Self Portrait

Palmer studied at Grimsby School of Art and the Royal College of Art. He worked first as a commercial artist and than as a lecturer at various art schools. It was only after his retirement in 1977 that he had time to devote himself entirely to his painting, an immensely productive period when he also spent time re-working earlier paintings; indeed, this self-portrait was re-worked considerably. His paintings represent a very personal vision ranging from stark, elongated figures set in anonymous landscapes to richly painted interiors, filled with flowers and homely clutter. He preferred not to title his work, believing that the paintings should speak for themselves. All of his works possess, therefore, an element of ambiguity and mystery - the haunting sadness of this self- portrait, given added pathos by the clown costume, typifies his painting.