John Palmer, Artist
John Palmer Studio

What are your favorite Houston spots?

The Rothko Chapel, The Menil Collection and any one of our many, many Starbucks.

Describe your perfect day in Houston.

Rise early. In the morning I’ll start by enjoying meditation, writing correspondence and reading before meeting with my partner over coffee to brainstorm about the day. At my leisure I’ll create dynamic art in my 1218 Heights Boulevard studio. Sometime mid-afternoon, I’ll have to energize with more coffee!  By late afternoon, I’ll go and sweat it out at Bikram Yoga on South Boulevard. In the evening, I want to taste fine wine and a devour a filet at home with my partner before an early bedtime.

When describing Houston to friends that have never been here, what do you tell them?

It’s not just humidity, cowboys, barbecue and a big Rodeo (although we have all of those in spades!) Houston is a world class cultural center in all forms of art, the location of the globe’s most prestigious medical center and you could not find better restaurants on the planet.

When you’re not painting, where is the least likely place someone might find you in Houston?

I pride myself on my dedication to yoga, healthy eating and physical fitness, and so my friends would be surprised to find me at Moeller’s Bakery in Bellaire, stuffing my face with snowballs. I’ve loved them since I was a boy!

Where is your favorite place to eat and why?

That’s easy: Tony’s. I absolutely love it that Tony allows my beautiful, but bulky John Palmer Art van to be parked next to the luxury automobiles up front! The food is the best in the world, along with the impeccable service. I consider Tony to be a good friend of mine, and each time I’m there he and his team treat me like a member of the family. I’m extremely humbled to be able to see my art hanging in the restaurant alongside master American artists.

When you have friends/family in town where are the “must see” places you take them?

I adore the Cockrell Butterfly Center at Houston Museum of Natural Science . Everything at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is to-die-for. Take a slow drive and admire the beauty of the River Oaks homes. Friends and family “must” try the chicken salad at Hungry’s Café in the Rice Village and go for the perfect steak at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse on Westheimer.

What surprises you about Houston?

Being a fifth generation Texan and third generation Houstonian, honestly not much surprises me about Houston. However, I am constantly overwhelmed and proud of the citizens of Houston’s courage and fortitude amidst a crisis, creation of creative business opportunities in an economic crunch and the diversity and acceptance of people from all walks of life.

Is there anything that you would like to add? 

I’ve had the luxury of traveling to countries all over the world: South Africa, Japan, Greece, Austria, Spain, Argentina and more. I enjoy nothing more than returning home to Houston and being rejuvenated by the community that supports me and allows me to do what I love.

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