The Art of “Networking” Art, Part 2

By Sian Lindemann

Arts & Entertainment Editor

“John Palmer (b. 1974), Houston painter and fifth-generation Texan, is living his dream and his purpose as he continues to create the life he wants to have. He is quite literally making history in his own life, one painting at a time. He is also making quite a name for himself as a fine artist. While he continues on this path, he will be one of the most dynamic artists of the twenty-first century.

John is pure energy, and it's when that energy is translated onto canvas the real magic occurs. John uses lines and color to describe the indescribable, and perhaps to escape the inescapable. The work is sometimes fractured and segmented, but still retains a certain wholeness and balance. His paintings are bold, expressive and dramatic. Subtlety is not part of John's repertoire.”

The Art of “Networking” Art

It has been a delight to interview the artists for this series on “The Art of Networking Art.” I have been most impressed by the ongoing and consistent willingness of these inspired individuals to share what they have learned, in the hopes that the path for other emerging artists might be less troublesome.

In Part 1, Bob Emser described his “defining moment.” Next month we’ll focus on the work of Harrison Funk, the Rock Star photographer.

For now, a pleasure, to write on the topic of John Palmer, of John Palmer Art, www.johnpalmerart.com , out of Houston, Texas. I conversed on several occasions with Mr. Palmer’s agent, Taft McWhorter, and was extremely pleased and humbled by his willingness to share the success strategies of John Palmer Art.

What I noticed, immediately, and is unique is an ongoing willingness to give reverence and appreciation to those who are the patrons of the artist. The conversation was significantly not personal to the “whim” of the artist. A demonstration to “invite” participation with the artist and the art, was not just based on an overwhelming desire to please the pocketbook of the artist, but a genuine desire to please and revere the “value” of the patron who was inclined to purchase.

This obvious generosity was pervasive through conversation pertaining to the strategies that have proven successful for artist, John Palmer.

“Notable Houstonians”

Among these offerings were a series of events as depicted by “Notable Houstonians.”

The opportunity to gift notable and celebrated people from the Houston business community with an original art work from John Palmer Studio, provided two significant opportunities for the artist.

1) John Palmer created, first, an opportunity for himself to meet people in his community whose business acumen he admired.

2) John Palmer created an opportunity for the “Notable Houstonian” to be surrounded by his friends, family and colleagues to witness the gift of receiving an original art work that had been customized to the individual being honored on this occasion, giving credibility to the art, as if it were an award for “a job well done.” The client base invited to support the “gift” opened the door to other potential acquisitions during the primary event

“Concierge Packet”

A consideration for Major Hotels in the Houston area, a Concierge Packet was designed and presented to the local Hotels to allow guests to participate in a private viewing of the works of John Palmer Art. Guests are picked up in the hotel by limousine service and are driven to the unique John Palmer Art Studio, whereby they are greeted by the artist, treated to a wine tasting and a private viewing. Each client, whether they purchase or not, is gifted with a personal hand-signed book by the artist of his latest works, thus providing a unique “tourist” destination in the greater Houston area, and encouraging immediate, if not also, future sales.

“Giving Back”

As with most artists, I’ve discovered, nearly all wish to ‘give back’ to their own communities and help other emerging artists find a way to succeed. John Palmer has found a unique way to do so. With a % of his revenues, he has successfully acquired a “loadable” credit card that he will gift to worthy emerging artists that subsequently provides an adequate dollar figure for that artist to go directly to a local Houston Art Store to acquire new supplies, with which to continue to paint.

At this time, I wish to thank Taft McWhorter, Agent for John Palmer, for his time and willingness to share these innovative and remarkably generous and “refreshing” business strategies in the hope they will inspire new thinking for our readers.

Art is a “gift,” a “modern luxury” yet with the kind of consideration presented here, I come away with a significantly “warm” and inviting feeling about John Palmer and his original works of art.

It makes for a genuine curiosity to know more about him, to continue to follow his progress.

Sian Lindemann

November 2008

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The Art of “Networking” Art, Part 2