDesignCo / wawaprints / weekendwrz

Other: Bryanpalaciosdesign@me.com