In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, contemporary artist David Palmer is featured by the Professional Artist Association (
https://professionalartist.com/join), the world's fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists.
David is a U.S.-based painter whose work blends the bold visual language of pop art with a refined classical sensibility. Drawing from dreams, childhood memories, nature, and contemporary culture, his paintings are known for their distressed surfaces - layers of color revealed through wear, evoking aged frescoes and weathered billboards.
His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the U.S. and Europe and is held in numerous public and private collections. Before fully dedicating himself to painting, David built a successful career in digital effects, contributing to major films such as The Polar Express, Spider-Man 3, and Harry Potter… an experience that continues to inform his visual storytelling.
In this deep dive, David shares how he transitioned into outdoor art fairs and learned to sell work directly to collectors. He breaks down the realities of booth presentation, audience engagement, and the mindset required to thrive outside the traditional gallery system.
This episode offers practical insights for artists navigating hybrid career paths—balancing gallery representation with self-directed sales—while building lasting collector relationships through story-driven connection.
“It doesn’t matter what you say; nobody cares. The consequences of not doing it and taking a chance are a lot worse than the consequences of doing it wrong.”
— David Palmer
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:27 David's Unique Career Path and Film Work
03:00 Juggling Art and a Day Job
06:15 Early Inspirations and Education in Art
09:30 Transition to Graduate School and Mentorship
12:20 Influences from Renaissance and Pop Art
15:00 Shift to Outdoor Art Fairs
18:30 Challenges and Opportunities in Art Fairs
21:30 Navigating Gallery Relationships and Sales Strategies
25:00 The Impact of Popular Culture on Art
29:30 Embracing Curiosity and Persistence in Art
Access the members-only full unabridged conversation here:
Links to artworks discussed:
- His artworks can be seen in the YouTube version of this podcast here.
Connect with David:
Learn more about The Professional Artist Association:
Free training and resources:
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What is The Professional Artist Podcast: Art Business Transformations?
If you want to make it in the art world, talent is key - but so is mastering the business side. The Professional Artist Podcast is where fine artists and commerce meet.
Co-hosts Miguel L. Mayher and Cristina Demiany guide visual artists through an audio gallery, exploring how to show and sell your art, land commissions, apply for artist grants, license your art, and much more.
This is where your art career begins to grow.
Miguel L. Mayher is the Director of Education at the Professional Artist Association. Previously, he worked with Google Arts & Culture, striking partnerships with national museums. He is also a Global Economic Symposium Young Fellow and a One Young World Ambassador.
Cristina Demiany is a Senior Art Business Coach at the Professional Artist Association. She formerly served as Senior Program Manager at Sotheby’s Institute of Art and as Executive Director of the National Children’s Chorus.
The Professional Artist Association is a global organization dedicated to providing real-world education for visual artists, including painters, sculptors, and fine art photographers.