Bill Palmer

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Medium: Wood

Artwalk 2012 Location: Rogue Tavern Parking Lot, 2312 2nd Avenue North

 

"I am passionate about working with exotic woods.  Their intricate grain patterns and natural colors are easily incorporated into my organic-inspired art and furniture designs"  

Bill Palmer loves the outdoors and he loves wood.  As an avid hiker since his teens and a landscaper for 25 years, he developed a keen appreciation for natural forms and materials.   After extensive art studies and use of most mediums, he discovered working with exotic woods in his late 30's.  His constant observations of 'random patterns' in nature are reflected in his use of clean, curving lines in his wood furniture, sculpture and wall art.  

Each piece of Bill's work begins with a pencil-drawn design on paper.  Then the perfect wood is chosen from the lumber bin, where it has been drying and acclimating to inside climate for several years.  The raw lumber is then milled to size before being meticulously measured and cut into parts.  As construction progresses, parts are fitted, sculpted, sanded, disassembled and tested for fit again before final assembly.  Upon completion, multiple coats of finishing oil, hand-mixed with polyurethane for extra durability, are hand-rubbed into the piece until just the right level of sheen is achieved to highlight the true character of the wood as well as the intended design.

Bill Palmer studied art through high school and college, after which he began a design/build landscape firm, where he was able to put his art education and appreciation for nature to good use.  Then, in 1995, he discovered woodworking.  Through self-study and a lot of practice, he progressed to designing and building one-of-a-kind studio furniture and from there he has never looked back. 

In January, 2011, his work was accepted for exhibit and sale on ArtfulHome.com by head juror Michael Monroe, the former curator for The Smithsonian Institute's Renwick Gallery. His work was also included in the 2011 exhibit, "Celebrating Contemporary Arts in Alabama" at the Johnson Center for the Arts in Troy, Alabama, followed by a two month exhibit at the Alabama State Council on the Arts' gallery in the state capital of Montgomery.  

Bill has been exhibiting and selling his exotic wood art at art shows and museum exhibits throughout the south since 2004.  He can be reached at  205-621-0727 or   Billpalmercustoms@gmail.com

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