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He journals—and encourages his team to do the same. “Ideas come from everywhere,” he admits. He even rewards staff for finishing their journals. “Each time they bring me a completed journal, they receive $1,000 art credit.” Redeemed journals become part of the John Palmer Art Archives.

He delegates duties to his team—leading by example. When he is free from the responsibilities of managing a business, then he can focus all his energy on creating. The work environment fostered by Palmer ’s philosophy towards life is extremely conducive to productivity. He says, “Everyone who works here must bring joy so that everyone who leaves here, leaves feeling joyful. ” Joy is rampant. Heck, it’s  fun to walk through the house.

He mentors other artists—teaching them not only how to free their creative energy, but how to do something both with their lives and their art simultaneously. John asserts that the reason he has been successful as an artist is because he didn ’t have a fall-back plan. He dove in, relatively untrained, and within one year he was working full time as an artist, supporting himself with his art. Now he has a team of eight.

He gives back—year-round. Palmer’s time and energy are devoted to charitable causes where he donates time and art to raise awareness for causes he and his family support. He firmly believes and shares with those he mentors that “doors open for us in life because we make a commitment to the Universe to give back. ”

Escapism is additionally Palmer’s latest contribution to the art world.

The Heart Institute is not the only place of prestige to house John Palmer Art. Palmer ’s collectors span the spectrum. Locally, his art can be found in homes from the Heights, to River Oaks, to West U, to Clear Lake, in the finest rooms owned by the likes of the Farbs, the Vallones and even the Friedmans. How about Sir Roger Moore? Yes, Bond —James Bond. Some of his collectors have 20 pieces, but more typically, collectors have four or five pieces.

What do Palmer’s collectors say about his work? Unilaterally, the response is, “His use of color.” But what draws his collectors to him, according to Taft McWhorter, Palmer’s business manager, is John himself, his personality and charisma. He is passionate about his life, his friends and his experience as a human being. He is also committed to personal growth and evolution.

“Learning and growing are sometimes painful,” Palmer asserts, “however, we choose what we are consumed by.” On June 4, 1998, John Palmer lost his father and discovered his purpose. On that fateful day in his twenty-fifth year, amid despair, genius was ignited in a young man ’s grief-stricken spirit. He could’ve chosen to be consumed by grief. He did not. As a result, every facet of his life now reflects a brilliant light radiating joy. Quite a legacy.