Artist of the Month - February 2008 - Patrick Palmer

Welcome to our Artist of the Month feature for February, and congratulations to Patrick Palmer for being our selected artist.

Hi Patrick - can you tell us a little about yourself, and how you got started as an artist?

When I left school my art teacher secretly entered one of my paintings in an art competition, it won first prize in my local town and then went on to win an international art competition. So I spent 17 years in a publishing career. At the age of 38 I eventually came to my senses and decided to explore my potential as an artist. I still keep my hand in media but my real passion and skill is art.

What are you favourite subjects to paint?

Portraits of interesting faces and female nudes.

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists, or for those new to art?

Do not rely on your art alone for an income - it puts too much pressure on being commercial which can stifle your creativity. Keep up a day job.

What do you hope people see in your work?

I hope it touches them in some way and makes them feel something.

Who are your favourite artists or photographers, and are there any works in particular which have inspired you?

Degas, Toulouse Lautrec and Klimt. I also like lesser-known artists such as Carol Peace and Bill Bates. I find that the style of my work is generally inspired by the impressionists. However every picture I do seems to be affected by the last pictures I have seen which can be good or bad – if I have seen a wide range of work my style can be very varied but sometimes it can confuse the overall image.

What painting, photograph or work of art do you wish you had produced?

Frieze of Dancers by Degas.

Apart from your portfolio at artfair365.co.uk, how do you promote your work - are you a member of any societies, and do you have any exhibitions planned?

I always make sure I have business cards on me and hand them out whenever I get the opportunity. I have a website which is a useful ‘shop-window’ and I advertise in Art Of England magazine for my portraits. I email everyone I know when I have something new to say or show. I also organise 2-3 joint shows per year. Nearly all sales happen at the private view.

From your own portfolio, which are your favourite 3 artworks?

Pregnant Beauty, Girl in Orange and Tone-Lise Reclining

Click here to view Patrick's portfolio.

Click here to view our Artist of the Month for January - Caren Thompson.

Click here to view our Artist of the Month for December - Simon Wild.

Click here to view our Artist of the Month for November - Sally Bassett.

Click here to view our Artist of the Month for October - Bill Jackson.

Click here to view our Artist of the Month for September - Maureen Greenwood.

Click here to view our Artist of the Month for August - Cinzia Castellano.

Click here to view our Artist of the Month for July - John Bird.

Click here to view our Artist of the Month for June - Anthony Caruana.

Click here to view our Artist of the Month for May - Clem Spencer.