Meet Nallely Palma | Professional Face Painter/ Artist

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

Hi Nallely, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan in Mexico. My family is from a small island called Pico del Monte , Guerrero about 2 hours from Acapulco. I lived in Mexico city until I was 7 years old with my Father, Mother, Brother and Sister. That’s when my father had earned enough money working here in the US to be able to pay for our “coyote” to cross the border and be reunited with him after being separated for a year. We lived in Paramount CA. Our first home was a small garage that was converted into a studio like home. After about a year we moved into a 2 bedroom home a few blocks from the little garage. I always saw how much of a hard worker my father was and how he accomplished his goals by having faith and willing to take the necessary risks. He worked for the El Pollo Loco fast food restaurant for over 30 yrs while having small side hustles with my mother to make extra cash. They used to staple realtor signs to light posts, My mom would sell can sodas to people coming out of the swapmeet for .50 and later upgraded to selling used items at the Paramount Swap Meet that they would buy at yard sales and clean up and fix to sell for a small profit. We would also sell food plates and tamales at the swapmeet. My father held 2 jobs at 2 different El Pollo Loco’s, a morning shift 6am-2pm and a night shift 5-11pm everyday. He had weekends off but would use them to go to the yard sales with my mom and sometimes take us out to eat as a family on Sundays. After 7 years of living in LA we moved to Bakersfield, CA. My father was offered a manager position at a new El Pollo Loco location opening there. I was 14 years old when we moved here. And of course my family always had another plan to make a lil extra money and that’s when we started a taco truck business. My dad bought a used taco truck and started driving to new construction sites to feed the workers in the morning and would go to his restaurant job at 2-11pm.
My very first job was also at El Pollo Loco when I was 15 years old until I was almost 18. At 18 years old everything drastically changed. I was a senior at Foothill High School when I began to feel sick. The doctors did not know what was wrong but my symptoms where hair loss, joint pain, weight loss, blisters in my mouth, and fatigue. I was later diagnosed with Lupus. I almost died because doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong. I had to go to a hospital in LA where they finally figured out what was wrong. Martin Luther king Hospital was where I was diagnosed and where I suffered the most. They where purty much experimenting on me and caused a lot of damage to my body. I am thankful to be alive and very blessed. while I was at the hospital my father, brother and sister took care of everything at home with the taco trucks, I believe we already had 2 trucks by that time. I got better and about 2 years after I got sick my brother got sick and was diagnosed with lupus also. My whole family went through a lot not only with my diagnosis but with my little brothers too. Unfortunately my brother Carlos did not get better and he passed away in 2004 from lupus complications. Our family was devastated and we decided to sell our taco trucks. I got married before my brothers passing and he was able to meet 1 of my 2 daughters. During my marriage I was in a mentally abusive relationship and didn’t do much but take care of my daughter. I was very depressed and isolated not only because of my ex-husband but also because I felt that my illness didn’t allow my to be “normal”. One day I decided to join a ministry group in my church just to be able to get out of my house and interact with other people while serving our lord and savior. As soon as that thought came to my mind a lady posted on facebook that she needed ladies to help with a ministry group she created called Face Painting for Jesus . She taught me a lot to start my face painting journey and it all started through ministry. I later realized there was a high demand for it and started my own small business called Fabulous Faces by Nallely. It will be my 10 year anniversary in May of this year. I believe that my parents hard work, dedication, risks, and thrive to succeed for our family has molded me into the business owner I am blessed to be now. They taught me early on to follow your dreams, to never give up and to stay true and honest. I’m blessed to have my daughters, nieces and friends on board with my business and helping me grow. And of course my parents and sister are always there lending a hand, advice , and love.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Sometimes when I tell people I am a professional face Painter they are taken aback and say ” I didn’t know that was a career”. Well I am blessed to say that for me it is. And the most rewarding part of it is when you see the kids smiles and excitement after they see themselves in my mirror. They turn into this magical character that they love so much and it is absolutely amazing to see. I have also seen this in a lot of adults and its just as rewarding. When an adult sits on my chair and says “I always wanted to get my face painted as a kid and never got the chance to do it” when they finally do its like seeing that kid again. I have worked very hard at mastering my skills with lots of practice, courses, and hard work.
I think the biggest challenges have been just learning all the new designs that change every year. There is always something new to learn.
I’ve learned to be a better business owner, a boss, and mentor. I love being able to teach new and upcoming artist about face painting and being able to work together.
I would love everyone to know that no matter what you are going through, with faith and hard work everything is possible. I would like to be seen as a minority who overcame many obstacles in my life with the help of my family. And now I get to do something that brings joy not only to myself but to kids and adults everywhere I go.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This one is going to be a little hard. I’m a homebody and Bakersfield is not the most fun place in California. Even though we do have a couple places that are a must see if you are here. I would definitely take my best friend to Lake Isabella. It is a beautiful lake where we can go fishing, boating and camping.
We would have have to go to 24th Street Cafe for breakfast which in my opinion is one of the best dining places here in town.
And last we would have to go to one of the many farms here. I love animals and here they have them all! Horses, sheep, pigs, goats and chickens.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I believe that our ministry group deserves a huge shoutout, Face Painting for Jesus has opened the doors I needed to get me to where I am today. My family also deserves a shoutout. They always believed in me and in my dreams. They continue to support me and cheer me on with love. And last bit not least A big shoutout to my fiancee Ray who cheers me on, encourages me and supports me unconditionally. Thank you for being for everything I needed in my life. 

Website: www.nallelyh519.wixsite.com/fabulousfacesnallely

Instagram: instagram.com/fabulousfacesbynallely

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fabulousfacesbynallely

Other: TikTok: fabulousfacesbynallely