We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Parke Ballantine. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Parke below.
Hi Parke , thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?
My relationship with communication has been shaped by contrast—growing up as an intensely shy, isolated child with a deep inner world but no real language to express it. I was raised in rural New Jersey, where social interaction was sparse, and for much of my early life, I struggled to speak, to connect, to be understood. I think people who meet me today—who see me as articulate, expressive, and even gregarious—would never guess that I once found words nearly impossible to access.
It was through images—film, photography, and visual storytelling—that I first found my voice. Movies were a kind of secret portal for me, a place where I could witness and absorb unspoken emotions, coded messages, entire histories embedded in a single frame. But it wasn’t until I took a film studies class in community college that I fully grasped what had always been drawing me in: the sheer power of visual language. That class cracked open my understanding of how images communicate, often more powerfully than words—how they can be used to inform, manipulate, seduce, and liberate.
bell hooks’ work on representation and the oppositional gaze, Marlon Riggs’ exploration of Black queer identity through film—these and many other scholars and artists revealed to me that the language of images is never neutral. The way we see is constructed, and the power to shape those constructions is immense. This realization completely altered how I approached media, art, and storytelling. I became obsessed with not only making images but making them with intention—understanding that every shadow, every composition, every juxtaposition carries weight.
I’m currently revisiting photography in a workshop setting, and even now, I find myself fascinated by the evolution of visual iconography—how archetypes persist and shift, how meaning is layered through framing, lighting, and context. While today, the barrier to entry for creating film and photography is lower than ever, I believe that understanding the history of these mediums—how they have been used to shape culture, perception, and power—is essential. For me, the act of making an image is never just about aesthetics; it’s about authorship, agency, and the ability to articulate something that words alone cannot hold.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a multimedia artist with a background that straddles both creative and strategic worlds. With roots in business and marketing, I’ve always approached my work as a generalist with a strong creative vision—someone who moves fluidly across mediums while keeping an intentional, cohesive aesthetic. My practice spans styling, DJing, creative direction, photography, and poetry, each medium offering a different lens through which I explore themes of identity, embodiment, and spirituality.
Day to day, I wear many hats: I style commercial and editorial shoots for fashion and products, DJ both on the radio and in vinyl and digital sets around town, and work as a creative director shaping visual narratives, brand identities, and promotional campaigns. Beyond that, my personal artistic practice in photography and poetry is deeply rooted in existential themes that have shaped my curiosity since childhood—the ways we construct meaning, how the body becomes a site of transformation, and the unseen forces that move through us.
What excites me most about my work is being on set, on air or in production—those ephemeral moments where everything comes together in real time. In an era where so much is asynchronous, remote, and endlessly edited, there’s something electrifying about the immediacy of a shoot or show—the pressure, the presence, and the magic that happens when all the moving parts align.
Right now, I’m working on a photography series exploring sexuality and identity in fetish communities, as well as developing an interactive workshop series that guides participants through self-image and personal style as a tool for self-discovery. My radio show, Mood Ring, airs every Tuesday on 91.7FM in Austin from 3-4:30 PM CST, where I weave together genre-blurring sounds based on a weekly mood—recent themes include Femme Fatale, Event Horizon, and The Special Sauce.
I’m also serving as Head of Costume for Dirty Gold Theater’s upcoming production of Venus in Fur, which will open this May at the Sterling Stage. The play is a layered exploration of power, submission, and seduction, and designing for it has been an exciting deep dive into character psychology through aesthetics and costume.
This spring, I’ll be launching a full rebrand, creating a centralized space for all my work in styling, art, and music. I’m always open to collaboration—whether with artists, brands, or visionaries who resonate with my approach. If that sounds like you, let’s build something powerful together.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
A Commitment to Social Justice and Collective Liberation
At the core of everything I do is a deep desire to create a world I would want to live in—one rooted in safety, liberation, abundance, and the freedom to explore oneself fully. I approach my work through the lens of accountability, critical thinking, and continuous learning, recognizing that healing both personal and intergenerational trauma is essential to breaking cycles of harm and hardship. Whether through visual storytelling, music, or styling, I see my role as not just an artist but as someone contributing to a cultural landscape where we feel seen, empowered, and free to express ourselves unburdened.
Intuition and Curiosity as a Compass
I’ve always been driven by both an insatiable curiosity and a deep intuitive sense—two forces that guide my creative work and spiritual practice alike. But intuition isn’t just something you have; it’s something you strengthen. Over time, I’ve learned that deepening my intuitive practice is also an act of deepening self-trust—of knowing and honoring my own desires, needs, and core self. I believe that personal growth and collective evolution are intertwined, and my process is rooted in listening: to myself, to others, to the subtle patterns in the world around me. I find inspiration everywhere—natural textures, philosophy, fiber weaves, poetry, late-night dancing—and trust that there are always new depths to explore. My intuition helps me sense what feels right, what needs to be pushed further, and when to let things unfold organically. Together, curiosity and intuition create a rhythm in my work, allowing me to move fluidly between structure and spontaneity, thought and feeling, knowing and discovering.
The Art of Synthesis
I think of myself as a curator as much as a creator. Whether I’m styling, DJing, or arranging poetry in a collection, my greatest skill is in synthesis—taking a vast swath of ideas, textures, and emotions and distilling them into something cohesive yet layered. I see every project as an opportunity to make intentional selections that contrast, complement, and even contradict each other in ways that evoke meaning. For me, the act of curation isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about communication, mood, and the ability to shape an experience that resonates.
If you are early in your journey, or really anywhere in your journey…
I believe these skills and ways of thinking are always available to us—no matter where we are in our journey. For collective liberation education, start with something you’re already drawn to. Find a topic, a movement, or an area of interest and seek out its untold histories. Learn about the people who shaped it, who faced adversity, and listen to their firsthand accounts. One of the most impactful ways I’ve done this is through film—studying film analysis and media theory has given me a rich understanding of how power, control, and liberation are woven into visual storytelling. When you start to see how systems have been designed to shape perception and limit possibility, you also begin to see how they can be disrupted, reimagined, and dismantled.
I also encourage starting something of your own in whatever capacity you can, especially with those who support and truly see you. I’m a firm believer in the for us, by us approach, especially when it comes to emerging artists, new businesses, and grassroots creative movements. Why invest your time, talent, and treasure into spaces that don’t appreciate or welcome you with genuine enthusiasm? Find the people who fan the flames of your desire and excellence—who challenge you to be whole and unfragmented—not the wet blankets of the world.
For strengthening your intuition, one of my favorite practices is leaving space for spontaneity. Try setting aside unstructured time and simply waiting until you feel where you want to go and what you want to do—listening closely, letting your body and instincts guide you rather than your rational mind. This can be done in everyday ways: taking a walk, driving, riding the train—allowing yourself to get lost and stay curious. Put on music, let your intuition choose your direction, and see where it takes you. There’s something powerful in practicing this kind of trust with yourself—it builds a deep internal knowing, the ability to sense what is right for you beyond external pressures or expectations. Over time, this practice of listening—really listening—becomes second nature, not just in movement but in decision-making, creativity, and how you navigate the world.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely. I’m always looking to connect with like-minded artists, creatives, and brands who are passionate about creating work that is boundary-pushing, values-informed, and technically strong while rooted in the artistic canon. I want to build with people who are not just skilled in their craft but deeply invested in the conversations their work is contributing to—whether that’s through identity, sexuality, power, world-shaping, or the act of visual storytelling itself.
I’m interested in collaborators who balance technical precision with raw experimentation, who want to get into the studio, throw ideas on the table, and see what sticks. Whether it’s a structured project or open-ended creative play, I love working with people who aren’t afraid to get messy, take risks, and push past conventional limits. If you’re someone who thrives in that space—who wants to explore without bounds while still bringing intention to the work—I’d love to connect.
Paid projects are always ideal, and I prioritize working with those who respect the value of creative labor. That said, I’m also open to passion projects and experimental sessions when there’s mutual excitement and alignment. I’m especially drawn to collaborations in photography, styling, creative direction, music, and curation, but I’m always open to unexpected intersections.
If this resonates, reach out! You can connect with me via email at [email protected]. Let’s make something cool.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.parkeballantine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parke.ballantine/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parkeballantine/
- Other: https://www.mixcloud.com/TheeParke/
Image Credits
Photos by Parke Ballantine
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
