Architecture & Design // 1 min Read

The Endless Evolution of Panhandle Slim

Written by Palmetto Bluff

It’s as hard to define Panhandle Slim’s journey as it is to define his art.

His work, painted on found materials and scraps of wood, at first glance seems to hum with both a childlike innocence and a punk rock sense of defiance. Looking as much like finger painting as fine art, they nonetheless transfix the viewer with their vivid imagery and simple linework. But then you take another look and see that even though each line forms the simplest of arcs, they capture something in the subject you may have never seen.

It could be a famous face such as Martin Luther King Jr. or Jimmy Carter or a lesser-known muse such as Ben Tucker or Kim Gordon. No matter their notoriety, each looks forth from a Panhandle Slim painting like an icon of a lost age. Like something out of Ozymandias, only their words remain.

From beside her steady gaze, Maya Angelou’s timeless words from “Love Liberates,” “I’m thankful to have been loved and now be able to love,” float in childlike red lettering against a yellow backdrop. Beside the cartoonishly soaring updo of Dolly Parton reads, “Find out who you are. And do it on purpose.” And you’ll find countless variations of the late Justice Ginsberg declaring, “I dissent.”

As an oeuvre, it’s a very simple format, one found on memes across the internet. Which is part of what makes Panhandle Slim such a perfect artist for the moment.

“This simple art that I do connects with people,” he said. “I’ve never been formally trained. It still feels funny to be called an artist. It’s nice, but I didn’t plan on it.”

Whether he finds it funny or not, Panhandle Slim is an artist. And the effortlessly nontraditional streak that informs his art has taken on a few variations along the way.

lowcountry christmas

Culture
5 Must-Do Holiday Events in the Lowcountry

How to Spend a Lowcountry Christmas at Palmetto Bluff There's no better way to start anticipating the holidays than by making plans to spend time with family and friends. Now that the holiday season has arrived, many look forward to embracing the Christmas sp...

Nov 2024
palmetto bluff homes for sale

Real Estate
Real Estate Spotlight: Montage Residences at Palmetto Bluff

Explore 130 August Lane at Montage Residences Nestled in the heart of the Lowcountry, the Montage Residences at Palmetto Bluff offer an unparalleled blend of elegance, exclusivity, and Southern charm. This private collection of homes sits amidst the lush land...

Nov 2024

Culture
6 Best Places to See Winter Wildlife in the Lowcountry

Experience Winter Wildlife This Season at Palmetto Bluff The Lowcountry is a wondrous place to live, not only for its breathtaking scenery and historical significance but also for the wildlife that inhabits it. Winter wildlife in South Carolina includes a wid...

Nov 2024

Conservation
Noticing November’s Natural Shifts

As summer’s heavy air fades into fall’s cool breezes, our resident wildlife are busy preparing for another Lowcountry winter.In the fall, eastern wild turkeys move into habitats mostly dominated by hardwood trees such as oaks, hickories, beeches, cypresses, tu...

Nov 2024

Artist in Residence
An Intimate Evening with Clay Ross: Multi-grammy Winning Musician’s Performance at Palmetto Bluff

The Arts Initiative at Palmetto Bluff hosted an unforgettable evening in the May River Chapel this past October with our visiting Artist in Residence, multi-Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Clay Ross, founding member of the Billboard chart-topping band Ranky T...

Nov 2024

Culture
Celebrating Community and Creativity: FLOW FEST 2024

This year’s FLOW FEST was an unforgettable celebration of art, music, and community spirit. Held on a stunning autumn afternoon by the May River, our third annual arts and music festival, hosted by The Arts Initiative at Palmetto Bluff, brought together friend...

Nov 2024

Food & Wine
Pickle Party

Recipes by Palmetto Bluff Club Executive Chef Beth Cosgrove Photographs by Lawson Builder Pickling Through the Centuries Pickling dates back over four thousand years to ancient Mesopotamia. Early picklers discovered that soaking perishable foods in brine or v...

Nov 2024
racquet sports

Sporting Life
Behind the Bluff: Martin Aviles at Wilson Lawn & Racquet Club

Martin’s Journey to the Palmetto Bluff Racquet Club At Palmetto Bluff, tennis and pickleball enthusiasts are fortunate to have a dedicated and passionate leader guiding the vibrant racquet sports scene. Martin Aviles, Director of Racquet Sports at the Wilson ...

Oct 2024
farm to table dining

Food & Wine
Farm-to-Table at the Bluff: Your Guide to Locally-Grown Produce

Palmetto Bluff’s farm offers a unique opportunity for residents and guests to experience the Lowcountry’s rich agricultural heritage. The farm provides fresh, seasonal produce and herbs used in restaurants across the Bluff, bringing the concept of farm-to-tabl...

Oct 2024
inland waterway sc

Real Estate
Real Estate Spotlight: Homes on the Inland Waterway

Palmetto Bluff Homes for Sale on the Inland Waterway Tucked within the serene beauty of Palmetto Bluff, homes along the inland waterway offer unparalleled access to nature and luxurious living. With private docks, expansive outdoor spaces, and custom designs,...

Oct 2024

CURIOUS ABOUT LIFE AT THE BLUFF?

Sign up for our newsletter

LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us