Meet David Palmer | artist

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

Hi David, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
When people talk about artists, the thing you always hear about is talent. I think talent is overrated. In my opinion the most important qualities an artist needs are curiosity and persistence. A sense of humor also helps.

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.
I think of myself as a Pop Artist with a classical sensibility. My work is inspired by dreams, memories, daily life and contemporary culture.

I used to mainly show in galleries, but for about ten years I’ve been an independent artist. I spend months in the studio painting, and then travel around the US going to outdoor art fairs. It’s an insane amount of work, and a lot of driving, but I love it. I get to see to see the country, meet thousands of people, and make a living from my art. One of my favorite things about this lifestyle is the wonderful community of artists I’ve become part of. We get together for meals, encourage each other, share information, and sometimes deliver each other’s artwork. My family on the road.

Years ago I told a recruiter that I was looking for a job that wouldn’t interfere with my career. On the way to making a full-time living from my art, I’ve had a lot of day jobs, including teaching, bartending, and creating digital effects for big Hollywood movies. I’ve learned valuable things from every one of them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are plenty of interesting things to do in LA, and everyone’s aware of the main tourist attractions. I’d show my friend around Pasadena.

We’d start with a walk around the The Rose Bowl. The 3.3 mile loop is popular with hikers, bikers and dog-walkers, and there are wonderful views of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Then we’d go to the Norton Simon Museum of Art, which has an amazing collection of artwork, including paintings by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Raphael. There’s a garden in the back that was modeled after Monet’s gardens at Giverny. The lily pond there is the inspiration for my painting series “Show Me the Monet”, which I think of as a conversation with Claude. Though so far it’s been pretty one-sided 🙂

Next stop would be Huntington Gardens and Library in San Marino (Pasadena-adjacent). It has acres of botanical gardens with plants from around the world, divided into sections based on geography, a library with a collection of rare manuscripts, and several art galleries featuring classical and contemporary art. Two of my favorite things there are a pair of outdoor bronze sculptures by Los Angeles artist Enrique Martinez Celaya.

We’d hang out at Ginger Corner Market, an independent cafe about a block from Caltech. They make all their own delicious pastries, as well as great soups, salads and sandwiches, and there’s a chance you’ll meet an actual rocket scientist.

We’d head over to the Playhouse District and browse the record bins at Sibylline Records on El Molino, a record shop run by working musicians. Then we’d go find something to read at Octavia’s Bookshelf on Hill Ave just north of Washington, an independent bookstore featuring works by authors who are Black, indigenous, or people of color.

And we’d take a bike ride from Pasadena up to Sierra Madre. There’s a not-too-difficult climb most of the way up, but the return trip is all downhill.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Much of the work we do as artists happens when we’re alone. But we don’t function in a vacuum. We’re part of a community of other artists, writers, musicians, and filmmakers. And also scientists, scholars, designers, philosophers, collectors and curators. People who are alive now, and those from the past, who provide ongoing inspiration, guidance and friendship. Being part of this group is, for me, as important as the actual artwork I produce. I dedicate this shoutout to my fellow explorers, in every field.

Website: https://davidpalmerstudio.com

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